Princess Charming

Twenty||Birthdays and Secrets

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C h a p t e r   T w e n t y
Birthdays & Secrets

♔ L u c y ♔

I stare at the alarm clock on the nightstand in my room. It reads 23:44, making me clutch the gift back a little too harshly between my fingertips. I've already let Linda and George know that I'll be going over to Jason's house for his birthday. I've always done it. Even though I never really attended his parties, I did wish him at 12.

Eleven minutes later, I put on my shoes and make my way to Jason's house. It takes me a little over three minutes since it's so close.

As always, Jason is in the backyard, near the pool. He bounces a ball on the concrete near it and shoots it through the basket.

I place the gift bag on a pool bench and sneak up to him. As he throws the ball through the hoop once more, I get on my toes and hug him from the back.

"Happy birthday, little brother!"

He yelps at first but when he recognizes my voice, he turns around to smile at me. Giving me a short hug, he chuckles. "Thanks."

"I got you a present." I beam, walking over to the bench. I hand the black and gold bag to him and urge him to check out the present for himself.

"A controller." He mumbles, sliding a thumb over the box. "Thank you, Lu."

"I hope you like it. You've been complaining about Rebecca breaking your favorite one for a while now."

"It's great, youre the best." He grins, ruffling my hair.

"Why are you outside so late, Jay?" I ask. "It's pretty cold out tonight."

He shrugs. "I guess I just wanted to get things off my mind."

"What's wrong?" I ask, placing a hand on his shoulder. He doesn't look as tall as usual. His eyes are to the ground, shoulders sagged. It's as if he feels defeated, but what by is my question.

"It's not really important. Just a pathetic infatuation." He sighs, sitting down on the bench. I sit down beside him.

"If it has you worked up, it must be important. Come on, let me be the older sibling for once."

He exhales with a short laugh, glancing sideways at me. "You've always been the older sibling, Lu. When you were here you always made sure I was eating properly, doing my homework, getting rest, all that stuff. You know, ever since dad died, you were pretty much the only proper guardian I had. Even thought you're less than a month older than me, you've never failed to take care of me. And it wasn't your job. You even stayed around with mom treating you like shit, for so long, just for me."

"Jay. . ." I pause. I take a moment to observe him, the contours of his cheeks, the bags around his eyes. His cheeks have become more hollow, his collarbones more prominent. "You've taken care of me just as much, Jay. You've defended me, looked out for me, helped me with chores. You also made sure I was getting enough food. All of that. I don't know where your sudden, uh, gratitude is coming from, but whatever it is that has you so sentimental, you can tell me."

"It's just that, ever since you left, it's been different. Mom can't cook for shit, so most days we have to order food or eat boxed stuff. People have to be professionally hired for doing chores. Rebecca keeps spending on expensive items and then there are bills and all that. Even with mom's shares and business money, I know this isn't the most cost effective way to live.