Best Friend's Brother~ Shalaska

Alaska

I headed up the steps of the house with Joel holding my hand. The door was wide open, and people were moving clumsily around the house. I stepped inside pulling Joel with me and headed towards the kitchen to find some drinks.
"I'm sorry for dragging you here, we don't have to stay if you don't want to."
"It's fine, it might actually be fun." I smiled before handing Joel a red plastic cup.
"Ooh is this the mystery guy?" Brooke laughed as she looked Joel up and down.
"Joel this is Brooke, my sister."
"Oh right, hi."
"This is Tony, he was meant to be Aaron's date."
"Where is he?" Brooke shrugged "He said something about babysitting." She said as she turned to face Joel.
"Did you know Justin writes in his diary all the time about you."
"Fuck off Brooke, I don't."
"Oh, he's so handsome and dreamy."
"Shut up."
"His deodorant smells so nice and he's super-"
"-SHUT UP!"
"Why should I?"
"It's not about Joel."
"Huh?"
"It's about someone else."
"Maybe I'll see you around." Joel murmured as he dropped my hand and disappeared into the crowd.
"I'm sorry Justin."
"Why can't you keep your nose out of shit that doesn't concern you?"
I pushed past Brooke leaving her stood there staring after me.
I made my way through various drunk people and back out the house and down the road.
"Woah watch where you're going." I looked up at Sharon, gave a weak smile then walked on.
"Are you alright?" She asked as she jogged to catch up with me.
"Just Brooke sticking her nose into things that don't concern her."
"Which would be?"
"She was telling Joel I wrote some shit about him only it wasn't about him and he left."
"Who was it about?" Sharon teased.
"It doesn't matter."
"So, where you heading now?"
"I don't know probably home."
"Well I can only stay for an hour so if you hang on, I'll give you a lift home or you can babysit with me?"
"I'll be at McDonald's."
"See you in an hour."

***

I sat at a table, tucked away in the corner, stirring my drink with a straw.
"Hey." I looked up at Sharon as she sat down opposite me.
"Hey."
"You're really pissed."
"It's not just that, I've got a lot on my mind."
"Well I've really got to get home so are you coming?"
"Yeah." I stood up, chucked my drink in a nearby trash can and followed Sharon out to her car.
We soon arrived at her house. As soon as we pulled up Joan came out followed by another woman who was carrying a child on her hip.
"Thank you for doing this Aaron."
"It's fine Colleen." Sharon said as she took the child from her. I climbed out the car and Joan flashed me a smile.
"Justin, I haven't seen you in a while."
"Hi."
"He's gonna babysit with me." Sharon said. "Oh, Justin this is my mom's school friend Colleen and her daughter Dani."
"It's lovely to meet you." Colleen said as she held out her hand for me to shake.
"You too."
"Right we best be off, I trust you to be sensible Aaron."
"Don't worry mom, we'll be fine."
We watched as Joan and Colleen climbed into Colleen's car before turning and heading into the house.
"Will you watch Dani whilst I just go change?" I nodded and Sharon handed me the child before running upstairs.
I carried her through to the living room and sat her on the couch.
"So, what do you like to do?" The child just stared at me whilst sucking her thumb.
"Do you like to watch television?" Still no response. "You don't talk much do you?"
"Aaron." The girl said quietly before nestling her face into her comfort cloth.
"She'll be back in a bit."
"He's not a girl." She lisped.
"No."
"I like Sharon though, she's pretty."
"Yes she is."
"I like makeup like Aaron."
"Shall we go and see if Aaron has some you can try on?" The girl nodded and held up her arms for me to pick her up.
We made our way upstairs and knocked on Aaron's bedroom door.
"Yeah?"
"Is it safe to come it?"
"Yeah." I pushed open the door and Aaron looked away from the mirror at us. "We came to see if you had any makeup Dani could try on."
"I'm sure we could find something."

***

About an hour later, Dani was asleep on Joan's bed and Aaron and I were sat watching TV.
"What time is it?" I asked. Aaron reached for his phone and flashed me his lock screen.
"Shit I need to get home."
"If you wait a little longer, I'll give you a lift."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"Thanks."
We heard the door open and Joan and Colleen walked it laughing.
"How was she?" Colleen asked as she sat down in the armchair.
"She was fine, she's asleep upstairs on mom's bed."
"I'm glad she wasn't any trouble."
"Mom, I'm gonna give Justin a lift home."
"Alright sweetie." Aaron grabbed the keys and we got into his car. We drove in silence until the car
started moaning.
"What was that?" I asked.
"I have no idea, hold on." Aaron pulled over and got out to have a look and returned moments later.
"It's dead and smoking."
"Oh fuck, what do we do?"
"I'm gonna call someone then I guess we just have to wait."
Aaron made a phone call before returning to the car and sitting back next to me.
"So?"
"So what?"
"What did they say?"
"They'll be here in two hours."
"Wow."
"Is spending two hours with me really that bad?"
"No."
"I was gonna say."