The Way We Used To Be - ON HOLD-

It was a hard for her at first; she felt miserable. Being separated from her real family and thrown into a new one was not exactly ideal.
Luckily, her step-brothers shared her disdain. It worked in her favor, helping her create a great bond with her new brothers and softening the blow of the move.
When Maggie was eleven she had warmed up to her stepfather by now and really adjusted to her new life. She’d made a new friend too- her name was Scarlett. Meanwhile, her brothers had found themselves a best friend too; Harry Styles.
The girls were inseparable and sleepovers were the most fun.
It was an all out war ground in the living room of the McCarthy-Winston household. Nerf darts flying across the living room, screaming, and intense games of hide and seek.
The boys versus the girls, which Maggie always thought it was a bit unfair seeing as how the boys had the advantage. They had an extra member of the team. As they got older, the innocent sleepovers began turning into less physical playing and more video games.
When the twins turned 13 they had a birthday party in the back yard. They had an extra long slip and slide, barrels full of water balloons with ply board against them so that they could have cover for the water balloon war.
Luckily there were more people here, so Scar and Maggie were able to have an equal advantage. There were 3 teams, each team consisting of 3 members. The girls had invited their friend Mel over and she was on their team, Harry, Oli, and Aiden were on a team, and then there was another boy’s team.
“You know we’re going to lose?” Scar said with her thick English accent, her skinny body clad in a one piece swim suit and her blonde hair was wet and stringy as it dripped water. Mel and Maggie nodded.
“Maybe not, you have to have a little faith.” Mel said as she began loading her arms with water balloons. She had opted for a two piece swim suit; she was a year older than Scar and Maggie, which only upped her appeal.
“Maybe we can convince my mom to help?” Maggie offered, shrugging her shoulders. Her pink frilly swim suit was atrocious, but at that moment; she thought it was the shit.
“No! That’s cheating, we have to do it ourselves. Now arm yourselves ladies.” Scar interjected, giving Maggie a glare.
“Fine fine.” Maggie said as she crammed her arms full of water balloons.
Meanwhile, behind team one’s wall – Aiden, Oli, and Harry were deciding their best approach.
“Obviously we have to get the other boys team out first, then its smooth sailing.” Aiden offered, waggling his brows.
“Don’t be so sure, I know that Scar has a mean throw – she’s pelted me with a paint ball before. I didn’t even stand a chance.” Harry admitted, looking at Oliver.
Oli was a born leader and was normally in charge of their shenanigans.
“Har is right, we need to get rid of Scarlett before anyone else. She’s our biggest competition.” He said with a nod.
“Fine.” Aiden rolled his eyes and continued stuffing water balloons into his shorts.
“Seriously? That’s your approach?” Oli asked, arching a brow at his twin.
“Sure is! Now, watch me win boys.” Aiden stepped over and peeked his head out, giving their step mother the go ahead to blow the whistle.
It was all a blur at first, children sprinting here and there – trying to hide from the balloons that were flying towards them.
“Maggie! Get Sam!” Scar yelled as she ran towards Aiden – water balloon in hand.
Maggie turned around quickly, spotting the boy crouching behind a barrel. It was too easy. She pelted the balloon at him and stuck her tongue out when he looked at her before she ran towards her next target.
“Harry, I need backup!” Oliver yelled, hiding behind a board. Harry scurried over there, ducking out of the way of an in flight balloon. He landed with a thud beside Oli.
“That was close mate!” He said with a wide grin.
“Look, she’s trying to get Aiden. Now’s our chance.” Oli pointed out towards Scar who was creeping up behind Aiden.
“You got the best shot.” Harry offered, nodding him forward. Oli smirked and lifted the balloon about to throw it when all of the sudden he felt water burst on his back. He turned around to see Maggie giving them a grin. “Whoops!” She said before running off.
“Oh my god!! Get her Harry!” Oli yelled, shoving Harry out towards Maggie.
He was running so fast he didn’t know how he didn’t slip. He’d finally cornered Maggie who was having a fit of giggles. He laughed slightly before raising his balloon. She lifted hers too and they stared at one another.
“It’s come to this, huh?” Harry said, tossing the ball back and forth between his palms.
“It has. You ready to lose Styles?” Maggie said with a devious smirk.
“Me?” He laughed, pretending to throw the balloon. Maggie recoiled, throwing her balloon blindly towards him. He was able to dodge and he looked at her with a grin.
“Tricked ya.” He said before sprinting toward her, it seemed as though his fear had come true though. He was slipping almost half way there on the damp grass. He slid right into her, throwing her down and leaving him lying on top of her. She heaved and pushed him off, but he didn’t budge. They were both laughing as he held her down, finally getting a good grip on his balloon and popping it right against her head (with a little help from his finger nails, he knew that was the only way it would pop effectively.)
“Cheater!” Maggie laughed, pushing him off of her finally. She got up and shook her hair out, taking it in her hands and wringing it out.
“How am I a cheater?” Harry asked as he stood to join her.
“Because, you pinned me down, that’s not fair.”
“It wasn’t on purpose! I slipped.” He defended
“Yeah yeah…it’s okay though, I’m going to get you back.”
“Oh yeah? How so?”
“Like this.” Maggie said sweetly before a water balloon came flying from the other side and hit him right on his cheek – bursting on contact. He let out a groan and Scar came over jumping triumphantly.
“You’re no match for me lad!” She cheered, grabbing Maggie and dragging her to the middle so she could be declared the victor.

Notes