THE PUZZLED PIECES: Broken Pieces

1|11♥ Family ties and a storage locker room ♥

"Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be."- Sonia Ricotti

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"Just what am I gonna do with this girl?" Charlie muttered to himself, heaving a disgruntled sigh as he stood and watched his headstrong sister stalk up the stairs of their family friend's home. Christopher, her best friend, also stood beside him, watching Jessica incredulously.

Always stirring up drama out of the littlest things! Charlie thought in frustration.

All Charlie did was question the safety of both his sister and her best friend when they both came up with the idea of going out to a spot center with some friends, which included sport climbing!

That may be fun and all but Charlie did not want Jessica climbing a one hundred and twenty feet mountain, especially with how clumsy she could get.

"I am not a baby!" They both heard her scream from up her ascent up the stairs.

"Don't worry, I know how to handle her." Christopher placated in assurance, looking up the stairs while Charlie groaned.

He usually brought the girls over to the Perez family on most weekends since they both enjoyed spending time with the family and likewise them but since trouble was Jessica's second name, Charlie always felt the need to plead with his sister's best friend to watch over her every time.

If Jessica wasn't a baby then Charlie thought she must first act like she truly wasn't before he would try to treat her as a self acclaimed adult.

Jessica was anything but matured and by having Christopher Perez as her best friend, Charlie thought it to be the only good decision his sister had ever made since moving to LA.

"Umm... Charlie?" Christopher rubbed his neck with uncertainty, gaining back Charlie's attention. "I understand you're just concerned about the welfare of your sister and the rest of us, but I can assure you," he paused, "-as long as she's with me, nothing will happen to her. You have my word on that."

Charlie crossed his arms as he cocked his head with a skeptical look at the blonde boy. "You sound so sure of yourself."

The boy grinned. "I'll try my best to make sure of it."

Charlie grimaced, "I trust you Chris. It's Jessie I don't trust, and you know why."

The boy gave a knowing chuckle.

"Christopher! I thought I had told you to empty the bins half an hour ago!" Ms Monica shouted from the kitchen.

Christopher quickly went to do what he was instructed by his mother. The boy probably forgot in the heat of everything.

After Monica came out of the kitchen, Charlie had a hearty talk with her in the living room about some state affairs, the kids, and her home.

Charlie admired the woman for how strong she was. As a single mother of seven boys, Monica had done quite a great job raising all her sons mostly by herself.

The two oldest- William and Noah were already married and settled in other states. The third- Tristan was a successful business bachelor. The fourth- Oliver was currently studying social communication in the University. Christopher was still in high school, while the two younger boys were in elementary school.