Reconcile

n i n e

I hastily sprung awake at the sound of two hardy knocks against our wooden front door. Me rubbing my eyes from the obvious exhaustion contorting my features all while Hannah and Hunter slowly stirred from the couch beside me.

I sighed, seeing that the clock hanging above our television displayed 3:51. Meaning that Hunter's brother was slightly late. But, I presume there was nothing I could do about it. As long as he was leaving and my parents weren't home yet.

I sluggishly strolled over towards my front door, swinging it agape all while someone I had merely seen an hour or two ago clouded my line of vision.

"Nick?" I questioned, squinting my eyes at my blinding porch lights, "You were the unlucky brother forced to come?"

He almost laughed, nodding his head, "That would be me. Long time no see, eh?" I rose my eyebrow at his remark, my bland reaction not phasing him whatsoever, "You look tired."

I rolled my eyes, sarcastically grinning, "Thanks. Staying up late really isn't my thing."

He nodded all while I turned towards my couch. Staring at the two yawning teens, still a bit dazed from the sudden awaken.

"Hunter, your brother's here!" I rose my voice a few octaves, watching as the fourteen year old nodded his head and began to stroll over towards us. That is, until he came to an abrupt stop. Patting his pockets lightly.

"I forgot my phone upstairs." He murmured, "I'll be right back."

He began to rush up the stairs, but my sister had stopped him, holding out her manicured hand, "Wait, I'll come with you!"

Hunter nodded with a smile, the two walking up to the second floor side by side. Quietly conversing with one another as I turned my head to face Nick once again.

"Do you know what your brother was doing here tonight?"

Nick shrugged, "Hanging out?"

I scoffed, crossing my arms, "Hanging out? Yeah—they were hanging out. On my sister's bed! I caught them locking lips, Nick!"

He furrowed his eyebrows, "You caught them kissing?"

"Yes! I was crawling in through my sisters window and—"

"Wait," Chuckled the teenage boy, licking his scarlet lips, "You were crawling in through your sisters window? Why?"

"I—I uh," I stammered, briefly closing my eyes, "My front door was locked and the only way in was through Hannah's window."

Nick almost collapsed on the floor in laughter. Slightly clutching his stomach as his deep chuckles fulfilled the petite area of the front room.

As for me, I rolled my eyes in frustration. Obviously not too thrilled with his reaction, "That is not funny. I had to sneak out to get to that party, my parents are due to be home any minute. And, if they ever find out—"

"Which they won't."

"—I will be grounded for life." I finished, racing my fingertips throughout my tangled hair, in which probably looked absolutely disgusting, "We almost died tonight. That car could have flipped over and we all could have been killed."