Penny For Your Thoughts?

21.07.2019///little joey pt. 1

"Did you pack everything kids?" My mom inquires for the millionth time before my sister Riley, and I head out.

"Yes mom. You made sure of it, remember?" Riley replied annoyed.

"Yes, yes, fine. Have fun and remember to text me when you get there. And Riley, please take care of your brother."

"Mom, I'm not a little kid anymore. Stop babying me." I drag out also becoming annoyed by her nagging.

"Let me give you a kiss goodbye." My mom approaches us but Riley and I share a look and run with our bags in our hands.

"You little brats! Have fun!!!" We're already out the door and my mom yells from inside.

Riley blows her a kiss and I wave then we enter the car of Riley's boyfriend, Mike.

"Hi babe." He greets Riley and kisses her on the lips. It's a short kiss but it makes me gag. Like it wasn't enough that I'm third wheeling with them, I'll have to endure all the lovey-dovey interactions too.

Just shoot me now.

It's not like I was forced to go with them, it's winter break and it was better to accept my sister's request of going to our family cabin with her and Mike than to stay cooped up in our house with the rest of my crazy family. Mom- always finding something to nag about; dad- who I have to hear scream every time a wrestling match is on TV; and our dog Pinky- the most hyperenergetic and atttention seeking animal I have seen in my life. Can't relate Pinky.

Plus, my sister and I aren't like other siblings. We actually do love each other and get along perfectly. Yes, we do have little quarells here and there and we do like to throw insults and joke with each other but we both know it's all in good fun. And she's a few years older than me, I'm 18 and in my last year of high school and she's 22 and working from home as a cartoon animator.

Her and Mike have been together since high school and I've come to accept him as a part of the family. He's very nice to me and Riley, my mom and dad love him too, so I have nothing to complain about.

Except for the public displays of affection.

That's just...ew.

"Hey to you too Joey." Mike looks at me through the rearview mirror. I think I may have gotten too lost in thought and forgot to say hi.

"Oh, hey. Didn't see ya there." Smooth Joey. Very smooth.

"Idiot." That's how he says he loves me.

"I love you too Mike."

"Ew, Riley tell him to stop." He makes a disgusted face.

"Joey stop." Riley says flatly.

"Thanks Riley." Mike replies looking at her blankly. More like thanks for nothing.

I giggle and decide to really stop now since we're on our way and I want to put my earphones on and take a nap.

                               ***

"Wake up Joey." My sister shakes my whole body and I jump up frightened.

"Be more gentle you crooked cucumber." I wave my hands around trying to land a slap but she skips away giggling.

I sloppily get out of the car and see that Mike already has all the bags in his hands and is going inside the cabin. It's much colder here than it was at home and a wave of chills pass through my body before I enter last and close the door.

"Mike you better get that fire started." Riley's lips quiver from the cold.

"Mike has his hands full. Let's do it ourselves." I say and crouch down by the fireplace.

There's a few pieces of wood by it and I throw them inside. "Riley. Matches?"

"Wait." She runs off into what I suppose is the kitchen because I remember dad used to keep all the matches in a drawer there.

She comes back with a box and throws it to me. I light one and see the wood starting to burn after I throw it. I then pick up the old magazine we used to fan the fire to get it burning and start fanning with all my strength. Which is under the average teenage boy's because I'm a scrawny little stick with no strength whatsoever.

"Nice job kiddo. Didn't know you had it in you." Mike is being a smartass.

"You're just four years older than me Michael Stanley Rogers." I know saying his middle name hits a spot.

"Rileyyyyyy." He whines.

"Oh my poor baby Stanley." She teams up with me and tries to pat his head but he pouts and turns the other way.

She chases after him but he keeps running around the room. Their little cat and mouse chase turns into a full on 'I'm gonna get you, you little piece of shit' and they're running all over the cabin.

Mike decides to make it interesting and runs outside in the cold without his coat and my foolish sister runs after him. I'm smart and put on my coat before going out after them. I take their coats in my arms too.

When I go outside I see that it had started snowing and they're both laying on the ground laughing their asses off.

"Here are your coats children. I don't want you catching a cold." Their laughing subsides and they put on their coats.

"Are you guys okay?" We all turn to the new voice we hear. It's a young guy that looks around our age standing and looking confused by the noise we made.

"We're fine. Sorry if we scared you." Riley informs him.

"Wait..." Mike steps closer to the handsome stranger. "Chris?"

It's like realization hit the stranger in the face. "Mike?"

My sister and I share a look of confusion.

"I haven't seen you in so long." Mike happily states as they share a bro hug.

"Riley, this is Chris. We were on the same swimming team back in high school." Thanks for acknowledging my existence Mike.

"Oh really? I don't recognize you. I'm Riley." My sister shakes her hand with Chris.

I stay in my spot until they say my name. One thing you should know about me is that the cheerful and jokester Joey that you see with Riley and Mike is gone out the window around new people. A different, shy and timid Joey steps up.

"This is my brother Joey. He may look 5 but he's actually 18." My sister manages to embarrass me.

"Hi." I raise my hand up in an attempt of a wave but it ends up being too short to be called a wave.

He smiles showing a deep, adorable dimple on his left cheek and I think I blush but thankfully it's cold outside so I was already red.

"Wanna come hang out?" Mike asks his friend.

"How about I come tonight? I'm just a minute or two away from your cabin." Chris offers.

"Sure. We'll be expecting you."

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