In Love With Death's Daughter

Brother

        "Hurry up Aren! You'll be late for your first day at Matcha!" I call up the stairs. 

        First day of the semester. First day of February. And Aren is switching to Matcha with me, so my parents don't have to go to two different schools to get us both to and from school.

        "Coming, Delilah!" He half groans, and comes down the stairs.

        "I'm leaving without you." I joke, and step out the door.

        "Come on! I'm just putting on my shoes!" Aren says frantically, and shoves his huge feet into his clown shoes. I just laugh and walk to the car.

        "Mom's already waiting." I inform him, and he mutters something under his breath as I slide into my seat.

        Just as mom's starting the car, Aren leaps in, and slams the door shut.

        "Don't hurt my car now," Mom warns, and Aren apologizes, buckling his seat belt at the speed of light.

        "I'm good." He says, and my mom backs out of the driveway.

        After a moment of quiet, except for the sounds of the road, and Aren tapping his foot, I speak up.

        "So, Aren. Excited for your first day at your new school?" I ask.

        "Yep! Maybe I'll even make friends like you did." He says with a semi-bitter laugh. But I can tell he actually kind of meant it. I consider my little bro. His sandy blonde hair, and green eyes just like my dad and I's (Yes, his change colors too.), and his normal complexion. He's matured a lot in the past couple years. That's something that having no friends can help you do, I guess. 

        "I have no doubts. I mean, you're only in grade nine. Your chances are higher." I say, and he just smiles nervously at me. "Besides," I add, "If you don't right away, you can hang out with me until you do, if you want." 

        Aren just laughs, and stares out the window. He's nervous. I know I'd been, too, but at least he knows he has someone. That's all I can really do, is make sure he knows that. 

        I pat him on the shoulder, and turn to my window. I stare at all the buildings buzzing past until I get dizzy.

        "Mom, what am I going to do about Lucy? I can't believe I just realized that..." I say, remembering suddenly that my brother will most definitely find out about Lucas.

        "You mean Lucas? Honestly, Delilah. Did you expect to keep it a secret? Your brother is going to the same school as you now, he's going to see you two together." My mom says, and I can practically feel her rolling her eyes. Aren turns his head from the window, confused.

        "Who's Lucas?" Aren asks at the same time I speak.

        "Mother." I say pointedly, glaring at the back of my mom's head.

        "Lucas is Del--" My mom starts to say.

        "Mom, you've done enough." I interrupt her. "He's my friend." I explain, ignoring the first part of his title. Aren will know it soon enough.

        "And the big deal is what, then?" Aren asks as my mom pulls into the school parking lot.

        "I don't know. He's just.. Lucas. Anyways, we're here! I'll show you to your locker!" I say, and jump out of the car, dragging Aren behind me by the arm. Gently though, of course.

        I walk with Lucas towards the school, and wave at mom, who reminds us to have a good day. Once we get inside the doors, I see Lucas and Kathy waiting for me across the lobby.