Thomas, I Love You

Chapter Four

"A college party?" Chris and Steven guffaw in unison. "No way."

"Sh! Can you guys be quiet?" I put a finger to my lips. I don't need them ratting us out before I can even convince them to go.

"'Cause you know if my mom hears about this, she'll tell your dad and you won't go," Steven states matter-of-factually. I don't even bother correcting him and saying that, first, my dad is also his dad, and two, what makes him think that he can do anything?

"Okay, good. So you know she does that, too." I roll my eyes. "That nosy bitch."

Steven narrows his eyes slightly at me.

"Loni, you just simply can't go." Chris fold his arms and holds his head up, confident. "That is that."

"I'm not asking you two. You're not my parents."

"No, and you're lucky," Steven points out, smiling.

"Guys, I'm just telling you! This is going to be way too much fun. Think of all the hot, older girls that're going to be there? I'll be out having fun and experiencing a once in a high school lifetime opportunity and then coming back and boasting about it while you two losers will be stuck at home, doing nothing."

I grin, sure my claim will win them over.

"Hm...college parties do sound better than masturbating..." Chris scratches his chin.

"Definitely."

"Loni, you can barely handle a high school party. A college party?" Steven furrows his eyebrows, concerned. He looks so cute, I think of kissing him.

 No, Loni, no! Brother, blood or not. Hello?

"You won't know how it'll be if you don't come along!" I sing terribly. "Come, on. It's just an experience. A one-time thing. It's just...something to cross off my bucket list."

I pout at Steven, knowing he'll eventually come along. He always wants to protect me and be there for me. It's really sweet, actually.

"I'm definitely going. With Paula. You guys can stay here."

Steven sighs, and rolls his eyes though I can see a smile tugging at his lips.

"Well then...I'm coming with you," he finally surrenders.

I grin really big.

"Going where?" KJ enters the living room out of nowhere.

"And I'm going because I'm absolutely fabulous!" Chris flips his imaginary long hair. "Plus-" He slouches his shoulders. "I really need to love someone other than myself."

"Paula's obviously coming so...we'll all go in my car and leave at seven?" Steven offers uncomfortably. I have an urge to reach out and touch him, feel him. Tell him it'll be alright but I don't act on my urges.

"Chris!" KJ walks to Chris, tugging at his shirt. "Can you play Mario with me?" He sucks his top lip, the go-to move he knows gets us every time.

"Come on, let's play a different game." Chris takes his small hand they leave Steven and I in the living room. "In my game, you aim guns and shoot at people!"

"Chris!" Steven and I scowl unanimously.

He replies with a chuckle and I just smile knowingly at my brother. I stand near Steven where Chris was standing. Our fingers brush but I resist the erg to flinch away. I only feel this way when my feelings of Steven as more than a brother and even a friend get worked up. Usually we're just brother and sister, fighting, laughing, hitting each other.