Everlong

| Nine: Ellie |

"But he's with Cara!" Charlie's voice fluctuated as she flew passed me. "Why would he say something like that if he's with someone?"

I leaned back on the swing, sending myself careening forward as she fell back. "I've never seen him as the type of guy to come onto other girls while he was with someone."

"I know!"

"And while I might blame the alcohol if I was a dumbass, I'm a firm believer that a drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts. Nothing can be excused by being drunk, so we can only assume–"

"But why get together with Cara if he didn't like her?" I caught a glimpse of her frown as we passed each other.

"He may be my brother, but he has about as much brainpower as Windows 95. We can only guess whatever motives he came up with."

She planted her feet, dragging herself to a twisty stop. I stopped after her, holding the chains while she thought. Her short hair fell in wind-blown strands around her face.

"Surely he doesn't actually like me," she mumbled, nearly to herself.

"He's not a liar," I said gently.

"We thought." We fell silent, the air heavy around us as we swayed gently on the swings. The park was quiet, the sun having set only minutes ago, letting a grey light wash over everything. Both of us were upset with the possibility of Jack being a cheater. Earlier in the day, I would have been adamant that he would never do anything like that. After his actions today, however, I was unsure. Charlie and I had left soon after that debacle, retreating to the bare park down the road.

While I didn't like the thought of my image of my brother being altered, I couldn't just ignore this. Charlie and I took cheating and relationships seriously, and he was stepping dangerously close to a line he'd never cross back over in our eyes.

"Whatever," she suddenly said, shaking herself. "Too negative. Let's talk about something good. Like... dysentery."

"Or skinny dipping," I added, smiling with her. "I've started another portrait."

"Oooooh, sketch or paint?" She asked, spinning to twist the chains.

"Sketch. I watched City Slickers with mum the other day, and I'm drawing the three guys on their horses in the rain."

"Sounds saucy," she teased. "Are their shirts see-through?"

"Ohmygod no!" I laughed. "What the hell!

Charlie burst out laughing, losing her footing and flying in circles as the chains untangled. She fell off the seat when it finished, her eyes spinning in their sockets as she rapidly blinked.

"Shit," she breathed out, her laughter dying down. "You'll have to show me when you're done."

"Of course."

We stayed there for another half hour, experiencing the odd peace that fell over the mostly empty park as the sun completely disappeared. Eventually we started home, Charlie breaking off to head down her street while I meandered back to dad's. I was able to stay the night since Miles was too drunk to drive, and Jared wouldn't waste his fuel picking me up.

I passed the boys in the den – passed out on the coffee table and arm chair, respectively – and headed to my room. I didn't stay up late, finishing off some homework before turning off my light and closing my eyes.