More Than Friends (boyxboy)

Chapter 7: Babysitting

"No problem. We don't mind."

☆

 "I can't believe you have to do this every school day." Archie says, taking weary steps up the street, after getting off the bus.

"You get used to it." Bay sighs, as he matches the weary walk Archie was taking.

"Is your sister still hot? I've not seen her in ages." Archie smiles as absentmindedly kicks a random stone. He used to have a crush on Gia. 

Bay looks at Archie, giving off a sarcastic laugh. "I can't believe you. You've just been chatting up a girl, and now you're asking about my sister?"

Archie smiles to himself, holding up his hands. "Woah there! I'm just asking."

"She has a boyfriend. So you have no chance. Not that you did anyway."  Bay jokes.

"Don't be harsh. I reckon I could have had a chance. I am nearly eighteen." Archie tries to hold up his stance as he speaks. Bay just side glances Archie, not even bothering to answer. 

Eventually, they reach the front door and head through it, to be greeted by a hive of activity, with Bay's mum in the kitchen, putting on her coat. "Mum. Where are you going?"

"Sorry sweetheart. I've been called into work, last minute." She can see the disappointment on his face.  He felt like he never saw her these days and with his long school days, he saw her even less. She places an affectionate hand on his cheek. "There's some pizza in the oven....oh and please help your sister with the little ones. She has Owen coming over tonight...she's not happy I've gotten called in."  Bay silently nods as she removes her hand, feeling the guilt for not being the mother she wanted to be. 

She barely sees Archie, who is just standing shy of the door. "Oh hi Archie. Lovely to see you." Archie nods in recognition as she rushes past and out of the door.

Bay and Archie stand in the kitchen for a minute to acclimatise from the mother whirlwind which just occured. He takes off his coat and puts his bag away, Archie doing the same, before Bay re-enters the kitchen and finds some oven gloves in order to check the pizza. "Food!" He shouts at the top of his voice. There is a sudden stampede of feet as his siblings filter around the kitchen table. Mia and Maya, his 6 year old twin sisters and Sim, his 10 year old brother. Finally, Gia, his 20 year old big sister. 

Gia sees Archie sat amongst her siblings. "Oh hey Archie. Long time no see." She gives him a warm smile, knowing full well about the crush he had on her in the past. She still had the heart picture he had pushed under her bedroom door, when he was 12. 

Archie doesn't know why, but Gia still had a bit of an effect on him. "Hi." is all he can muster, as he feels a blush on his cheeks. 

Gia then turns her attention to Bay. "So Owen is coming over tonight and I need you to take care of this lot for me...and we're having the living room, so you can't come in." 

Bay sighs, throwing his pizza back on his plate in annoyance. "Aah why? Archie is here!" He wasn't sure what made him more annoyed. The fact that he had to babysit, or the fact he couldn't access the only decent tv in the house.

"I know it's a pain, but Mum was supposed to be here. You know she has to work if she gets the chance. Plus, I've not seen Owen since he's gotten back from college. You know I never usually ask...So just do it for me...please." 

"No problem, we don't mind." Archie finds himself saying, much to the annoyance of Bay.

"Archie, you are the best." She air blows him a kiss, which causes Archie to blush once again.