"Come on Eli, let's go." I sigh tiredly, grabbing my keys and bag as I wait for my younger brother at the front door.
He has his head hung low, his hands in his pockets as he walks past me and out the door. I lock the door behind me and quicken my pace to catch up to him, my hand slipping around his shoulder.
"I'm fine, okay? Stop moping." I tell him, my hand squeezing his shoulder. He lets out a breath and shakes his head. I knew he hated me lying to him.
"You were screamin-" He starts.
"I'm fine, okay? Don't worry about me, I should be worrying about you, okay? Everything is fine." I cut him off, hoping to believe my own words.
Eli only sighs as we continue our way down the pathway, thankfully it wasn't cold yet, the weather was chilly enough for a thin sweater but not an obnoxious coat. I hated the winter. Winter meant everything was frozen and being outside was just as hellish as being trapped inside.
These past few months I've been cherishing whatever weather we'd had gotten, rainy days meant sitting under tree with a book, hot and humid days meant ice cream trips, and comfortable chilly days were long walks to nowhere days. Eli already knew the drill at home, once it got loud we got out, if I was able to make it out.
Eli was only 8 but he was smart, way smarter than I'd ever been when I was his age. It's weird to think I'll be twenty one in a couple months, that means I'd been on this earth for twenty one years too long.
"You think we could stop at the corner store on our way back?" Eli says breaking me from my thoughts, I nod quickly, I liked to please him, everyone else too I suppose.
-
"Slow down, the faster you finish the sooner we have to go home." I comment which instantly makes Eli slow down on his chewing, he had stuffed at least half his burger into his mouth, he always ate as if it was his first and last meal, and for awhile it sometimes was and I hate that he's constantly worrying if it'll be like that again.
I pick at my fries, looking around the small restaurant. It was local and small, warm. Felt like home, like a "safe zone". It smelled like old wet dog every once in awhile but that was okay, it was always better than our actual home. Anything was better than our home.
"Nellie..." Eli mumbles and I look up at him, his eyes frantic as they look at me and whatever's behind me. Eli was always so animated.
"Wha-"
"Shh, don't say anything, head down." He says and lowers his head so his chin lands in the ketchup. I can't help but stifle a giggle and lean my head down as well, playing along.
"What is it?" I whisper to him, both our heads hung low.
"The girl in my class, the one with red hair - she's here." He says and I can't help but see my father in him, my father from 15 years ago, not the one were stuck with now.
"Oh yeah? The one you like?" I ask him, raising a brow at him. His cheeks get red and he nods slightly. "Yeah, yeah, her."
I nod and look over my shoulder, noticing a small girl playing with the tiny claw machine. I turn back to Eli, my hand already in my pocket.
"Go win her something, buddy." I tell him, passing him three quarters. His eyes go wide but he smiles and hops off his chair, I stop him before he walks off.
