Emersion Miller finds herself being shipped back out to the place she escaped five months ago. If she had known the consequences of agreeing to work again, she would have hung up on Mr Jimmy and kicked Mike where the sun doesn't shine, but only one...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Beep Beep Beep Beep ...............
" Arggg no five more minutes, it's too cold " Emersion muttered silently under her breath, pulling the covers back over her head, only allowing for her nose to peak through. A cold shiver runs through her body, causing the tiny hairs on her body to stand, followed by the spread of goosebumps. Instantly the leg that rudely slipped out from underneath the doona is pulled back in, causing a cold wind to rush under the covers.
Beep Beep Beep Beep ...............
" EMERSION MILLER WAKE UP YOU LAZY ASE !!!!!!!!!! "
Beep Beep Beep Beep ...............
" EMERSION !! TURN IT OFF BEFORE IT STARTS SINING !!!! EM !!! "
Wake up, Ben, everybody's wiggling
Wake up, Ben, we really need you
Wake up, Ben; you're missing all the fun now
Wake up, Ben, before the days through
Emersion jolted awake by the smashing of her door being thrown open, followed by the abruptly loud and irritating sound of her brother's ' favourite song', blasting through the speakers of their small apartment. I've made minor adjustments to the song, being the loving and kind younger sister I am.
" You little shit, seriously !! Every fucking time " Emersion slowly peers over the blankets staring up at him. Eyes wide, face scrunched with steam radiating from his body. Squinting her eyes to look at his forehead where one singular vein protrudes and looks like it's about to burst.
Sluggishly she brings her hands up to her face and rubs her eyes, instantly missing the warmth of the doona. Peering up at him again and innocently batting her eyelashes while pulling the cheesiest smile known to mankind.
" It's tradition, Ben " she managed to squeak out.
Ben narrows his eyes, arms crossed over his broad chest while shaking his head at her and muttering a yeah yeah. A small smirk tugs at the corner of his lips, followed by a silent laugh.
Slowly peeling out of bed, making tracks to the bathroom and collecting the clothes she left out last night. Sending a silent thank you to her past self, Emersion forcefully pulls on the bathroom door and flick on the lights. Squinting her eyes to adjust to the bright light, she blindly reaches for her toothbrush. A silent sigh escapes her lips as her head slowly lifts to met her dishevelled appearance. Leftover mascara coats under her eyes, making her look like a baby raccoon with her hair looking like a birds nest. Pulling the elastic out of her hair that was meant to keep it in a nice 'sleeping bun', she threads her fingers through her long brown hair, untangling the knots that have formed before brushing and pulling it into a loose plait. Doing a once over of her now freshened appearance. Fresh mascara coats her lashes with a hint of blush added; baby raccoon eyes are long gone.
Before slipping out of the bathroom, she grabs her favourite strawberry/vanilla lip balm stuffing it into her bag and grabs her pillow before her stomach decides to make itself known.
Leaning against the doorway of the kitchen, her stomach continues to rumble as she watches her brother pour two cups of coffee to go.
" Stop staring at me, Em, it's creepy " Ben's timid voice breaks her out of the staring contest with the coffee cup in his hand; her eyes flicker up and glare at the back of his head. " I wasn't staring, how do you even know I was staring? You're not even looking at me ..... that qualifies you as a creepy creep, " Emersion rambled out in one breath.
A low chuckle erupts from Ben's chest as he turns to look at her with one eyebrow raised. His signature smile plastered on his face showcasing off his pearly whites. " I'm always right, Ems. Nice try though, I would think you would have learnt these things after 23 years. "
" Nah, ar, just because you're older, it doesn't mean anything " Emersion counters back, sounding like a two-year-old pouting her lips and looking up at him with her big brown eyes.
Again Ben shakes his head and pushes a bowl of cornflakes towards her. Silence takes over, leaving Emersion to her thoughts until a clearing of a throat snaps her out.
" You know " Ben starts " I could always get you a job at " cutting him off straight away. Emersion knows where this conversation is going; it happens every time she leaves.
" Ben" she says sternly, not looking up from pushing around the cornflakes in her bowl " You know the answer is no, it's my choice" she slowly raises her head, looking directly at him. Ben's face is neutral, no emotion is shown. He tugs his earlobe, a trait he does only when he's nervous.
" I know Em, it's just " he sighs, taking long steps over towards where she's sitting and crouches down right in front of her, holding both of her hands. Tears well in his eyes " Ever since Dad passed, it's just been you and me, you and me against the world " a small giggle falls past Emersion's lips as she hops down off the stool and wraps her tiny arms around him. The feeling of arms snake around her waist and pull her closer. " I promised that I would protect you. I can't do that when you're stranded in the middle of the ocean, " he whispers into the crook of her neck.
" You can't always protect me, Ben. I'm a big girl. I've pulled up my big girl panties " That got a chuckle out of him, as he tightens his hold on her " This job " Emersion continues " in a way it keeps me sane, I feel like I'm connected to Dad when I'm out there, I feel like he's right there with me every step of the way guiding me through the tough times. And I know it's hard to believe, but I'm actually really good at my job. People depend on me " slowly, Emersion's released from his grip as he ruffles the top of her hair, messing up the plait before walking away back over to the counter.
Pouring his coffee into his mug, he looks over at her again, giving her a look that she knows all too well " I'll believe that when I see it " turning back around, Emersion muffles asshole under her breath before shoving more cornflakes into her mouth.
Zoning out and concentrating on redoing her plait in the reflection of the microwave, she doesn't notice Ben coming to stand directly behind her. Leaning over her shoulder and yelling now into her ear
" You're vibrating. "
" What " Emersion jumped back, clutching her hand to her chest and slapping him across the arm with her free hand. Pointing his finger, she follows his gaze to her phone. Pushing past him and opening up her phone, she sees a message from Mike saying he's out front. Quickly replying that she will be out soon.
" It's just Mike. He's out front " Sliding the phone into the back pocket of her jeans, Emersion turns around to be hit in the face by a plastic bag.
" Ow" rubbing the top of her head.
" Oh please, that didn't hurt. It was plastic. Toughen up Ems, plus, it's tradition, " Ben says, dragging out the last word.
" HAHA very funny, try coming up with your own lines " Emersion huffs out, bending down to pick up the little bag that was chucked at her face. A smile appears as her eyes light up. " You remembered " Emersion quickly asked
Not waiting for a reply, she quickly runs and jumped into his arms squeezing the life out of him.
" THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU !!! " she repeats over and over again.
" Ok, ok, you can let go now, please " Ben's eyes softened as he looked down at his sister.
" You know I thought that you would have forgotten " opening up the bag and grabbing a handful of lucky charm marshmallows, throwing them into her mouth.
Ben frowned, a shocked expression plastered on his face " Never, how could I. It's tradition, after all "
