"Hey kids," greeted my father, Mr. Mark Denty.

"Hi, dad."

"Hey, Mr.Denty"

"You went shopping again? You are going to be broke before you reach college," complained Wade, my annoying younger brother.

"I will simply live with you then," said Mia.

"Seeing that you already live here, I shudder to think what you mean," said Wade.

I hit Wade.

"Don't you have a house of your own?" Wade asked again.

I hit Wade again, he legged me.

"Sam, Wade, stop!" reprimanded my father and continued "I ordered pizza for dinner."

"We will have just a slice, we already had too many cakes," said Mia.

I sat down and pulled the pizza box towards me saying, "Speak for yourself, I am famished. Shopping with you always has its impact."

"You are going to explode Sam, stop stuffing so much. I am sick of people calling me a bean bag's brother," said Wade.

"You!" roared Mia and advanced on Wade.

Wade was ready for the attack, they both toppled the sofa. It was more of a wrestling match.

"Guys," said my dad weakly.

I got up, wrenched both apart, dumped them onto the sofa, and sat in the middle to continue my pizza.

Mia sat glaring at Wade, he seemed to be amused as he continued eating.

"Dad, I can't come to the office tomorrow. I am helping Mia with the party arrangements."

"You are having a party and you didn't invite me?" asked Wade.

"It's a grown-ups' party, infants in nappies are not allowed," said Mia.

This time Wade advanced. I held him by his shirt and dumped him back.

My dad was an architect. He designed offices and business complexes. I assisted my father in his company. I am a design intern.

Mia set about unpacking the shopping bag. Threw a few bags to Wade, "This is for you for tomorrow."

"I don't like polka dots," whined Wade

"I know," Mia said and stuck out her tongue.

Not wanting another wrestle I suggested, "Let's crash, it's getting late."

Mia and I shared a room. It may look weird for 17-year-olds to share a room, but it was weird for me and Mia not to share one since we have been doing it for more than 10 years.

I live in a humble three-bedroom apartment. My dad built it as a wedding gift for my mom and is very attached to this house.

Mia changed into her pyjamas and climbed up the bunker bed.

"Hey, are you asleep?" Mia asked after some time.

"Almost."

"Sam..." she hesitated before asking, "You think I will make it through the audition?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Good night pumpkin."

"'Night plum."

We went to the beach house by noon. There was little for us to do. Mr. and Mrs. Hall had made all the arrangements.

Mia and Wade started playing Street Fight on her Playstation. I took my laptop and started working.

"I need to get ready," Mia stood up.

"You need an hour!" exclaimed Wade.

"You have no idea," said Mia and disappeared into her room.

Wade whistled as Mia came out in her beach party outfit. She had styled her hair in a twisted side pony. Both the Denty brothers couldn't take our eyes off her.

"You both still have not got ready!" exclaimed Mia as she shooed us both.

"If you don't ask her out, someone is surely going to ask her tonight. The girl sure is hot," said Wade.

"She is my friend, Wade!"

"Still in denial, aren't you? I am telling you, Sam, the sooner the better. If you don't ask her out this year, I am going to."

I gave a non-committal grunt. Wade had a point though, Mia was too hot and popular for her good.