Impractical (1)

9

Above: Floor plan to Olivia's house.

Months passed and a daily routine was formed. There was rarely a day that passed where Olivia didn't see the boys. Even on the weekend, she was constantly opening the door to the same four smiling faces. They would walk into her house without a pause.

They would exit the bus at the corner in front of Joe's house, then wait with Olivia until the elementary bus passed. Sometimes accompanied by Sal's younger sister, Camden would walk from the bus and move toward the front steps of his house. Sal and Joe would sit with him while Brian, James, and Olivia walked around the block to get Brody from daycare. He always asked to be carried on Brian's shoulders and Brian always said yes, carrying him three blocks until they arrived back at the house.

He would smirk at Olivia and she felt her heart rise in her chest each time. He's lift the young boy, placing him on his shoulders before they began to walk. From the sight of the bright smile pulling at Brody's lips, Olivia couldn't help but smile at - It didn't help that Brian's eyes were staring.

Brian and Joe would sit with the kids at the table and help them with their homework while the others stayed in the kitchen and fixed an after school snack. Joke after joke, spending time with them felt natural.

The boys noticed that her father was rarely home. On a technicality, Olivia was the primary care giver for her brothers. They used her empty house as their hangout and helped her with Camden and Brody.

Today was different. Joe was stuck at school for math club practice and Brian was stuck in after-school detention for screaming in a silent classroom and scaring the teacher. On the bus, James was hunched over in his seat coughing repeatedly. His germs made both Olivia and Sal cringe. They cowered in the seats opposite of him, sitting as close to the windows as they could, "Ew! Ew! Ew!" Sal exclaimed, cringing as Murray sneezed toward the aisle, "Don't do that!" He called to his friend, his eyes wide, "Disgusting." He muttered, glancing back to see a slight smile pull at Olivia's lips.

When Olivia stood, Sal followed. They exited the bus and waited on the corner, "You know, I could have handled this on my own," She hummed, flashing him a shy smile, "Was Jenna planning to stay over?"

"She mentioned wanting to," He shrugged, telling her, "If you want, I'll wait for them while you go get Brody."

"Sure," She stepped back and watched his still figure for a moment before turning away and moving down the street beside Joe's house, "I'll be back in a few!" She called, smiling as he glanced back over his shoulder to watch her walk away.

The bus pulled onto the street moments later and Sal took a step back as the doors opened, "Where's my sister?" Camden immediately asked, sneering, "You're always here."

"Yeah, you know, you don't have to watch over me at every second," Jenna said, propping her hand on her hip, "Why can't I hang out at Cam's house without you around?"

"Your sister is going get Brody," Sal answered, flashing a smile to the bus driver as the doors shut, "Why are you so opposed to me being here?" He asked his sister, leaning forward a bit when he spoke.

"You're my brother, not my babysitter." Jenna told him, placing her school bag on the front steps to the house, "I should be able to spend time with my friend without you."

"You're eight." Sal told her, saying, "You don't get to decide what you should or shouldn't be allowed to do, so drop it."

"What's the deal between you and Olivia?" Camden suddenly asked, making Sal pause as he glanced down at the kids, "You're always staring at her."