Page 6

I draped my arm over my eyes, hoping to get some sleep.

“You’re an asshole.”

He was unbearable.

“If I had a dollar for every time I heard that.”

He tossed a pillowcase at my head, but I didn’t flinch. He scoffed at my lack of reaction before closing my door behind him. I wiggled further into the mattress and welcomed the sleep.

??

3

“There’s something in the air, I sense it.”

I Can Feel It, The National Parks

Joshua

Salty droplets fell from my face like summer rain. My morning jog was longer than usual since I needed to blow off some steam. Asher was always the main reason for my anxiety.

Once I stepped onto the porch, I leaned forward with my hands on my knees and took deep breaths. I wiped my forehead with the bottom of my shirt. My lungs were burning, but I always loved the feeling.

I waltzed to the kitchen in desperate need of something to quench my thirst, instead; I walked into a room of animosity. Asher was on one side of the counter with a freshly brewed cup of coffee in his hands, whilst my parents were glaring at him from the other end.

He took a large sip before placing his head in his hands. Their glares seemed to magnify his hangover. I hovered in the doorway, uncertain of what to do.

“There’s breakfast over there.” My mother said once she spotted me.

My dad directed his harshness towards me.

“Did you cover for your brother?”

Before I could think of a lie, Asher groaned.

“I told you, no one knew anything.” He said. “I went out on my accord.”

My dad glanced at me as if trying to sense if he was telling the truth or not, but I showed no emotion. He nodded before walking to Asher and holding out his hand. Asher raised his brow.

“Give me your car keys.”

He slammed his hands on the table.

“You have got to be kidding.”

“I’m not laughing.”

He turned his attention to Mom, but she didn’t falter. His shoulders dropped before he reached into his pockets, sliding the keys across the counter. The chair scraped against the tiles as he pushed it back before stomping out of the kitchen, muttering under his breath. I tried to remain inconspicuous as I poured a glass of apple juice.

“Josh, I need you to please show Sawyer and Noah around at school today.”

I nodded.

“Sure thing.”

She smiled before rubbing my cheek with her thumb.

“Thank you.”