The next day, I was up at two in the afternoon, just like I did when I didn’t have work or school. And now that we have this break, I’m not gonna waste time and let this chance slip, I’m still a lazy teenager after all.
We were watching cartoons as usual in the living room, my little brother beside me.
Mom was preparing herself for work, saying that she had a night shift starting today and for the following days. Looking at the clock, she said in a hurry, “I should get going now.
“Be a good boy, Nathan. And take good care of him, Snow.” She kissed us both on the cheeks. Nathan and I nodded our heads simultaneously like an obedient dog.
My eyes trailed in space and once mom pulled from the garage, she sped off the road and vanished insight. Turning around, my lips turned upward, beaming at my little brother.
“So, what would you like to do, Nate-nate?”I asked. I’m up for a little mischief today since I was woken up early in the morning. I can’t turn back to sleep now… there’s nothing I can do. And besides, I want to spend time with Nathan.
“Let’s buy chocolates and go to the park!” He answered hopefully.
“To the park? And chocolates? But it’s now in the afternoon, it’s so hot outside,” I commented.
“Please,” He said, his eyes getting larger so he was making a cute puppy face to me.
“No, no, I don’t give in to that cute face, “I tested him when in fact I was giving in. He looked like he was about to cry.
“I was just joking! You said that you are a big boy earlier. Big boys don’t cry,” I said, feeling guilty.
“I am a big boy, see?”He said, wiping his eyes.
“Okay, let’s buy some chocolates,” I said. Besides, I need to make it up to Nathan. He doesn’t have his usual playmate… dad… so it must be lonely for him to be always left alone here in the house.
And, he preferred Eion instead of me yesterday! My title of being ‘The coolest sister in the world’ is now snatched away instantly. I gotta prove it to him again that I’m the deserving one.
We decided to go out when the sun was hiding and the weather wasn’t too hot. It was probably around four in the afternoon or so… Once we got dressed, I locked the doors and double-checked it for security. We took a walk to a nearby store to buy him a bar of chocolate. After that, we headed towards a park. A children’s park.
Eating chocolates, playing hide and seek with the other children, and just having fun, all my stress and worries these past few months had been lifted, just seeing the children’s smiles and laughter. They look so happy and carefree. If only I could go back to that stage… Not worrying and caring about the world and just having fun.
I watched as my little brother became friends with others instantly. He’s really that friendly…
They played different games and I just watched from afar, sitting on a bench and letting the fresh air engulf me in a trance. Leaning my back on the wall, I breathed in deeply and exhaled. Exhale all the bad thoughts, worries, stress, and negativity.
Now that I just let myself chill and let the worries aside, I realized that many things really happened these past few months that I didn’t really have the time to myself, even to my brother and mom.
At least things are finally getting exciting in my life. Before I knew it, I had friends, smiled, cried, and laughed with them.
I shot up when a loud crying erupted and broke my thoughts. I turned to look at the source and was about to stand up and comfort the child when just in time, I watched as Nathan walked towards a girl, who was the one crying. All heads turned to look at the scene.
“Sshh, what’s wrong?” He asked the girl with concern, I stood up and watched the scene, stopping myself to head towards them.
I should let my little brother handle these things. This is the time where I should place myself.
This is a child matter after all and nothing to do with a lonely teenager like me. The crying girl continued to weep so loudly. Where are the parents of this girl?
“It’s gonna be okay, don’t cry,” Nathan said, comforting the girl and rubbing her back.
The corners of my lips turned upwards, smiling. Awe, this is so cute! I grabbed my phone from my pockets, thanking the heavens that I hadn’t forgotten about bringing it. I snatched a few shots of the scene.
This is going to be my inspiration! When Nathan grows up, I’ll be sure to give this to him and ask him about his childhood friend. Just thinking about their love story excites me. I can’t wait for him to grow up! I laughed evilly.
As Nathan comforted her, the girl stopped crying and Nathan smiled in my direction. I gave him a thumbs up and took it as a sign for us to go home.
“Am I the coolest sister in the world?” I asked Nathan once we were walking towards our house.
“Yup! Snowy is the coolest sister in the world.” He replied and I grinned.
Hahaha, in your face Eion! I’m still his sibling after all! You can’t snatch away my brother just like that from me.
*****
Days passed by like a blur and I feel like our two-week break is ending. I tried to study but… I can’t. Especially since today is dad’s death anniversary.
I really want to call Luke and have someone to cry with. But I don’t want to disturb him. Hannah was also with him so I can’t either. Emma was with her family so no.
I’m left with no choice.
I didn’t think that there would be a time that I would dial his number. It took a minute or so for him to answer it, but at least he did.
“Hello?” His voice said huskily from the other line. Silence, I didn’t reply. How should I start? “Who is this?” the voice asked. I remained silent.
“If you don’t speak I will hang up.”
He said in his usual threatening voice. Geez, this guy… Even though the phone, he can be so harsh and at the same time, his voice holding no emotion.
I feel a chill working its way up my spine as I could sense him glaring. I squirmed. Really? Does he have this robot magnet or signal?
“It’s… Snow.” I said, breaking the silence.
“Who?”
I sighed, “It’s Snow, Eion.”
I hear him scoffing. “Why are you calling me out of nowhere? Why not your boyfriend?”
Boyfriend? Uhm… about that… never mind…
In an instant, a plan formed in my head. Aha! I’ll just act drunk to make it not awkward… We are enemies in his head after all…
“Can you teach me something like some Filipino words?” I ignored his question, asking the first thought that came to mind.
“Why are you calling in the middle of the night just for that?”