Pinky Promise

SIX

NATE

Having to share a bathroom with your sister had its advantages. Ana always got up later than me, so it meant I could take a shower in peace, shave and finish off undisturbed without her annoying me. However, this was only the case on weekends or holidays. Since we were in the same grade and at the same school and therefore had to be there at the same time, Ana hammered against the bathroom door every morning and screamed that I should hurry. Just like today...
"Now I miss the time when you were in London and I had the bathroom to myself!"
"Next time just get up earlier," I replied screaming as well.
"For a change, you could hurry up!"
"For a change, you couldn't bother me!"
"Nathaniel!"
"Anastasia!" I shouted back.
"Mom!", she didn't seriously pull out the Mom card now. "Nate is occupying the bathroom! He's been in there for over an hour and won't let me in!"
"Nathaniel James Shepherd, let your sister into the bathroom!"
I sighed and went through my hair one last time so that they finally lay as I needed them to. When I opened the door and looked into the simultaneously angry and satisfied face of my sister, I raised my hand, stretched my middle finger towards her and hissed into her "fucking snitch " in passing. She showed me her tongue and quickly disappeared into the bathroom.
17. She was 17 years old and nevertheless, she called for our mother if something did not suit her what I had said or done. Absolutely unbelievable.

"I'll give you exactly 60 seconds before I leave without you," I let Ana know. I stood in the hallway and turned the key in my hand while tapping against the wall with the fingers of my other hand. Of course, in a way it could be seen as double standards that I was annoyed to have to wait for her, even though I had blocked the bathroom not even an hour ago. But still, it wouldn't hurt anyone if she hurried a little.
"Coming, coming, coming", I heard her calling from her room to the corridor. With a waffle in her mouth, she approached me and, as she walked, grabbed her bag, which lay leaning against the wall on the floor. Grinning, she bit off the waffle and put the remaining half into my mouth.

Like me, she wore the uniform of our school. White shirt, royal blue jacket with red embroidery and pants the same color as the jacket. Ana was not wearing pants, though, but a blue skirt. She had tucked the shirt neatly into the skirt and tied a belt around her waist. There was also a tie and matching bow-tie to wear with it, but it wasn't required. And since both of us weren't big fans of either the tie or the bow-tie, we mostly left them out.
"Ready?" I asked my sister and chewed the waffle with relish.
"Wait," it came from our mother. In her morning coat and slippers and a coffee in her hand, she slurped to us and pressed a kiss on both our foreheads. Whereby one had to mention that she had no problem with Ana because they were the same size, but with me, she had to stretch clearly. To make it easier for her, I bent down to her.
"Take care of her," she whispered into my ear. With my expression, I tried to make it clear to her that she didn't have to worry and that I had everything under control.
"I love you, my angels," she sighed and watched us walk through the door.
"You too," we said as if from one mouth and dropped the door behind us into the lock.
"I heard what Mom said to you," she told me as we stood in the elevator. "You don't have to look out for me." Of course, she had heard it...
"I will always look out for you", we had had this discussion many times before. And yet we led them again and again.
"I am not -", but she broke off and did not talk any further. As soon as the elevator had started, it had stopped again.

The long-haired cousin of Jess entered the elevator with his head lowered. The last time I saw him, a few days ago on my arrival, his hair had been tied in a loose bun, but this time he wore it open.
So that was the reason why Ana hadn't finished her sentence.
I could feel Ana tense up next to me.
Jess' cousin looked up briefly and looked first at me and then at my sister. His eyes, poison green and huge, lit up after he saw her.
"You are my stalker," he said, showing his distinct Australian accent. "I knew we would see each other again." No shit, Sherlock. After all, you don't live in the same house at all.
"Hey," she said and tried to cover up her nervousness, but her face, which was now bright pink, put a spoke in her wheel.
"I still don't know your name."
"Ana."
"Short for?"
"Anastasia"
"It is a real pleasure to meet you, Anastasia," he told her and grinned at her. "A very beautiful name, really." Was he just flirting with my sister? In front of my eyes?
"And you are?" he asked now and looked at me.
"I am Nate. Her brother."
"Nathan?", he reached out his hand to me. Like probably everyone else, he also thought that Nate stood for Nathan. But unfortunately, this had not been the case. "Nathanial", I corrected him.
"Pleased to meet you, too. Nathaniel, not Nathan. I am John. Or rather Johnny."
The elevator stopped with a quiet 'Bing' and the doors opened. We had stopped in the lobby, but Ana and I had to go one level down into the garage.
"I hope to see you again," he actually said to both of us, but he clearly looked at Ana as he said it.

The trip to our school was delayed by 10 minutes due to New York traffic. The planned 30 minutes turned into 40, but we managed to get there on time. Ana immediately ran into the building because she had a meeting with her school newspaper committee. Since I wasn't a member of any committee and the basketball season didn't start for two weeks, I took my time. I strolled comfortably across the schoolyard into the building. It felt strange to be here again. American high schools were very different from British boarding schools. Even though this was a private school, it was still very different from London.
I couldn't really say which one I liked better, but here it felt more familiar.
I saw many familiar faces, good friends, the guys from the basketball team, people from old classes. From time to time I would greet someone with a handshake or a simple nod.
"I think I'm dreaming! Shepherd, you're back!"
"Oh yeah!"
"This season is ours again," Jamie shouted and gave me a high five. My former co-captain of our basketball team. Last year he took my place as captain. He was with Rafael and Sawyer again. Both also on the team. There were also rumors that Rafael and Sawyer had an affair, but until today it was not confirmed. Anyway, Raf had put his arm around Sawyer's shoulders. There was a time when there were always four of them on the road, Pete had been the fourth in the round, but there was a huge fight, Pete had apparently betrayed them and since then they had nothing to do with him.
"I'm back to save your ass," I said laughing.
"The tryouts are next week, so you can show what you got," it came from Sawyer.
"The Captain's title will soon be mine again."
"We'll see about that," Jamie said.

My first period that day was math. Not necessarily my favorite subject, but I had never had big problems.
"The first day of school and I want to go home", Ana sighed and fell on the chair behind me. She hated math. It had been her hate subject ever since she was little. But she was always the best in English. If I could choose, I'd rather solve two pages full of formulas than write one page. But having a sister who wrote passionately had a very positive effect on my results in the English class.

I was just about to answer Ana when my ex-girlfriend entered the room.
It had been over a year since we last saw each other. At our last meeting, I had ended our one-year relationship, I had also been incredibly sorry to hurt her, but to this day I think it was the best decision for both of us. Long-distance relationships were not for me and would never be for me. I also had to grow up and change my life and attitude. At that time separation was the only right choice.
Claire approached me smiling. Her dark blonde hair had become longer and lighter, but she hadn't really changed that much. Even her eyes still had the same warmth in them. With an uncertain feeling in my stomach, I stood up and hugged her. Despite the separation, both in terms of the relationship and the general distance, it felt familiar to hold her in my arms.
"It's good to see you again," she said. There were joy and insecurity in her voice.
"Yes, I am happy to see you again. How are you," I inquired with her. After Claire also greeted her with a hug, she took a seat next to my sister and put her bag on the floor. I sat down on my chair again and turned to Claire.
"Good. Very good. How was London?"
"Terrific. It was exactly what I needed."

Along with a girl, our math teacher came into class. She seemed shy and yet at the same time she had an incredibly self-confident appearance, which I found really impressive as I had never experienced this mixture before.
"Hello, everyone. Glad to see you all again", he looked through the round and his gaze caught on me. "Mr. Shepherd, I see you are honoring us again with your presence!"
"Did you miss me, Mr. T?" I asked him and gave him a grin.
"Of course," he replied with a touch of sarcasm.

Another chapter in a long time. I hope you like it.
Some of you might be able to guess who the new girl is.
I look forward to your opinions. Xx