There For Me Always

Chapter 3

I was curled up in bed reading when I heard knock on my bedroom door. Without moving, I yelled "Yeah!?" Not wanting to lose my spot in the book.

The sound of the door opening and my older brother, Kyle, walking into my room made me finally roll over and sit up. It was about 9pm and I was in my comfy grey sweatpants, old Mayday Parade concert T and reading glasses. My hair was a complete mess and I didn't have any makeup on. Come to think of it, I don't think I had gotten out of bed since I got home from school.

Sitting down in the edge of the elegant light grey and black comforter, Kyle began to look at the mass of pictures I had taped all over my walls.

"Hey so I got a call today..." He started, but his voice trailed off and he wouldn't look at me.

My breath caught in my throat and I froze. He didn't even have to finish saying what he came in my room to tell me. From just that once sentence, I knew. I squeezed my eyes shut and took a deep breath, hoping I could keep myself from crying. After another minute of silence, I let out my breath and said quietly, "when do they want you to go?"

I winced at the sound of my voice cracking, and Kyle's head snapped up to look at me. He looked a lot like him, my dad. They had the same nose, the same laugh, the same comforting hug. His sparkling blue eyes though, he got from my mom. As I studied his face I began to realize how much he'd grown up. He was 22 years old but had the maturity and mindset of a man in his 30's. But I guess that's what happens when your over there. You see things, and they make you realize what's really important in life.

"Tomorrow. They want me to leave by tomorrow night. Something happened, they need more guys there. I-i didn't find out until a few minutes ago."

He put his hand on my foot, and gave it a little squeeze as he told me.

I continued to stare blankly at him. I didn't know what to say, I was in shock. I almost lost him last time, and just when things were getting back to normal around here he gets called back. I couldn't lose him. First dad, now... What if I lose him? I wouldn't know what to do with myself.

"You're not gonna lose me, I'll be okay. I promise." He said, as if he could read my thoughts.

He could tell I wasn't going to say anything more, so he walked over to the side of my bed and gave me a hug. He then turned around and walked across the hall to his room. Presumably to start packing his things.

"Don't make promising you can't keep." I whisper to myself, before curling back up under my warm covers.

********

Waking up Friday morning was tough, between finding out Kyle was leaving last night and the fact that I am not at all a morning person i had to drag myself out of bed. Despite how tired and terrible i felt, i decided to put some effort into my appearance. I straightened my hair, applied foundation, mascara, and winged black eyeliner. I added a little sparkly grey eye shadow and lip gloss to top it off. I ventured over to my closet, where i picked out a short sleeved black crop top. It had the words "Don't Stop Listening To Rock & Roll" listed in multiple languages on it in white letters. I paired it with a high wasted dark purple skirt and black high heeled ankle boots. They were a little hard to walk in, but i absolutely loved them so it was worth it. I ate a quick breakfast of waffles and coffee, and next thing i knew Caylen was texting me saying he was right outside. I grabbed my backpack and jogged outside and hoped in the passenger side.

"Well don't you look fancy today. What's the special occasion?" Caylen nudged my arm.

"No occasion, just wanted to look nice. Is that a crime?" I stuck out my tongue at him.