The Tour

21

Trees flashed by as I stared out of the window of the passenger seat of Oli's car admiring the place I had grown up in. We had passed my old schools, the local park I used to spend my free time at with friends, the tube station I had my first kiss outside and the nightclub James had picked me up from once as I had been kicked out just after I'd turned 18 for being too drunk. Oli was driving me to my parents house so I could spend another day with family. With Kensie at work, Oli doing tour prep, and other friends working I didn't really have anything else to do unless I wanted to be alone so may as well spend it with family.

"You can come with me to practice if you wanted?" He said braking the silence and my stares out of the window

"I'd love to but 1 I need to spend time with these guys I would be stupid not to make the most of it. Plus James has taken the time off work and that's rare" I laughed as he nodded "and 2 I don't want to ruin the show for myself I'm excited to see it on Friday" I finished as he smiled placing his hand on my thigh.

"You can park here" I said seeing we were close to the house.

"Are you sure? You said 18 not 8 you'll have to walk down the street in the cold" he said as I nodded not wanting any of my family to see me get out of a car that quite clearly wasn't a taxi or belonged to someone they knew

"It's fine I promise" I replied as he shook his head and continued driving and I forced a fake smile not wanting to seem ungrateful

"Thank you" I said quickly before hugging him tightly

"Let me know if you need a lift home" he said as I let go of him and nodded before getting out of the car quickly and waving him off as he began driving again.

I quickly turned around and saw our blue front door slowly opening seeing my smug older brother stood there ready to greet me. A smirk sat proudly on his face. He'd seen Oli. He'd seen me hug him. Exactly what I didn't want to happen had happened.

"Who was that sis?" He asked as I pointed at him and I shook my head

"You say a fucking word to either of them and I swear to god I'll never talk to you again" I said as he laughed before hugging me

"Even if you are threatening me I have to admit I have missed you" he explained as I hugged him back

"You too now get off me you weirdo" I laughed pushing him off and taking my shoes off.

That was the weird things about siblings. You love them to bits but there are also times they would be the easiest person to punch straight in the face. And occasionally throughout growing up James had one of the most punchable faces I'd ever seen but I was also extremely grateful to have a brother who would do absolutely anything to protect or help me. But it's hard to ask for help or protecting when you're miles away in a different country.

"They told me about Luke" he said as I nodded in response

"I'd really rather not talk about it" I said as he hummed in response

"If it's any reassurance Nic I really don't believe it was mutual but I'll let you tell me more when you're ready" he said smiling at me. He can read me like a book. Always has been able to. Even when we were kids he would know I was upset before I even did.

"Will you two hurry up" mum shouted from the living room causing both of our attention to divert to her and make our way into the room

The floor was littered with blankets, pillows and board games. A collection of old dvds sat next to the tv and my parents sat proudly on the couch looking at both me and James with big smiles on their faces.

"We've not had both of you here in a few years now so we thought we could have a cozy day like when did when you were kids" dad explained as I felt my eyes get watery. I was so lucky to have a family who cared so deeply to miss their children to the extent they did and simply would do anything to keep them happy

"Look how dusty this is" I laughed picking up the monopoly box from the floor and blowing the dust off the top

"Last time we played that was when Luke came round with you last" mum said as I nodded in response feeling a slight bit of happiness be removed from my mood at the mention of his name

"Mum maybe don't bring up her ex" James said as I smiled thankfully at him

"I can't help that I have fond memories of the guy" she replied as I sat down on the floor and wrapped myself in a blanket hoping if I didn't get myself involved in the conversation it would simply stop

"I'm sure Nicky doesn't mind, us having happy memories of him" my dad said looking at me "do you honey?" He said as I looked at him blankly

Yes yes I do mind. It makes my blood boil and I've only been back in your presence two days. I want nothing more but to scream and shout every last word that Luke has ever said to me, tell them every nasty name he's called me and also drop the bomb that he cheated but it was more effort than it was worth

"It's fine, you're allowed to have memories" I said as mum nodded and looked at James

"See it's fine, she's fine" mum said as I awkwardly smiled

"Everything is always fine" I whispered lightly as James sat down next to me

"Come on let's get these games going" he said opening the box and placing the game on the coffee table clearly sensing how awkward I was being and moving the conversation on. The protective big brother was still there and clearly isn't going to leave.