Not In Love With Liam

43~ Half a Brother, Half a Friend

⚓NOAH OQUAYE⚓

"I think they're over there."
"I can hear laughing."
"Get 'em!"

Nigel, Alex, Leanna, Tyrique and I were playing hide and seek tag around the house.

Nigel and Ty had come back round to mine the day after our sleep over to help me babysit.

Mum and Dad had gone to a charity event together - together, meaning Dad wanted to stay at home on the couch but Mum wanted to go, so Dad got dragged along and now they're going together - and had said Nigel could come over to help out if he wanted to.

Ty was staying at his when I called, so they both came. Alex, though he'd known Nigel for about a week longer, immediately got along with both boys. Leanna on the other hand could just about sit in the same room as Nigel without having a panic attack, but wouldn't go anywhere near Ty.

Turns out she has a crush on him.

Why am I not surprised?..

She'd probably fancy Nigel and all if he wasn't our brother.

"Go!"
The three of us charged at Leanna and Alex with cushions and pillows.

I'd tripped Alex up and tagged him while the boys went after Leanna. She sprang to her feet before darting out of the lounge and up the stairs.

Nigel stumbled on a step and got left behind, leaving Ty to go after Leanna.

I could already see this ending badly for her. If I was fourteen and my eighteen year old crush was chasing me up the stairs playing hide and seek tag, I'd be shitting bricks.

There was a bang followed by what sounded like someone falling.

"Ow!"

"Ah, shit." Nigel and I raced up the stairs to see Leanna curled up on the floor in tears.

"What happened?"
"I tripped on the step and smashed my face on the landing." She sobbed.
"Yeah, that was definitely a top score face plant," Ty said, going to sit beside her. "Sorry."

"How about we do something else?" I said, helping my sister to her feet.
"I just want to go to my room."
"Come on. You know you don't mean that." Nigel said.
"Quit being such a pussy and come back downstairs." Alex butted in.
"Hey! What have I told you about cursing?"
"He gets it from you." Nigel laughed quietly.
"Sorry." Alex mumbled.

I shook my head and turned back to Leanna. "Do you wanna watch a film?"
"No. I'm going to my-" she turned to walk off but Ty had wrapped his arms around her legs and threw her over his shoulder before spinning circles on the landing.

"Oh my goooood, put me doooown."
"Still wanna go back to your room now?"
"Pleaaaaase put me down! Noooow!"
"Only if you swear you'll come back downstairs."
"I - uergh."

I couldn't bare to look.

Vomit trailed down Tyrique's back and splattered violently on the floor. He immediately put Leanna down and she ran off to the bathroom.

"Fucking hell.. This is my fault isn't it?"

Nigel and I both nodded.

I could hear something coming from the bathroom.

Crying?

"I'll clean this up." Ty offered.
"No, just.. go sort your top out, I'll clean it."
"I think I've got a spare t-shirt in the car." Nigel said.
"Thanks man."