Times have changed.

TWO

>> A month later<<

        My eyes open slightly to the sound of music blasting.  What kind of asshole plays music at this volume especially when I'm sleeping? ...did I really just think that? Wow I'm becoming an old lady. Slowly and hesitantly I crawl out from my cloud of slumber, when I notice a pair of pants on the ground.  They're definitely not mine.

"...oh my God." I whisper to myself.  Memories from last night come flooding back.

"Wow was I really that drunk?"

"You were saying that a lot last night."

        I hear someone laughing from behind me. No. No. No. If I don't turn around it's like it never happened, right?  Shit. I knew I had to turn around eventually.  I turn around to see eyes deep and dark with hair to match.  Damn I have to give it to drunk Summer, she knows how to pick 'em. 
"Hey...so I'm not gonna lie to you, I was super wasted last night.  And this was just this, okay?  It was just two people who wanted a fun night," I explain while dressing. 

"No, of course, but I'm down to do it again whenever you want," he smirked.

         I burst out in laughter, "Yeah...no.  This started here and ends here."  Before I could say or do anything more he grabs my arm and pulls me in.  That smirk crosses his lips once more before he envelopes me into a kiss.  Aggression laced the air as he deepened the kiss.

"WHAT THE HELL," I say while pushing him away, "did you not listen to anything I just said?"

"No, I did.  I just chose to ignore it," his one sided grin returned.

"WOW okay. I think it's time for you to leave."

"Wait, don't you want my number or like my name?"

"NO!" I cut him off, shoving his leather jacket at him.  "As far as I'm concerned, your name is one night stand and to you I'm nameless. Got it?"

"Don't worry.  I'm leaving town today so you don't have to worry about seeing "one night stand" around and about," he says while moving in closer.  Damn he smells so good.

"Good" I force myself to say.  He looks down to meet my eyes.  His eyes linger on my lips.  If either of us moved, our lips could be touching.  He just smiles.

"I can let myself out."

         And with that he was gone.  What in the actual fuck just happened?  I make my way down the stairs to my brother jamming to music far too loud.  I marched over to the sound system, cranking it down several notches.   

"Dude what the fuck?!" my brother yells.

"Dude, what the fuck," I mock, "you really don't need it so fucking loud!"

"It's not loud you're just fucking hung over per usual, "he grimaces.  I'm not going to lie.  He wasn't wrong.

"Oh my hell, yeah I'm hung over, so what? Why do you care?" He ignores me and goes back to eating. "Really you're just going to ignore me now. Jacob what do you want me to do about it, huh?!"

"I just want you to grow up, Summer..." I just look at him. What the hell?  I am grown up okay? I have two jobs, I pay for this house, and I buy the groceries.  But oh just because I drink once in a while means I'm not grown up?  Whatever. Ignoring what he said, I walk past him to make my morning cup.  I watch as he goes up to his room.  Then again I don't blame him, I wouldn't want to be around me right now either.

​        Once I finish cleaning up breakfast, I head upstairs to Jacob's room.  I open the door to see him packing.

"Look, I don't want to fight. You'll be leaving soon. Hungover or not, I'm still your big sis."

​         He stops what he's doing and sits on his bed.  He pats the empty spot next to him, a gesture to sit.  "Summer, you can't keep ignoring this nightmare, memory, whatever you want to call it.  You've been having it for the past few weeks and...I think you need to see someone about it," concern cloaked his tone.  "If it's not a nightmare you're having, it's a new flavor of the week in your bed.  ...Summer it's just not healthy and it's just not you."
​I look down into my palms, feeling shame dress my emotions.  "I don't know how to handle it," tears fill my eyes, "Jacob, I don't....I don't know how to be strong anymore and I try, but it's so hard J."  Jacob grabs my hands.

"You're my big sister.  You've been taking care of me ever since that night.  You have been working your ass off, carrying the weight of two jobs since you were 15.  Summer you have and always will be strong.  You're going through this rough patch right now, and that is okay.  Just don't cut me out."  Overcome with emotions I grab my brother and pull him into a bear hug.

"I love you J."

"I love you too Lee."

​I pull away, wiping my tears away from my face.

"Okay," I say with a smile, "let's get going.  We need to drop you off at the airport."  I pause to look at my little brother.  "My brother, joining the army...I'm so happy for you J."

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                                                                                      o    o    o

"Here we are," I say, walking up to the terminal.  It hits me.  A sinking feeling comes over me....my brother is leaving me.  Let me tell ya, Jacob and I have been inseparable since that night 10 years ago.  He could tell what I was thinking.  I feel his hand grasp mine. 

"Hey it's going to be okay?  In about 3 months I'm going to fly you out to see me.  I'll be graduating from boot camp and you'll be there.  It's only three months, okay?"

"Stop, I know! I'm a big girl Jacob, I can handle myself.  I'm the big sister aren't I supposed to tell you it's going to be okay?"  We both burst out in laughter.  I look up and grab my little brother into one last hug.

"Now, go kick some ass," I say pulling away.

"See ya, Lee," he smiles, disappearing into the crowd of people.  Turning around I bump into someone.

"Sorry miss."

        I rub my shoulder, walking away.  Wait.  Chills spread threw my body, goosebumps raised....I've heard that voice before.  I turn around, only to see people in uniform.