“How are you so lucky?” Colby whined through the phone.
Colby was a 5 feet 3 blonde who had been my best friend since we were five. How we became friends was a very long story but to put it short. Let’s just say he was being bullied for looking too ‘girly’ and I may or may not have punched the bully straight on his nose. From that moment on, we had been joined by the hip.
“How is this me being lucky?” I huffed plopping onto my bed on my stomach. The phone bounces and I turn around to stare at the ceiling.
“You’re getting a brother!” Colby yells and I wince. Not at his loud tone but the word ‘brother’.
“One, I already have a brother. Two, he technically won’t be considered my brother but a foster kid or something, and three I don’t know anything about him……or his deceased mother.” I sighed turning back around on my stomach.
“Well at least you have a sibling! I’m alone.” He complained. I rolled my eyes.
“Trust me, it’s better that way. Safe from getting ketchup in your hair just for the fun of it.” I cringed remembering how my hair smelled of ketchup for an entire week because Austin decided that my hair should’ve been red.
Colby laughs. “True.”
After a few talks about the beginning of senior year, Colby goes back to talking about the mysterious ‘Kade’.
He hums. “You mentioned that his mom was your mom’s best friend right?”
I nodded but realized he couldn’t exactly see me. “Yeah. Apparently, they haven’t spoken for more than seventeen years. It’s kind of strange that she gave my mom full guardianship of her son when they’ve never met.”
Colby hums again. “How’s your mom taking the news so far? I’m sure it’s a shocker to find out you’re someone’s guardian.”
I snorted, stretching my limbs. “Trust me it’s a shocker for us all. But she’s taking the news hard even though she tries to act like she isn’t. It’s obvious she still cherished the moments she had with Gweneth and is probably beating herself up for not talking to her sooner. I guess her accepting Kade is her way of trying to mend the past.” I whispered.
I hated that mom hadn’t been herself today. I wished there was some way that I could cheer her up.
“Well look on the bright side……you’ll still be getting a brother.” He chuckles. If I could throw a punch at his face right now I would. But sadly, my fist can’t reach his face virtually.
“Goodnight Colby.” I sighed.
“Night.” He laughed and I end the call.
My thoughts are now troubled with the mysterious Kade. We had no clue as to how he looked, features wise. Sharing a house with a stranger was completely a fear of the unknown. He could be a serial killer for crying out loud.
_____________
*Next day*
“Take care of your brother Mia. I don’t want Austin calling and pleading for us to call the cops on you again.” Mom begged.
I snapped my gaze down to my seven year old brother who shrank under my gaze. “You ungrateful little brat-
“Mia,” Dad warned. I bit my tongue and move my deathly stare off my brother.
I sighed and folded my hands under my breasts. “I promise to not burn the house down and forget Austin in it. Happy?”
Mom sends me a stern look. “We’re serious Mia!”
I lift a shoulder into a shrug. “Me too.”
“Mia,” Dad warned. Dad can really be intimidating when he needs to. Right now, I wanted to crawl into a hole and hide for dear life.
I groan. “I was kidding Dad. I’ll take care of that little toad.”
Dad sighs and shakes his head, mumbling something about crazy kids.
“Please stay safe.” Mom’s soft voice had me tearing my eyes from Dad to hers. They’re gleaming with unshed tears.
“Baby.” Dad soothes, pulling her into his arms.
“Maybe we shouldn’t go Haiden. I can’t leave my babies all alone.” She sobs turning around to bury her face in dad’s shirt. I was sure she’d leave a patch of her tears on his blue shirt and I was certain he’d not care.
Wait who was she calling a baby? I am seventeen!
“It’s okay baby, they’ll be okay.” He soothes and runs his fingers through her hair.
Mom and dad have never been away from us for more than a day. This would be their longest trip away from us and even though I knew Austin and I would be okay, a girl still needs her mom. To cook dinner of course.
“Mom we’ll be fine and if anything you’re one phone call away. I know Dad, the taser is under my bed where you left it.” I said.
Dad looks at me sternly. “Remember. If it’s a guy, tase him right on the crotch.”
I smirked. “That’s exactly what I was planning to do! See so no need to worry, I can protect both Austin and I.”
“You two are so alike I’m embarrassed.” Mom’s voice is muffled because of her mouth pressed on Dad’s chest.
Austin suddenly runs towards mom and dad and wraps his small thin arms around their legs. I rolled my eyes. Such a little suck-up.
“Please don’t leave me with her. Anyone but her mommy.” He pleaded.
He was acting like I’m the bad guy when he was the brat.
I glared down at the little twit and wished I could throw him into space. “Hey, I’m the one who cheers for you the loudest in your soccer matches!” I snapped.
Austin stops his crying and steps away from mom and dad. “Oh, she’s right.” He laughed cheekily and walks back to my side.
Dad was about to speak when the taxi driver blares his horn in impatience.
Mom pulls away from dad and I cringe at the sight of the huge wet patch she left on dad’s blue shirt. He doesn’t seem to mind, just smiles lovingly at her as she mumbles a sorry and tries to ‘dry’ the patch using her hand.
“It’s fine baby, it’ll dry.” He grabs a hold of the back of her head and kisses her forehead tenderly.
He then pulls away and opens his arms. Both Austin and I run into his warm embrace just to get squeezed by both him and mom. “I’ll miss you my babies.” Mom sniffles, kissing Austin and I’s cheek.
“Mom it’s only for two days, we’ll be fine,” I whispered reassuringly as dad ruffles my hair.
“I’m allowed to worry about you two.” Mom sighs and finally pulls away. I swore she was about to suffocate us with how tight her grip had been.
The horn blares again. Mom’s eyes shift into irritation as she whips around and yells. “Just give us a fu- moment with our kids!”
With a huff, she turns to face Austin and me and smiles sadly. “I’ll miss you two so much.”
“It’s only for two days mom.” I pointed out for the second time.
Her eyes narrowed. “That’s too long to stay away from our babies.”
I groan. “I’m not a baby anymore mom.”
Dad laughs pulling me forward to plant a kiss on my forehead. “You’re still our baby girl no matter how old you get Mia. “
After pulling away from me, he crouches before Austin and ruffles his hair that he inherited from him. “You’re the man of the house for two days squirt.”
After saying our final goodbyes, Austin and I stood in the doorway and watch mom and dad enter the taxi then later drive down the road, disappearing from our sights in just moments.
“It’s only us two for two days Austin,” I murmured as I watch the empty street.
“Mac and cheese for dinner?” Austin asked with a hopeful tone. I drop my gaze on my little brother and narrowed my eyes on his hopeful wide eyes. He must be stupid to think he’ll get his way when he just moments ago acted like I was the devil.
“Nope.” I poped the p.
Austin’s eyes turned angry and the next thing I know my foot is in pain. The little twit stomped on it. “Then no mercy!” He roared.
“Okay, okay, mac and cheese for dinner.” I surrendered wishing mom and dad would come back to take the little devil.
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.