Swapped

Chapter 6

A/N. Sorry guys, I actually had this all written for yesterday (Friday), but my internet wasn't working! So here it is now :)

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Airlie had never seen so much money at once in her life. She hadn't counted how much was in the purse until she got back to Macey's bedroom, and when she did, her jaw felt as if it literally almost hit the floor. There was three-hundred dollars!

Airlie wondered if it was Macey's own earning, or if she'd snagged it from her parents' wallet's, and decided on the latter.

She knew it was wrong of her to think so lowly of Macey, but she couldn't help it. Everything she'd heard or already knew about the rebellious twat was negative. Airlie decided, whether or not Macey had earned the right to the money, she'd get a job anyway, assuming Macey didn't already have one; not that she'd spend more than fifty dollars a month anyway.

Airlie let the idea float around in her mind as she plucked the pair of car keys from Macey's bedside table and headed towards the garage, in the lower floor.

As she drove to the local shopping centre, it occurred to Airlie that getting a job might be the perfect excuse for her to see her real brother, Daniel!

Daniel was currently working at BullzEye, so as long as she could get work there, then everything would be perfect!

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Her spendings came to a total of $36.75. It included a wall-length mirror, some potted succulents, knitted pillows, and a mass of stringed fairy lights to dangle from the walls. It would be just like her own bedroom; to keep some form of her old life with her while she worked out a way to get into contact with her real family.

There was one other thing she'd bought...

When she got back to the Arnold's house, she made her way straight to Josh's bedroom, knocking on the door.

"Hey, Josh?"

"What?" The deep sound of Josh's voice came from the other side of his door, and Airlie could hear him shifting from his bed. His door opened, and he glanced at Airlie, before his gaze was stolen by what was in her hands. "Umm...What's that for." He nodded to the plank of timber held in her left hand and Airlie smiled. From the several times she'd accidentally walked into his bedroom instead of Macey's, she'd noticed an array of work tools hanging from one of his walls, and a large bench positioned directly underneath them, along the length of the wall.

"I was wondering if you'd help me make a photo-frame?" Airlie was almost certain a suggestion for the two to hang out together was almost something Macey and Josh had never done...but Airlie couldn't think of any other way to woo Josh over to her side. Maybe some time together would be all they needed?

"...Why?" He was wary and seemed almost confused. Airlie shrugged.

"It's a gift for someone. I wanted to make him something for a change." Josh raised a brow.

"For Zach?" Airlie had no idea who Zach was, and shrugged.

"Maybe..." Taking her answer as a 'yes', Josh scoffed and turned to close his door. "You know I don't like that asshole."

"But you like me, right?" Josh paused and turned to face Airlie, a look of incredulity on his face, as if he thought Airlie were stupid. He scoffed.

"No." Airlie frowned.

"...But I'm your sister."

"Exactly." Josh laughed humourlessly and continued to close his door. As he did, Airlie stuck out her empty hand in a determined attempt to ensure he didn't walk away. She needed to win his help; his trust. Her wrist caught between the door and its frame as Josh closed it, and she yelped.

Just as promptly as he'd tried to close it, Josh had the door open again and was inspecting Airlie's hand.

"Shit!" Airlie's grimace turned into a small smile at his instant concern. She was sure her wrist wasn't broken, but now it was a bit tender.

"So, you do care for me!" Josh looked up at her, and rolled his eyes, dropping her hand, and without the support of his hand steadying her own, a spike of pain shot through her arm, starting from Airlie's fingers and tingling up to her shoulder. She winced.

"Put some ice on that." Josh grumbled, and turned back towards his bed, this time leaving the door open. As he sat down and opened his laptop, Airlie stepped inside.

"Come on Josh..." She made her way to his bed and perched herself on its edge. "I just want to hang out with you." She pleaded, as he looked back up at her. His expression showed annoyance, but his eyes flashed with curiosity. Airlie sighed. What was it she read somewhere? The best way to lie was to base it on truth, "I feel like I barely know you." She shrugged, and Josh clenched his jaw together, considering her plea. "Come on, it'll be fun!" Airlie felt a smile make its way onto her lips as she watched Josh's resolve soften, and an amused expression lit his face.

"You want me to teach you woodwork?" Airlie nodded eagerly. He didn't need to know that she already knew a lot about woodwork. After all, in her old life, she'd been a carpentry apprentice.

"Well, it's something you clearly enjoy, and I want to know why." She shrugged as she grinned, already certain of Josh's decision.

"Fine..." He heaved, but smiled, as Airlie let out an excited shout.

"Yes!" She reached out to tug on his hand. "Okay, let's go!"