BREAKING FREE.

CHAPTER 10

I run down the stairs as fast as my feet could carry me.

Now twenty five years he had changed subtly since the last time I saw him six months ago.
The face was deeply tanned, and by contrast the eyes seemed brighter.

The unruly dark hair was longer, curling over his collar, even under the sports jacket and jeans he wore, I could see his body had hardened.
He had carried into the room with him an air of purpose and energy, and I became supremely conscious of the surrounding.
I rushed to him and threw my arms around his neck.

"CHASE!"I shout as I pounce into his arms.

"AVA! "Chase yells back as he hugs me. I felt his strong arms encircling my small frame and at that moment, I wished I could stay in them for eternity.

" I've missed you. "I mumbled burying my face in his chest.

" I've missed you too little sister. "He says as he pulled away from the hug.

" Whoa! "Chase exclaimed while looking at me up and down.

" You are no longer my little sister, you're my huge big sister. "

" Shut up! "I replied laughing and slapping his arm.

" Okay, you are my little sister all over again. "He said in his deep honey glazed voice with a smile that could light up the city.

" Come on, come tell me about what I've missed in your life. "Chase says as he pulls my hand upstairs.

I pull my hand from his grasp and stand akimbo facing him." Are you going to ask about that,when you didn't bother to call all those months. "I asked him with accusing look on my face.

" Ava! I sent you a letter, "He say looking surprised.

" Oh that! it was hardly enough for six months. "I shouted.

" Yes, well, I'm sorry. will you accept my apology? I wont do it again- I Promise! I'll write to you every other day.. "
It was just typical of my brother to be joking around while we are discussing something important.

" Be serious, Chase! "I ordered.

" Alright, all right. "He laughed." I'm serious about one thing. I'm not going to lose touch with you again. "

" You promise! "

" I promise. "He said crossing his heart.
" So, will you take me to my room and help me unpack? "He asked with a little smile playing on his lips.

" Yes sir! "I giggled and did a mock salute before linking my arm in his as we went to his room.

Since he left, nobody has ever cleaned his room and it was in a total mess.
Some of his clothes were scattered on the floor and football posters had fallen off the wall. It looked like it has been hit by a tornado.

"Did aliens invade your room while you were away, or you left it like this? "I asked gathering the clothes from the floor and piling them in the laundry basket.

" I should be asking you that! why didn't you clean it when you were around last summer? "He asked looking directly at me.

"You know that could have been pointless, since it was going to take you long to come back, it would have been dirty again." I defended myself.

Twenty minutes, a lot of sweating and a little bit of grunting later, Chase's bedroom looked reasonably okay. I stared around the room proudly.

"Chase, I need a present after all this work I have done around here. "I announced.
He put the suitcase he was holding and turned around to face me.