1 CHAPTER 1

It seemed like forever since she got off the bed. Although the sun was bright, her room was dark. The curtains were closed, the lights were off, and the duvet was over her body. She was like a vampire hiding from the sun, but she was not. She was currently an online meme, not in a funny way, but in a way that seemed like everyone in the world hated her.

Eris Endellion: a famous social media influencer, beauty, food, sports, you name it. 5 years ago, she was everything a girl wanted to be. Brand deals piled up on her table. Roughly she had taken more than 1000 selfies with fans on random days. She was the 'IT' girl. But where did it all go wrong? Oh, I know, when she befriended Camilla, another 'IT' girl. I wouldn't call what they had 'friendship', it was more of leeching and pretending. They both needed more followers, and they both wanted that 'clean besties' image in their autobiographies.

It all turned into a pile of shit 4 days ago when Camilla wrote a post saying Eris is a man stealer. That; Out of all the men in the world, she decided to take her boyfriend. As if that wasn't enough, she leaked a recording of Eris dissing some other influencers like she's the most perfect one. But the worst thing happened the previous night, when Eris decided to be the bigger person, put the rumors aside and attend a beauty event. She had no idea that she'd get slapped, wine splashed on her expensive white dress, and her hair pulled and yanked like she was a freaking senseless doll.

She thought that people would finally see that she's a victim, but she thought wrong. It looked like the whole world was clapping and pointing fingers at her screaming she deserved it. Inside that duvet, it was quiet, and peaceful. She wanted to stay there forever, but her mother interfered.

She came into the room, with sliced apples and grapes on a plate,

"It's noon, you already skipped breakfast. Please have some fruits", begged her mother,

"I just want to sleep. Don't force things on me", even her voice was dry, because she had been crying all night long,

"I know you want me out of your apartment, but I won't let you be alone on an empty stomach. Finish this plate and watch me leave",

Eris came out of the duvet. She had a serious case of dark circles and her hair in a frenzy. She took the first bite, an apple, but she chewed so slowly. They say patience is a virtue, but her mother was all out of it.

"Eris please, eat. You think those people will give a rat's ass if you die? If anything, you'll make them believe that all the rumors are true. I just want you to live for you, not for anybody else", said her mother,

"I just _ I don't know who I am anymore",

"You're Eris Endellion, the most amazing human being I know. You're not worthless, and you don't have to prove it to anybody", she shoved another piece of apple in her daughter's mouth, "Time will come when you'll have to get off the bed and go out. It's not today, but it's soon",

After a while, 20 minutes to be exact, the fruits were gone, and Eris was alone in her room. She decided to get off the bed. She walked to the window and parted the curtain with her hand. She could see the city. Oddly, nothing changed about it. The city's pre and post rumors were still the same. Eris heaved an exhale,

"It never mattered", she said under her breath, "I _ don't matter",

...

1 month later.

The hill; a little town resting at the center, 4 hours from the countryside and 2 hours from the city. A colorful place where flowers bloomed everywhere. Music during the day, fireflies and crickets during the night. Same sunset, but for some reason, it's prettier there. Not many people knew of the beauty of the hill. It was a town one could easily drive past without knowing it's there.

The alarm clock beeped, 6 am. A well manicured hand emerged from the sheets, aiming to press snooze, but before the mission was accomplished, someone knocked on the door once. It was a heavy knock, like the hand was made of hard wood or something,

"Don't press snooze!", yelled a masculine voice outside the door, "Wake up!",

Lanelle pushed the sheets off her face. Early morning, and she was already annoyed. Sometimes she wondered if she even needed that alarm clock to begin with.

…

30 minutes later, and she was good to go. She had her light blue nurse's uniform on, her braids in a bun, her bag on the shoulder, and the car keys in her hands. She was the only person left in the house. She made sure to lock the door before leaving. She hurried down the stairs and entered a restaurant on the ground floor.

Her brothers were already there; Meshack, the first born, buff and gigantic, was wiping the tables. And Duante, the second born, tall with an athletic physique was stacking the fridge with drinks.

"Morning", brightly, Meshack greeted,

"Which one of you banged on my door this morning?", asked Lanelle, eyes locked on Duante. He was the overly loud one by nature, very energetic even in the morning,

"Not me", said Duante,

"It was me today", said Meshack,

"I guess I should sell my alarm clock then because you guys are louder and more punctual than it",

"A Nurse should never be late", said Meshack,

Back in the early days when Meshack was a high school senior, Duante a freshman and Lanelle in middle school, they had noticed their little sister's A brain. With their family' stuttering economy, the brothers decided that it was worth it to send Lanelle to college instead of all of them. It was a good investment; she'd do justice to their sacrifices. And she did. Lanelle worked as a nurse in one of the biggest nursing homes in the city. Meshack and Duante took over their parents' restaurant and kept it going. Their parents moved back to the countryside and the siblings moved in together, in the same building, with their apartment on the first floor, and the restaurant under it.

Yuster, Lanelle's bestfriend hurried into the restaurant. Before she said anything, she bent down and caught her breath. She had the same uniform as Lanelle. She too was a nurse. She had only one problem; she had a PhD in being late,

"I'm right on time, right?", she panted,

"Yes, geez", Duante chuckled,

"Thank God. Let's go",

"See ya later, guys", said Lanelle on their way out,

"Don't kill anybody", Meshack joked.

Lanelle and Yuster hopped in their car. It was Lanelle's turn to drive. The two had saved up during their college years and finally bought a car together, half-half. Their agreement was that the first to get married loses the ownership of the car, and it seemed to be taking forever.

…

A truck parked outside the restaurant. The trunk bed had basins of fresh, live seafood. Deborah, who everyone called Deb, hopped out of the truck. She was the fisherman's daughter and inherited her father's business after he passed away. Physically, she looked young, but she had proved to be the best businesswoman in town. She delivered seafood to numerous restaurants, both at the hill, and at the city, but her priority restaurant was the brothers'. She had her usual work outfit on; a white T-shirt under her oversized denim overall, and black plastic boots. Her hair was hidden in the hat. She was effortlessly beautiful but didn't believe it when people told her. She was a humble soul.

Meshack came with two empty buckets. Deb was now standing in the trunk,

"Morning", he said first,

"Morning, how's business going?",

"Depends on what you have in the trunk, let's see", Meshack took a look. There was no need to tiptoe. The truck was the perfect length. Seafood splattered the water. They were lively, and fresh, his kind of view,

"You like what you see?",

"I love what I see", he gave her one bucket, "I'll take the crabs in here _", and lifted the second bucket, "Squid and octopus in here",

"Yes sir",

Deb began filling the buckets. Inside the restaurant, Duante was a bit nervous to step out. He kept peeping outside and whenever he saw Deb, he'd hide back. His hand rested on his chest as he took silent heavy inhales. He was very much in love with her that he feared he wouldn't be able to control himself if he stood near her,

"Duante!", Meshack called, "We need another bucket bro",

It was now or never. Duante grabbed a bucket next to his feet and finally stepped out. Ah, the wind that blew from Deb's direction to his face smelled pink,

"Morning, Duante", brightly, Deb greeted without looking at him. She was immersed in her task,

"Hi Deb", he said,

"Deb is telling me that she found a tenant", said Meshack,

"Great, when is he coming?",

"It's a she, and she's moving in today", Deb replied.

Duante gave the third bucket to her and watched as she filled it with squid. When it was full, he carried it down. He stood back as Meshack counted the money. He handed it to Deb.

"Thank you for doing business with us", said Deb, proudly,

"Thank you for bringing us the good stuff",

Duante knew what was coming. He looked away when Meshack and Deb went in for a kiss on the lips. Yeah, the two were dating, and Duante was in love with his brother's girlfriend, crazily. Deb was older than him, and he was sure that it was love at first sight. His family moved to the hill 20 years ago. He laid eyes on Deb for the first time when their moving truck drove past her home. Over the years, he cursed his fear to say something first, because if he could, then probably, he'd have been the one kissing Deb at the moment. And now that she was out of reach, he wanted her even more.

They watched Deb's truck drive away. The smile on Meshack's face never faded,

"Can't get enough of that woman", he beamed, sounding like a man bewitched in love,

"It's a good thing, right?", said Duante,

"Of course, it's a good thing", they began carrying the buckets inside, "If that new tenant is your type, you should go for it",

"First of all, I don't have a type",

"You do, you just don't know it. Everyone has a type",

"Having a type is why most people are disappointed. One has to be open for anything",

"Anything?", Meshack laughed, "Weren't you the one who was obsessed with that celebrity?",

"I don't know what you're talking about?",

They got to the kitchen, but Meshack never switched the topic off,

"You had her poster in your room, bro. She was your phone's wallpaper for months",

"I seriously think you dreamt about it", Duante chuckled,

Except for the part where they're in love with the same person, they had the best brotherly relationship, and it was all due to Duante's efforts in maintaining the balance.

***