Supportive

Arriving home drunk wasn't a good idea at all. I left my car at a Bar 5 blocks away from the Square and ordered myself an Uber. What I didn't realize was, it's already 3 in the morning. Here I am in front of my apartment shuffling through my pocket for keys for about a good 10 minutes before finally finding it. I was about to slide it in to open the door, it dropped to the ground.

"Dang keys, why you so slippery," I groaned while bending down to retrieve it. But before I could get a hold of it, the door opened from the inside.

"Where the hell have you been?" Leah's voice sounded very upset, "I've been trying to call you for almost 2 hours and you didn't answer your phone."

"Oops haha.. My phone battery is dead," I stood up, and almost immediately falling again on the floor until Leah caught me. "Hmm... You're a strong sister," I squished jer cheeks as she tries to support my weight her legs.

"Oh no, have you been drinking?" Leah slung my right arm over her shoulder and her other arm around my torso, "You know what alcohol does to you right?!"

"You mean seeing something beautiful like that mahogany chair? Or that Crystal chandelier?" I giggled and wobbled yet again if it weren't for Leah, I would be kissing the floor by now.

Then I felt a pair of stronger hands taking over from my left. "Really dude? We left you alone for a second and you're drunk like this?" Leo stated as he takes over for Leah and walks me to my room.

"Heh.. Leo.. I love you man," I patted his back before he laid me down on my bed, "I hope you get your dream.... girl soon..."

"Well.. that's something I have to tell you when you sober up tomorrow," Leo replied as he proceeds to take my shoes off.

"We can talk...now bro," I sat up and fell back almost immediately, "Or not.. hehe.. oohh I can see the sky from here."

"Is he okay?" I heard the front door shut. I can hear Nancy's voice.

"Shhh.. he's about to sleep," I heard Leah hushing Nancy. I was about to get up from bed but all my strength left me. All I remembered was seeing my bedroom door shut and hearing some muffled conversation before dozing off.

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I've had bad mornings before, but today might be the top of the list. My head is pounding so bad like someone batted it with a metal baseball bat. With an annoyed grunt, I sat up from my bed while holding my head. Cursing under my breath, I stood up to finally realize I was still in the same clothes from last night. But that's the least of my problems, all I care about is getting some water because my mouth feels so dry and I am hungry for some reason.

I walked slowly to the door and slipped out while squinting my eyes because the morning light's too evil for my hungover self. Grabbing anything I can get my hands on to block the sunlight from hurting my eyes. I got a magazine from the stack of books on the right side of my door. Slightly wobbling, I finally made it to the kitchen set to get a glass. Turned on the tap water to quench that unbearable thirst before washing my face on the kitchen sink.

"Ehem..." someone just cleared their throat behind so I turned to find Leah and Nancy with their arms folded. I also noticed Leo on the couch still snoozing with his mouth open.

"Morning ladies," I smiled with one eye closed cause the Sun was still killing me with its impossible rays, "A nice day for a swim right?"

"Nuh-uh," Leah wagged her finger across my face while shaking her head, "We are not changing the topic."

"Family meeting, dining table, now," Nancy's voice was stern and demanding. I'm dead.

"But I just..." My sentence cut short when Nancy put up her forefinger up.

"Now," and then there's that glare. I am so dead. Leah and Nancy upset and together in one room, one cannot even comprehend how much torture that would be. When they're like this, it's best to just listen.

"Yes, ma'am," I walked slowly to the dining table and sat down with a groan cause my head was still head splitting.

"Catch," Leah throws me a bag of ice. I smiled slightly as i put it on my head. She still loves me even though she's upset.

Now in front of me are very focused and upset beautiful young women. I consider myself very lucky to be in the presence of such women. But not so much when the cause of their change of mood is me.

"Where did you go to last night?" Nancy started with her eyes fixed on mine. Those beautiful orbs are too distracting to not notice and fall for.

"Umm.. Tonic Bar," I answered and applying a small pressure to my head.

"How many shots did you take?" Leah chimed in next with the same equal intensity like Nancy did and she is so pretty too. Nobody would believe she is my twin, we're not that identical except for our nose and eyes. That's what mom said though. Don't worry, not all twins are identical. She's not adopted if you anyone is wondering. I was thinking maybe I am cause both my parents and sister are way too good looking to be compared to me.

"Umm.. 5 i think?" I answered again with a groan.

"Morning guys! What's for breakfast?" Leo, who just woke up, butted in like it was nothing at all. As for me on the other end was gesturing him to just sit and be quiet with eyes before things get bad for him.

"Lionel Thomas Park," that's Nancy for you. Whenever she mentions someone's name in full, you're in for it.

"Yes ma'am?" Leo just sat up from the sofa.

"Zip it," she dragged her fingers across her lips in a zipping motion.

"Yes ma'am," Leo copied her action and threw the imaginary key behind him then he just sits still.

"5 shots of what?" Leah continued as Nancy reverts back to looking at me.

"Vodka?" answering immediately with the icepack still on my head.

"Vodka???" both the girls almost stood up and chimed in at the same time, "How can you drink that?"

"Cmonnnn I'm fine didn't I?" I tried to explain to calm them down. They worry for me cause the last time I was drunk, I almost got into an accident. The time before that I was almost mugged by 2 guys if it weren't for Leo, I'd probably in serious trouble. Secondly, I am never a strong drinker. I was surprised I made it to 5 cause I usually lost it at 3. "I came home okay."

"Remember the last time you were drunk??" Leah snapped back immediately, "You almost ended up in a hospital."

"Then the time before that, you could've been robbed or worst Dave," Nancy continued the next.

"Then for two whole hours you went AWOL and we couldn't reach you!" Leah added, "Nancy went out for a drive to look for you everywhere."

"We were scared David," Nancy sits down this time, "On top of that you were drunk, two hours you were gone and drunk."

"What do you think could have happened to you?" Leah continued right after Nancy finished, "What happened to your car? And did you lie to us when you said you had to do something?"

"Leah, Nancy can you please lemme explain?" I sounded calm and fixed plus I am feeling like an *** that I worry them this much.

It took about a few seconds before the two of them sat down to listen. I feel like a douche though, I mean even though I am a grown man I should at least care about the people around me.

"First of all, I'm sorry alright. I didn't mean to do this to you both, I was just looking for some alone time you know? And about that something, yes I made it up. Only because I just wanted to be alone and think of a few things you know?" I tried to explain the best as I could so I can actually hide the real truth of the matter is actually cause I wanted to avoid seeing Nancy and Nathan interact, "And as for the drinking, I guess I was lost in thought and didn't even realize until my 5th cup. My phone was literally dead around my 2nd cup. Most of all, I am fine, please believe that. The car is just a few blocks away from the bar and all locked in."

I waited for a few more agonizing seconds while looking at them taking their breaths in. I feel like an idiot that I made them worried.

"We're sorry we were acting up," Leah finally said, "We heard the news there was a shooting around the Town Square area, so we tried to call you to just make sure you were okay. The first call managed to go through but you didn't answer then the second said that your phone is turned off. We tried 5 times but no answer then we tried to locate your GPS but it was dead too."

"The news was also at that time, then the police described the guy that was shot," Nancy added in, "And his description was almost identical to yours especially the jacket he was wearing. We were alarmed, Dave. We thought something happened to you because you didn't answer your calls. Then I decided to drive out to look for you."

"She looked for almost those two hours for you," Leah sighed, "We umm.. even thought of looking at nearby hospitals... We thought that Ummm..."

Then I realized Leah was sniffing, holding back tears. "Leo and I kept looking at our house phone, hoping that a call won't come in about you from the cops."

Nancy who was next to Leah started to sniff as well. She caressed Leah's back gently, "We thought... you.. were the one the news meant.."

I walked over to both of them and hugged them both. Thank goodness I'm quite big standing at 6'2 to be able to embrace both of them. Turns out I kinda ruined the night for them, making them worried like this.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," I hugged them both tight, "I am so sorry I made you girls worried this much, I am so sorry this will never happen again."

"You.. better keep that promise," Leah poked my waist which earned a yelp from me.

"I promise," I knelt down to be the same level as they sat, "I wouldn't do that again."

The two girls hugged me and it was a nice moment until Leo joined in. Yeah well Leo is 6'5 and he works out so imagine those big *** arms suddenly wrapping around you. But I didn't mind though, I mean these 3 are my family ever since we were 7. I couldn't ask for a better gift than being with them.

"By the way you girls still look pretty even after you cry, right bro?" we all loosened the hug and pulled back.

"Yeah man, I mean they look flawless," he replied in kind.

"Ooo shut upp," the ladies playfully pushed us back and laughed.

"You should bathe, you stink," Leah stands up and starts to walk to the kitchen, "Nancy and me will be cooking for today."

"Alright!" Leo boomed out and I had to cover my ears cause I'm still hungover as hell.

"Yooo man damn you're too loud!" I shouted out louder and grabbing for the ice pack to put back on my head.

"Hey bro," Leo then lowered his voice as soon as Nancy joined Leah in the kitchen, "Meet me at the balcony after your shower, I have something to tell you."

I looked back at him and frowned. Leo, for the first time talking to me, looks very serious. The only times I see this side is when he is about to do something unexpected. "Yeah sure man, I'll be back." I am lost in thought and curious as to what he will say to me afterwards.

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Right before shower, I snuck in a jar of cookies and emptied it. I think it belongs Leo. But now I am fresh but still slightly head sore as I walk out the room.

The girls are still cooking in the kitchen while Leo is at the balcony. I walked outside to the balcony and joined him by leaning against the railing. "So what you wanna talk about bro?"

"Oh hey man," Leo took his time to reply as he looks at the quite clear sky, "We been friends for 15 years and we been through a lot together. We see each other grow through many obstacles and I couldn't be more grateful to having you guys around."

"You goin soft on me man?" I joked as I punched his shoulder with a chuckle, "But what you tryna say?"

"I considered you and Leah as my brother and sister, but..." his voice trailed off for a few seconds before he looked at me, "Lately for about a year now, I've been looking at Leah a different way. Not the sexual way okay man? I just want..."

"You have my blessing bro," he doesn't need to finish that sentence, I knew where he was going with this.

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4 Months before December

We were on a big family dinner to celebrate Leo's Dad. He just got promoted to General Branch Manager of his company. We the dinner at my house, complete with both Nancy's parents as well. Everything was great and everyone had a very good time. I gotta say the highlights of the night would be Nancy and Leah. They both dressed very simple yet very gorgeous. They decided to wear matching red cardigans with white tops and blue jeans, pratically twins. Putting on light make up to top it off was definitely and nice. I know this why? Because the whole night I would keep looking at Nancy that is until Nathan showed up and I had to stop.

One the other note, I wasn't the only one staring. I caught Leo staring at Leah. I thought it was just a coincidence until I noticed that it went on until the night ended. Whenever she smiles, he would do so. When she talks, his eyes would have that gleam in them like he's looking at something very valuable. Once or twice he would notice I was looking at him and he would be all over the place. That moment on I noticed but I was completely ok with it.

He was starstruck and there's not a doubt about that.

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Now

From that day on, I will always notice him looking at Leah. The things he would do for her. Carry her bag even when she doesn't ask. Volunteered to take her to her debate competition which I don't even enjoy. Whenever it's just me and him, he would always ask about Leah. He is crazy for her and I am happy for that.

"Wait.. what do you mean?" Leo was puzzled at my response. Well he is a little slow sometimes.

I patted his shoulder and smiled, "You have my blessing to be with Leah," I pulled his head close to mine as we both stare forward and whispered, "It was too obvious even for me."

"I can second that," Leo and I turned back too fast that its a miracle our heads didn't come off our shoulders.

"Jeezzz Nance," Leo leaned against the railing and took a deep breath, "I thought you were Leah."

"Hahaha.. you should've seen your face bro," I laughed and pats his head with a chuckle.

"Dave wasn't the only one who noticed," Nancy then poked Nathan's chest, "But you better watch your back and take care of her."

I slung my arm over Nancy's shoulder like it was just some normal day, and she held onto that arm, "If anything happens to her, we'll beat your *** to Kingdom come."

"And I won't consider you family anymore," Nancy pointed at Nathan while squinting her eyes.

"Heyyyy that's too overboard," Nathan stood up straight and laughed but then looked confidently at us both, "But I will not ever hurt or harm Leah in anyway, I'll take care of her like my life depended on it."

"We know," Nancy moved over and hugged Leo tightly while I leaned on the balcony's door frame, "Awwww this is too precious."

Then another shocking thing happened. Leah knocked on the glass window with her spatula and mouths "Breakfast is ready." I gave her an ok sign and turned to the two cousins.

"We need to go before Leah gets suspicious," I opened the door to let them in first before following close behind. I am glad things are turning up for the better soon.

Again, I couldn't have asked for a better company than the four of them.

"So, what were you three talking about you?" as soon as we sat down for breakfast, Lea popped the question.

"Just about the future, you know?" Nancy chimed in with a grin, "Since we're graduating soon."

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