Forever Young

Chapter Seventeen

I lay awake most of the night, too tired to move but too lost in thought to sleep. I finally closed my eyes near dawn, and it seemed like only minutes passed before the morning sun and the sound of the twins wrecking the house shook me out of my dreamless sleep. I stared at the ceiling while I toyed with the idea of getting out of bed for breakfast, which meant I'd have to face the family. I could also just stay in my room, preferably until college started in August. Option two sounded much more appealing. I closed my eyes and was halfway to Dreamland when my door swung open and slammed against the wall.

"Hiiiii Lamey." Oh no. It was too early to deal with Mark.

"Lameeeeeey, come play with us," his sister chimed in. I rolled my eyes behind the lids and prayed the Terrible Two didn't pick up on the slight movement. These were predator rules; as long as I was completely still, they'd get bored and go bother the next person.

"Laaaaaamey," Mark drew out my stupid nickname until it was seven syllables, and started to shake me. "Mom said you need to get up." I still didn't move. She's not your mom, I thought, and cringed the second it crossed my mind. Was I seven or seventeen?

"Yeah, Lamey. Mom said it's almost time for breakfast." Molly joined in to shake me. I kept my eyes screwed shut, despite the fact that the twins were making me seasick in my own bed. If Mom wants me up that bad, she's gonna have to come get me herself.

"Elaine!" My eyes flew open. It was like my mother read my mind.

"What?" I groaned.

"It's after nine and Brian and I have to go to town. I need you up to watch the twins."

Just like that, any bonds we may have started to rebuild the evening before crumbled to the ground.

"But-" I started to protest as I sat up in bed.

"No buts, Laney. C'mon, guys." She motioned for the twins to follow her out of my room, and to my surprise, they did.

But not before they looked back and stuck their tongues out at me in unison.

**********

    "Okay, the kids have had breakfast, and we shouldn't be gone longer than a couple hours. But just in case, there's stuff for sandwiches in the kitchen for lunch." Mom rummaged through her purse. The Terrible Two were nowhere in sight, probably upstairs ripping their room apart, possibly vandalizing the neighbor's house. You could never tell with them.

    Brian blew the horn from the drive. Mom turned to leave, then turned back and handed me my phone with pleading eyes. "Please be nice to the twins. They've not exactly had it easy, either."

    I scoffed, but she was already gone.

**********
    The twins reign of terror was briefly interrupted by a nap. I curled up on the sofa with a book. Fifteen minutes in, though, and I was restless. I dog-eared my page, stood and stretched. I walked up the stairs and peeked into the twins' room. Sound asleep, they looked like little cherubs. Too bad that didn't translate to waking hours.

    Leo was on my bed when I stepped into my room. His eyes were closed and his breaths were even, but I knew he was awake by the smile that played on his lips. I couldn't help but find a smile of my own.

    "What are you doing here?" I whispered. If the twins caught wind of this, they'd probably walk to town to tattle, and I'd be grounded until I was forty. Or worse.

    "I just wanted another taste of the real world," he said as he sat up in the bed. "And I brought you this." He held a bouquet of pastel blooms, purple and blue. I could smell how fragrant they were from where I stood.
   
"They're wisterias," he offered. I closed the gap between us and took the bouquet from him. "The blue ones reminded me of your eyes."

    I felt the heat flood my cheeks. I'd never gotten flowers before, and now this strange dream boy had given them to me twice. And compared them to your eyes, my internal monologue quipped, which made me blush harder. "Thank you." I averted my eyes to keep from melting into the floor under his gaze.

    "You are welcome, Miss Elaine."

    "Laney. All my friends call me Laney."

    "That is right. My apologies. You are most welcome, Miss Laney." His voice was like butter, and my stomach was doing somersaults just listening to him say my name. I didn't want him to stop.

    "Laneeey," a voice whined down the hall. One I could have done without, and not just at the present moment. Leave it to the twins to ruin a good thing.
  
Leo brushed a stray strand of hair behind my ear and leaned in. Being so close to him gave me goosebumps. "Meet me under the tree tonight. There's something I want to show you," he breathed.

    "Laney!" I turned at the sound of feet down the hall, ready to bar my bedroom door against intrusive step-siblings. When I turned back toward my room, the beautiful boy with the auburn hair and honey eyes was gone. 

**********

    Watching the twins drained me. It was a miracle I'd been able to keep my eyes open through dinner. I'll shower in the morning, I told myself, and weaved my hair into braids. The moon shined through the open curtains, highlighting the wisteria bouquet on my nightstand. Their makeshift vase-a half-full water bottle-did not do the blooms justice, but getting a proper vase from under the kitchen sink would have rasied more questions than I was willing to answer.

    I thought I'd be asleep the second my head hit the pillow. Instead, I lay on top of my comforter, staring at the night sky and soaking up the sweet scent of the flowers while the minutes ticked by. Laney, you gotta get some sleep. I reached for my comforter and instead, found a handful of grass, still wet from the dew.