Before it ends

I get by with a little help....

I arrived home around 5:00pm. Spending half the day, working out was the most normal activity of my week. The only thing I was really used to. It felt good, to have a predictable elements in my life. To have Dan: my best friend.
To have my sister: always.

When I stepped inside the house everything was silent. I didn't give Hayley a curfew, but 6 hours to shop for two, seemed a little much. Not minding anyway, I made my way upstairs through the empty house. It was calming, I was barely alone nowadays. I jumped into the shower and let the warm water run over my muscles. It was well needed. After washing I stepped out and tied the towel around my waist.

"Honey I'm home." I heard keys being flung into the downstairs bowl and bags shuffling by the door.
"That's my line." Hayley moaned, she smiled when she saw my at the top of the stairs. Emily waddled past her with three bags in each hand, carrying them to the kitchen.
"Hey."
"Hey." I came downstairs and looked down at all the designer bags.
"You girls sure know how to shop." Hayley nodded, but her attention was drawn else where. I could feel her eyes lacing my figure.
"I missed you." I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her waist. She didn't pull away.
"Your hairs all wet." Her fingers reached up to comb through it. I let out a small groan. Her smile grew.
I loved the way her hands felt in my hair.
"Kiss?" She rolled her eyes and leaned in to peck me on the lips, but this time it wasn't me who deepened it. As if discovering that a small touch wasn't enough, she pushed her body closer to mine and wrapped her arms around my neck. Her lips moved with mine, her body fit with mine perfectly and her kiss belonged to me.
I smiled down on to her lips, slowly applying one lasts chaste kiss and pulling away.
"Honey." I pulled her closer "I'm home." She smiled
"What is it with the Montgomerys." She raised an eyebrow "That's my line." I laughed and rested my head on her shoulder.
"Brother." I could hear Emily's voice call me form the kitchen.
"Sister." I answered back.
"Bring that lovely girlfriend of yours." I rolled my eyes.
"She can bring herself I'm getting dressed. I looked down to Hayley and she huffed. I nudged my head over to the kitchen. Hayley let go of my hands and made her way to my sister.
"In a bit sugar tits." She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion as I turned to make my way upstairs.
"You are unbelievably cheesy Montgomery." I heard her call.
"You are unbelievably digging it Rhys."
                           ******
"I'm starving." Me and my sister walked into the restaurant side by side. After her shopping all day and non-stop gossiping with my girlfriend we finally reached Bella's around 6:30.
"I've never craved food so much in my life." I laughed at her.
"You're always hungry Em."  That earned me a glare "It's a part of your charm." I added.
"Lets just grab a table." We sat by the window and got given two menu's. "Thank you." Emily muttered, I shot the waiter a smile.
Once the waiter was gone Emily turned to me.
"Do you smile at everyone like that?"
"Yes." She raised her eyebrows high at my answer.
"Why?" I replied.
"No reason." She smiled knowingly and took a bite of the breadsticks on the table.
"Emily?"  She looked up and laughed.
"You are so oblivious, that wasn't a 'thanks for the breadsticks' smile. That was a 'I'm with my sister slip me your number on a napkin' smile" I looked at her blankly.
"But the waiter was a guy." She laughed.
"Exactly." I ended up laughing with her, it was good to see my sister happy. It's been a while.
"Just look at the menu." She giggled to herself and did as she was told. I did the same- Chicken Parmesan salad. Having picked my order, I waited for my sister to finish reading the menu.

I liked it here. It was a nice spot, casual but upbeat enough to be remembered. The food smelt great too.
"2+2=4" my attention was drawn to a little mix-race boy sitting with his family in a small booth.
"No. 2 x 2=4." Said a little girl next to him. I'm guessing it was his sister.
"Shut up you don't know anything." The small boy shovelled pasta into his mouth.
"I know you love my best friend Lizzie."
"Don't tease your brother." The woman once preoccupied feeding a baby, turned to the little girl "Be nice Nancy."
"Why?" Nancy crosses her arms and lays back on her chair. "Everything I'm saying is true. Reece likes Lizzie, but Lizzie thinks all boys stink like her brother James."
"Shutup you tart." The small boy glared at his his sister.
"Reece. Where the f-" his mother took a deep breath " Where on earth did you learn that word?"
"Dad, Dad said that Aunty Sheryl kept trying to play games with him at night. He said she's a tart and a tram-"
"That's enough."
"Sorry mum."
"It's not your fault, never say that word again okay?"
"Well what's it mean anyway?"
"Reece-"
"Fine mum, I won't say it, okay."
"Ha." Nancy chimed in and the siblings went back to fighting again.
"They remind me of us." Emily caught my attention and I turned back to her.
"Yeah." I smiled "You were always a tease."
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Why thank you."
"It wasn't a complement."
"Whatever. Just go order my food at the counter."
"Well what do you want?"
"Hmmm" she looked down at the menu.
"Were you not just literally scanning that thing a minute ago."
"You don't rush a lady Ryan."
"Good I'm not talking to one then." She glared at me before snapping the menu shut and glaring some more. "Emily what do you want?"
"I want-" She drew out the her words.
"Fine. I'll just order anything." I grabbed the menus and turned to leave.
"You know what I'll just have the chicken, mozzarella pasta."
"Whatever." I headed over to the counter.
"Thank you." She called back. I ordered our food and two sparkling waters. It didn't take long to arrive at our table.
"So I think I might go to Germany."
"What?" I almost chocked on my water.
"Just listen." Emily sat down her fork. "If I'm serious about running for a living than I need to get into the highest of colleges. Schools in Europe are the best for my goal. Ryan I just think this is the be-"
"I support you Emily." She looked at me as if surprised "I'll always support you." She smiled. It made sense, although I'd have to google the shit out of the place when we get home, I got it, she wanted to escape, she deserved to. If what I think happened happened then she's probably more scared of Dad than I've ever been. If he did what deep down I know he did than-

I tried to shake my thoughts, but I knew exactly what I was thinking.

- I'm the worst brother out there.

"Are you alright?"
"Yeah." I smiled "Now eat your chicken, it wasn't cheap." She laughed.
"Get a job slacker. You can't live off your summer job money forever "
"I know, I know."
"Good. Because your girlfriend has a job."
"I know that."
"And she has money."
"I know that."
"And she's already looking for colleges."
"I know that."
"Just making sure."
"God your annoying."
"It's what I do."