"JOSH, what the hell? Fuck giving you a heart attack, you almost gave me one," I put my bat down and grabbed my chest, it was racing!

"Says the girl with the bat ready to swing on the unsuspecting and clearly defenseless young but very good-looking man," my brother smiled as he crossed his arms. We sized each other up for a moment before I ran and jumped on him. My brother and I haven't always had the best relationship in the past but we're pretty tight now. When I was younger, I was extremely jealous and bitter and he just didn't care so we basically ended up being strangers that just happened to live under the same roof. My sophomore year, his senior year was when our relationship changed. To this day I think he was ashamed that he was related to me because I was scared of the "populars" and I let them walk all over me. Looking back at it, I was truly pathetic and I don't think he wanted to be associated with me because of it. But when I started to stand up for myself he developed a new found respect for me, which resulted in him defending me as well. As long as my brother was around none of the "populars" would so much as look at me the wrong way. I don't know if he ever knew what they did when he wasn't around but I had too much pride to tell him, so who knows? Since Josh plays football on a college level, he's really busy these days and we aren't as close as we could be but I'm not complaining. I like where our relationship is and I wouldn't want to change it for anything.

"I didn't know you would be coming home," I exclaimed, letting him go.

"Please, I know mom is gonna be working, getting that time and a half and I can't have my little sister eating Thanksgiving alone. Though, the thought of your cooking alone would have brought me home," he sighed, blissfully and I could just imagine his greedy ass at the table tomorrow eating up everything.

"Now, that's true. The thought of your food brought me back," another voice cut in as he walked out of the kitchen.

"OH MY GOD, MAL," by the time I finished saying his name, I was already hugging the hell out of him. "I've missed you so much," then I smacked him, it wasn't a hard one or anything, just a playful one. "Why has it taken you so long to come back? Doesn't matter, I'm glad you're here," I continued to gush on and on like that for a few more minutes before I could actually calm down.

"I've missed you too. What inspired the change 'lil' one?" That's his special nickname for me. It always made me go weak at the knees, surprisingly though, not this time. Thinking about what he said, I realized he was referring to my new look when he said change.

I shrugged, "Oh, my friend thought it was time for a makeover and well…I guess I was sick of being the ugly duckling."

"You weren't ugly. You didn't need to change," he exclaimed, moving some of my hair behind my ear.

Are you confused, yet? Let me explain Malcolm Edward Buxton, Mal for short was my first boyfriend, the one that took my virginity and deserved it, wholeheartedly. He came from a rich family that my mother was once the housekeeper for. When Mal decided that he didn't want to run the family business and wanted to have a career in the music industry, writing and producing songs, his father kicked him out. He came to live with the only woman that cared about him rather than his trust fund, my mother. I developed a serious crush on him fast. I started making excuses just to spend time with him. He was the reason I found out that I could sing but that's another story, I'll explain later. After realizing that I could sing, he enlisted my help on a few of his projects. With us working so close together for so long took its toll on me. I confessed to him one night that I like him and impulsively kissed him. I ran away from him after that fully aware that I had just made a fool of myself but to my surprise he came after me and HE KISSED me this time and said that he felt the same way. I thought he was playing with my emotions at first, I mean he looks good as hell. He's one of the guys you'd see in a Calvin Klein ad and fantasize about but would never in life have a real chance with, so why the hell did he like me? He assured me it wasn't a joke and by the end of that night he was my very first boyfriend. Mal saw me for who I was and not who I should be. It never mattered to him that I wasn't the best looking girl and that I didn't dress in the latest fashions. He never once looked down on me as if he was worth more because he came from money and I easily fell in love with him. We went out for most of my sophomore year and the beginning of summer. We broke up when he decided to move to New York permanently to pursue his dream of becoming a music producer. It hurt like hell to let him go but I didn't want to hold him back. He wrote letters and called everyday but as time went on the calls and letters became less and less. I didn't mind though, Mal is a wonderful man and I'm glad that I had him for so long. I've never regretted anything when it came to Mal and I still don't. He was my rock when everything else was wrong or going wrong.

"Thanks, Mal but you're just saying that. I know I was ugly." I shrugged, "I'm over it now, it's in the past."

Mal opened his mouth to reply but my brother cut him off before he could even manage a word.

"While I'm happy that you want to tell my sister how ugly she never was Mal, the fact remains that I'm still hungry and neither one of us can cook." He turns to me, "so could you be the best little sister in the world and cook me some breakfast. I'm not asking for too much, your famous pancakes, some eggs, maybe a little bacon."

I smiled, "you know I got you but ya'll gotta wash the dishes," I walked past them into the kitchen. A little more than 30 minutes later we were all sitting at the table eating pancakes, bacon, eggs, grits, and homemade biscuits while Mal and Josh filled me in on their lives.

Josh is doing extremely well in football. Though he's not the starter for the team, he gets more than enough game time. My brother has determination, he goes to every practice early and leaves later, making sure he understands each play and exactly how to run it. He basically lives and breathes football, a great quality since he wants to go to the NFL. And apparently his coach believes he has the talent to go pro, he just needs a little grooming which the coach is more than willing to provide. My brother wants to give us a better life so he's making sure nothing gets in his way.

Mal's doing just as great in the music world. Four songs he helped to produce were currently on the top ten charts. Two songs he himself had written were sold to the highest bidder. He wasn't able to disclose which R&B artist would be putting their voice to his words, but that he would let us know. He also said that he has a surprise for the family but we would have to wait to find out what it was. Mal's a vault when it comes to secrets and surprises, there would be no point in trying to get him to tell, so Josh and I didn't even bother.

After we finished eating, the boys washed the dishes while I showered and dressed. We all lounged around the living room watching TV way into the afternoon. Mal and Josh fought over the remote like always while I just waited for the perfect opportunity to take it myself. I got my chance not too long later when they started to wrestle. I quickly and very quietly reached over and grabbed the disregarded remote and turned to Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. I love that show!

"HEY," they yelled in unison once they realized that I had the remote. It had only taken them about five minutes to realize what I had done, that's pretty good for them considering it usually it takes them about 20. I had to laugh, I miss the old days! The boys detangled themselves from one another and began to advance towards me.

I slowly got up and began backing away from them, "you guys weren't even watching the TV, ya'll were playing around." They shared a look with one another before they smirked at me. Just as they took another step towards me the doorbell rang and after losing rock, paper, scissors for the third time, Mal went and got the door. He came back with Raye drooling at his heels.

"Hey chica," she exclaimed, sitting down beside me. She was eyeing both my brother and Mal. She was attracted to both it was obvious and to prove my point she had already started flirting. "Serena, you haven't introduced me to your friend. I know your brother. Josh, am I right?" she batted her eyelashes and used a silky tone of voice that I'd never heard from her before.

My brother was well experienced with women but I wouldn't call him a playa so, I assumed that he would be no match for Raye, I mean she was a veteran at the game. I was pretty sure she could teach him some things but surprisingly enough, 10 minutes into the conversation and it was Raye that was looking like a love sick puppy and not my brother. She was hanging on his every word and my brother was enjoying every minute of it. They both were completely ignoring Mal and I as they continued to flirt.

"Raye, what brought you over here," I questioned, finally able to cut into their conversation.

"Oh right! Well, I was coming over to invite you to my house for Thanksgiving. I figured your mom would be working and I didn't want you to be alone," she explained.

"Awww, that was swe-," was all I could get out before Josh cut me off.

"Why don't you come over here instead? Rena's gonna cook more than enough and her food is good as shit."

"That would be great. I could give the cook the day off. Wait, what about Darien?" She looked real perplexed.

"Darien?" my brother repeated. You could tell by the way he said the name that he wasn't too fond of who Darien could be. I toyed with the idea of playing with his head but Raye ruined that idea before I could completely settle on it.

"Darien's my older brother. Our parents are out of the country and my brother and I were planning to eat together. I couldn't just leave him out."

"Darien's welcome to come. He already knows that, but I'll be sure to remind him later," I cut in. With the problem resolved Raye and my brother once again forgot about Mal and I and went back to flirting. Now becoming slightly nauseated with their spectacle, Mal and I excused ourselves not that they even noticed and made our way to the grocery store. We walked around the store and picked up everything we wanted for Thanksgiving. By the time we began checking out we had a little of everything: turkey, ham, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, candy yams, cabbage, greens, green beans, cranberry sauce, potatoes, and everything needed for sweet potato and apple pies. Mal paid for all the food and we made our way back to the house.

Pulling into the driveway, we found Raye's car still parked outside the house but no sign of her or my brother once we walked inside. After we brought in all the groceries, I went searching for her and my brother, leaving Mal began to put away all the food. As I neared my brother's room, I heard the unmistakable sound of his bed creaking and Raye moaning. It didn't take a genius to realize what was going down inside the room. I turned around and walked back downstairs. Looking at my face when I entered the kitchen, Mal busted out laughing.

"I'm guessing you found them." Before I could even attempt to reply Raye and my brother got louder. And to make matters worse, Raye proved to be a very VERY VOCAL girl. Mal found this hilarious, me not so much so. Mal and I managed to put away the rest of the groceries before we could take no more and decided to leave.

Mal dropped me off at Darien's apartment while he went to visit his little brother. Darien wasn't there so I let myself in with the key he had given me a few weeks ago. I was still tired from staying up all night to watch a CSI: Miami marathon that I just stripped down to my bra and panties and got into his bed. I did try and watch a movie but it wasn't long before I gave up that battle and fell asleep.

I woke up some time later when someone slipped into bed with me. I opened my eyes slightly to see a head of brown hair and green eyes, so it damn sure wasn't Darien. I did what any normal 17 year-old-girl would do, I screamed loud as shit and pushed him out the bed. To his credit, the guy didn't land on his back like I would have liked, instead on his hands and knees. He was back on his feet in a matter of seconds flashing me with his white Colgate smile. Just as I was about to start freaking, Darien came rushing in.

"What the hell is going on?" He saw that I was in the bed and asked, "Baby, what are you doing here?" But before I could reply, he noticed the guy still standing there and turned to him, "Nick, why the fuck are you in my room?"

The guy shrugged and crossed his arms, "you said that I could crash."

"Yeah, crash on the couch or in the guest room not in my bed."

"That couch is stiff as shit and the guest room is too damn bland, makes me feel like I'm in a hospital room. I figured you wouldn't mind if I crashed in your bed. I mean I'm not asking for a lot, just your bed." I had to smile, the guy sounded like he was actually hurt that Darien was truly opposed to the idea.

"The last time I let you borrow something of mine you wrapped it around a telephone pole. Did you honestly think I'd let you borrow anything of mine after that?" Darien chuckled. "I'm scared to let you borrow a dollar. Who knows what you would or could do with it? Now, carry your ass to the guest room."

"Damn this is how you treat family. That's foul. I've been looking out for you since we were little kids and you won't even let me stay in your bed. What kind of cousin are you?" Nick smirked, looking all hurt this time.

Darien continued to chuckle as he shook his head, "you're so full of shit, man. Even if I would give you my bed, I damn sure wouldn't with my girl in it. Why would you even get in there if you saw her?"

"I dunno, thought you'd share her too." Darien made a face that I wasn't able to decipher before his face went blank but apparently Nick could because he looked a little shocked for a split second, "you never had a problem sharing before. How was I suppose to know that it had changed?"

"Well, now you know. Things are different and that doesn't happen anymore."

Wow, I had to look at Darien in a new light, now. I knew he was a playa, but I didn't think he was a straight dog. He and his cousin, probably even his friends too, they used to all share girls, pass them around like they were candy. That was wrong and NASTY. Then again if the girl let herself get passed around that didn't say that much for the type of woman she was so I couldn't really care that much.

"Shit, I guess you really did settle down. When the boys told me, I thought they were bullshi-," I had to cut him off at this point I just realized that I was still in my underwear.

"This is all great and all but could you'll take it outside so I can put my cloths back on."

"Or you could just give us a little show," Nick countered.

Darien smacked him upside his head before I could even begin to respond. "GET OUT," he demanded, shoving Nick toward the door. "Sorry about that. He's an asshole, but he's family."

"Naw, he's okay. Just scared the hell out of me! I thought he was you until I saw his eyes," I replied, getting out the bed to kiss him.

"What are you doing over here anyway?"

"Well, my brother came home for Thanksgiving and he and a female friend became engaged in some "physical activity." The girl turned out to be very vocal and I couldn't stand it, so I came over here," I explained, grimacing as I remembered Raye screaming my brother's name. I had the strong urge to throw up.

Once again like Mal, Darien started laughing as he watched my face change. "Sorry, you had to experience that but since you're here, you can eat with us. I'm making my grandmother's recipe for spaghetti and meatballs.

"Is it good?"

"Come on, I'm cooking it. Anything I cook is bound to be good," he smiled, handing me my clothes.

Dinner didn't turn out quite exactly how one would assume. The main reason being, that Darien and Nick got into a big argument about what their grandmother put into her sauce. Nick said she put in sugar and Darien argued she didn't. Somehow, during the course of the argument, the sauce ended up on the floor and splattering all over someone. Guess who? Yeah, it was me and I was pissed. Now, don't get me wrong, I wasn't mad that I was covered in spaghetti sauce, okay I wasn't THAT mad I was covered in sauce. What pissed me off was one, none, not one drop of it got on Darien or Nick, two, they looked at me and started laughing and three, while they laughed Darien told Nick it was his fault and he had to clean it up and that started yet another argument. At risk of sounding like my mother, I snapped, "stop acting your shoes sizes and act your damn ages. The shit fell because of both of you so both of you clean the shit up. I'm going to take a shower, be done by the time I get back," I warned, walking towards the door. "And no arguing," I added at the doorway and then I was gone.

"I like her, she's gonna keep you on your toes," I heard Nick say before I was completely out of earshot. I didn't wait around to hear Darien's reply, I had to get out these clothes. I took a shower and dressed in one of Darien's ball shorts and a wife beater. I figured they'd still be cleaning so I went to the kitchen first. It was completely clean and the guys were nowhere in sight. I heard them talking and followed their voices to find Nick and Darien sitting in the living room watching ESPN, eating hotdogs and fries. I sat down beside Darien and stole a fry.

"Hey, that's mine. Your plate is in the microwave, go get it," he whined, moving away from me.

"You are such a baby," I laughed, getting up to get my plate. After warming it up and drenching it all in ketchup I made my way back to the living room, where the boys were starting a game of Madden on the playstation 3.

"A 100 says you still can't beat me," Nick jumped up and slammed the bill on the coffee table.

"Aight," Darien took a 100 out his wallet and placed it with Nick's and that's all it took for them to tune out reality.

Five hours later and 600 dollars richer Darien got up smiling from ear to ear. Nick was sulking on the couch but that's understandable he'd just lost 600 playing Madden. I felt a little bad for him but then again I told him after game 3 to stop but he refused. To make matters worse, not only did he lose the game but Darien straight demolished him. The fourth game, Darien beat him by 22 points and the last game, the score was so bad, I can't even mention it. After stretching, Darien pulled me off the couch and gave me a kiss, "You staying here tonight?" He looked so hopeful, like a little kid at Christmas. I couldn't destroy that.

"Yeah, but you gotta bring me home early tomorrow. I gotta cook Thanksgiving dinner."

"You're not eating with us?"

"Guess she didn't tell you," seeing him shake his head, I continued on. "Raye gave ya'll cook the day off so you could eat with me, my brother and a friend."

"That works for me. Nick's gonna come, that cool?"

"Of course, it's cool! Why wouldn't it be," Nick cut in. I had to laugh, the guy was goofy. One minute he's sad as hell and the next laughing and joking. I decided I liked him.

"Yeah, that's fine. We have a lot of food so the more the merrier," I chuckled.

"Aight, well I'm going to sleep. Wake me up when ya'll are getting ready to leave," Nick exclaimed, yawning as he left the room. Darien turned around, picked his winnings off the coffee table and handed them to me.

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like? I'm giving you the money."

I shook my head, "why, I didn't ask for it?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "I know but I don't need it, just took it from him to prove I could. Just take it and spend it on something you like," he took the money from my hand and tucked it in the pockets of the shorts I was wearing. It surprises me sometimes how sweet a reform man whore could be.

"Thanks," I stood on my tippy toes and kissed him. He kissed me back of course and I felt his hand squeezing my ass as he pulled me closer.

"Let's go to bed," he grabbed my hand and we walked to his room

In the early hours of the morning, I find myself laying across Darien, well because of our sweat, I'm stuck across him. We were trying to catch our breaths and rest when Mal suddenly popped in my mind. I couldn't decide if I should tell him about Mal and I or just leave it alone. I opted to tell him, I mean if the situation was switched I'd want to know.

"Darien."

"Hmmm," his way of letting me know he was listening.

"You remember when I said Raye gave ya'll cook the day off so you and her could eat with me, my brother and a friend. Well that friend I was talking about is my ex-boyfriend. He was the one before Seiya that took my virginity," I felt him go completely rigid.

"And…" he probed.

"And nothing, I just wanted to tell you who he was so you wouldn't find out tomorrow and be uncomfortable or something," I looked up to find him staring down at me.

"Is this something I should worry about?"

"No, it's nothing."

"You sure?" he looked real skeptical.

"Yes, I'm sure. I'm yours and that's how I like it," I sat up and kissed him. I wanted him to be sure he was what I wanted.

As the kissed end he put our foreheads together and smiled at me. "I believe you but unless you're ready for round three, you should lay back down."

Laughing at him, I put my hand on him, followed by my mouth. I heard his gasp harshly and then round three began.

We got to my house a little before seven. Raye's car was stilled parked outside but it was so early Darien didn't notice it. As we got out the car I wondered if I should have warned him about my brother and his sister because he was in for a real shocker when everyone got up.

"Where can I sleep?" Nick questioned as we walked in the house.

"My mother's room, upstairs, second door on your left. Knock first, just in case." He didn't bother to respond, just nodded his head and followed my directions.

Yawning, Darien asked, "What do you need to do?" showing just how much he wanted to be sleeping right now.

"I need to wash the cabbage and collard greens and put them on to cook. I need to season the turkey and ham and put them in the oven. Need to get started on the pies. I mean there's a lot."

"I'll wash the cabbage and greens."

"You can go to sleep, baby. I can do this."

"I'm pretty sure you can but I rather help. It'll go faster then we can both go to back to sleep," he explained, walking past me into the kitchen. We both got to work and a little over an hour later and everything was done. The ham and turkey were in the oven. The cabbage and greens were on the stove on low and everything was prepped for later.

Darien and I were washing dishes quietly when he suddenly flicked suds on me. I in turn threw a cup of water on him and thus the water war began. I had long ago started shrieking but didn't become aware of how loud I was until I heard someone from behind us yell.

"WHAT THE HELL?"