"This is it." Desiree sighed. She walked up to the front steps of her new foster home.
"Desiree Waud. That sounds dum-" She got cut off by someone swinging the door open.
"Can I help you?"
A boy stood in front of her, only a bit taller. He smiled.
"You must be Joe."
"Actually, that's my brother. I'm Jason though, I hope that's good enough."
Desiree looked down at her converse and smiled. "Obviously."
"Are you Desiree?" Jason chuckled
"I am indeed."
Jason lead her inside. "You're going to have to share a room with Joe and I for now. My sisters and my mom are out shopping, but my mom set up all your things upstairs. I'm really glad you're staying with us."
Desiree looked at Jason and smiled "You're already a great older brother. I heard you were the youngest."
"Unfortunately I came out after Joseph. Come on."
Desiree laughed and followed Jason upstairs to his room. "This is our room, and that's Joe."
Desiree saw Joe. He was identical to Jason but with darker and shorter hair, and bluer eyes. He sat playing fortnite on his pc.
"Yo, that was rigged! I won that time!" He yelled into his microphone
"Don't mind him."
Des sat down on the floor and plugged her earbuds into her phone. She shuffled her playlist and Only Us from Dear Evan Hansen came on. She stared at Joe, who didn't pay attention to her. "Do you need anything, Desiree?" Jason asked, yes. She wanted Joe's attention too. She shook her head as Jason nodded back and jogged downstairs. She started to hum along. Joe noticed her humming and looked at her.
"You don't have airpods?"
How shallow could a boy be.
"Some people cant afford what others can."
Joe gave her a sympathetic look, "Like you're poor. What are you listening to?"
He walked over and sat by her, sliding one of her buds into his ear. He listened for a while. "This is too mushy. Real relationships aren't like this."
Then, Joe looked over at Desiree. Her eyes were closed. She sat there and concentrated on the song. She was beautiful.
"I'm Joe.. By the way."
She opened her eyes and made eye contact with him. "So I've heard."
"I'm sorry for being a jerk." He apologized, and she gave him a soft smile.
"Do you ever listen to normal music?" Joe asked her, she shook her head. "Broadway is kinda my thing. But I don't mind country."
"God, I can't believe have to live with you." Joe gave her an eye roll, "Shut up." She smiled, pushing him back in a joking way.
"Alright chill." Joe laughed putting his hands up. Desiree grabbed his hands and sat on top of him. "Last time you'll mess with me."
"Okay, feisty." He smiled at her.
"You know, you're kinda cute when you're not showing out." She smiled back
Joe looked back into her eyes. They were blue like his. He sat up and wrapped his arms around her waist. What was he doing, the two were about to be siblings.
"What are you doing Joe?"
"You're gorgeous."
Joe started to panic. It just slipped out, but Desiree smiled.
"You really think so?"
"I do. More than anything. I think you're stunning."
Desiree giggled, "Baby."
"I'm not." Joe blushed and turned his head
She put her fingers in his hair and played with it. Jason came back into the room.
"You two got to know each other fast"
Joe fake gagged at him, "You're disgusting. We're siblings."
"You definitely like Desiree."
The two looked at each other. "A bit."
Desiree turned a bright red.
"Guys. I'm gonna take a nap."
Jason made up the bed for Desiree. Joe glared at him.
Desiree got up and laid down in bed. She looked at the boys and smiled before Joe got up and walked over to her. "I'll keep you warm."
He got in bed with her and cuddled her when Jason left the room. He stroked her soft hair . "You're so perfect, Des."
"You've already figured out my nickname, and you barely know me."
"Even your voice is perfect."
Desiree chuckled at him. "Oh hush, Romeo."
She cuddled into his chest and smiled. "You're a great brother."
"Ouch, I think I got brother zoned." Joe smirked.
"Stop that." Des giggled. "Just my brother for now."
"Yeah. Okay. But we both know the truth, my love." Joe held her close and soon watched her fall asleep in his arms. She was so precious, and Joe thought he caught feelings slow. His heart raced as he gazed at her, and there she slept listening to his heartbeat, that was beating in that moment for her.
bing bing
Desiree woke up and saw that Joe wasn't next to her. She grabbed her phone and saw a text. From an unknown number.

Desiree got up quickly and got her hair decently ready. She went outside and saw Joe sitting on the grass by himself. Des went and sat next to him.
"I've never seen so many stars."
Joe tossed his phone into his flannel pocket.
"I thought you'd like them." Joe smiled at Desiree. He loved everything about her. She watched the stars and babbled on about all the different ones and how she related to them. He didn't care, but she was cute doing it.
"You're so cute, Des."
She stopped and looked at him.
How badly she wanted to kiss him. Would it be wrong? Yes. Would it hurt? No.
"I want you Joe." She sighed, " I want you so bad."
Joe started to lean in. He knew what he wanted, and he wasn't afraid to try.
He moved his hands, one on her waist one on her cheek. They got closer and closer by the second. Desiree felt his lips brush over the top of hers; she backed away.
"It's not right."
"Maybe it's not, but I'm in love with you."
Desiree smiled, "You are?"
Joe covered his mouth. Des smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"You are in love with me." She said in awe
She hugged him lightly. Joe smiled and got up, carrying her.
"Let's get you back to sleep. You never know what plans we'll have for tomorrow.
"Do you have clothes I can wear to sleep?" Des asked sleepily
"You can wear one of my shirts. I mean, if that's okay."
Desiree yawned. Joe got upstairs quietly and put her on the floor again. He went and grabbed her one of his shirts. She started to take off her shirt.
"Turn around, creep." She smiled.
Joe turned around and peeked at her every few seconds, causing her to blush. Then they both got into bed and Des laid her head on his chest. "I had fun with you today, Joe."
"Me too."
They both closed their eyes, but Des watched Joe fall asleep.
"Goodnight, love." She whispered and kissed him on the head before lights were out.
