Perseverance

Chapter Ten - March

Knocking on the door of Haydon's apartment, I lean back against the wall, forever hating the two hour drive I have to take to see him. It could be worse though, I know that. I'm not sure I could deal with being any further away from my family.

Haydon and I have been close since I was five and he was six, finally old enough for him to talk to me, forcing me to play with his toys and looking down his nose at mine. I didn't mind; I always fit in better with the boys, from the moment I started school.

I was outgoing, way too loud for the pretty girls to like. Instead I raced around the school yard with the boys, my hair falling out of my ponytail in minutes.

Despite our parents always being home for dinners, during the days and the nights, Haydon and I were left to our own devices from an early age, babysitters aplenty. We didn't mind it though, instead curling up on the couch and watching horror movies together, or stealing candy from the cupboard without being caught.

The biggest strain my brother and I have ever gone through was when he dated Savannah. I was initially, understandably, furious that they had kept it from me. Then, when I saw how happy each of them seemed to be, I let it go, nothing changing between any of us like I expected it to.

It was when we went off to college that cracks appeared in their relationship, both of them acting like... dare I say it... idiots. I didn't see him often after they broke up; it sent him into a dark spiral of self destruction that only my Dad managed to pull him out of.

Reaching up, I slam my fist into the door once again, fed up with waiting.

"Do you just want to put your entire fist through the door next time?" Haydon exclaims as he pulls the door open.

"I'd prefer not to," I retort, pushing past him and entering the apartment. "How are you?"

"Alright, you?"

"I'm good," I admit, a small smile on my lips as I think over the last month, how new and slightly more adventurous it's been.

"Sketches?" he asks with a raised eyebrow and I instantly pout, slouching down on the chair behind me.

"No," I admit. "Article?"

"No."

"Seems neither of us can crack adult life." I smirk, leaning forward and resting my head in my hands.

"It'll happen, Bec," Haydon replies. "For both of us."

A sudden knocking on the door has me furrowing my eyebrows, looking up at Haydon with a surprised look. "Please don't tell me you've invited a girlfriend," I moan. "You know how I feel about your choice in women-"

"Have a little faith in me!" My brother laughs, making his way over to the door.

"Faith?" I scoff. "Do you even remember what Grace did to you..." I trail off as he pulls the door open, a tall, dark haired woman instantly walking in. "Oh my god! Mommy!" I exclaim, nearly falling off the chair and hurtling over towards her.

"Surprise!" She laughs into my hair as I wrap my arms around her, having not seen her since Christmas.

"I take it you're happy to see us?" a deep voice exclaims from behind her and I quickly let go, looking over at my dad with a grin.

"Dad!" I throw myself against him for a hug.

"Haydon told us to keep it a surprise," Mom says, her hand trailing through my hair.

"He's a bitch!" I exclaim, head still on Dad's shoulder.

"Rebecca! Language!" Mom retorts and I roll my eyes at her.