Chapter 1

"I've never hung out with just another girl before," Liliana voiced timidly.

Raquel stared at the girl. "What do you mean? I thought you hung out with girls at school."

Liliana shook her head. "I stay with my brothers at school. They protect me."

"How many brothers do you have?" Raquel asked curiously.

"Seven."

It was a straightforward answer but Raquel blinked in surprise, staring at the girl in front of her. Liliana stood there, holding one arm and staring at her own feet. The girl's family had been living in the small town for only weeks and Raquel was the first to talk to her about anything. This was a first for Liliana herself as she had never told her story to anyone before. Her brothers were always there, but a real friend is what she truly needed. They had told her that, but she didn't believe them. Her father had strictly told her not to say anything about her life to anyone. That's why her brothers protect her.

"You wanna hang at the arcade?" Raquel suggested. "Bring your brothers if you want."

Liliana stared at Raquel, barely nodding. "Okay," she squeaked.

Raquel broke out into a wide grin. "Meet me there at three tomorrow. We'll have fun. I promise."

With that, Raquel went on her way, leaving Liliana at the school gate to wait for her brothers to finish practice. Normally, she would wait but today she decided to watch them. The field was just next to the front gate after all. She could already hear the distinct jubilant shout of her oldest brother.

Guess he made another goal. Liliana smiled to herself as she kept walking.

The coach blew the whistle as she appeared, the team now at attention. She grinned and waved when her oldest brother spotted her.

"Perez!" the coach shouted, making the seven brothers flinch simultaneously.

"Yeah coach?" they all answered in unison, making Liliana giggle and the coach groan.

"Antonio Perez," he emphasized.

Antonio faced the sports instructor. "Sorry coach. Got distracted by the most beautiful girl ever!"

The rest of the team stood up and began searching the field while the other six brothers laughed their asses off at them from the bleachers. Even the coach was amused by it, letting out a soft chuckle. He blew his whistle to get their attention and Liliana went to sit with her brothers on the bleachers.

"Big game this Friday boys. We have a slim chance to finally kick Franklin Dose High's ass for the first time in twenty-five years. You are the strongest team I've seen since them. And I was on that team." The coach almost began to reminisce before the guys chuckled again. "The point is: you have the drive to win. This is the last game of the season and we're 12-0 for the win. You beat the school's own record! Now we need to keep that spirit for the final game! Practice tomorrow at four. Take a small break to clear your minds. See you all tomorrow."

"Yes coach!" the team replied and stood up, heading for the lockers.

"Think they can do it?" Liliana asked her six other brothers.

Derek shrugged. "Maybe. Antonio is the QB. With him leading, they have a great shot."

"Not if Finel shows this year," Hunter argued. "He's the toughest in the state."

"Stop being a downer," Kyle teased, giving Hunter a noogie. "Antonio will still lead them like he always does."

Hunter slapped his twin's hand away. "He's still ranked second compared to Finel."

"Give it a break!" Tyler shouted in annoyance. "Second or not, Antonio is still the best."

Scott and Reggie just laughed at the others while Liliana smiled at their antics.

Her brothers were her best friends. Even if they all pissed each other off every now and again. Hunter was always the downer, unlike his twin. Kyle was his polar opposite, making the two very comical. But they were just a year older than Liliana. The fourth oldest is Scott, the cooler one of the siblings since he was also the captain of the baseball team. Derek, Reggie, and Tyler were the triplets and a year younger than Antonio. Even being the oldest, Antonio was the real father in the group of siblings. Matthew, their actual father, wasn't really there after Janelle passed years ago. She died when Liliana was an infant. Matthew didn't even care after that. So the boys took her in, even with Antonio being four at the time. They found someone to help raise her until she could feed and dress herself, and Matthew had found out by then. Liliana had turned six when Matthew explained what happened to Janelle. Antonio was ten and knew the truth already. He just knew he had to tell his siblings at the right time. Until then, he and his brothers protected Liliana.

"Ready to go?" Antonio asked as he reached his six siblings.

Liliana smiled and stood up. "You bet. And we've been invited to the arcade tomorrow at three."

The brothers stared at one another then at their sister. "By who?"

"Raquel Garcia."

Tyler and Reggie nearly passed out, Derek's jaw fell through the floor, Hunter scowled, and Kyle sighed dreamily. Antonio grinned a bit.

"Seems our little sis made a friend behind our backs," the oldest teased.

"Nio!" Liliana squealed. "She wants us all to hang out there. Everyone knows I don't go anywhere without you guys there with me."

Derek shook his head and sighed. "Lily, it's not the same. You need to hang out with girls like you. One of these days we won't be able to do that anymore."

"I know, but I was scared," Liliana explained. "I kinda panicked."

Antonio and Derek looked at one another with knowing grins and hugged their sister. Liliana returned the usual ritual of the siblings. The brothers always hugged her if she had panicked about something without them being aware. They were worried for her, but watched her back as much as they could. Liliana was known for her random panic attacks. Even her counselor had assigned each of her brothers to one of her classes. But this time, she had accepted an open invitation to hang out. The hug was more of a 'proud of you' moment.

"Don't worry about anything sis," Derek comforted. "We'll be there with ya."

Hunter huffed out a breath. "Yeah right," he mumbled, receiving a slap from Kyle and Tyler.

"Stop being a fricking downer!" both boys yelled in his ears.

Hunter gave them both a deep scowl while Reggie and Scott rolled their eyes. Derek and Antonio were still holding Liliana close as the other five began their normal argument. Four against one was the usual odds as Liliana giggled at them. Derek finally broke away and tackled Hunter into a headlock, getting cheered on by the football team as they passed the scene. Some cheered for Derek, others for Hunter. Either way, Antonio would always end the fight before someone got sent to the ER (it has happened numerous times).

"Another stunt like that," Antonio warned Hunter, "and you'll be in the dumpster for bed."

The older twin grumbled his agreement as Derek released him. Tyler and Reggie grabbed their bags and headed toward the family van, the other six siblings close behind.

Hope you enjoyed this one. But I might change the rating later on since the dad is pretty much always drunk and trying to kill. Read & Review!