That Girl

Old Traditions

The next morning I awoke to something at the bottom of my bed but my eyes were to raw and sore from the crying of the night before to open them. Seriously, this is why I don’t cry! This pain was excruciating. Had I really broken down in front of my Mum last night? Did she really mean it when she told me everything would be alright? I wasn’t sure of anything right now, the only thing I knew for definite was there was no turning back now, I had to try and get my family back. Oh I was also sure there was something at the bottom of my bed! I stretched my leg out and kicked whatever it was expecting an object to just roll off the bed.

“OUCH!,” came a voice, shocked I jumped up and opened my now stinging eyes to find my brother sitting at the bottom of my bed rubbing his side, presumably where I had kicked him.

“Jack, what the hell?,” I asked confused.

“Morning twin” he said smiling like the Cheshire cat. I couldn’t help but give him a small smile back, which made him smile even wider, how he managed that without injuring his face muscles I do not know!

“Morning,” I replied a little awkwardly. Obviously my Mum had told him about my little outburst, but I didn’t know how to act around him.

“Your eyes look like shit!” he pointed out matter-of-factly, this is one of the things I always loved about him, he was so bluntly honest but in such a lovable way. I suddenly realised how much I had missed him, flinging myself at him I grabbed him in a vice grip hug. I felt him lose his balance from my sudden tackle but he quickly regained his balance and hugged me back in the same death grip I had on him. We must have stayed like this for at least 5minutes, not saying anything, but knowing exactly what it meant to each of us to be this close again. 

“Welcome back twiny” he finally spoke breaking the silence. I grudgingly removed myself from the hug and just looked at him. I broke into a smile, the first genuine smile I had actually managed in nine years.

“What time is it?,” I asked still smiling and beginning to stretch. I didn’t want to go to school today, I wanted to stay here and get to know my brother all over again, I wanted to know everything about him, everything that happened to him that I missed. I also wanted my Mum’s comforting arms around me again, I wanted to make sure she was still here, I just wanted to stay with my family today, the family I had been so cruel to for so many years. I wanted to make it up to them, and I would, I would find a way to make everything better. 

“Half eleven-ish,” Jack replied, uncertainty oozing from his words. Basically he had no idea, but wait, it couldn’t be that late? 

“How can it be? We’ve school at nine,” I said laughing a little at how cluesless he was.

“Nope, Mum didn’t want to wake you this morning and thought we could have a day off to do something together, all of us” Jack said smiling but I could detect a hint of worry in his voice, he was sceptical about how I would react to having a family day. Breaking into a wide smile I practically shouted “Get in there!,” at the top of my lungs. Hearing my response Jack started fist pumping excitedly.

“Play our cards right and we could get the rest of the week off!,” Jack said strategically. Now there was a thought!

“Nice try Jack, but I think missing one day is pushing it for you!,” our Mum laughed coming in holding a steaming cup in her hands. I laughed at the defeated look on Jack’s face, he really hated school bless him. Catching his eye I mouthed ’we’ll work on it,’ which led to more fist pumping. 

My Mum came over and sat down on the bed next to us handing me the steaming cup of hot chocolate. Smiling widely, for the tenth time this morning I thanked her, took a long sip and placed it on my bedside table. I felt her envelope me in a hug and kiss my forehead before she pulled away and smiled “Good morning love”.