Neighbors

T W O

I fished through my backpack in search of my keys. When I finally found them at the bottom of my bag, I quickly unlocked the door and headed inside.

I dropped my bag by the stairs as a reminder to myself to take it up later. I made my way to the kitchen to grab a glass of orange juice.

Sitting at the breakfast bar with my beverage, I could hear shrieks and giggles coming from outside. I stood and went to the window to see what all the commotion was. Peeking through the blinds, I saw Sadie and Beckett sprinting around the yard, smiling and laughing. I watched as Beckett lifted his sister up and spun her around, causing her short, dirty blonde locks to flail in the air.

I didn't personally know Beckett but I knew that he did truly love and care for his sister. He would do anything for her. And I honestly would too, she was practically family to me.

I stepped away from the window and sat down at the breakfast bar. I sipped the last bit of orange juice from my glass and rinsed it in the sink.

Just then, the doorbell rang. I placed the glass down on the counter and made my way to the front door. When I opened it, I saw Sadie standing on my porch and Beckett waiting for her at the bottom of the steps on the sidewalk.

"Hey Princess, what's up?" I smiled, squatting down to Sadie's level.

"Brubby and I are going to get ice cream in the park. Do you wanna come with us?" she asked sweetly.

"Oh I don't know, Princess. Is it okay with Brubby if I go?" I asked her, looking in Beckett's direction. Sadie giggled at my use of her brother's nickname.

"Yeah, my treat," Beckett answered, with a smile. "Sadie really wants you to come with us."

"Alright," I sighed, playfully squeezing Sadie's stomach.

I grabbed my phone and stuffed it in my pocket. I exited my house and locked the door. Sadie grabbed my hand and practically dragged me down the front porch steps. Sadie held one of each of our hands as we walked down the street to our neighborhood park.

Once we stepped through the gate of the park, Sadie immediately ran off to the ice cream cart with Beckett and I following close behind. We reached the ice cream cart and I lifted Sadie up and rested her on my hip.

"Alright, what do you want Cutie?" Beckett asked as he fished out his wallet.

"Chocolate!" Sadie cheered.

"I already know what you want, silly," he poked her cheek. "I was asking Piper."

I blushed as soon as I realized that Beckett Murphy had basically called me cute. I was always unsure of what to do in situations such as these considering the only people who complimented me were Bryce and my parents.

"Mint chocolate chip is fine," I answered.

Beckett ordered and paid for the ice cream. He handed me mine and I carried it in the hand that wasn't supporting Sadie.

We strolled over to a bench and sat down. Sadie sat between her brother and I as she dug into her cup of chocolate ice cream.

Beckett asked Sadie about her day at school while she devoured her frozen dessert. Once Sadie was done, Beckett wiped her hands and face with a napkin before he sent her off to go play on the playground.

"You're a really good big brother," I complimented.

"You really think so?" Beckett asked.