Big Brother

Big Brother (pt. 5)

READ THIS: If you haven't read my announcement already, then let me just tell you that the date below is the day this chapter was published and it has nothing to do with the story.
Thank you.

Published: May 30th, 2020

Ira's POV
                                     I woke up to the sun shining on my face and a certain 7 year old girl jumping up and down on my bed, trying to get me up.
Katie:"15! 15! 15!"
Me:"hmnh..? Fifteen..?"
Katie:"fifteen!!!"
It was too early for me to figure out what she was saying.
Katie:"happy birthday, big brother!"
Me:"..."
'Oh, of course! I totally forgot.'
I thought, looking over at the calendar on the wall. I smiled a bit as I sat up. Katie was still bouncing up and down on my bed for a bit, but she settled down soon enough. I don't think any of the others know when my birthday is, but I'm fine with that.
Katie:"what do you wanna do for your birthday, Ira?"
Me:"um..well, it's my turn to fight the Glitter Force again..."
Katie:"Bel makes you work on your birthday? That meanie!!"
Me:"well, Katie..Bel, Marmo and Regina don't know it's my birthday."
Katie:"can't we just tell them?"
Me:"...no, it's not worth it...besides, it doesn't matter. I never really liked celebrating my birthday, anyway."
Katie:"but, big brother.."
Me:"it's ok, Katie. Really."
Katie:"you sure..?"
I just nodded at her, but she still frowned a bit.
Katie:"...you'd let mommy make a cake."
Me:"I just did that because 1, she was our mother. And 2, because you wanted cake."
Katie:"who says I don't want cake, now?"
Me:"oh my gad..."
Katie giggles and hops off the bed, grabbing my hand and dragging me out with her. I really didn't feel like celebrating my birthday after our parents died, but I guess I owe it to Katie and to myself that we get a little happiness. So..maybe my birthday won't be so bad for once. I say "for once" because my birthday usually kinda sucks. Don't get me wrong, some years were actually ok, but most of the time, my parents were too busy to plan anything for me and then I had to go to war. Katie was the only person who would celebrate with me and our mom would bake a cake when she had the time. But there was never a party or anything. So, I guess all those years with empty, boring birthdays coming and going just made me not enjoy them. Heck, I'd rather read a textbook than go fight the Glitter Force, but I'm stuck with that just like I'm stuck with everything else I resent. No, I don't hate the Glitter Force, I just don't like fighting them, it's exhausting. Life is just one big chore for me to do until my heart stops beating. The only thing I enjoy right now is being with Katie, so that's what I'll do. I snapped my fingers and my outfit changed to what I normally wear and I grabbed my jacket. I put on my boots and Katie put her slippers on.
Katie:"big bro, before we leave...I have a present for you!"
Me:"eh..really, now?"
I said, smirking a little. Katie pulled me by the sleeve of my leather jacket and pulled me out into the main room. She let go of my sleeve and went to grab something from underneath the couch. She quickly pulled out a box that was neatly wrapped in purple wrapping paper with a red bow. Katie probably got Marmo to help her with the wrapping. There was also a sticker that said:"To: Big brother" on it. She excitedly handed the box to me and motioned for me to open it. I smiled and untied the bow, lifting the lid off its container. I was a bit surprised to take out a book. What was less surprising was that it was Alice in Wonderland. Then underneath the book, there was a dark purple blanket.
Me:"a blanket?"
Katie:"well, it gets cold in the hideout at night so I just thought..."
At that, I smiled and set Katie on the couch. I sat next to her, draped the blanket around both of us and picked the book up. Katie stared for a couple of seconds before smiling and making my arm go around her and pulling her side of the blanket over herself. I laugh a little, open the book and start reading it to her. Well, I did say earlier that I'd rather read a book than go fight the glitter girls. Guess I got my birthday wish. I read the book out loud to Katie until we got close to the end and I felt her rest her head on me and her breathing evened out. I looked away from the book and saw her sleeping peacefully. I smiled at first but then I realized that I couldn't move now that she was asleep and laying against me the way she was. I can't disturb this little cinnamon roll, I'd never forgive myself! Yeah, some people have cats or dogs, I have a little sister. So, giving up, I closed the book and set it down, carefully laying down on the couch to get comfortable since I know I'll have to be here for hours. Eventually, I just...dozed off.