Undefined

Chapter 7

I wake up to find my entire body tingling. I can't help but grin and float into the kitchen. "Dad!" I exclaim as I see the familiar brown head of hair come into view. I run up to hug him, dropping the bagel that I was currently putting cream cheese on. "Hi," he says, laughing. When I pull back he cocks his head, and a confused expression takes over his face. I haven't seen him in about a week and I suddenly realize his confusion. I'm wearing jeans, a comfortable tee-shirt, and white converse and I'm wearing close to no makeup. I look down at myself and smile. Neither of us speak for a minute, but then his confusion melts away, and a pleased smile replaces it. "I like the change," he says as he nods in approval. "All right, I'm headed to work. Love you," he said as he kissed my forehead, and walked towards the door.

Until that moment, I hadn't realized how much Ethan had changed me. I no longer wore heaps of makeup, or high heels to school. I was comfortable, confident, and for the first time, just me.

Ding-Dong

The doorbell sounds and I grab my bagel, and grabbing my bag, assuming it was Ethan.

But who I find at the door is some else entirely.

A bawling Brooklyn is standing in front of me. My first instinct is to hug , her which I do, holding her tightly. I drop my bag and my bagel abruptly. I beckon her in, guiding her to a chair. She sits down with a thud and drops her head into her hands, her sobs coming in short bursts. She pulls her knees up to her chest and she hugs herself into a tight ball, which leaves me helpless.

"Noah!" I yell up the stairs. Upon my urgent calling, Noah's swift feet glide down the stairs with rapid pace and he surveys the living room, immediately focusing on Brooklyn. He thinks for a second, but then swoops Brooklyn into a tight hug, making her calm down the slightest bit.

I breathe out. He didn't even have to do anything. He didn't even ask what was wrong and he knew just what to do. Mind you, they have only met a few times, but Noah seemed to know just what to do.

The door bell rand a second time, and I jumped up running to the door to find Ethan. I grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the couch next to me. His eyebrows shot up at the sight of her, but he didn't do anything.

She squeezed her eyes shut and choked out the words, "mom" and "gone" and I was confused. She was crying so hard, none of us could understand her. I felt so helpless. Somehow Noah had gotten her to at least try and tell us what was wrong. "Shhh...." Noah said, relaxing her. "Is everything okay?" he tried.

"My mom....there was a car crash.....and the doctor said she died on impact," she spat, her tears falling quicker than she was talking. She coughed, falling over on Noah, burying her face into his shirt and sobbing.

With that he scooped her up, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Noah mouthed, "Your room?" and I nodded my head, letting out an exhausted sigh and resting my head on Ethan's shoulder, realizing that I had let a few of my own tears out as well.

I don't know what I would do if that happened to me. My parents helped me in every way they could, and loved each other dearly. I couldn't imagine a life without them.

Ethan gave me a weak smile, and I smiled back, as he slid a hand over mine. Then I remembered what happened yesterday, but I just couldn't take it. I took a deep breath and wrapped my arms gently aorund him, breathing in the scent of him. Silent tears were strewn on my face, and I am surprised to find that Ethan is doing the same. He has only know Brooklyn for a few weeks, but I could already tell that we were all friends, and that he genuinely cares about this.

Noah silently creeped down the stairs, looking a little disoriented. "She's asleep," he mumbled almost to himself, and when I stood, I could see that his cheeks were stained with tears as well. This shocked me, because apart from a few times, I had never seen my own brother cry very often.

We all silently retreated to the kitchen, making a silent agreement that none of us would be attending school today. I rilfed through the pantry, pulling out pancake mix and chocolate chips, a meal that made me calm down almost instantly when I was younger.

I finished making the pancakes and set three to the side, making a plate for Brooklyn, then splitting up the rest and placing them on the table.

We ate in almost complete silence, and for some reason, the pancakes just didn't cheer me up.

The boys gathered the plates and set them in the sink, while I scooped up the leftover plate, taking the stairs slowly.

I took a deep breath out side of my room, and placed there light taps on the door, before entering.

What I saw broke my heart. Brooklyn was in a ball, her eyes open, but trained on my open window. She didn't say a word when I set the stack down next to her on the bedside table.
A few tears were hanging in her eyes, threatening to fall. "Hey," I croaked, my voice cracking. She didn't reply, just blinked, sending a few tears running down her face. "I brought you some pancakes," I continued, stroking her hair. She just nodded slightly, and I took that as her way of letting me know that I could leave.

I collapse on the couch, sending a few of my own tears down my face, and squeeze my eyes shut, only to find Ethan sitting on the edge of the couch when I opened them.

He placed his hand in my hair, pushing it back so he could see my eyes. "It's going to be okay," he offered with a sad smile.

He was still stroking my hair, and soon, I was asleep.

-----------------------------------------------------------

HELLLLOOOOO PEOPLE OF THE INTERNET!

Okay, so that was intense. I felt like there wasn't enough times where they were all together, so decided to add this in. This was not going to happen originally, but I think I have a good idea of what it will do to the story.

Sorry for the late update. I have had swim practice and meets and soccer. I will also be going to soccer camp in less than a week, so I don't know how when I will be posting. I'll try to get another chapter in before I leave, but no promises.

Also, did you know that you guys rock? 250+ reads!! Thank you guys so much!!! Love you all!

:) alexstearns