Sun Chasers

8- Cousins

Darius accidentally wakes me up when he falls onto the bed amidst trying to tie his shoe lace. I can't help but laugh at his clumsiness. He looks at me with wide eyes.

"Aw I'm sorry I woke you up," he murmurs. Shifting closer to me to give me a little kiss.

"It's alright have an awesome day. I should probably get going too," I yawn, stretching my arms above my head.

"I can give you a ride," Darius offers, pulling me into a hug once I have gotten out of bed.

"It's okay it's the opposite direction to the beach. I don't want you to get caught in traffic," I look up at him.

"Babe..."

"Darius. Go you'll be late. Traffic starts building up around about now. I'll be fine walking home," I assure him.

"Okay, text me when you get home?"

"I will," I tilt my head up to kiss his lips before giving his chest a slight push.

"Bye, see you later?" To which he earns a nod.

I brush my teeth while I open the curtains and make the bed. Darius is lucky to have me otherwise his room would be a big mess. It would be a bit weird if I walked back home in my pj's so I throw one of Darius' hoodies on and a pair of black leggings. I grab my phone and its charger before making my way to the front door. Just as I finish locking the door my phone rings. Forgetting to check the ID I answer.

"Hello it's Emme speaking."

"Hey Ems, it's Trystan. I'm coming past Darius' soon and I thought I could pick you up. I know you're own today so I thought I could keep you company. I'll be there in two minutes."

"Aw thank you Try. I love you to bits. I'll wait in the foyer."

"See you soon."

I am so thankful to have such a fantastic cousin. He is honestly secretly my bestest friend. Darius has Zac. I have Trystan. I catch the elevator just as it closes, joining the lady from two doors down. She is the manager of a kids clothing store a few blocks away. So I mostly just see her when I'm shopping for Alexander.

"Oh, hi Emme. I haven't seen you a few weeks. How have you been?"

"Hello Lexa. I'm good just finished my exams. I'm graduating on Wednesday after three years. How are you?" I'm not the biggest fan of small talk. I have to get over that because it happens far too much.

"That is fantastic darling. Congratulations! I'm great, the shop has been rather busy as summer vacation is looming so parents are having to buy more summer clothes for their kids," she says just as the elevator reaches the bottom floor and the doors open.

"Aw awesome. Have a lovely day. It was nice talking to you," I wave taking a seat in the reception. Trystan texts me about twenty seconds after I sit down. I jog out the doors to his car with a skip in my step. I'm going to get Trystan to help me with the cleaning today.

"Hey poppet," Trystan says as soon as I get into his car.

"Hey dude. What did you get up to this weekend?"

"Just took Daisy shopping to celebrate the end of her exams. Naya went to her parents for the weekend. You probably already knew that but who cares. How about you? Wait let me guess. Ava's on Saturday, Zac and Penelope yesterday."

"Well yeah but yesterday we just had a day in. I felt sick."

"Oh Em! Why did you feel sick?"

"Life has just been busy I guess," I say as we pull into my driveway.