The Jerk Next Door

Chapter 10: The Other Side of You

Asher

I wake up early to the sound of my step mom knocking.

"Wake up! You have to go pick up Maksie, remember you promised!"

Huh? Wait!

I bolt out of bed, remembering about my promise to help babysit some kids with Maksie. For some reason I'm excited. Of course I didn't like moms knowing that, they would go ballistic if they so much as thought about me being excited to hang out with some girl. Especially one they have actually met and liked. They think the world of the drummer girl.

I quickly pack a small bag full of things for the overnight stay. We're out of school tomorrow due to some random holiday so it was totally fine with me not waking up here in the morning. I head to the bathroom to grab my paw patrol shampoo and my toothbrush. I'm saddened when I pick up my almost empty bottle of shampoo. I'll have to go buy some more soon.

After grabbing a waffle, I kiss my moms on the cheek surprising them and pat Carly's head before going next door.

I barely bring my hand down from knocking before I'm tackled by a large nine year old.

"Asher!" Trey yells excitingly.

"Hey T. How's it hanging little man?" I ask as I walk in with him stuck to my side.

He goes on about how he styled his hair differently and got "all the ladies smooching on him at school". I just laughed at his enthusiasm. He might not look like her, but he was definitely Maksie's little brother. Him and his other sister have their father's bright blue eyes unlike Maksie's dark green ones, but they all shared the same fire that fueled them and made them who they are.

Wow. I've only known them for a week and I already know them like I've lived here.

"Oh, hey Asher." Emma said.

I have also come to realize how similar Emma and Carly are.

"Hey"

"Are you here for the Sasquatch?" She smiled.

I just looked at her with a confused look as she went off laughing. Not long after I heard the laughs stop and some screaming.

I quickly make my way to the sounds to find Maksean on her sister tickling her. The younger thrashed around screams slipping from her lips as she knew she was no match for the older girl.

"Call me that again! I couldn't hear you!" The red head yelled teasingly.

"What in the name of Hades is going on in here?" Mr. Swift asked, walking into the room his wife not too far behind with a smile on her face as she watched the sisters fight.

***********

We are now on the road to Maksean's aunt's home. It takes an hour to get there. Her father offered to give me money for the gas, but I let him know that I just filled it up yesterday.

He is a funny man that Mr. Swift. He is always trying to do his best for his kids. He is very playful, and I can see where Maksie gets her height from. All of them are tall. And I just love how her father is always behind her ready to support her if she falls, but is also ready to teach her if she fails to understand. It makes me wish my father was at least half the dad he is.

"Hey! Stop with the sad face. It doesn't suit you." Maks says bringing her finger to poke at my right cheek. "What's got you so weird? Whoever it is better know that I'm the only one who can mess with you." She smirks playfully yet I know she is serious.

"Nothing, just thinking about my dad." I put simply looking over at her playing with her hair before turning my attention back to the road.

"What about him. I've never seen him. Was he a good man?" She questions.