Our New Years Resolutions

Chapter 3

Emelia ~

I arrive home. Why the fuck did I drive between here and there? We literally live like 5 mins from each other. But also, holy shit. What was I thinking? Actually, I wasn't thinking. Ugh. I walk in through the front door. "Hey Em-" I head straight to my room and close the door. I sit on my bed and bring my knees up to my chin. There's a knock at my door. "Who is it?" I ask. "It's me," says Eli? Wait what? "Can I come in?" He asks. "Where's Ellie?" I ask. "In the bathroom," he replies. "Oh," I say, "Okay come in." He opens the door and walks over to me. "Close the door please," I say. He gets back up and shuts the door, before walking back over to me. "Can I sit?" He asks. "Sure," I say. He sits down. We sit in silence. I pull my knees closer to my chin and put my head down, closing my eyes. I can feel Eli moving around. Moving closer to me? Now he's hugging me. I lift my head up, open my eyes, and look at him. "What the fuck are you doing?" I ask. "I don't know. Being your brother," he says. "This is weird," I say. "I know," he replies, releasing me. He looks at me. We both crack up, laughing. "Thanks. I needed that," I say. "No problem," he replies, "Now tell me what's wrong." "Nothing," I say. "I know it's not nothing, Em," he says. "Okay fine. But you can't tell Mom and Dad," I respond. "Of course not. What is it?" He replies. "I like Alex. I'm going on a date with Alex. I kissed Alex. I-" I say. "Whoa Em, slow down." He replies. "Sorry," I say. "Okay. Let's backtrack a little. You like Alex?" He says. "I do," I reply. "Not Alec, but Alex?" He asks. "Yes, Alex! Gosh, Ellie asked me the same thing," I reply. "Okay. You're going on a date with him, when?" He asks. "Tomorrow," I say. "And you kissed him, when?" He asks. "Today," I respond. "Really?" He asks. "Yeah," I reply. "And now you feel stink about it, why?" He asks. "Gosh Eli. Because of Alec, I guess?" I reply. "Because Alec likes you. I see. Alec doesn't need to know though, does he?" He replies. "He's my best friend, Eli. He'll find out eventually. And just because we're not talking right now..." I say. "Right. So, what now?" He asks. "I don't know," I respond, "Some big brotherly advice would be nice." "You want advice? From me?" He asks. "Uh yeah. I mean, you're the one who is here right now." I say. "Oh. Well, obviously Ellie would be better at this. Um, I think you need to talk to Alex. And eventually, you'll have to tell Alec, of course. I feel like I'm not making any sense," he says. I reach over and give him a hug. He reciprocates. This one isn't as weird. Wait no. Still weird. We both pull back. "Thanks, Eli," I say. "You're welcome," he says. 

"Is that the only reason you came in here?" I ask. "No," he replies. "What's the other reason?" I ask. "This," he says, passing me his phone. I take it from him and see that there is an Instagram profile open. It's a series of photos. Lots of photos. They're all really pretty. There's a story too. I click on it. "Just applied to photography school. Wish me luck."  That is what it says. I hand him back his phone. "What is this?" I ask. "Do you like it?" He asks. "Yes," I say. "Cool," he replies. "Whose account is it?" I ask. "It's mine," he replies, shyly. "Holy shit. You applied to photography school?!" I say. "I did," he says. "When?" I ask. "After you and El told me I should do this professionally," he replies. "Omg omg omg omg!" I reply. "Yeah," he says. "Does Ellie know? Do Mom and Dad?" I ask. "No. You're the first one I've told," he responds. "Oh! Well good luck," I say. "Thanks," he says. "You need to tell everyone," I say. "But what if I get rejected?" He asks. "You won't! And even then, you should still tell them." I say. "Okay. But only if you come with me," he says. "No," I say. He grabs my hand as he's getting up off my bed. His momentum forces me to get up too. He opens my door and drags me out along with him. He only releases my hand once we reach the living room. Everyone is in there. Even Jack. I sit down beside Ellie. "I have something to tell you all," says Eli. "What is it, love?" Asks Elsie. Eli takes a deep breath. "I applied to photography school," he says. "Holy fuck," says Ellie. "Eleanor!" Says Elsie. "Holy fuck," says Eddie. "Holy fuck," says Jack. Elsie looks between them all. "Holy fuck," she says. We all burst out laughing. Once we've all calmed down. "Since when were you interested in photography, son?" Asks Eddie. "I've been into photography for a while," replies Eli. "How come you've never mentioned it?" Asks Eddie. "I wasn't sure how everyone would take it," says Eli. "Well, if it's your passion, I say go for it," says Eddie. "It is. Thanks, Dad." Responds Eli. "Of course, son." Says Eddie. Ellie gets up and goes to hug Eli before running to the bathroom. Jack gets up and follows her. "Now she knows how I felt," says Elsie. "Were all of us like that?" I ask. "Eli was a breeze. Ellie, I had really bad morning sickness throughout. And with you Emelia, there were a lot of ups and downs." She replies. Ellie and Jack come back. "Pregnancy is a bitch," says Ellie. "Eleanor, language." Says Elsie. "Sorry, Mom," says Ellie. "Are you ready to go, babe?" Asks Jack. "Yep. Bye family," says Ellie. Ellie and Jack leave.