Impulses

quatre

My phone rings, cutting me out of the daze id been in staring out of the dirty bus window. The number is one I have never seen before, nonetheless I answer.

"Aria." the voice is hoarse and pleading. I quickly search my head trying to place it to a face, in which I'm shocked.

"Nathan?" the line is cut and I stare at the phone screen. I'm so confused I begin to chew on my lip, something I do when I'm nervous or unsure, in this case unsure. How?

The bus stops abruptly and I hit my head on the seat in front, cursing the bus driver mentally, I get off the bus and begin the short walk to my house. My head is pounding and all I want to do is nap. On my porch is my mum and Aunt Flo. I stop dead in my tracks and internally cry. My cousins must also be here. No nap for me. I walk up to the porch with a slight scowl.

"Here comes my favourite niece!" She smiles wide.

"I'm your only niece." I say bluntly and my mother gives me a look to 'be nice' My aunt laughs and engulfs me into a hug. I make the mistake of breathing at this current moment because I inhale the cigarette stench on her clothes. I step back and force a smile.

"Your cousins are inside dear." she politely informs me and I clap with exaggerated excitement.

"Inside now." my mother scolds and I happily leave the pair.

The house is a mess. The long carpet which used to compliment the hallway floor is now scrunched up and tossed to the side. The pictures are now slanted and as for the noise level, it should be illegal. Aaron soon emerges from the kitchen looking more of a mess than usual.

"Help." he whines. I chuckle slightly and get to work.

- - - - - -

"I must admit Aria, you're amazing with kids." Aaron compliments, flouncing himself into the couch opposite me.

I cleaned the house (which took the rest of the day since they kept making mess) and got Aiden and Landon into bed. It was easy to get them to go to sleep because I'd tricked them into thinking it was a game. I told them the first one who went to sleep first would get chocolates. They both fell for such stupidity and went right to sleep. Mum had gone out with my aunt and so it was just me and Aaron.

"What movie do you want to watch?" I shrug my shoulders and feel my phone vibrate from underneath me.

"Did you just get a message?" Aaron questions and my face reigns confusion.

"Aaron stop texting me."

"I'm not texting you." His lips curl up into a smile.

"Aria you have friends!" I laugh at his stupidity throw the pillow at him. He catches it easily. Damn his sporting abilities.

"I'll get the popcorn and drinks." He suggests leaving the room. I wait until he's round the corner to check my message:

Have you had an accident at work and need compensating? PPI Insurance can help! Contact us right away!

My face falters when I realise it's simply one of them silly insurance people. Aaron comes back and places my popcorn bowl onto my lap. He puts my fanta on the coffee table and does the same for himself.

"Thank you." I say and he nods.

"How about we watch-" He is cut off by his phone ringing.

"Cole... Not tonight mate I'm staying in with my sister... I'm not being a little bitch... Whatever man... You better get laid with all this talk... Alright... Bye" I frown almost instantly.