Page Numbers

1- Katie and Josée

KATIE'S POV

Fine, but this is the last time, ok?" I told my sister Josée.

"YAY!!!" She squealed in my ear.

I rubbed my ears in pain. Ever since Josée turned 5 she's turned into a complete nutcase. Sighing I opened the book again and started to read. 30 minutes later, she was begging me to read it again.

"No Josée, I told you before, I'm NOT reading it again. I deserve some time to myself don't I"

"Please Kat, Please."

"NO" I yelled.

She started to cry.

"Oh Damn" I mumbled under my breath, she's going to take forever to shut up.

10 minutes and many attempts to make her be quiet later, I had finally had enough.

"Ok ok, please be quiet, I'll do anything just please shut up" I yelled with my fingers in my ears. She stopped crying immediately.

"Will you read to me" She asked.

"No, I'll buy you another book" I replied.

"YAY" She squealed in my ear. I sighed this is why I'm never having kids.

"When can I have it" looking around the room, "I wanna have it NOW"

"Jo, I'll get it for you tomorrow, Ok?"

"Ok," she nodded, "but what do I do now"

"Ummm, how about we go get some ice-cream" I quickly replied, not wanting another screaming session.

"Yes Please, I want Cookie Dough" she said racing to the door, "Come On, Hurry Up Kat".

Grabbing our coats and sandals, I unlocked the door and raced after her.

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THE NEXT DAY

"That one's pretty. Can I have it" Jo asked.

I looked at the book she was pointing at, 'The Immortal Instruments' I took it off the shelf and began reading the blurb. With every sentence my eyes widen, there's was no way she would be getting this. I put it back on the shelf.

"I'm sorry Jo, but you can't have this one".

"But why not". She moaned, sitting herself down on a cosy chair next to me.

"Because it's to inappropriate, pick another".

Jo scans the bookshelves, pacing back and forth across the display of books. She suddenly stops and points to a book on the topmost shelf.

"Can I have that one Kat"

I take the book down, and frown at its dusty, old, fraying cover.

"Page Numbers" I mumble to myself, "Why do you want this one Jo."

"I don't know" She whispers, "Its seems...different. It's like it wants me to read it"

I had never seen Jo so into a book, not even her favourites. I flipped though the pages doubtfully. The book seemed extremely fragile and likely to break any minute, but I couldn't help be feel that it was drawing me in as well. After a split-second decision I took the book to the counter.

"YAY" said Jo, "thanks so much Kat"

I smiled at her, before placing the book down on the counter.

After paying the sales attendant we walked out of the store and hailed a taxi. All through the car trip, Jo was pestering me about the book.

"When can we read it?"

"When we get home."

"How long until we get home?"

"10 minutes."

"Can we go any faster"

"No"

"Why not"

"Because, I can't control the traffic, know no more questions or no more book!"

She pouted but didn't say anything, but just looked out of the window at the dreary London skyline. Once we got home, Jo went straight to the living room with the book tucked carefully under one arm. I looked around the dusty, old house. If my mother was still alive, things would have been different. A bigger, cleaner house. New clothes. A father who said more then 'Hello' and 'Good Bye' too us.

I hung up our coats by the door and slipped off my shoes, and softly padded my way into the living room. Jo was staring into the fire, obviously deeply lost in memory. Not wanting to disturb her, I quietly walked to the other chair and sat down. After a while I asked,

"Josée, do you want to read that book now?"

Averting her eyes away from the fire she focused on me, before saying quietly, "Yes Please Katie". I was shocked she nearly never used my full name. Recovering quickly, I picked up the book from the table and opened it in my lap. After taking a deep breath, I began to read.