The first thing I did when I woke up Friday morning was text Alexa.
TYLER: good morning
ALEXA: you too
TYLER: so today's the big day
ALEXA: yeah. A bio test and chemo all in one day
TYLER: I was talking about the chemo. You'll ace the bio test
ALEXA: whatever
I wished I could tell her about the trip; I was practically buzzing from excitement.
The day crawled by. All my classes seemed even longer than usual. After my last class, I paced around my dorm, too excited to study. Finally, I decided I had better start my homework, since I wouldn't be doing much of it over the weekend.
At 6:26 that night, I got a text from Graham.
GRAHAM: leaving now for gig. Will pick u up around 10-10:30. B ready. The midnight road trip waits for no man.
TYLER: will do. Good luck
GRAHAM: save ur luck for lexa
Packing was a challenge. I figured we'd need snacks, but all I had was a Snickers bar and half a box of Cheez-its. I reasoned that I only needed one change of clothes, since I didn't know how long we'd be staying.
At 8:19 I got another text from Graham.
GRAHAM: leaving the cafe now
We were ahead of schedule. If he didn't hit any traffic, he would be here before ten. I committed myself to nervously checking my watch.
8:30- I sighed. At least another hour.
8:40- Oh, well. I could at least start my reading assignment.
8:45- This book is horrifically boring. Only Lexa could read this, I thought, and then, Stop thinking about her. You'll only worry yourself more.
8:50- Still thinking about Lexa.
8:55- Finally texted Lexa. She's probably bored, I reasoned.
TYLER: how's everything going?
9:00- No answer from Lexa.
9:03- Still no answer from Lexa. Trying not to worry.
9:10- Texted Lexa again.
TYLER: you okay?
9:20- My phone buzzed. My stomach did a little flip.
ALEXA: sorry. I was asleep. It isn't too bad so far. Nurse says I will be in "much worse shape" tomorrow.
TYLER: wish I could make it better
ALEXA: it's ok. Not that bad so far.
TYLER: I'll let you sleep. Good night
ALEXA: good night
9:35- Graham should be here soon, I thought. I went out to the front of my building to wait for him.
9:40- Just a little longer.
9:50- He should be here by now, shouldn't he?, I thought.
9:52- Maybe he hit traffic.
9:55- Worry-free. Worry-free. Don't think about Lexa. Or Graham. Or Lexa.
10:00- Graham should definitely be here by now.
10:05- I considered texting him, but decided against it. He'd have to pull over to answer me, and that would slow us down.
10:07- Okay, i thought. If he isn't here by 10:15 I'll text him.
10:12- That looks like Helen.
A minivan pulled into the circular driveway. I slung my bag over my shoulder and hopped in the passenger seat.
"I hit traffic coming out of Virginia," Graham shouted over the radio as we pulled out of the driveway. "But we're still making good time. Text Jackson and tell him we're on our way."
"Have you talked to Mike?" I asked as I pulled out my phone.
Graham glanced sideways at me. "I thought you were gonna talk to him."
"Dude." I buried my face in my hands. "So Mike doesn't know we're coming."
"Text him too. Let's hope he isn't asleep."
TYLER: I know this is last minute, but me graham and jackson are picking you up around 2:30.
Thankfully, Mike's response came seconds after I texted him.
MIKE: a.m.?
TYLER: yeah
MIKE: ur insane
TYLER: srsly man, be ready. Will text u after we pick up jackson.
MIKE: this is insane
TYLER: it's for lexa.
MIKE: 2:30?
TYLER: yes. Be ready.
MIKE: ok. But ur insane.
"Is he in?" Graham shouted.
"Yeah. But he wants us to know he thinks we're insane."
Graham laughed. "That's a given."
•
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Older Brothers
Short Story(COMPLETED) Tyler, Mike, Jackson, and Graham have always been like big brothers to Alexa, but now they're faced with something they can't protect her from.
