"Hey, Jule. Hey, Colby." Carter said as they piled in. "Hey guys." Sam said with a smile as I turned to look at my three older siblings.
"How was school guys?" I asked as they all got buckled in.
"Good." Sam and Carter said at the same time. "Jenna?" I asked as she looked up at me only to avert her eyes almost immediately. "Good." She said as Colby started driving.
"We got you guys some snacks." I said then held out the McDonalds bag. "Thanks!" Carter said with excitement as he took it.
"What's the catch?" Sam asked as I shook my head. "No catch." I said with a shrug as Colby took my hand.
There was a bit of tension surrounding us but I was planning on talking to Jenna when we got home.
She needed to understand that nothing I was doing was to be like I was in charge.
I just didn't want anyone to get hurt.
She would never understand where the fear was stemming from but if I could tell her it was because I cared maybe she would understand.
When we got home we all made our way inside.
"Jenna, can I talk to you?" I asked as she shifted uncomfortably. "I'm not mad at you." I assured as she sighed.
"But you are." She said as I shook my head and looked at Colby. "Can you watch Juniper for me?" I asked as he nodded.
"Of course." He said then kissed my head before bringing Juniper upstairs.
"Let's go to your room." I said to Jenna as she nodded and led the way. Once we were in there I sighed and sat on her bed.
"I'm not trying to be suffocating, Jen. I promise I'm not." I said as she sighed.
"I just don't feel like a normal kid." She admitted and looked up at me. "What do you mean?" I asked with a frown.
"All the other kids have parents. Even if they are divorced, they have at least one." She said as my heart sank.
"I know it's hard. I wish I could change things but these are the cards we've been dealt." I said as she nodded.
"I feel like it's the reason you're so strict." Jenna said as I nodded. "Yeah. I lost you guys once, its terrifying to lose you again." I said and picked at my nails.
There was a comfortable silence, knowing we were both speaking our truths.
"I want you to go on your date. Colby's gonna take you though and you're gonna take my phone with you." I said then paused.
"I want to get you and Carter your own phones so you can have some independence but I don't have time before tomorrow." I explained.
"I know you think you're old and wise but you're fifteen. The world is a scary place and I'm going to do everything in my power to protect you." I said with a sigh.
"Do we have an understanding?" I asked as she nodded.
"I'm sorry for being so mean to you." She said as her eyes watered. "It's not really okay, but I understand." I said and wiped the tear from her cheek.
"Just talk to me like the little adult you think you are. We can have a productive conversation because unlike the other kids at school you don't have a mom. You have a cool older sister that's super hot and funny." I said as she rolled her eyes.
"You're a loser." She said with a laugh. "A loser that loves you and wants what is best for you." I said as she nodded.
"So are we good?" I asked and raised my brows. "Good. Now what are you gonna wear?" I asked as she shook her head. "Nothing that you suggest." She teased and pushed me away slightly.
"I think Juniper has a tutu you can borrow so you can look like a pretty princess." I said as she laughed.
"Get out, Jule!" She said with a laugh and pointed towards the door. "Alright, but nothing slutty. This is a movie date and you're a literal child." I said as she rolled her eyes.
"You can approve it later. Goooooo." She said and stood up to push me out of the room. I laughed and let her, hearing the door close behind me.
I chuckled to myself then went to our bedroom where Juniper and Colby were.
"Then we colored." Juniper said as Colby listened intently.
"Sounds like a good day." Colby said as I leaned on the doorframe and watched them. I presume that Juniper was telling Colby about her day which was adorable because he look genuinely interested.
I thought my whole body would explode from how adorable it was.
When he looked up at me he flashed one of his signature grins. "How'd that go?" He asked as I walked into the room.
"It went well. Peace is restored." I said as he chuckled. "Great. Peace is great." He said as I nodded.
Peace was great and the fact we were able to get through a big argument like that in a mature way was actually really cool.
Maybe we could actually do this.
