The Writer Who Couldn't Write

Big Sister

"Timothy James Peterson!" The young woman who just walked into the pool room exclaimed. She looked a year or two older than us. I could only hope she wasn't his girlfriend or anything. That  would be awkward. "I drive all the way over here to pick you up as a surprise and what do I find?"

"It isn't what you think, Aubs." He told her moving around me to get out. He didn't look at me or her.

"Oh, really? Because I think you just made that girl cry and now your not even apologizing." She scolded him. "Tell me, what has he done this time?" She turned her attentions to me.

"Its nothing, Aubrey. Leave her alone." He pleaded.

"That is nonsense. No girl cries without a reason. What's your name?" She walked toward the pool and knelt down beside me.

"Who are you?" I still hadn't figured that out.

"You mean you've never heard of the amazingly awesome Aubrey Peterson? From anyone?" The last question was pointed at Timothy. She wasn't old enough to be his mother, so she must be his sister.

"Give me a break, I've only really known her for three days." He said. He grabbed his towel and sat on the bleachers.

"That is plenty of time to tell her about your amazing best sister in the world." She flipped her hair over her shoulder and smiled.

"You're my only sister in the world."

"You get my point." She rolled her eyes, then put her brilliant smile back on and turned to me. "So what's your name?"

"I'm Delilah." 

"Well, it is very nice to meet you, Delilah. Now, why don't you tell me what my butthead of a brother did to make you cry. Did he dump you? Did he cheat on you? Please give me something to yell at him about or I'm just gonna start making things up." I laughed, but shook my head.

"You don't have to yell at him-" 

"Because you're gonna? Perfect!"

"No. Because he didn't do anything wrong. In fact, I think he was trying to be nice." I told her. She looked disappointed.

"See, what did I tell you! It's not my fault. You have no reason to yell at me." He told his sister.

"But I never said you couldn't make anything up." I smiled guilefully.

"Oh, please don't get her started! She'll never stop." Timothy whined.

"You better believe it I won't. I never really have." She said. "I like you. It looks like my little brother finally made a good choice. See, you and me, we think the same." She leaned in like it was a secret. I giggle.

"Shouldn't you guys stop girling out so that we can get home?" Timothy interrupts.

"Fine, Boy." Aubrey replied. "But you are not being very thoughtful, Boy."

"What are you going on about now, Girl?" I smile at the brother-sisterly love going on.

"You haven't said good bye to Delilah or made sure that she has the means to get home." I look at him. He rolls his eyes and I smile because I now have a secret weapon. He smiles to because he knows it.

"Do you need a ride home, Delilah?" He says nonchalantly. 

I think for a second. "Yes, actually. Thank you for offering!" I say too cheerfully.

"Well then there is no reason for me to say good bye, is there?" Timothy tells his sister.

"Not yet that is. So why don't you both get changed because there is no way either of your wet butts are gonna be sitting in my car." She shoos us both to the changing rooms.

*  *  *

"Girls get front!" Aubrey yells as we walk out of the building. 

"Come on, Aubrey!" Timothy whines.

"What? I'm being nice to our guest."

"Yeah, she's being nice to me, Timothy." I can only smile. 

"And you're enjoying this way too much." He grumbles giving his sister the evil eye from the backseat. 

"Yes I am."

"But you have no right to complain, Timothy James. My car my rules." She sticks out her tongue at him.

The drive was relatively quiet compared to the prelude. In fact, I've never heard Timothy so quiet. Maybe he's only loud at school. How interesting. I wonder what he is like when he's around people he loves and is comfortable around. The thought gives me a warm feeling in my middle which brings warmth to my face. 

I look out the window so that the color doesn't show. "Turn here." I tell Aubrey, directing her to my house. "And here it is. Thank you for bringing me home." 

I turned to them to wave goodbye. "I'll see you at school, Timothy. It was really nice to meet you, I hope we can meet again."

"You bet, girl." She smiled real big and winked at me. "Every time I come to pick this one up," she gestures to Timothy who has remained silent this entire time. I wonder what he's in such deep thought over. "I'll make sure to stop and say hi."

"Well see ya!" I walk inside, before going in I turn back and wave. Aubrey waves, but I can't see Timothy. I still wonder what he was thinking so hard about. I am also mentally preparing myself for my mother's questions. I can only hope she didn't see the car.

"That wasn't Bella." She said trying to sound as if it were no big deal. 

"Oh, yeah. She didn't end up coming, so I tagged a ride from one of the people that were heading this direction at the Y."

"You what?" She is horrified. Did I mention she's  a bit paranoid.

"I know everybody there. They're all super sweet people, except for old Mr. Brigg. He gives me the creeps." I try to reassure her.

"Why didn't you call me?" She asks in an accusatory tone.

"Uhh... I don't have a phone, remember?"

"The Y has phones, why didn't you use one of those if you know everyone there?"

"I didn't want to bother you. Now, I have homework to do." I turn on my heel and stalked off to my room. I really did have homework, and I really didn't want to talk to her right now.