Dealing with Denis

Giant Crocodiles and Sharks with Lasers.

As I shut the door behind me, I hunched my shoulders forward against the icy wind blowing in the London streets. Almost the end of Winter. I couldn't help wonder what it would be like to have a hot Christmas.

I contemplated going home, but realised my mother would most likely be there, so that wasn't an option, so I decided to go to Adam's place. As I trudge along the path on my way to the entrance to the underground, I couldn't help but get lost in my thoughts.

"Meow, I'm a bird!" Came a voice, followed by a loud thump next to me. I screamed and clutched my heart. Den stood there, grinning.

"Were you seriously just up in that tree," I asked, honestly gobsmacked. He nodded, smiling a toothless grin. I waited for him to explain, but he didn't. "Why?"

"I was waiting for you to walk past, but I was getting in the way of people on the path," he explained like it was obvious.

"You're an idiot," I huffed as I continued on my way to the underground.

"Your favourite idiot," he laughed loudly as he came up and slung an arm around my shoulder. My heart started to beat a little bit faster. "So, where are we headed to?"

"I was just heading over to Adam's place. I had a fight with Mum and I don't really want to go home."

Den's happy smile faded into a look of concern. "What did you and your mum fight about?"

I stopped and cringed. "Oh, you know, stuff."

"Stuff?"

"Mum saw your dad at the pub, and didn't want to be a parent like that. He came home suddenly acting all motherly and I blew at her," I rushed. I watched Den's face fall.

"Oh."

"Um, yeah," was my lame response. I didn't have great emotional-communication skills, but I didn't want to hide anything from him. He is my best friend.

We lapsed into silence as we continued down the path. After fifteen minutes of awkward walking he turned a forced smile on me.

"So what new stuff do you think Adam will have at his place?" It was a weak attempt at a conversation starter, but it was an attempt. I shrugged, trying to plaster a smile on my face.

"I'm not sure, he always finds completely unexpected stuff."

"If your brother is anything, it's unexpected." We laughed weakly, climbing onto the train.

On the train, we tried talking but what I said earlier, bringing up Den's dad, was really weighing on his mind. As we trudged up the steps to Adam's place I came to the conclusion that today just really wasn't my day. I was screwing up relationships left right and centre. I felt the pressure of tears at the back of my eyes but I blinked them back. Any Kellar was no cry baby.

Den walked up the last few steps eagerly and banged on the door.

"Adam! Adam! Open up! I'm suffocating from awkwardness out here!" He hollered at the hardwood door. I burst out laughing. Why couldn't he have done this half an hour ago?

Adam flung the door open. "Den! Amy! What are you doing here?"

"Mother was attempting to be a mother," I spat as I pushed last him into the apartment.

"I see," he nodded knowingly. I slumped into the living room chair.

"I just want to escape it all, you know?" I grumbled.

"Amen, sister," Den said, crashing into the chair with me. And we really didn't fit.

"Hey! She's my sister, not yours!" Adam said, smacking Den in the back of the head as he passed us on his was to the kitchen.