© Jojo B 2018

All rights including those in copyright in the content of this story are owned by Jojo B. It's Illegal to steal and/or copy.

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Snakes and Splinters

3

"Did you catch up with your sketches?" I questioned Hayley as we walked into our workshop.

It was early morning and the two of us planned to leave by about midday. It was optional to stay longer, but if the workshop got too busy, then priority went to those who were scheduled to be using it at that particular time.

"Yep," she replied with a confident smile, with her folder under her arm. "I can't guarantee they're good enough, but at least they're done."

"That's the spirit," I chuckled.

We sat at a table and I spotted the new girl as she walked into the room. Hayley looked up and smiled at her, waving friendlily. To my surprise, the new girl came and joined us at the table, with a massive white smile on her face.

"Hi," she said to the two of us. "I'm Antonia."

"I'm Hayley," she grinned at Antonia.

Antonia nodded and then she turned her gaze to me. I was taken aback by her beauty. She had very pretty eyes. They were a pale blue ringed with a darker blue right at the edges. It was a great contrast with her black curls.

"What's your name?" Antonia asked me when I didn't reply.

"Coral," I smiled, embarrassed that I'd been caught staring at her.

"You have a nice accent," Hayley said.

Indeed she did. I wasn't sure where exactly it was from, but I'm sure Antonia was about to tell us.

"I'm Greek," Antonia replied. "And thank you."

"Nice," Hayley widened her brown eyes. "I've always wanted to go."

"You should, it's pretty cheap for tourists," she said with a half smile.

Hayley turned and grinned at me, "Next holiday together?"

I scoffed at her, "When exactly was the first holiday we had together?"

Hayley chuckled and Antonia laughed with her. Again, I was shocked at how light-hearted and...nice she was. If anything, I was learning not to judge a person before actually taking time to get to know them. Just because she was pretty didn't mean she was a bitch. That was a lesson for me.

We spent our time developing our designs and adding more colours and textures to them. The three of us mostly talked about our projects and what our inspirations for them were, and the more Antonia talked, the more I enjoyed listening to her lovely Greek accent. I was sure the boys would have found that even sexier, yet so far, none of them had made any moves.

At the end of the session, Antonia left a couple minutes before me and Hayley, saying she was being picked up. We smiled at her and said our 'see you laters'. After packing up our things, Hayley and I left the building to see Antonia being met by some badass-looking guys. Badass the way Walter and his brothers were. They wore the same leather jackets and hard-edged expressions. I even saw some tattoos peeking out from their shirt collars and jacket sleeves. They didn't have cars, they had motorbikes. Three of them. They were nice and big, parked right there on the curb (where they shouldn't have been) with their engines still running.

"So that's the reason why none of the boys will talk to her," Hayley said as we watched a couple of the boys from our class give Antonia quick looks before continuing on their way.

"Do you think they're her older brothers?" I asked Hayley as we went down the steps slowly, watching Antonia laugh as she took a shiny black helmet from one of the boys. Or should I say man rather? He was big and muscular. Even through his jacket, that was evident. He was certainly in his early twenties and reminded me of Phoenix.

"Three older brothers?" Hayley mulled over it. "Very possible, yeah. They do look like family. That one has curls like she does."

I spotted the one Hayley was talking about. He was slimmer than the first man, and younger too. His thick, black curls screamed Greek and I'm sure if he was smiling he might have even looked like Antonia too.

"Maybe the last one is the youngest," I said.

The last boy had brown hair with lighter regions where the sun had highlighted it. He was sitting on his bike, revving it up loudly and ignoring the glances from passer-bys.

"I think so," Hayley said.

Eventually we had to reach the bottom of the stairs and walk on as if we hadn't been staring at the group the whole time. I kept my gaze on the pavement as we passed by, but I heard them speaking and it sounded like Greek to me. Well I didn't know for sure, but it wasn't English or Spanish or French or German and we already knew that Antonia was a Greek girl. It only made sense.

***

Walter dropped Hayley off close to, but not at her place, and then we drove home. After getting changed into sportswear, he took me to the boxing club. It was less busy during weekday afternoons, as most students were still in school and most adults were still working. The main hall had a large ring in it that was surrounded by a lot of space so that there was enough room for an audience to watch a bout. The entire back wall of the hall was a mirror and there were a few punching bags hanging up too. There was a section for the use of weights, exercise balls and skipping ropes, as well as doing things like sit-ups and push-ups.

There were other members present, some (like me) were using the boxing club for their own health and fitness and others (like Walter) were amateur boxers who were training. A couple of the coaches were around also, and I'm sure more would appear during the evening. They greeted me and Walter friendlily and I beamed back at them whilst Walter gave them polite nods.

"I didn't know you were coming in to train today, Walter," one of the coaches came up to us.

Walter, who was taller than him, shook his head, "I'm not doing anything much today."

"He's just helping me," I smiled.

"Ahh," the coach nodded his head and then he sent Walter a knowing look with a wiggle of his brows. "You two have fun."

Walter ignored the suggestive gesture and thanked him quietly before he took me to one of the smaller, side rooms which had even more punching bags hanging from the ceiling and a mirror along one of the walls. It was dimmer in there as the walls were painted a darker shade than the main hall, and Walter and I liked it because it felt a lot more private. The coach clearly knew that too.

"You have to take it easy today, Walter," I said once he had closed the door.

"I know," he smiled down at me. "You tell me so all the time."

"But I mean it even more this time," I insisted. "The fight last night was a rough one. You're bruised all over. I'm surprised the coach didn't say anything about it."

"He knew I wouldn't tell him about it," Walter shrugged. "I show up every once in a while with cuts and bruises that they know didn't come from any of the training here. They used to ask me about it, but I never said anything so now they leave me alone. As long as it doesn't slow me down too much, it's fine."

"I don't want you dropping dead from exhaustion," I folded my arms at him.

"I'm stronger than that," Walter smirked. "If I'm going to die, I'd die fighting."

I frowned, "Don't be silly."

"I was kidding," he closed the distance between us and wrapped his strong arms around me. "Why do you always take things so seriously?"

"I can't help it," I listened to the loud thumping of Walter's heart beneath his vest top and squeezed him lightly.

I didn't want to press any of his fresh bruises too hard. At least there had been no stab wounds from last night. I'd texted Ario to see if he and his side were okay too and he'd told me everything was fine. He said that every time, but the fact that none of the Simpsons had been boasting, meant that there hadn't been any serious wounds inflicted on the Santiagos.

"Let's get your gloves on," Walter said when we pulled away from each other.

I went to my sports bag and pulled out my red boxing gloves. They were much smaller than Walter's ones and he liked to tease me about how petite my hands were. I knew he was just playing, in fact, he'd said that he found my hands really cute before. Walter helped me put my hand wraps on, my right hand first and then my left, then I put my gloves on top.

"Take your stance," Walter instructed in his deep voice.

I did so, feeling a slight weightlessness in my stomach from the way Walter was talking to me. I put my left foot in front of my right and my left arm slightly extended forwards whilst my right arm was kept close to my body, elbow bent and boxing glove close to my chin. The room was so quiet. I could hear each of our breaths and mine were getting faster even though I hadn't started throwing punches yet.

"Jabs," Walter said. "As hard as you can."

I started hitting the punching bag with my left fist. Short and sharp punches. It wasn't long until I felt the muscles in my arm start to burn, but I kept going, gritting my teeth and punching the bag even harder as Walter held it in place for me. I had just started to sweat when Walter said I could take a break.

"Here," Walter handed me a water bottle.

I took a drink and slowed my breathing, "Can we just do my right arm now? I hate when they're uneven."

"What? Is your left arm stronger than your right?" Walter asked me with an amused smile.

I laughed, "I think so yes."

"Okay then, right crosses," Walter said, taking hold of the punching bag again.

I put the water bottle on the floor and started a round of punches using my right arm. I was panting and the hair on the nape of my neck was sticking to my skin. I shifted my gaze slightly upwards to meet Walter's and saw that he was watching me with a burning expression. His lips were parted and he was breathing heavily even though he wasn't the one exercising.

"Keep going," Walter murmured when I started to slow. "You're doing great."

I breathed sharply though my nose and picked up the pace again. It was hard work, but I had definitely increased my strength and stamina since I'd joined the boxing club just four months ago. Sweat rolled down the sides of my face and I felt droplets run down my neck and down the front of my sports vest. Walter's eyes trailed the droplets to where my sports bra had somewhat accentuated what little cleavage I had. My cheeks, which were already flushed from exertion, burned even more. I didn't mind Walter looking.

Actually, I liked it.

I stopped hitting the bag and rested my gloved fists on my hips as I took heavy breaths. Walter picked up the water bottle and passed it to me. After another long drink, I passed it back.

"Thanks," I panted.

"How are you feeling?" Walter asked me.

"Tired," I smiled at him breathlessly. "Already."

"You've been going for a while actually," Walter told me. "You're getting better."

"Thanks," I said again with a raise of my brows.

Walter's lips shifted into a sweet smile, "You want to do some more?"

"Of course," I replied with a smirk. "I'm paying for this membership and I barely even come as it is. I have to do more."

He chuckled and regained his position behind the large punching bag, holding it in place for me.

"Alright, give me ten left hooks and then ten right hooks," he told me. "Then do that all over again twice more."

I nodded and with a short intake of breath, I started. Walter counted for me as I delivered the blows and the only sounds in the room were the pounding of leather against leather, my panting and Walter's low voice.

"Uppercuts," he called when I finished.

I started using my arms to punch upwards, as if aiming for right under my opponent's jaw. My muscles felt like they were on fire and I clenched my jaw in efforts to keep on going. I would definitely feel it tomorrow. I was sweating like crazy.

"That's good, Coral," Walter let go of the bag.

I still hadn't had the chance to catch my breath when Walter came up behind me and started to help me take off my gloves. His body was warm, pressed up against mine. I found myself leaning back into him as he freed my hands and unravelled the hand wraps.

"Walter, I'm all sweaty," I murmured as he started planting soft kisses on the side of my neck.

"I don't mind at all," I felt his breath on my skin as he chuckled lightly.

His hands slid down my sides, making me shiver. Walter didn't attempt to slide his hands up my top like I usually did to him, he held my hips instead. I wanted to turn around and kiss him, but the kisses he was giving me were making my knees weak. Walter could be so gentle sometimes and I loved it as much as I did when he was being rough. As long as our clothes stayed on. I couldn't help the flashbacks and fear whenever I was put in a situation similar to those I'd been put in during my childhood, but the counselling was helping. I didn't freak out anymore if I was just in my underwear in front of Walter, not that he made any moves to touch me when I was in any state of undress. He was careful like that.

I turned around and Walter's hands stayed low, finding my behind. He gripped it tight and I gasped as I leaned up to kiss his lips. Walter tasted good, he always did. His mouth was hot and we kissed slowly as I ran my hands up and down his toned arms. I wanted more and I could tell Walter did too.

"Pick me up," I broke away from his mouth and breathed raggedly.

Walter's brows were creased the way they were when he was turned on and I could feel just how much that was, when he picked me up so that I could wrap my legs around his waist. We kissed again, harder this time, and the feeling of being lifted off the ground in Walter's arms was amazing. I gripped his dark hair and he groaned quietly.

"I have to stop," Walter panted, opening his hazel eyes.

"Okay," I said, not wanting to push things too far.

I knew it was difficult for him, physically, to go so far but then not go any further. Being a guy, the result of that was a lot more evident and maybe even painful. I didn't want to make him too uncomfortable, especially when I wasn't ready to take things to the next stage.

"Sorry," I said as Walter set me back down on my feet again.

Walter smiled at me as he regained his breath, "Don't be. I love you and everything you do to me. It's only natural."

I nodded and then threaded my fingers through his once he had picked up our bag.

"I love you too," I said to him.

Walter kissed the top of my head and we left the small side room, turning the lights out behind us.

***

When we got home, I was pleasantly surprised to see Hayley over. She and Eli were sitting at the kitchen dining table, doing his school work. Seeing them reminded me of the times when I used to tutor Walter and how nervous, but excited I'd been about it all in the very beginning.

"Hey," Hayley lifted her head to grin at us when we came in.

I grinned back, "You guys good?"

Hayley nodded, "Yep. Did you two have a good work out session?"

I chuckled, "Yeah we did."

"Your arms are definitely getting more toned," Hayley commented and then she glanced at Walter. "Yours too."

"They were already like that," Walter joked with a smile as he went to the fridge for a cold drink.

Hayley nudged Eli, "Maybe you should join the boxing club too."

Eli fixed her with a questionable look, his green eyes half open, "You think I'm not buff enough for you?"

Hayley smiled and shook her head, "I like you the way you are."

"Right answer," Eli sent her a small smile before turning his attention back to his books.

"So are you saying I'm too well built?" Walter asked Hayley with mock offence written on his face.

"Well you're nothing like Phoenix," Hayley said with a smirk and I grinned.

Both Eli and Walter raised their brows and looked at us, wanting to know if we genuinely found Phoenix's muscles more attractive. They were too funny.

"Phoenix is just Phoenix," I said to them. "We like you two the way you are."

"Same," Walter put his arms around my shoulders.

Eli rolled his eyes and rubbed the red mark under his left eye. It looked sore and I wondered which Santiago had given it to him.

"How did you get your parents to let you come over?" Walter asked Hayley with a curious expression.

"I told them I was at a friend's house," Hayley answered. "They didn't really believe me, but surprisingly, they let me go."

"That's good," I smiled.

"I don't care what you tell them," Eli said. "As long as we still get to see each other, then I'm good."

Hayley smiled fondly at him and then looked down at the table, probably thinking about the fact that Eli still hadn't told her that he loved her, even after a year. She was too scared to say it first because she really believed there could be a small possibility that he didn't feel the same way. I knew he loved her, he just didn't know how to say it...or maybe he didn't feel the need to, because he thought that Hayley already knew it too. Boys were more complicated than girls were, to be honest.

The front door was opened and then closed loudly and we turned to see Phoenix walking up the stairs with an angry expression. He was muttering about something under his breath and we heard him slam his door shut upstairs.

Hayley had round eyes, "Maybe I should leave."

"It's not you," Walter told her. "He didn't even see you."

"Phoenix is cool with you now anyways," I assured her.

"Cool?" Hayley squeaked. "He doesn't really speak to me."

"He could be a lot worse," I told her, remembering how terrifying and mean he used to be to me.

"He doesn't mind you being here," Eli said to Hayley, giving her a gentle smile. "I actually think he likes that you're helping me with school and stuff. Walter was the first one of us so far to actually finish and graduate, but let's be real...his grades were shit – "

"I passed," Walter said defensively.

"Yeah, only just," Eli said back. "Phoenix would like it if I were able to do better."

"Either way," I said before Walter got too frustrated at his brother. "The both of you doing well could encourage the triplets to take school more seriously too. That would be good for them as well."

They murmured in agreement and miraculously the voices of the triplets themselves were heard from outside.

"Oh great," Eli sighed. "That's the end of the peace and quiet."

"I swear as soon as you mention them, they appear," Walter muttered to himself.

Hayley and I laughed at their lack of enthusiasm and the triplets let themselves into the house, just arriving back from school. Eli must have had a half day.

"Shit Giovanni," Hayley widened her eyes. "Your face."

Giovanni only attempted a cocky smile, "I got him worse, don't worry."

"Got who?" she asked, still staring at Gio's badly swollen right eye.

"Miguel," he replied. "Or Manuel, it was dark. I couldn't really tell."

"Are you in pain?" I asked him in concern.

"Nah, it doesn't hurt much," he only shrugged.

"Look at you, getting all the attention from the girls," Gomez rolled his blue eyes. "It was the same at school the whole day, all the girls asking Gio if he was okay. It was annoying."

"You sound jealous, more than anything," Severn said with a smirk.

"Jealous of what? His looks? Because we look the same," Gomez replied sarcastically.

"Jealous of the attention he got," Severn said. "Clearly your French crush Clementine hasn't been showing you much interest."

"Her boyfriend has," Gomez said with a smirk playing on his lips.

"What do you mean?" I widened my eyes. "Is this some sort of crazy love triangle?"

"No it wasn't like that," Gomez explained. "He told me to stay away from his girlfriend. He's noticed that she's caught my eye."

"And Gomez must always have whatever catches his eye," Severn raised his hands and wiggled his fingers. "You're so greedy man."

"Yeah and you're so lazy," Gomez muttered back.

"Well I'm rooting for you Gomez," Gio said as he started to stuff his face with the sandwich he'd been making himself on the counter. "I wanna see if you can pull it off."

"Stealing another guy's girl?" Hayley asked incredulously.

"It's really not that hard," Gomez shrugged. "I can charm anyone."

"Oh really?" Walter smirked. "Then why haven't you ever had a girlfriend?"

"Because I don't want one," Gomez replied. "All they'd do is boast about how they're dating a Simpson and then constantly bug me about all the family business. Just so they can spread it around the school."

"Not all girls are like that," Hayley said fairly.

"The girls I hang around with are," he replied.

"The good girls are way too scared to even talk to us," Severn added with a grin. "But I still find that cute."

I saw Walter smile slightly and I did the same. I guess I used to be one of those girls.

"So what did you say to the French girl's boyfriend when he spoke to you?" Hayley was interested to hear.

Gomez started to laugh lowly, "Nothing. I just punched him in the mouth."

Hayley covered her own mouth in shock and that set Eli off laughing. He laughed so hard, Giovanni, Severn and Walter joined in too. I smiled, only because they found Hayley's reaction so funny. I actually felt bad for the boyfriend who'd gotten hit in the mouth.

"We got tattoos done," Severn said to Hayley all of a sudden. "Mine's looking good now that it's not sore anymore."

"Let's see?" she asked, probably glad for the change of subject.

Severn pulled up one of his sleeves and showed her the Roman numerals IX on the inside of his wrist.

"That looks cool," she nodded in approval. "What does it mean to you?"

"Family," he answered with a smile.

"So sweet," she cooed.

"He passed out during having it done," Giovanni grinned. "Such a puss – "

"It was my condition," Severn spoke over him. "I sometimes get sleep attacks."

"Sleep attacks my foot," Gomez smirked. "You were scared shitless."

Severn rolled his eyes and Giovanni stepped in front of him, lifting up his shirt to show Hayley his tattoo.

"Do you really have to do that?" Eli scowled at Giovanni who was basically flaunting his abs in Hayley's face.

"I don't mind," Hayley winked at his little brother playfully.

Her eyes fell on the word 'Sis' tattooed over Gio's heart. She smiled softly.

"That's lovely," Hayley said.

Gio pulled his top down again, smiling, "Yeah."

"What about you Gomez?" Hayley looked at him.

Gomez turned around and tilted his head forwards, showing her the nape of his neck.

"Money, money, money," Eli shook his head in disapproval.

"I bet he's gonna end up having all the world currencies tattooed onto him," Walter muttered.

"That's a cool idea actually," Gomez nodded with an excited smile.

"You guys are making me want to get a new one too," Hayley said, rubbing her hip where she had her own small tattoo.

"What would you have?" I asked her.

"I don't know," she shrugged.

"The real question is: where would you have it?" Giovanni asked with a smirk and his triplets nodded and grinned along with him.

Hayley smiled cheekily, "Where do you think, Eli?"

Eli blinked, looking at the table top, "I don't know, your back?"

"What if it were to be something personal?" Hayley teased him. "Something I'd only want you to see?"

"Why do I feel like I don't belong in this conversation?" Walter said in a low voice.

I chuckled and looked between Hayley and Eli, Eli who was refusing to look anywhere but at the table. They too hadn't done the deed yet, but I'm sure they'd gotten further than Walter and I had. But then again, judging by the delicate blush upon Eli's cheeks, I could be completely wrong.

"Answer the question, Eli," Gomez tapped his wrist. "Time is ticking."

Eli frowned at him, "I already answered, but it's up to you Hayley."

"Would you get one?" she asked him.

Eli shrugged, "Not anytime soon. I have no idea what I'd want."

"It doesn't really matter," Gomez shrugged at him. "It can be anything."

"That's what all the dipshits say," Eli said to him. "You should get 'dipshit' tattooed on your forehead for your next one."

Gomez smiled flatly, "Ha, very funny."

"I think Coral would look pretty badass with a massive tattoo on her back," Giovanni said to me.

"Really?" I sent him a disbelieving look.

"Yeah," Severn agreed. "It would be even better on her chest. Like all over it."

"And who would give her said tattoo?" Walter asked, keeping his expression straight.

"I would," Giovanni smirked, keeping his good eye locked with Walter's.

"He is pretty good at drawing," Gomez nodded.

"Do you three ever learn?" Walter shook his head to himself.

"Learn wha – "

Walter cut off the boys' questions with slaps to the side of his head. I laughed the whole while, not minding the triplets' comments in the slightest. It was all just a bit of fun and Walter's reactions were also very entertaining.

"OW Walter!" Giovanni cried. "You slapped my black eye!"

"Did I?" Walter cracked a smile, immediately finding his brother's pain something to laugh at.

Hayley raised her brows in shock and Eli only smirked. I went over to Gio and put a hand on his back as he bent over, covering his bruised eye and calling Walter rude names under his breath.

"I'll get you ice," I murmured to Giovanni.

"Thanks Coral," he mumbled back, eventually straightening up again and scowling at Walter.

What was family for? I smiled to myself.

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