Edge of the Ravine

29

Chapter Twenty-Nine

You never realize how much everything can change in two years, until they do.

When Rebecca and I first teamed up as roommates, she was a vibrant girl with a philosophical mind on her way to a prestigious college in Charleston, South Carolina. She was full of hope and ambitions that made my lack of goals incredibly obvious. Each day with her, in the beginning, was like getting a double espresso with an extra kick each morning, and then taking the most ultimate chill-pill in the afternoon. Sometimes I used to tease her about being bipolar; then she offered to go get on mess and the joke ended there.

If anyone asked me if anything between us could have changed after that first year, I'd have sworn up and down that it wasn't possible. But I was so very wrong.

We became even closer.

In the past two years, I saw less of the energetic, solar-powered maniac that charged through the apartment with singular thoughts and ideas, and more of the brooding poet that harbors in her soul. Within six months of living together, Rebecca got her hands on an electric keyboard and there was no going back. A year later, her college rock band had gigs at every party in the country. Two months after we hit our year and a half marker of living together, they were touring in two packed vans statewide. And though it was really Rebecca's rise to the top, the fulfillment of dreams and aspirations she hadn't once thought of before, I got to go along for the ride.

It wasn't until shortly after I turned twenty-one that my little sister, as I'd come to think of her, really hit it big. An up-and-coming music label had heard her band play at a local nightclub and that was all it took. Before any of us could catch our breaths, deals were being signed and an album was discussed. If ever someone's dreams could come true in such a way, I was incredibly pleased that this astounding fortune belonged to Rebecca.

Of course, I was quickly put in an awkward position. For as long as I can remember, I've taken care of myself. No help was given to me by anyone. Not since Amelia put a roof over my head and bars on my cage. It left me feeling inadequate and unproductive when Rebecca began to take over more than her share of the bills. And when she offered to get us a new place, I had to put my foot down.

"Absolutely not. I've let you get away with a lot, now, Rebecca. But I can't just ride your coattails as you move up the charts, okay? That's just not me. I'm sorry and I know you just want to help me, but I can't let you. Enough is enough. And I have to help myself."

"For crying out loud, Oliver. It's not like I'm offering you charity, okay. I know you can take care of yourself, you've been doing it forever. All I'm saying is: we can finally get a two-bedroom apartment."

"And you know that I can't afford any more than I'm paying now. If you really want out, go ahead. I will never hold you back."

"You staying here holds me back!" She exclaimed, throwing her hands out in front of her. "Don't you understand by now, Oliver? I want you with me, but as long as you stay here, I'm staying too. You're like family to me."

I couldn't help myself as I crossed the room and wrapped my arms around her. Turning my face into her hair, I murmured, "and you're like a sister to me. As your big brother, however, I have to say this: do what you want... without any regards to me. Though I am enjoying this crazy ride immensely, I have every intention of paying my own way. Respect that."

It felt like she was succumbing to my will. A sigh escaped her lips and I felt her arms loosen slightly around my back. Taking a step back in her three-inch heels, I was able to see the stubbornness in her hazel eyes, however, and knew that this wasn't over yet.

"Fine. You can stay in whenever apartment you like. But I am calling in one favor before you renew your lease, however."

My eyes narrowed suspiciously at her ultimatum. They grew wider and wider with every word of her outrageous plot that fell from her lips. By the end of that conversation, I was struck so dumb that I could only nod.

The plane lifted off at 12:47pm EST.