Big Brothers, Little Sister

Apologies

A/N: Guys, thanks so much for all the reads. I'm quite proud of this, but I'd really appreciate some prompts. Just a heads up, the story writing style is really long at the start of the book, cause I wanted to show yall what the characters are like, but later, I might shorten it. Do you like this style, or should it change during the next chapters? Anyways, luv yall, enjoy this crappy chapter. 💜

Tara's Perspective (Baby Sister, 12)

As I clutched the wrinkled sheets of the dreaded assignment, my head was pressed into Peter's stomach. Tears spilt down my flustered cheeks like a drizzle of water, soaking through his shirt slowly. Tripping over my own feet as I descended, my whizzing brain couldn't help but try to create some plan of escape. Lies, deception or dishonesty were tossed out the window abruptly because, just like Peter relayed before, Carter can read me like a book. As I pushed myself out of Peter's embrace, a daring idea burst into my mind, clouding all my logic and thought. The auburn wooden stairs lessened with each step, and in a moment of fear, I gulped down my hesitation and swiftly turned on my heels. Scrambling out of Peter's reach, I bolted back upstairs and slammed the door of my bedroom, shoulders trembling with my newly upturned anxiety. 

Peter's Perspective (Youngest brother, 16)

As Tara sprinted upstairs, my shoulders heaved with a sigh so mellow, it could suck in a black hole. Calmly, I finished my tired walk downstairs, and sat on a armchair next to my brothers. I could spot Author analysing my expression immediately, but Ethan was quicker to catch on, and his face grimaced with the newfound knowledge. "Tara?"

"Yes, Ethan. Tara," I spat out, a bitter aftertaste left in my mouth from the whole mess. Leaning back in the chair, my eyes almost closed, like guilt pulled them down over my eyelids. "She did something wrong, and now she's terrified to tell you."

"Why? What is it?!" Carter snapped, worry lacing his words and appearance. He ran his hand through his messy hair, distractedly pushing the fringe of blond curls away from his eyes. Panic smoothly joined the worry as he burst out in questions. "Is she smoking? Or drinking? Or something worse?"

"No, nothing serious." I chuckled, realising how simple her wrongdoing really was. "But I think Tara should tell you herself. She's locked herself in her room."

"I'll-," Author stopped abruptly as he was interrupted by Carter's calm, soothing voice. 

"I'll take care of it guys. Don't worry." Carter smiled sadly, pushing himself to his feet with a regretful sigh. Oh, how I wish sighs didn't exist. "Should I bring her down, or deal with it upstairs?"

"Bring her down," Author replied with a wavering voice. Although his monotone expression was as immobile as ever, disappointment crept into his eyes like a tiger on hunt. "She needs to explain herself properly."

"Sure bro. But Peter's coming with me," Carter announced, looking at me pointedly until I shoved myself to my feet. He set off up the staircase, but suddenly stopped to stare back at Author. "Calm down before she comes, ok Author. She doesn't need to be scared more. It's really not a big deal." 

I followed my older brother up the windy staircase slowly, hoping desperately that Tara would have also calmed down by now. "Coming, Sir."

Carter's Perspective (Second Eldest Brother, 24)

I thundered up the stairs, trying to take my own advice and calm down before I face my youngest sibling. I knew that Tara would have already beat herself up about the whole incident, and I didn't want to add fuel to the fire. I gently shoved Peter in front of me and gestured to my sister's bedroom door. Tara had the closest relationship with Peter, and she'd trust his friendly tone much more than my enraged fury. Soon, we both realised that, thankfully, the door wasn't locked as we'd supposed and I knocked uncertainly, nudging Peter for some support. "Tara, honey. You need to come out." 

We heard a choked sob from inside the room, as nervous footsteps pattered towards the door. With a ear-piercing creak, the door moved aside to reveal my flustered sister, dried tears like winter-dead stems coating her rosy cheeks. Almost immediately, Tara leapt forward into our arms with a cry. "I'm s- sor- sorry."

"Baby, it's definitely not that big of a deal." Peter butted in, crouching so Tara had to look straight at him. I could feel my sister's trembling shoulders against my shirt, and my heart almost shattered once I realised how worked up she was. "You didn't have to make it worse by running away." 

"We aren't going to kill you, even if it was something horrible," I added, sadly smiling at her. "Author isn't THAT bad, sis. You should never try to run away from us."

"Yes sir," Tara whimpered, brushing away a tear.

"Now, I want you to come downstairs, and explain what happened to Author. He was worried sick. We all thought you'd smoked or something." 

"Ok. I'm sorry." Tara sighed, nodding her head as we led her downstairs.