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s o n g s : left hand free
The moonlight danced on the water as we lounged in the boat. Kyle, Jay, and I were enjoying a peaceful night, each with a drink in hand. Logan, having convinced me that the water was warm enough, was off swimming, under the condition that he wouldn't complain if he got sick.
Kyle, at the edge, cheered on Logan, who executed a perfect backflip after stashing away his soda. "Watch out, mate!" Kyle warned before the spectacular feat. "Oh my god!" I exclaimed, laughing with Jay as we clapped and cheered. "God, they are crazy," Jay commented, watching their antics.
Logan suddenly pulled Kyle underwater, initiating a playful water fight. It really was true what people said about boys never maturing.
Suddenly Jay pulled me from my thoughts, realizing the two were engrossed in their antics.
Sometimes, I honestly forgot Kyle was my ex-boyfriend; he acted more like a silly kid. That little fact really seemed crazy to me. But back then I thought he was the perfect guy.
"Hi there," Jay greeted, interrupting my contemplation while Logan and Kyle continued their water fight. "Hi," I replied, smiling gently, my face resting on my palm. It was pretty late, but with my shift starting a bit later tomorrow, I allowed myself this nighttime escapade with Logan. He was grounded, but I knew bad weather was approaching, so I wanted him to have some fun - with caution, of course.
Giggling at the awkward silence between Jay and me, he shook his head and sparked a conversation, "So, what did the devil want from you?" he asked, and I hid a smile.
"Mhm," I started, taking a sip of my beer. "How about you guess?" Unable to contain my smile, Jay raised his brows. "She paid you more?" he suggested, and I shook my head, reclining on the comfortable pillow, sighing with closed eyes. The faint laughter and splashes were soon replaced by the boys' conversations in the water.
"Come on, Kova, don't do me like that," Jay teased as I closed my eyes, smiling and shaking my head.
Jay chuckled, lightly hitting my arm before I opened my eyes and pressed my lips close to suppress a smile. "Okay, ready?" I asked, my smile bright. Jay's matched mine. "Come on, tell me," he urged, clearly intrigued.
God, I loved this atmosphere, and the good news only heightened my excitement. "She got me a huge job," I revealed, my fingers playing with the beer can as I watched his reaction - delight.
"Wait, are you fucking serious?" he asked, eyes wide, and my heart warmed as I sensed how happy he was for me. I nodded, "I'm being dead serious, Jay. This is a huge opportunity - I'm talking money and fame-wise." My voice rose with happiness.
"Oh my god," Jay exclaimed, "Oh my god." He stood up and laughed heartily. I stood up as well.
"Shit, this is amazing," he said, pulling me into a hug, which I gladly accepted. "Isn't it?" I asked, nodding and laughing. "God, this is so amazing." I let out a relieved sigh before Jay tilted his head in my direction, and I knew exactly what he wanted.
"No, no, forget it," I said, taking a step back and putting my hand up. "Come on," he pouted, and I looked over at my younger brother playing with a carefree Kyle. "We gotta celebrate it, somewhere better than here, hm?" he suggested, chuckles lacing his tone.
"Fine," I said and smacked my lips, the image of the place we were heading to making my heart flutter. "Come on, boys, switching location!" I called out, and soon we were all back on land, heading toward huge trees decorated with lights from our teenage years.
-☆-
"Don't do bullshit," I whispered into Logan's ear as we approached the spot, knowing there was alcohol and more. "Me? Pff," he scoffed, "Never." he said, walking into the middle of the trees where Kyle started a bonfire, grabbing marshmallows before he sent Jay a flying kiss, returned by Jay.
"I'd say we could hit a Juul," Kyle suggested, and I shot him a warning gaze. "Are you kidding? A minor's here." I whisper-shouted, but Logan, the so-called child here, put his hands up and shrugged.
"I'm turning 17 in a week, not like I've never witnessed someone hitting a Juul before," he was about to say more, but I shot him a glare.
Contemplating it, I pressed my lips together, but Kyle wrapped his arm around my shoulder, offering the Juul. "You know I hate you, right?" I mouthed, but he just pecked my cheek, watching me take a hit proudly.
-☆-
We only lingered for an hour before deciding to call it a night. Fortunately, I wasn't too high, and for once, Logan managed to stay out of trouble. Morning arrived, and Logan was already on his way to school - at least, I hoped he was.
The real issue was my struggle to assert authority. I couldn't bring myself to accept the fact that I was no longer just his sister but his caretaker. It felt like a complete disaster.
Parenting was never my forte, let alone dealing with a teenager. I found it impossible to punish him for things I had done too. Sure, he screwed up massively on occasion, but he was my brother, my younger brother - not my son.
I swayed to the rhythm of the music playing in the background while putting the finishing touches on the pancakes. Unfortunately, I started making them too late for Logan to grab a bite. Clad in an oversized, lazy shirt of my father's, I rocked to the beat, practically wearing diapers underneath due to the harsh grip of my period this month.
This was my life, and I cherished it. Cooking breakfast for myself, with music setting the mood, all in the cozy confines of a small beachside house. A mere two-minute walk, and I'd be at the beach - a tempting thought, but my period had other plans.
Today would have been perfect for a morning surf, but the weather mirrored my sentiments. Fog hung in the air, dark clouds loomed overhead, and the wind played a wild symphony, making the waves too treacherous.
My dad would have still gone out, though; he loved surfing. He even left a beautiful and wealthy city near the forest in Canada, just to be here in Australia. And all that for the love of the waves.
