A Little Mad

Chapter 1

"This place looks depressing!" Mercedes smiled as her thirteen-year-old brother Ethan curled his nose in disgust. Chuckles left the throats of their mom and dad. Their dad projecting his voice behind him as he drove.

"I know Gotham looks a little rough around the edges, but this was a great job opportunity. For the sake of our family, we couldn't pass it up."

Their mother stared out the window as they made their way through the gothic like city. She sighed.

"Your father and I talked about and thought hard for the longest. In the end, it was the best decision. Ethan I know you and Mercedes miss your friends."

Mercedes smiled and a small giggle escaped her. She turned to look at her brother who was not at all amused by her sudden out burst. She set up straight in her seat and smiled.

"This city actually looks more cool than I picture, and I don't miss my friends. Remember TaTyana's dad got the smae offer and they are in the car behind us."

Mercedes looked at Ethan with a smug face and around in her seat waving out the back window. She turned to face her brother, who looked down at his phone sadly. Her smug smile faded. She slowly lifted her brother's face at the chin and tried to give him her best reassuring smile. Her heart warmed when he returned the favor. Mercedes and her brother fought often, but he was one of her most favorite people in the world. She would do anything for her brother, and Ethan knew it. They rarely showed it in public, but there was a bond and a love that only the two could understand.

Their new house was just big enough. The outside reflected the city. Mercedes grabbed her phone and instantly saw a text from TaTyana her best friend.

"This place is creepy!"

Mercedes smiled as she replied.

"I know! Isn't it awesome?! Hey how about tomorrow we see each other's houses?"

"I would love that! We can help each other unpack! I have to go unfortunately, but I will text you later! Love you!"

Mercedes smiled again at the text and laughed when she noticed the heart and kiss face emojis.

"Love you too!"

Ethan walked by and smiled at his sister stopping to talk.

"Did you just get done texting TaT?"

"I did. Would you like to go see her house tomorrow? She is going to come over here too at some point."

Ethan smiled and nodded, but before he could walk off Mercedes lowered her voice to continue their conversation.

"Have you heard from Henry...?"

Ethan paused, blinking slowly. His eyes flickered to the window and back to his sister.

"I texted him and he hasn't responded yet." Ethan lowered his eyes a little to keep his expression unnoticed, but in vain.

Mercedes saw the hurt in her brother's eyes and pulled him into a hug. She rubbed soothing circles on his back.

"Buddy. It will be okay. He will answer I promise. You may be young and he won't be the last, but he knows you and he will answer." Mercedes placed a kiss on the top of his head before letting him go.

Ethan cleaned the slight dampness from his eyes and looked up at his sister with a small, thankful smile. Mercedes did nothing but nod and he walked away. Mercedes was seventeen years old getting ready to turn eighteen in a few months. She knew the struggle Ethan was enduring. Her younger brother was gay, and she was the only one in the household who knew it. She herself was bisexual and everyone knew it, but her brother didn't have the courage to tell his story yet. The siblings fought about many things. Except that. She always told him that even though their parents didn't care and would love him reguardless, it was his story to tell when he was ready. She always believed we should force no one out of their shell. Walking into the kitchen she set at the table while her parents searched for food to eat. Her mom turned around smiling.

"Did you find your room?" She placed a loving hand on Mercedes' shoulder. "Did you like it?"

"I did and I love it." Mercedes could see the sadness in her mother's eyes as she leaned down to hug and kiss her on top of the head.

"Baby girl.. I know you would have graduated this coming up year and I'm so sorry that you and TaTyana got dragged away from your home, your school." Her mom paused. 

Mercedes knew what her mom was meaning to say after that and raised her hand lovingly to place it on her mother's cheek.

"She broke up with me remember? She was very nasty about it. Yes, I lived my whole life in that town, but you have to admit I wasn't always happy. Besides, TaTyana and I have each other. We are soul mate best friends who love each other more than anything. We will be okay."

Her mother smiled lovingly and Mercedes stood to hug her with a tightened grip.

"You have been the best mom I could ever hope for. You have done so much for me even when I have disappointed you in the past. You never gave up on me or Ethan. You and dad chose to do something you felt was right for out family. Nothing could make you a greater parent than that."

Mercedes' mom cleaned her tears and laughed. "Look at you. The daughter giving her mother the encouraging talk I should be giving you. I love you kiddo."

Mercedes pulled her mom in for another hug. This town didn't seem so bad. Soon she would come to find out she was wrong, and just how badly she was.