Life Can Do Terrible Things // Ben Bruce

8. Sister Sister

Playlist: Ritual- Black Veil Brides
Picture: Danny Worsnop

DEMI P.O.V

I was awoken from my afternoon nap by my phone incessantly buzzing next to my head. I was absolutely wiped out from a long week at work but I immediately brightened when I saw who was calling. It was Cameron. Cameron and I had been talking ever since we met at the club and hooked up. He genuinely seemed interested in me but we hadn't hung out properly due to our schedules. I answered immediately and cleared my throat.
"Hello." I said.
"Afternoon. Sounds like someone just woke up."
Damn it. "Yeah I did." I laughed. "What's up?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to come out to dinner tonight. A dinner meeting fell through. Are you free?"
I smiled brightly. "Definitely."
"Awesome! Meet me at the AA house in an hour? It'd be cool if we could catch a film beforehand." He explained.
"Sounds great to me. I'll see you soon, I need to get ready."
"Of course. Can't wait to see you beautiful."
I hung up and immediately squealed. I needed to tell Issy. I wondered if she was home yet.

I walked outside of my room and through the entryway.
"Monique?" I heard Issy gasp.
Oh no. Monique? Her sister? What was she doing here? How did she find us? No words were uttered and I could hear Issy's ragged breathing. Should I go out there? No. This is Issy's family and her business not mine. I turned on my heel and headed back to my bedroom to get ready. Although I was worried about Issy, and Monique's intentions, I knew Issy was a smart girl and could handle herself.

ISSY P.O.V

I took in the appearance of my beautiful sister who I hadn't seen in so many years. Her bubblegum pink coloured hair was long around her face and a nose ring hugged her nostril tightly. Her dark eyes were lined with white to make them look bigger. She was covered in colourful tattoos and wore colourful clothing as well. She was surrounded by small bags that I assumed carried her belongings. My heart ached. I was meant to be looking after her and I failed. I missed her so much.
"Issy." She started. She looked up at me, the whites of her eyes becoming bloodshot. "I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry about Brook. I'm sorry for running away. Just everything."
I started to tear up and ran to her, wrapping her up tightly in my arms. "It's okay sis. I love you so much."
"I love you too." She cried into my shoulder.
We stood in the hallway for a while, crying and shaking and laughing. There was such an indescribable bond between sisters and I was so happy that ours had the chance to rekindle. I needed my sisters, but at least I have one now. We pulled apart slowly to look at each other.
"You look so different." I whispered.
"You look the same." She chuckled.
We laughed at each other.
"How did you find me?" I breathed, brushing hair from her eyes.
"It took me a long time." She admitted. "A lot of searching the internet, a lot of turning up at the wrong house. I'm glad I got it right this time."
"Me too." I smiled and ushered her inside.

I sat her down at the dining room table and set her up with a glass of water and a sandwich. She looked absolutely famished. She thanked me and I sat down across from her.
"I missed you." I said again.
"I missed you too." She conceded. "Issy, I have nowhere to stay and no job. I'm not asking for a hand out but I know you're a lot more put together than I am."
I reached out and grabbed her hand. "I have a queen size bed and plenty of room for you. Plus, I'll help you get a job somewhere. It'll work out."
She smiled a thank you.

I heard footsteps wander through the apartment and enter the kitchen. Demi looked stunning in a tight fitted black one shoulder top, light wash blue high waisted jeans and black sandals, her hair flowing in curls.
"Who's going out looking that sexy?" I asked, looking her up and down.
"Cameron and I have a date finally! Dinner and a movie, can you believe it?!" She squealed and I squealed in response.
"Oh my gosh finally!" I turned to Monique. "Monique, this is my best friend and roommate Demi. Demi, this is my sister Monique who will be staying with us."
Demi turned to Monique with a smile and walked over to hug Monique. "A sister of Issy's is a sister of mine." Demi turned around, said goodbye and flew out the door.

Suddenly, my phone rang and I groaned.
"Hello." I said.
"Wow someone's happy." I heard Ben's goofy accent on the other end. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah I'm fine!" I cheered up after hearing his voice. "What's up?"
"I'm pretty certain I left my wallet in your handbag. Could you check?"
I walked over and looked in my handbag and no doubt, it was there. "I have it in my hand."
He sighed in relief. "Awesome. Is it okay if I swing by and get it?"
I smiled. "Of course. You can hang out here tonight if you'd like as well."
"I did have plans to play video games with Danny. Is it okay if he comes?"
"Sure! The more the merrier!"
"Okay babe, we'll be there in an hour."
We said our goodbyes and hung up.

Monique looked up at me. "Who was that?"
"A friend of mine. Him and his friend are coming to hang out tonight." I explained.
Her eyes widened. "Are they cute?"
"One of them is a possible boyfriend, the other one is a ladies man, but yes they are cute." I rolled my eyes.
She stood up immediately. "I need to shower!"
I chuckled and showed her to the bathroom, explaining where the towels were and what toiletries to use. Once she was settled in the shower, I headed to my bedroom. My clothes smelled like vodka and cigarettes and my hair was a mess. I changed into white cable knit sweater and black spandex bike shorts, tossing some black ankle socks on my exposed and sore feet. I threw my hair up into a messy bun and quickly applied concealer and mascara to make myself look presentable. Once that was completed, I headed into the kitchen and waited for the boys to arrive.

Monique exited from the bathroom, dressed in the comfy clothes of mine I had left for her, an oversized red and white striped sweater and black leggings. Her hair was damp and her face looked fresh and pure.
"When are the guys coming?" She asked.
There was a hammering knock on the door.
"Right now." I smiled.
I jumped right up and jogged to the door, Monique trailing behind me. I opened the door to reveal the boys, two huge smiles greeted me. Ben was dressed in a band tee and had heaps of alcohol in his hands and Danny had his ginger hair in his eyes and his Xbox under his arm.
"Good afternoon gentlemen." I greeted. "Come inside."
They followed me in and I led them to the lounge room. Ben dropped his things and wrapped me into a hug, kissing the top of my head. Once I was released by Ben, I headed over to Danny who proceeded to squish me tightly against him. I went and stood next to Monique.
"Danny, Ben, this is my younger sister Monique. Monique, these are my friends Danny and Ben." I introduced.
Danny's eyes glazed over as he looked at my sister and Ben looked painfully confused but wasn't vocalising that.
"Hello darling." Danny said, smirking.
I looked over to my sister who looked absolutely shell shocked. No doubt she knew who they were. I decided to be diplomatic.
"Okay, how about Monique and I go and order pizza for dinner and you two set up the Xbox?" I suggested.
"Sounds good babe." Ben smiled. "Danny and I will share a Hawaiian."
I took Monique by the hand and dragged her to the kitchen as Danny whined
"But I don't like pineapple."

Monique pulled herself into the kitchen bench. "How the fuck do you know Asking Alexandria?" She hissed.
I chuckled. "I met them at a club a little bit ago! I just came home from hanging out with them!"
She gasped. "Is Ben your boyfriend? Is Danny single?"
I shook my head. "No! Ben and I are friends that are mutually attracted to each other and I don't know what Danny does with his penis."
She grinned. "Would you care if I tried it on with him?"
"Go for your life baby. Now, we ordering pizza?"
Monique recounted the order to me while I spoke to the operator on the end of the line. We got heaps of pizza and snacks to share between us and to also have leftovers. We walked back into the lounge where the boys were setting up the Xbox in my lounge room. Ben looked up when he heard us enter.
"So we have four controllers so we can all play together but we want to play GTA which has a shit multiplayer function." He explained.
I smiled at his attention to detail. "It's okay, we'll just take turns. Danny can go first."
Monique artfully took her place next to Danny and I snuggled up next to Ben. I was completely at peace. I had my sister back; and it felt damn good.