Meet the neighbors
The Sully brothers sighed as they took a small break from caring the groceries inside. Their mother went a bit overboard, so the break was definitely needed. Their break was going well until something hit Lo’ak in the back of his head, making him jerk forward.
The said object bounced off of Lo’ak’s head right into Neteyam’s arms. It was a volleyball. “Shit!” Lo’ak hissed as he rubbed the back of his head. “I hope it didn’t knock out any more brain cells you need all that you’ve got.” Neteyam chuckled, transferring the ball into one arm.
“That hurt like a bitch, man.” Lo’ak huffed. “Let me see.” Neteyam said, moving around a few braids to check for a bump, but he found none. “You’re all good, bro.” Neteyam told him giving his brother a gentle pat on the head. Lo’ak opened his mouth to say something else, but he was cut off by a girl’s voice coming from behind them.
“Oh, my Ewya! I’m so sorry!” The girl apologized. The brothers turned around to see a brown-skin girl with a few braids to her scalp that led to her curls over her shoulder and two smaller braids connected in the center of her forehead with a crystal. She was pretty.
After getting a good look at her Neteyam glanced over to his brother, who looked absolutely starstruck by the pretty girl in front of them. “It’s fine. No harm, no foul. Right, Lo’ak?” Neteyam smiled as his brother was still caught in a trance. Neteyam nudged him and repeat his question. “Oh! Yeah-yeah! Right!” Lo’ak nodded frantically.
The girl smiled at his reaction which drew Lo’ak’s attention again. “Oh, you’re moving into Tili’s old house, right? That makes us neighbors.” The girl said, looking at the taller Sully. “Guess so.” Neteyam nodded, trying to hold back a smile as he saw his brother still staring.
“I’m Tsireya Wihongi, I live a house down.” Tsireya said, pointing toward a large light turquoise house one house down. “Neteyam Sully and this is my younger brother, Lo’ak.” Neteyam introduced. “Nice to meet you, Neteyam and Lo’ak.” Tsireya smiled. “Nice to meet you, too.” Neteyam nodded, lightly kicking his brother’s leg. “Nice to meet you!” Lo’ak nodded as well.
“Tsireya did you get the ball?” A boy’s voice called out from behind the girl then a boy around their age popped up beside her. The boy was a few inches smaller than Tsireya, his hair was curls that rose and he too was brown-skinned. “Oh, the new neighbors are here!” The boy explained with a wide smile spreading on his face before he turned around and yelled, “Ao, the neighbors are here!”
The Sully’s attention was now behind the two teens in front of them. They could see another boy walking over. ‘Ao’ was brown-skinned, he had a few braids to his scalp as well and the rest of his hair was in a messy bun on top of his head.
When ‘Ao’ finally got to them, he looked Lo’ak up and down then turned to stare at Neteyam. “This is my brother, Ao’nung, and our friend, Rotxo.” Tsireya explained, gesturing toward the boys. “Neteyam and Lo’ak Sully.” Neteyam nodded toward the boys.
“Can we get our ball back or what?” Ao’nung huffed, crossing his arms. “Sure.” Neteyam nodded, passing the volleyball to Tsireya who was the closest to him. “Thank you, Neteyam.” Tsireya smiled. ”Are you two going to go to school soon?” Rotxo asked. “Yeah, our sister will be too. We’re going to the Awa’ulta high school a few miles from here.” Neteyam explained.
Ao’nung mumbled something under his breath that the brothers didn’t catch, but Rotxo did and elbowed the boy. Before Neteyam could question him he heard his mother call out. “Ma Teyam! Ma Lo’ak! Did you get everything?” Their mother asked and all the teens turned to the front door to see Neytiri standing there.
“No, Mama! We bumped into some neighbors!” Neteyam explained. Neytiri’s gaze moved over to the three teens that stood across from her sons then smiled. “Okay, don’t take too long. There are still groceries in the car, so make sure to grab them.” Neytiri said, before turning on her heel and closing the door behind her.
“You look just like your mom.” Rotxo remarked, making everyone turn back to the group. “Mhm! She is very pretty!” Tsireya smiled, holding the ball in her arms. “Thank you.” Neteyam hummed, glancing over to see that Ao’nung was staring daggers into him.
The door once again opened, but this time Tuk and Spider ran out laughing while Kiri was out of sight yelling at them. “Tey save us!” Tuk exclaimed as she and Spider ran toward their brothers. “She’s going to kill us!” Spider added, grappling himself onto Neteyam’s right arm while Tuk grabbed his left leg.
“What did you do?” Neteyam chuckled, patting Tuk’s little head. “You two shitheads are getting locked out!” Kiri exclaimed, slamming the front door and probably locking it.
Neteyam sighed. “You two are dead.” Lo’ak chuckled. Spider turned to him and smiled wide before poncing on him. The three other teens watched this play out in interest. “Sorry about them. They are wild animals that followed us here from Africa.” Neteyam smiled as he picked on Tuk and placed her on his hip.
Rotxo and Tsireya chuckled, but Ao’nung didn't have a big reaction, he just stared. “And who are you, little kitten?” Tsireya smiled at Tuk. “Tuktirey Sully! I’m seven years old and my favorite princess is Tiana!” Tuk exclaimed. “Seven? So you’re a big girl then.” Rotxo smiled. “Yep! I can even tie my shoes by myself!” Tuk nodded.
“Wow!” The other duo exclaimed with large smiles resulting in Neteyam’s smile forming on his lips. The duos continued to talk and kid while Spider and Lo’ak wrested on the hot asphalt, which came to a halt when the door opened for a third time. This time it was Jake.
“Boys! Get your asses up!” Jake yelled making everyone turn to the two. Spider and Lo’ak separated and stood awkwardly as they rubbed their semi-burnt skin. “You two get the groceries! Neteyam watch them.” Jake said, closing the door.
“Go on and get the groceries.” Neteyam sighed, waving an arm to his brothers. “You’re like a zookeeper caring for the wildlife.” Ao’nung scoffed. Normally, Neteyam would find the joke funny, but Ao’nung made it sound like an insult. “We aren’t animals!” Tuk argued. “Sure, little Sully.” Was all Ao’nung said before walking away.
Rotxo sighed, shaking his head. “Sorry about him. Ao just..he isn’t too friendly at first, but he gets better over time.” Tsireya frowned. “Don’t worry about it.” Neteyam smiled, deciding to dismiss it.
“Oh yeah! We go to the same high school you are applying to, so I can talk to the principal to see if I can give you a tour.” Tsireya explained. “Then would be helpful thank you.” Neteyam nodded. “Of course. Roxy and I should get going now though. We’ll see you later, Neteyam and little princess, Tuk.” Tsirey smiled before she walked away with Rotxo, who waved in response. “Bye Pretty Lady!” Tuk exclaimed, waving big.
After watching the two walk off, Neteyam and Tuk walked over to their brothers to help carry in the groceries.
This is going to be chaotic.