Catching Fireflies

Seven

C

I got up the next morning before the girls did so I went ahead and prepared food for when they did wake up. Mom left a note on the counter saying she and dad wouldn't be home till late the next night for they had gone out on some overnight date. Dad restocked the fridge with groceries for us and I took advantage of that.

Liam walked up the stares into the kitchen only because of the smell of the food spreading around the house as I cooked. He poured himself a glass of juice and leaned against the counter behind me.

"My little sister cooking? What's the special occasion?" Liam said in mockery and I rolled my eyes.

"My friends are over and I actually got to sleep last night," I said.

"Holy shit you sleep?" I glared at him. "I'm just joshing you geez. Kudos to getting some sleep though. Not gonna lie you've been looking more like a train wreck lately. I'm surprised mom hasn't noticed and lost her marbles yet." Liam sipped his juice.

"You have Ashley to thank for that-" I hadn't meant to say that outloud.

Liam clicked his tongue. "You talked to him last night?"

"No."

"Liar."

"How so?" Liam took a second to drink the rest of his juice and set the now dirty glass into the sink.

"I'm a night owl, my headphones aren't actually on that loud, and the sliding door is not as quiet as you think." I didn't have anything to say to defend myself or any excuse. I just caved and hoped that the girls weren't awake enough to hear.

"Okay you got me."

"On top of that,"

"Oh here we go,"

"Anytime you go outside late at night, Ashley's out there too. Although that part I know for a fact is uncoordinated cause both of you are too awkward to send a text. Now and before."

"Are you done?"

"Maybe."

"Okay, yes I talked to Ashley." Liam nodded in satisfaction as he got whatever he wanted out of me.

"I thought you were staying away from him."

"I am."

"Doesn't seem like it."

"Why does it matter to you?"

"You're my sister, and as your brother I'm supposed to have your back. I don't understand your whole fall out with Ashley, but there is obviously something you are trying to figure out because no matter what you try to do, you always find your way back to him."

"For someone who is always in the basement you seem to know a lot that goes on."

"I care about your well being. I know that something traumatized you and even you can't understand how it all happened. Your friends might think it was Ashley, but I don't." part of me had forgotten that at some point in time Liam was there to comfort me in a way my friends weren't able too.

"Thank you, Liam." It was nice to know that I had a brother on my side no matter what ended up happening in the end. I was grateful.

"Anything for my little sister."

"You're only a minute older than me."

"Hush now."

:)

I finished making breakfast and left it on the stove and kept it warm until Maria and Faith woke up. It was still quite early and I doubted that either of them would wake up for another hour. I went and stood outside for a bit to enjoy the coolness before the late summer heat settled in for the rest of the day.