Knightly in Shining Armor

Lourdes

I walked straight back to the gazebo to check and see if he was there. Nothing. I sighed. Poor kid. I checked the area around the gazebo to see if I could find anything to clue me in on where he could have gone. I heard a rustle in the trees behind me. I turned around and headed in, looking up as I went.

I searched a small square of the woods before hearing quiet sniffling. I spun around and saw a small camouflaged platform in the tree. I scrambled up the side and saw Earnest with his knees to his chest and his head in his hands. I pulled myself up onto the platform and knelt down in front of him.

"Hey," I spoke up. He glanced my way before looking away. He was quite upset. "I was worried about you."

"That makes one person, I guess," He grumbled.

"Actually, Lukas is out rallying your brothers to find you. We've been looking for an hour and a half for you. We're all worried."

"Tell that to our parents." He scowled into his knees. I frowned.

"I'm gonna let you in on a little secret," I said. "They literally don't matter. They're not doing their job as parents. They love you, but they're horrible at it. You have your brothers, and they have you. They're there for you. You don't have to deal with the parents alone."

"I can't stand living here," He whispered. "No one gets me. My parents are horrible. I have nothing." I frowned.

"Listen. I can't help you with your parents. But your siblings are there for you. Reach out, talk to them. I bet at least one of them will understand and relate to you. And if worse comes to worse, you're always free to call me and talk about whatever for however long you want."

"I don't even know you," he laughed. "All I know is you're essentially Lukas's babysitter." I chuckled at that one.

"Fair point. Well, I'm Lourdes Knightly, 20 years old. I like art, music, writing, food, and volunteer work. I live in New York City in a loft and I find your brother a pain in my ass."

"You like art?" His eyes lit up. I nodded. "What kind?"

"You name it, I've probably done it. I sell online to make extra cash sometimes." I pulled out my phone to show him. "I paint, sketch, ink, take photos, knit, all that weird artsy stuff. If you couldn't tell, I don't have much of a social life." He smiled.

"I love painting. It's my favorite thing to do." He huddled closer to himself.

"Are you getting cold?" I asked.

"Yeah, but I don't wanna go back yet." He tugged at the zip of his coat.

"Makes sense," I nodded. "Here." I held my arms open, and he looked at me with a confused look. "I'm practically a human space heater. Ask Lukas." He snorted but scooted closer to me. I wrapped my arms around him to warm him up. "So, what about you? What's your story?"

"Earnest Emrys, 13. I live in a broken home in London with 10 siblings and two constantly arguing parents. I like art and listening to music and not being at home. I'm absolutely awful at making friends and I'm partially deaf which is annoying." He listed off. I nodded.

"Sounds like we'll get along swimmingly." I messed up his hair with a grin. He rolled his eyes at me, poking me in the side.

"So, do you like Lukas or something?" He asked suddenly. I furrowed my brows before bursting into a fit of laughter.

"Heck to the no," I wheezed. "I guess you can call us friends by now. All he does is eat all my food and tease me to no end."

"Sounds like he likes you," Earnest teased. I rolled my eyes.