I get up and walk to the front porch, Nate on my tail.

I sit down on the steps and ask, "What did Tony say?"

Nate thinks, "Well…. He said that since your becoming more 'feminine' that you should get someone to share your life with instead of always watching us. He also said that you should grow up because you haven't had a boyfriend and you haven't done 'it' yet….-"

"Wait a second!" I cut him off from talking. "Tony shouldn't be telling you this stuff anyway!"

Nate looks down in guilt and we are both quite for a few minutes.

We both hear Aiden running downstairs and outside. He stops by us and asks Nate, "Nate, can you come play with us?"

Nate smiles, "Sure lil' bro, you go ahead, I'll be right there."

Aiden nods happily and bolts off, leaving Nate to finish what he was saying.

Nate gets up and stops by the front door, looking at me, "What about marrying Tobias?"

My eyes grow wide in shock at his suggestion, "Tobias? No, I don't know. We are childhood friends, I don't think he even likes me in 'that' way."

Nate is silent for a moment, "Sis….YOU BIG IDIOT!"

I almost fall backwards from his voice volume.

He resumes again, "You're so clueless aren't you? Tobias doesn't like you, he loves you with all his heart. Why can't you see that? All of us can see it clearly but you!"

He walks in the house and slams the door closed behind him. I sit there in complete silence with my thoughts all jumbled up.

Tears stream down my face, dripping off the side of my chin. Tobias loves me…. that thought ran through my head a thousand times. For the first time in a long time, my heart felt weighed down from guilt and sadness.

How much have I hurt him? How long have I ignored what Tobias was trying to say? How long has Tobias even liked me?

So many questions ran through my mind that I wanted answered. With tears still steaming down my face, I get up and walk inside to my bedroom. I undress from my school uniform and put on for suitable clothing for cleaning.

I put on a pair of grey shorts, a blue tank top, and I tie my hair into a pony tail. I wipe the remaining tears from my face as I walk into the kitchen. I glance at the clock before grabbing a sponge and washing the pile of dishes.

…...

Once the dishes were washed, dried, and put away, I grab the broom and sweep the kitchen and living room. After that, I put in a load of laundry and grab a cook book and sit down at table, skimming through the recipes.

I finally decide to make rice, chicken, and steamed veggies. I grab my wallet and call up to the boys, "Going out to grab groceries! Be back in a few!"

I wait a minute before they all respond, "Kay!"

I grab my key and lock the door as I head out to the store, which is about 5 minutes away. As I walk to the store, I hum a little tune to keep my mind calm and focused.

As I enter the grocery store, I see my classmate Rico in the candy isle. I walk over and tap on his shoulder.

He turns to face me and questions, "Um… hi. Do I know you?"

I slightly punch him in the arm and scold, "That's no way to treat your classmate, Rico."

He rubs his arm slightly, "How do you know my name?"

I cross my arms, "Imagine me in your uniform and my hair down, idiot."

He squints at me and thinks. After a few moments of thinking, his eyes grow wide in shock as he stutters, "N-no…. it c-can't be…. Nina!"

I lean towards him and pat his cheek lightly as I snicker, "Who else would it be dork?"

He eases backwards away from me with a blush growing on his face, "Um… Uh, I didn't recognize you with out the guy's uniform."

I creep closer to him, making the blush become redder. I grin mischievously, "Admit it, you always thought I was a guy with a girl's name."

He backs up against a shelf full of candy as I creep closer to him. A cold sweat runs down his face as he mumbles, "Don't be ridiculous, I always knew you were a g-girl."

I bring me face close to his and smile, "Oh did you now? Cause even you look at me weirdly when I'm with Tobias. What did you think we are? Gay?"

Rico's eyes avoid mine as he mutters, "M-maybe I did like everyone else. And I j-just never s-seen you w-with…"

His eyes begin to scan my body up and down as he resumes, "G-girl clothes on be-before.."

I shrug and back off, "Well whatever, I need to get food for the little ones."

As I turn to walk away, Rico grabs my shoulder, "Little ones, meaning you have kids?"

I giggle, "You're joking right? Even though my three little brothers see me as a mom in a way, I'm not their mom. And plus, I need to make dinner for six tonight. So good-bye for now."

I yank away from his grip and carry on with shopping. After I filled my basket with food supplies, I carry them to the counter. The lady rings up everything and tells me the total of $103.34. I hand over the last of my paycheck money and I grab 5 bags full of groceries.

I thank the cashier and leave the store, with three bags on one arm and two on the other. As I walk on the sidewalk home, I feel someone tap my shoulder. I turn around to face the whole senior basketball team, excluding my bro and Tobias.

Dean steps forward slowly with Rico behind him. I turn all the way around to face them as I cross my arms, the plastic bags rustling, "Did I not get it all the way through Rico's thick head? I don't have time to mess with you guys, I have to get home and feed my little brothers and my twin."

Dean stops moving forward and holds up his hands in defense, "Whoa there, were not gonna do nothin bad, just wanting to confirm what Rico said before."

I turn away and begin to walk home without saying good-bye. I begin to hum again as I leave the basketball bums behind me.