HYERI The two suns were shining bright and unforgiving today. I lazily fanned myself with a scrap of cardboard as I sat in front of our door step waiting for my two Oppas to finally finish their preparations. “Lu Oppa! Please hurry up!” I called out to the open door behind me. “Chill Hye-ah! We need to be presentable!” I heard Luhan Oppa’s high and melodic voice answer me. “Minseok is just looking for one of his gadgets.” “Which one?” I ask as I watch a couple of kids race after some huge thumble weeds- which was common sight, that and camels. A few saw me and wave, I smile and waved back at them. “Hye-ah have you seen my decoder? The circular one with yellow strips?” Minseok Oppa’s voice ask and I look around to see his head was poking out the window on my right. “Wow it’s so hot.” “What are you doing in my bedroom?” I asked and grinned as I watch the sunlight make his cotton candy pink hair shine. He visibly blushed and blinked fast - how I envy Minseok’s beautiful eyes. They’re more feminine looking then my boring green ones. “Have you seen it?” He asked again ignoring my question. “It’s probably under your bed or in the one of the kitchen cupboards.” I answered as resume fanning myself- I wish to cut my long red hair but the two act difficult every time I bring it up so I had resorted to braiding it. “Please hurry up you two! I’ll look like a lobster under these two suns glare.” “Demanding much Princess?” Luhan asked and plop down beside me handing me a bottle of chilled soda. I eyed it warily making him laugh. When I was young I have always wondered why I have two such beautiful- yes that is how I would describe them, beautiful brothers. They’re prettier then me, it’s a bit ironic and unfair. Luhan like Minseok had dyed his hair cotton candy pink- I wanted to try it too but when it comes to my hair they become very very difficult, so I had to contend myself with a few highlights of pink. Luhan features made him look like a porcelain doll, which ticks him off when someone other then Minseok and I points it out. Luhan has image issues. “And where did you get this?” I ask as I take the bottle from him, it was still capped so I eyed him again. He grinned and twirled his index finger in a circle, the bottle cap followed his finger’s movement. It flew off when Luhan curled his finger towards him. “Thanks.” “Relax Soong-nim gave it to me awhile ago.” Luhan answered eying my legs then were dressed in cut offs. I heard him click his tongue. “It’s hot Oppa! I have been wearing cut offs since I was young. Why are you having issues now?” I asked poking his side. “Can you at least wear pants when we’re going to meet High Master?” Luhan replied taking a gulp of his soda. “Well he seems to like it anyways.” I answered with a teasing smile and wiggled my eyebrows-that action earned me a smack at the back of my head. “Yah Oppa!” “You’re not legal yet!” Luhan exclaimed. “In about a few hours I will be and what are you going to do about it eh?” I retorted. “We’ll chain you to the main post of the house.” Minseok answered from inside. “You two are ganging up on me!” I complain crossing my arms pouting. “It’s not like Luhan is dressing up!” I glared at his ripped sleeveless black shirt and faded baggy pants, together with his scuffed up boots- it did not scream dressed up. Most of the girls in our place go gaga over Luhan- I had grudgingly agreed the only thing girly about Luhan is his face- the rest most especially his lean and toned body is very manly. “Okay you two stop arguing.” Minseok said finally appearing behind us. He was wearing dark jeans, a shirt which had three forth sleeves and ragged sneakers. He grinned as he slipped on some shades and plopped a hat on to of my head. “Hey did you leave some soda for me?” A soda came flying towards him and it looked like he was about to be brained but years of living with Luhan had thought him his fast reflexes. He caught the soda bottle before it landed on his face. He turned the still closed bottle towards Luhan who again twirled his finger, the cap came off a few moments later. “Thanks bro.” Minseok said. “Come let’s go? It’s a long walk.” “Sure.” I answer. Luhan hopped up and held out his hand intending to help me up, I took it and he helped me up. I dusted up my bottom and arranged the cap on my head. The two then threw their arms on my shoulders and made it heavy on purpose. “Yah you two stop acting like toddlers!!” We continued bickering as we walked. Minseok had removed his arm on my shoulder and had instead held my hand, swinging it back and fort like we used to when we were kids. Luhan usually ran ahead of us scouting the area or fending off the bullies while I stayed with Minseok holding his hand ready to kick anyone's or eye if they come near us. Our oldest has always been the weakest among us. Mom- Xiumin’s real mother and Luhan and mine’s adopted one - but the nearest thing to what we can ask for as a mother- has always been worried about her son. No doctor or healer can tell us why he was always so weak. Treats always randomly appeared when we pass by some rich person’s house. Most of them are consumable- like the bar of choco I was eating. I gave it away when one street urchin asked for some. “Minseokie does this look good on me?” Luhan asked sporting a glittering snap back hat. “It clashes with your pink hair dude.” Minseok answered squeezing my hand with a grin. “Right Hye-ah?” “Just give it back Oppa.” I said rolling my eyes at him. “I liked the gems on it though.” Luhan said taking it off and it flew off back to some line of clothes that were drying up in the sun. “If only it wasn’t orange.” “It was never your color.” I said tugging his arm and loping mine through his. “How much do you think we’ll get for the Opals?” “Hopeful enough so we can buy you a cake.” Minseok answered. “You guys don’t need to.” I said. “Just sing me a song.” I should have not said that because the two started belting out song after song- from ballads to silly raps. I roll my eyes at them. We continued walking passing through the main market area. Some of the merchants eyes us warily while some gave us jovial waves and greetings. I even got a new pair of matching clothes when one of our frequent textile friends heard I was about to turn legal without any proper outfit. “There are even secret pockets for your toys Hyeri.” She said with a grin as Luhan and Minseok gave their approval. It was a beautiful red blouse and skirt pair. The blouse was short sleeved with black lace peek-a-boos on the shoulder. A wide round neck complimented my delicate collar bones and it wasn’t that much of a mid-riff baring that would send the two into their cover-heyri-quick-mode. The skirt on the other hand was asymmetrical. Long on the back, it actually formed a terrain on the floor and just a few inches above my knees on the front. It also had sheer black lace that ran as a panel all the way around. It was elegant and simple. “Thank you Kim-nim! I love it!” I explained with glee as she wrapped it. “You’re mother would have want you to have a proper dress.” She said with a fond smile at me. “And she never trusted your brother’s taste. She said they wanted you covered up all the time.” “Which is true and I have no qualms about if we lived in Avis but alas we live in Maraha.” I answered as the two looked poker faced. “Which means that it is way hot to wear thick long sleeves and long skirts.” “Nevertheless dear, your mother would be so happy to see how beautiful you have grown.” She said handing me the wrapped clothes. “And how her two rascals have grown up to be such handsome men.” I snickered when Minseok blushed and Luhan dipped his head shying away from us with the excuse of checking on our other acquaintances. “Thank you Kim-nim. Really. Thank you.” I said with a grin as I hugged her. “Call us if you ever need anything eh?” “I will sweetheart. Advance happy birthday.” Kim-nim answered returning my hug. “Now off you three go! I heard the high master is waiting for you?” she adds with a wink. “Thanks again Kim-nim.” Minseok said with a bow and tugged me away. Luhan had appeared again now with three candied pears. One that was already eaten in half. He handed the two uneaten ones to us. “It’s a good thing people don’t think you use your abilities just to steal sweets.” Minseok said hefting his back pack full of his usual gadgets more securely in his back. “I use it for more sweeter things.” Luhan answered handing me a tissue as caramel dripped into my hand. I wiped it before it can make a mess of my yellow shirt- it was one of my nicer shirts- one that I had brought in my size instead of sewing it to my size from one of Luhan or Minseok’s shirts. I few drops landed on my boots but that didn’t matter since the sand washed it away after a few steps. Some bickering and more candy eating later we found ourselves in front of one of the grandest houses in all Maraha. It only came third to the Governor’s and Mayor’s houses. It was white mansion with huge pillars at the front that were decorated with flashing LED lights- which was now off- I once saw this house at night and I have to say it’s quite a spectacle. Cars and hover crafts littered the front and it was a mini maze to get to the front door. The guards at the door o