Behind My Sister's Back

Chapter 1: Summer's Return

                 "Right... well I'd better be off to bed."

                 I frowned. "Lucky you... with your comfy bed... while I'm stuck with this."

                 "She's your sister!" she snapped. "You've got to be kind to her, especially now when she needs you the most!"

                 "Funny how she wasn't there when I got my heart broken by Ian," I remarked angrily.

                 She looked at me disapprovingly.

                 "Okay, okay!" I grunted, folding my arms across my chest. Gina was right, as always. "I'll be nice. It's just... she's never been there when I need her, has she?"

                 Gina bit her lip. "Okay," she admitted. "Summer hasn't. But that's because of that massive fight you had."

                 "Which was her fault," I added in a monotone.

                 "Let it go," she pleaded. "Summer needs you!"

                 "Right. Fine," I agreed reluctantly.

                 "Great!" she chirped, beaming at me. "Now, get some sleep, okay? You've got work in the morning."

                 "Oh no," I groaned, massaging my head. "Work! I forgot! What am I going to do with Summer?"

                 Gina shrugged. "She's got a job, right?"

                 "Wrong."

                 "Ali!" I heard Summer shout loudly. "Get me a glass of water, will you? I'm really thirsty!"

                 I glared at the door and then proceeded to the kitchen. Our kitchen was actually quite organised, since Gee was quite the clean-freak. I headed for the drawers on the right and pulled out a glass. I could still hear her barking out orders as I placed the glass under the tap and filled it up.

                 "I'm coming!" I yelled, failing to hide the annoyance. "This is going to be a long night."

                 And it was.

**

-- Summer's POV --

                 I felt my phone vibrate and grabbed it from the bedside table. It held a text from Dennis.

                 I want the rest of your stuff out by the morning. D.

                 Arsehole!

                 "Here," muttered Ali, who was standing in the doorway. "Now, I don't want any more interruptions, got it?"

                 "Oh!" I gasped, hastily hiding the phone. "Give it here," I ordered, holding out my hand. She passed me the plate of cookies.

                 I expected her to leave but she didn't. I felt the bed sink under her weight as she perched on the bed. Feeling uncomfortable, I glanced around the room, pretending she wasn't there.

                 A grin was trying to force its way onto my face when I saw her tattered teddy lying on the floor. She followed my gaze and quickly snatched it, hugging it close to her chest. An awkward silence filled the air.

                 I took in the room again, frowning slightly at how small it was. It consisted of only a single bed, which I was lying on, with a bedside table next to it. On the table was a lamp, which didn't work. Many posters of her favourite bands hung on the walls while discarded clothing lay scattered across the room, along with a few old books.

                 Her wardrobe stood next to the wall, closed tightly shut and there was a desk in the middle, clattered with papers which I didn't bother reading.

                 Ali finally broke the silence. "I'm sorry, you know."

                 "What?" I asked, taken aback.

                 "I'm... sorry. About Dennis."

                 My chest constricted at the sound of his name. Dennis... No, Summer, you two are over. You've got to accept it. But my eyes watered.

                 "I know we've had our differences," she carried on, "but I'm here for you, sis. I love you, okay?"

                 I smiled, ignoring the nagging voice at the back of my mind. "Thanks, Ali. It... means a lot to me."

                 She left without another word, closing the door behind her quietly. It was only then that the voice could fully take over.

                 After everything you've done to her, you've got the nerve to come back and do this?

                 I shook my head to try and clear my thoughts. What else could I do? I had nowhere else to go! And I couldn't tell Ali the truth... she'd hate me even more!

                 You're a cold-hearted bitch, Summer.

                 I couldn't argue. I was a bitch, but they just couldn't know that.