Secrets Kept

Chapter 1

"Mia." I get off the couch and go to my mother.

"Yeah, mom?"

"Your sisters, dad, and I are going to the airport," my mom says, putting her bags down at the door.

"Wait why isn't Mia going with you?" Sophia asks.

"Mia's afraid of heights. Sorry baby are you sure you're okay being home?"

"Mom, I'm sixteen and I got Sophia who is seventeen. If something happens we'll call the police and you."

"Okay, just be safe."

"Oh, Aunt Kathy?" Sophia asks.

"Yes?" "Can my four friends come over?" "Sam, Eric, Adam, and Pat? If so then that's fine."

"Alright, thanks, Aunt Kathy."

"Bye girls. We'll be back in a few months." "Okay bye, love you," we say, as they walk out the door.

"Did you want them over?" Sophia says, nudging my shoulder. "Invite them and only them. My parents like them and I don't want another party to ground me." "Alright, and hey I didn't invite them they just came; people like you," Sophia spoke. I said nothing and just walked to the kitchen.

While she's calling them I made popcorn and got a few movies. The doorbell rang; Sophia got it knowing I was mad at them. They put their things in the guest rooms and came down to sit on the couch. Eric got up and walked towards me, "Need help with anything?"

"Can you get the drinks and only that?" I asked, with anger.

"Can do," he said. Following me to the kitchen. While going to the counter I tripped and was about to fall. Eric grabbed my shoulder; he was warm. I turned to look at him, "Why are you so warm?"

"I don't know. Why are you so cold?"

"I'm heartless, duh." He looked at me probably asking himself why he even asked that question. "Oh haha very funny." He took the drinks and set them around the seats. I put the popcorn in the bowls. Eric came to help me with the popcorn. Once everything's settled I go to the living room.

"Mia, where are you sitting?" Sophia asked. The boys chose a horror movie, of course, I'll get scared for sure. "Where are y'all sitting?" I asked. I already knew I'd have to sit with one of the guys. "Well, I'm with Sam," said Adam. "Pat asked to sit next to me," Sophia said, making Pat laugh. "I'm the loner," Eric said. "Not anymore, dude. You have a sweet little Mia," Adam said, with a grin. I sit on the couch and glared at Adam for even saying that. For a few minutes, I noticed Eric staring at me. Escaping the weird tension I go into the hallway. The pictures on the wall bring back so many memories. Like this family photo with... oh um maybe not this one. In fact, most of these pictures don't bring good memories. Can I go back in time and fix everything? No, probably not. Dammit, just stop thinking about it, Mia. What happened, happened and there's nothing to fix that.

I snap out of my thoughts and head back to the living room. Sophia knew I wasn't happy. "Everything okay?" Patrick said, with concern. "Just play the movie, please," I say, looking away from them. Sophia played the movie immediately so the guys would look away from me. Eric moved closer to me, but I tried to push him away. "Need a hug?" He asked, trying to make me look at him. "Yeah, can you get, Sophia?" "From me I mean." "Why do you care?" "I've always cared. I care about you and everyone here, but I know you need a hug."

I look up at the movie screen and see what we're watching. Something comes out over nowhere and I jump. Eric looks at me and pulls me into a hug. "I've got you. Don't worry," he says, pushing my head to make it rest on his chest with his hand in my hair. "I'll protect you. Forever and always." His grip loosened on me so I decided to look back and watch the movie. Eric breaks the embrace and puts his arm around me, but I don't care. I was still questioning why he is warmer than the others. Especially Patrick; he's always freezing cold. I glance at everyone and see them all jump. Adam tapped on Sam's shoulder and he jumped so much that he threw popcorn. We all laughed and Sam hit Adam to show that it was pretty funny.