☼ ☾ ✩

𝟑𝟑... 𝐛𝐫𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫

☼ ☾ ✩

♥︎ 𝐜𝐚𝐦'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯 ♥︎

It's strange seeing my older sister like this, dressed in nice clothes and her hair pulled back in a fancy bun. Her clothes usually have at least one stain, either from cooking or being out with the dogs, and her curly hair is usually a wild mess. She always looks ready to take on any challenge despite her usual disregard for what she looks like, but today she looks like she could conquer the world. My big sister, all grown up.

"I can't believe you stained your shirt," Logan mumbles as she carefully splotches the ketchup stain on my teal-coloured button-up. "Letting you guys get burgers on the drive here was a stupid decision."

"I think it was the best decision you've ever made." My lips round up in a cheeky grin at Logan before I pluck the wipe from her hand. "Let me do it. Vienna is trying to make friends with a squirrel."

Logan rolls her eyes, but she can't hide the smile growing on her face. "Of course she is."

Our family is waiting in front of the Supreme Court for Logan's lawyer to arrive. We've seen various familiar faces enter the courthouse, including our uncle and aunt, a few of our school teachers, Logan and Vi's therapists, my hockey coach, Logan's manager, our social worker, and even our next-door neighbours, the Wallaces. It appears that Matt contacted more people than just Jade and Luke.

As Logan crosses the courtyard to retrieve Vi from the bush she just crawled into, I spot Austin strolling towards me, his face tense with anticipation.

"Hey bro," I greet Austin casually and accept his hand when he reaches to dap me up. Strangely, our little excursion with Matt seemed to have helped us grow closer again. I'm still wary of how long it may or may not last, but I want to try because Logan wants to try.

"Hey, man." Austin adjusts his black suit jacket as he surveys the clusters of people around the square. His eyes catch on Sydney, who is chatting with Larray and the triplets, and when I clear my throat and raise my eyebrows at him, a light blush rises to his cheeks. "How are you feeling about today?"

I shrug, not questioning Austin's change of subject. "I have faith in Logan. She's doing way better than she was, and when she's in the right state of mind, I think she could do just about anything."

"Still stubborn as hell, huh?" Austin chuckles when I nod seriously. "I wouldn't have expected anything less."

"Want to go sneak inside and find a vending machine?" I glance at Logan to ensure she is distracted before I grin at my big brother. "We can get her M&M's, just like we used to."

Austin's face splits in a wide smile and he claps my shoulder. "Fuck yeah, I do. But you're paying."

I snort and flip Austin off as I start to walk towards the main entrance to the courthouse. "In your dreams."

Sure, having to come to court sucks ass, but getting Austin back? That's worth almost any price.

♥︎ 𝐤𝐚𝐲𝐚'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯 ♥︎

The inside of the Supreme Court is freezing cold. You would think that because this building is built like it belongs in Ancient Greece they would have such extra cash lying around, but apparently not enough to stop us from shivering as we take our seats in the courtroom. Fucking assholes.

Cam, Vi, Mason, Austin and I are sitting in the first row of the benches, and everyone who has either come to serve as a witness or be here for support is seated behind us. Logan and her lawyer, a small dark woman, are the sole members of the table in front of us on the other side of the fence. They are whispering rapidly and Logan is pointing out different things on a piece of paper. Matt and Logan wrote up a list of talking points for her this morning, so that must be what they're reviewing now.

"What are the odds you tell Mr Wallace that he looks very dashing today?" Cam whispers from beside me, his lips tilted up in a cocky smirk.

I taser him in the side in response, causing him to make a slight squeak. Logan turns around with her eyes narrowed, but we are saved from getting in trouble when a tall man with the ugliest glasses I've ever seen in my life demands that we rise for the Honourable Judge Erikson.

Fuck Judge Erikson. I wish people would rise whenever I enter the room. I'm pretty, they really should be treating me with more respect.

I wonder if Judge Erikson has a son. He's kind of attractive.

♥︎ 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯 ♥︎

"Nick, do you have any snacks?" Chris leans across me to whisper to our older brother, whose face immediately scrunches into a look of disbelief.

"What the fuck? No, I don't have snacks! Keep your grubby hands to yourself!"

I roll my eyes as Chris draws his hand back towards himself with an offended look on his face. "Dude, we ate breakfast like half an hour ago."

"Yeah, and Nick was rushing me so I didn't eat enough," Chris mumbles as he crosses his arms and sinks slightly lower in his seat.

"Please rise for the Honourable Judge Erikson!" A lanky guy draws in a monotone voice as he addresses the courtroom.

Nick, Chris, and I are sitting in the room behind the Castillo's, and Sydney and Larray are on the other side of Nick. We all stand as a middle-aged man dressed in robes enters the room, and I elbow Chris' side when he chuckles under his breath.

"Bro looks like Harry Potter," Chris mutters as quietly as he can, but apparently Mason hears him from where he is seated directly in front of Chris because he lets out a soft chuckle.

"Thank you, everyone. Please be seated." Judge Erikson takes his seat, and we all follow, but I make sure to flick the back of Mason's neck in warning before I sit down. "This court has been called today to evaluate Logan Castillo's guardianship over her four siblings. Ms Castillo, we have summoned you today because there have been questionable events occurring within your family. Are you aware of the referenced events?"

"I am." Logan's voice is clear and unwavering, and a tiny smile grows on my face as my eyes trail over her tidy dark hair and cream-coloured blazer. Fuck, I'm proud of her.

"Are you aware that you are so down bad?" Nick sniggers quietly to himself. There is little noise escaping his mouth, but his shaking shoulders reveal how amused he is.

"Shut up or I'll kill you," I grumble out of the side of my mouth, keeping my voice low. The judge and Logan's lawyer exchange a few words before Logan is invited to take the stand, and despite what Nick said, my smile grows.

"Dude, you're in court, not at the amusement park. Stop grinning like that," Chris hisses, laughter lining his words.

Instead of telling Chris off, I choose to ignore him. Usually, if no one feeds his yapping habit, he will eventually fall quiet. I'm hoping that is the case today.

Logan is lucky that she is good at memorizing because there is no way that I could have remembered all the talking points we outlined for her defence this morning. But Logan speaks confidently and smoothly, clearly explaining the three reasons she believes that it is in her siblings' best interest to remain in her care. First, after losing their parents and having to leave their uncle's care when he got too sick, it would be cruel to separate the family further. Second, Logan has been raising her siblings since she was ten years old. There is no one better equipped than her, and she has proved that she will continue to make her family her number one priority in life. Third, she is financially able to raise the kids on her own, and not only that, but her work is very flexible, which means she is always available when her siblings need her.

When Judge Erikson dismisses Logan from the stand, I wink at her when she meets my gaze on her walk back to her table, and my stomach flutters with butterflies when I see her facial muscles twitch in an attempt to retain her smile.

"I think she's down bad too." Nick nudges me, and although I continue to ignore my brothers, I know he sees my blush by the way he quietly giggles.

As much as Nick and Chris may tease me, it doesn't change the fact that Logan has become the light of my life. And I intend to prove to her just how much she means to me and how serious I am about us.

♥︎ 𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬' 𝐩𝐨𝐯 ♥︎

If I am being completely honest, I didn't want to come to court today. Of course, I want to support Logan and her family because I love them all, but the idea of being in court makes me nauseous. I have to wear certain clothes (uncomfortable ones, may I add), I have to be on my best behaviour at all times, I constantly feel like everyone is judging me, and I am convinced that if I make one wrong move, I am going to get thrown in a cell. So all in all, not my favourite place to be.

And if I'm being even more honest, I have a hard time listening to the various witnesses take the stand to speak on behalf of Logan's case. I try to pay attention, I really do, but it strangely smells like onion rings, my left sock is scrunched slightly on the bottom of my foot, my stomach is growling, and Matt's knee is anxiously jittering next to mine. Not to mention, Mr. Goofy-Face who made us all stand up for the judge has the most stupid facial expressions, and it's really funny watching him react to what people have to say.

All in all, basically what I caught from everyone's testimonies is that they have seen Logan choose her siblings over other things in her life again and again, and that she is one of the kindest and most determined people they have met. Every single person who took the stand emphasized that they believed she was more than capable of raising her siblings and maintaining custody.

Luke, Logan's ex-boyfriend, was the only one that I didn't struggle to listen to because his voice was so obnoxiously annoying. He speaks like he believes he is all that, and I was physically unable to tune him out because he was talking so fast. Apparently, he wholeheartedly thinks that taking Logan's siblings out of her custody will be detrimental to all of their mental health because he saw when they were younger how they all struggled when they were healing from their parents' deaths and still living under their uncle's care. He said that in Logan's final year of school when she took a major step up in caring for her siblings, he saw how they all shifted in their mental and emotional health, and ruining their lives again now will change more than their physical surroundings.

He made some good arguments, but he is so fucking cocky. I bet Nick thinks he's cute. Fucking lunatic.

♥︎ 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐚'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯 ♥︎

I have always hated Jade, even back when she and Logan were friends in high school. I could see why Logan enjoyed spending time with her, but unlike all of Logan's other friends, including Luke, Jade was the only one who blatantly ignored Kaya, Mason, and I. She talked to Cam and Austin some, but it was like the other three of us were dirt on the bottom of her shoe.

My arms are crossed and my face is settled into a scowl as Jade is called to the stand. If she says something to mess this up, I am going to rip her hair out of her head and shove it down her throat.

"Stop glaring," Kaya mutters from beside me, her posture pin straight as she respectfully nods along to whatever the lawyer is currently saying. "You look like you don't want to be here."

"I don't," I whisper back, my voice a tinge louder than I intended it to be. I notice Logan's shoulders stiffen slightly in front of me, and I immediately fall silent, refocusing my gaze on the dark-haired Asian girl as she primly sits down at the witness table.

"When you're ready, Ms Miura." The lawyer nods at her to start, and Jade smiles delicately at her in thanks.

"Thank you. I wish I could say it is nice to be here, but that would be a lie. I consider Logan to be my biggest enemy and I really do hate her."

Here we go. Great idea Matt.

"But I think that part of the reason why I hate Logan so much is that I wish that I could have had someone like her to look out for me when I was young."

Intriguing. I'll stop glaring at you now, Jade. You may proceed.

"My dad has never been involved in my life, always too busy finding a new wife to marry after the previous one decided that he was trash. I was alone a lot as a child, and I practically raised myself. I made my own food, used my dad's credit card to do all my shopping online, and talked to my stuffed animals after I had a rough day. I felt like no one cared about me. Once I was older, I met Logan and her family. I saw the way she and her siblings didn't have any parents, but unlike the way that I was alone, they had each other. But they didn't just have each other in the way that siblings understand each other, Logan truly made them a family again after the family they knew fell apart. She sacrificed everything for her siblings, and the respect that her siblings have for her because of it is unmissable. I think it would be a stupid decision to revoke Logan's custody because her siblings will never get anyone better than her."

I gape at Jade as she dismisses herself from the stand and returns to her seat, the courtroom is deathly silent as her heels click on the floor as she reenters the seating area. Who would have thought that Jade had a heart?

Jade is the last witness to be called to the stand, and the judge surveys Logan and the rest of our family with a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Ms Castillo, everything that was said here today was truly a remarkable expression of your character and the way you choose to raise your siblings. I see no reason why your guardianship should be revoked. Court adjourned."

Logan launches to her feet and whips around to see us, and her smile is reflected through her whole body. She is so beautiful when she's this happy. She's beautiful when she's sad too, but the sun is most breathtaking when it's shining, isn't it?

And if Logan's our sun, perhaps my siblings and I are the stars surrounding her. Whatever I am, I am certainly grateful to be in Logan's orbit.

♥︎ 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯 ♥︎

It's a flurry of motion as everyone floods out of the courtroom, big grins seen on every face I pass. I shake more hands than I think I ever have in my life and my jaw is starting to ache from smiling so much. Everyone wants to congratulate my family, but I just want to be alone with my loved ones.

"Sorry, Mr Wallace, I'm going to have to steal Mason here."

I gape at Austin as he gently rests his hand on my shoulder and smiles at my next-door neighbour who is standing across from me.

"Of course, please, steal away!" Mr Wallace chuckles as he takes a step away. "Nice to see you again, Austin."

Austin waves goodbye before he drops his hand from my shoulder and gestures for me to follow him outside, where many members of our family seem to have retreated to escape the crowds inside.

"What're you doing?" I hate how quiet my voice is when I question Austin's motives, but at least he doesn't seem to notice the way my hands tremble slightly as I link them behind my back. I hate that he still makes me nervous. I hate that he still has power over me.

"I want to talk for a minute." Austin sits down on a bench and pats the space next to him. When I hesitantly sit, he chuckles sadly. "Fuck, Mas, I've missed you. You have no idea how much. Leaving you was one of the hardest things I've ever done."

"Then why'd you do it?" I question, my eyes fixed on my big brother. He looks so different than he did when he left. His hair is shorter and his face has a light layer of stubble on it, but most of all, he looks healthy. He is a normal weight and his skin is the colour of gold, whereas when he left, he was severely underweight and his skin was pasty white. Two years can change a lot.

"I needed help," Austin says simply, his gaze wandering the courtyard. "I was only getting worse at home, and I knew I needed professional help. But I was embarrassed to admit to all of you how bad my addiction had become. I was ashamed, so I just left. I drove to Phoenix because I was fucking tired of being so cold in the winter and I checked myself into rehab. I was there for a year before I was cleared for release, but even then, I was scared to come home. I knew you would all be furious with me, and I wanted to make sure I wouldn't relapse when I came home. So I continued to live in Phoenix for the next year to get myself solid, and once I knew I was strong enough, I came home." Austin's eyes meet mine, and I can see the sincerity on his face. "Mason, I'm so sorry I left, especially the way I did. But I want to be a part of your life again, and I hope that one day you can forgive me."

"Okay. I forgive you."

"What?" Austin's eyebrows shoot upwards and his jaw gapes open.

"I forgive you," I repeat my words, smiling at Austin's dumbfounded expression. "I understand why you left, and that doesn't change how much it hurt, but I'm glad you're back. I forgive you."

"You are so much like your sister," Austin chuckles as he tugs me into a quick hug. "Keep it that way, yeah?"

I grin at Austin as we stand from the bench to reunite with the rest of our siblings. "Don't worry, I intend to."

♥︎ 𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐧'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯 ♥︎

You know that feeling when you are so happy you could just burst? When you spend so much time worrying about something to then have all those worries melt away in a second? When it feels like you're at the right place at the right time and you could not be overjoyed? That's how I feel right now.

"We fucking did it!" Cam shouts, his voice thundering throughout the outdoor courtyard. He beams at me before he picks me up to spin me around which causes my carefully tied bun to slip loose, sending my chaotic curls spilling over my shoulders. "Logan, we did it! You get to keep custody!"

"We did it!" I laugh, my joy bubbling over the surface as I desperately cling to Cam's shoulders. "Please put me down before you give me a concussion!"

Cam obliges, but he doesn't hesitate to pick up Vienna instead, who shrieks with laughter as her big brother whirls her around and around.

Kaya's laughter is louder than I've heard it in a while as she tugs Mason into a hug, and his smile could light up an entire pitch-black room.

And at my side is Austin, who surveys our celebrating siblings with a grin that I'm sure looks similar to mine. "You did it, Logan."

"We all did it together." I smile at my brother and nudge his arm. "I saw you and Mason hug."

Austin grins widely, his gaze settling on our youngest brother. "Three down, two to go."

"Get Vienna a bunny," I suggest, giggling at the immediate look of confusion on Austin's face. "She's been asking for one. She'll forgive you immediately. But Kaya will be a tough nut to crack. She can't be bought, so you're going to have to work your ass off to prove yourself to her."

"Wouldn't have expected anything different." Austin ruffles my loose curls before he bounces towards the twins, who are hugging tightly and laughing.

Since I have given all my siblings hugs, I scan the courtyard to find Matt, who I haven't since we left the building. It doesn't take me long to spot him since he is standing quite close by chatting with Nick, Chris, and Larray. Sydney is standing near them, but she is not contributing to the conversation. Rather her gaze is fixed on me, and she is anxiously chewing on her bottom lip.

"I'll be right back," I murmur to Austin before I step away from my siblings.

Sydney meets me halfway, and when I see tears shining in her eyes, my body seems to instantly conjure up tears of its own.

"Hi," Sydney sniffles, her voice cracking.

"Hi," I whisper, my attention fully focused on my best friend. "I'm glad you're here."

"Logan, I'm so sorry." Sydney quickly wipes a stray tear, and she avoids my gaze. "I fucked up, I know, and I–"

"Sydney," I interrupt her as I reach out to gently grab her hands. "I forgive you."

"I– you what?" Sydney's eyes widen in surprise. "But I went behind your back. You should hate me."

"Love is stronger than hate," I say simply. "And after everything that has happened, I just don't have it in me to be upset anymore. I'm happy Austin's back, and I'm happy to see you happy. I forgive you."

Sydney chokes on a sob as she throws her arms around me, and I don't hesitate to hug her back, my arms going over hers like they have been since we were six years old and I was three inches taller than her.

"I love you, Logan," Sydney mumbles into my shoulder, and I smile against the side of her head.

"I love you too, Syd."

"I can't believe what Jade and Luke said." Sydney shakes her head in disbelief as we pull away from each other. "Larray said Matt convinced them to come?"

"Apparently." I tilt my chin slightly to the side, where Jade and Luke are currently walking towards us, Jade with her chin held high and her lips turned down in a slight grimace, and Luke with a nonchalant expression on his face and his hands tucked in his pockets. "Speaking of."

Sydney shivers and takes a step away from me. "Good luck."

I playfully salute her as she retreats, leaving me alone as Jade and Luke approach me. "Hey, guys. Thank you so much for coming today and speaking. It means a lot."

Luke shrugs and grins at me. "No biggie."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes at him and turn my attention to Jade, who is studying me carefully.

"I still hate you," she eventually says, her voice serious. "But I admire you for raising your siblings the way you are. You're doing a good job with them."

"I also meant what I said," Luke interjects, his voice a smidge too loud. "About you being far more mature than anyone our age, even in high school, and how you quit dancing and broke up with me to focus on your siblings. It shows real dedication."

I meet Jade's gaze and at the same time, we both roll our eyes. A tiny smile grows on my face, and Jade's eyes brighten slightly.

"You're so stupid, Luke," Jade scoffs as she starts to walk away. "I look forward to bullying you at the next party, Logan!"

"Can't wait!" I call after her before I glance back at Luke. "No offence, but you should get going too. I appreciate what you said in court, but I still don't want to be in each other's lives anymore."

Luke shrugs again, and normally I would be ready to rip my hair out by now from his stupid attitude, but I can still hear my siblings celebrating behind me, which means that nothing can put a damper on my mood. "I get it. I wish you the best, Logan."

"You too, Luke." I wave goodbye as I step away from him. I start to turn around, but I am swept up in a new pair of arms, and the smell of pine that I have started to become homesick for wafts up my nose.

"You look hot in your business attire." Matt beams at me as his arms settle around my waist. His hair is slightly windswept and he's undone a couple of buttons of his shirt since leaving the courthouse, and he looks deliriously happy.

"So do you." I grin up at him as I twist my arms around his neck. "But I must admit, I am itching for a happy accident. I feel much too put together."

"I thought you might say that." Matt kisses my nose before he grabs my hand to tug me after me. "Care to go on an adventure?"

My smile grows at the thought of going on an adventure right now while we are all high on adrenaline. "As long as the people we love can come too."

Matt returns my smile and squeezes my hand as we walk towards our favourite people. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐚'𝐬 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 ♡︎

y'all owe me the biggest thank yous ever for this chapter cause i had the shittiest day but i stayed up late to get this out. you're welcome

but i also feel shitty about the chapter so i hope it's not too terrible lmao. i literally rewrote it three times and i refuse to do it again 🥹

i love you all very much, see you soon 🫶🏼

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