I'm Scared, it'll hurt

Part Two: It's Cold Out

Part Two: It's Cold Out

It had started snowing two days ago.
Already I was freezing, why did snow have to be so cold?
But my elder sister wanted me to go over and visit, spend some time with my nephew.
William is seventeen, there's quite a large age gap between my sister and I.
And since William and I are so close in age, we're also sort of close.
As close as a teenage boy can be to his aunt.
They were expecting me there now, even.
And here I was, in my closet, trying to bundle up into as many layers as I could, from past experience I knew Katrina would have William and I outside building a snowman while she stayed at a distance, taking as many pictures as she could.
Katrina's a photographer, and she's very serious about it.
Outside was just as cold as I thought it would be, even with all the layers.
I wasn't enjoying the walk, even though Katrina didn't live very far away, I'll be happy for a cup of tea when I get there, it might restore a little warmth.
William was perched on the back of his mothers car in the driveway when I got there, his dark eyes gazing upwards, at the grey sky.
Instead of speaking, you know, like a normal person, I took out my phone and snapped a few pictures at different angles, knowing Katrina would be pleased I'd thought to do so.
She had taught me about angling, and posing of the subject, and from what she'd taught, I knew this would make a perfect picture.
I turned my gaze to my phone and looked at the pictures I'd just taken.
*Click*
I glanced up, startled, William looked equally startled, we both looked to the side to see Katrina watching the pair of us, she snapped a second picture, this one of our startled faces.
Katrina smiled, 'Sorry, come on, lets' go inside, I know Alice will be dying for a cup of tea.'
At thirty-seven, Katrina still had a relitively youthful apearance, and was very fit, as she did yoga most mornings and went for a jog with her husband each evening.
Katrina and I are half sisters, only sharing a father, but my mother always said we were the perfect combo, a musician and an artist.
Not that Katrina was into painting or drawing as much anymore, more focused on photography.
Inside, William and I perched at the bench, watching as Katrina moved around the kitchen.
'Where's Timmy?' I asked.
Katrina's youngest son Timothy was usually attatched to Katrina's side, he'd been this way since he was four years old and got kidnapped for a week.
He was now seven, and just as scared as he had been then.
A sigh made it's way from Katrina, her shoulders slumping as she pushed the cup of tea across the bench to me, 'He went into the office with George.'
George was six years older than Katrina, and when they'd gotten married Katrina had been eighteen, no one had been pleased, or so they told me. He worked in an office, doing what, I didn't know.
He also came with a son, his son was eighteen and I had never actually met him.
'Hillary and Tiffany?' I requested.
Hillary and Tiffany are eleven year old twins, they're always together.
A smile spread across Katrina's face, 'they're at Cathy's house for the weekend, thank god for Cathy, those twins are a handful.'
Katrina's aunt Cathy, not a relation of mine, it's though Katrina's mother.
She looked after Hillary and Tiffany quite a lot, and before Timmy was kidnapped she'd look after him, too.
Katrina explained that Cathy only did it because she'd never been able to have her own, Cathy had an eating disorder when she was younger, she nearly died, and as a result, she couldn't have children.
'What's the plan for today?' I asked, warming my hands on the cup.
'I need to go into work, so it's just you and William,' replied Katrina, 'I'm guessing you'll be playing that fighting game?'
William sighed, 'League of Legends, Mum.'
In responce Katrina waved a hand at him, 'yeah, that game.'
She had never really approved of the game, but apparently knowing I also played it soothed her worries a little.
Katrina picked up her purse, 'You can use my laptop, it's in the dining room, I'll see you guys later,' she kissed William on the check before rushing out the door.
'Neat,' William yawned, it was still early in the morning, usually he wouldn't willingly be awake at this hour, me? I just had issues getting to sleep and staying asleep.
'Mind if my friend joins?' I ask.
'Can your friend skype call?' replies William as we go into the dining room to collect Katrina's laptop.
'Of course.'
William laughs, 'I love that you hate anyone who can't skype call for a match.'
In William's room there's an extra desk for me to sit at when we have days like these, I log skype out of Katrina's account and go into my own.
Several messages from Cheyne are waiting, he's wanting to know if we can do some matches together and if Brandon can join again.
'Brandon's joining, too,' I say, 'that's four of us, got a friend you can invite so we have a full team?'
William shakes his head, 'I don't make friends quite like you do.'
I send a message to Cheyne and minutes later he's calling, I already have William's spare headset on.
'My nephews here,' I tell him, 'he'll be joining us.'
William yawns and puts his own headset on.
I add William to the call.
For a moment William stares at the screen blankly, Cheyne has also fallen silent.
'Is there a problem?' I ask, the pair are too quiet.
Cheyne and William speak at the same time, Cheyne with, 'Your William's Aunt?!?' and William with, 'You're the chick Cheyne was ranting about?!'
I blink in confusion, 'What's going on?'
Cheyne lets out a throaty laugh, 'I'm William's half brother, you should have told me you're Katrina's little sister.'
'I didn't realize you were William's half brother, so why would I think to mention it?'
'Should I add Brandon, now?" requests Cheyne.
'Sure,' William nods, though only I see that.
'Heeey,' it's Brandon.
'Brandon,' greets William, the two are familiar obviously.
'Got a friend who can join us?' I ask.
Brandon considers, 'My kid sister could join, she recently turned fourteen.'
This makes me hesitate, 'is she good?'
A laugh makes it's way out of Brandon, 'Of course Poppy is good, nearly as good as you, I'll add her.'
A feminine voice joins the call, 'Hello,' she trills.
Cheyne is quick, 'So, Alice support, me adc, Poppy jungle, Brandon top and William mid?'
Everyone speaks up, agreeing with this plan, and I suddenly realized.
We're the perfect team.