It's a Twin Thing

Chapter 10: Ask for my coffee to go (part i)

CHAPTER 10: Ask for my coffee to go.
(Part i)

OLIVIA'S P.O.V.:

Leaning against the kitchen island I sipped from my water cup while standing in the dark.

Moments after, I see my brother's silhouette coming down the stairs that led to where his and our parents's rooms were located. I don't know why but he always manages to find me when I'm upset even if he doesn't mean to.

He reached for the light switch and pressed it in order to turn on the light, jumping a little at the sight of me.

"Hey, what are you doing up?" He asked looking at the watch that marked 3:32am.

"I just got home, like 20 minutes ago..." I spoke "I went for a walk after school and got lost."

I knew he knew that I was lying, that last bit was true though. I did get lost and I did have to walk all the way back from an unknown neighbor town in the middle of the night. Zach joined me at the island and sent me a smile.

"I know you weren't at school today." I sighed even though I was expecting that to be his answer. "Don't worry, I'm not going to snitch. But those things are dangerous."

"The very last thing I need right now is a lecture so please don't." I interrupted. How he knew that I had been at another competition, is still a mystery.

He sported a look that told me he understood and was making an effort to not make me even more upset.

"I'm sorry. What did mom and dad do?" he asked, "They asked for you at dinner , I told them you were with Emily but I don't think that helped."

Zach held his ceramic mug in the air, admiring it. It was orange with white squiggly lines around it, although they were kind of faded in some spots. That had been his favorite mug since I could remember and, if memory serves me right, if anyone ever touched it when we were younger, all Hell would break loose.

"It didn't. They said I was too young to be out so late no matter who I was with. Natasha took away my allowance." I said, aware of the fact that they were right and that the punishment was not nearly what I was expecting it to be.

"Sorry." He said giving me a squeeze on the shoulder.

"Don't be." I stood straighter and stretched my muscles a bit. "I was out really late." I continued.

He noticed my reaction, I mean, why wouldn't he?

"Liv? Are we good?" He asked.

"Yes... I'm just tired." I wanted him to believe me so I brought out the old tradition. "Will you sleep with me tonight?"

"Of course."

I sent him a silent 'thank you' and put my cup down on the counter.

We headed over to my room and we each went to one side of the bed to pull the blankets back.

I saw him direct his gaze to the area where my mattress met the frame of the bed. He took what was in there and held it out in front of me.

"You keep this in here?" He smiled at the green half-blanket in his hand.

"Don't you have yours?" I asked as I get into bed arranging my pillows.

"Not under my mattress..." He laughed.

"Yeah. I know what you keep under your mattress." I joked. That got me a pillow to my face and some muffled laughs.

The green blanket my brother had in hands was the first think we'd ever fought over. It was our favorite. Dad, tired of all the whining, cut the blanket in half and gave a piece to each of us. And problem solved. It is nice to have it close in case I need comforting.