I park the car in one of the airports parking slots. I somehow managed to find an empty spot in the full lot. As I walked into the airport building i pull out my phone, dialing my younger sister's number.
On the second ring the other line picks up.
"Y/n? I just got out the gate" My sister Alexis says.
"Yeah, I just got here at the registration, what was the gate number?" I ask looking around.
"four"
I spot her with a backpack over her shoulder, with the phone to her ear.
"I see you ale."
She looks around frantically, "where?"
"I'll go over to you, don't move" I say. I walk towards her direction.
She finally says, "i see you!" when i get to her line of sight.
She runs up to me, I open my arms to hug her, but she jumps into my arms.
"I missed you so much" she wraps her arms around my neck.
"i missed you too" i say.
She pulls away from the hug.
"I can't believe you live here in LA" she said amused.
"Yeah, we all just figured it'd be convenient for us" I replied.
"I bet it is."
I chuckle at her, I link my arm with hers, "come on, let's get going".
We both head towards the exit of the airport.
*
*
*
The drive was silent, so i decided to ask her something, "is mom back in rehab?"
I know the question may be triggering for her. Ever since dad had died, mom's coped with drinking.
Alexis had told me before that it felt like she was the one taking care of mom, not the other way around.
I felt bad for her because she was just fifteen and she had to go through that.
I had just turned nineteen so i could now legally have Alexis live with me.
Though mom didn't want to sign her over to me. The court had given her one last chance to prove herself clean, but of course she blew it, now she's back at rehab.
"Yea, she started drinking again."
I could feel myself getting angry at my mom's ruthless actions.
I hated that she was drinking, i know dad's death had been hard on her but Alexis and I also had it hard.
Instead of her taking care of Alexis, Alexis had to take care of her.
"I'm sorry ale, that you have to see mom like that" I look over at her then back at the road.
" it's fine, I guess I got used to it" she lets out.
"You shouldn't have to get used to it" I say, "you'll be living with me alright?"
I look at her, she nods her head.
"Cheer up, were gunna have lots of fun."
*
*
*
I show her around my apartment, my room, living room, kitchen and lastly her room. It used to be the guest room but since i haven't had anybody stay over, i would convert it into her room.
"You can redecorate it however you want."
She smiles at me, "thanks sis."
"you're welcome."
She gives me a hug; I hug her back. In the middle of the hug she says, "Thanks Y/n, this means a lot to me."
I smile at her words; she didn't have to thank me at all. I was just glad she was safe and sound with me.
"You don't have to thank me really."
She shakes her head against my chest.
"no, I do, I'm glad you took me in."
I had a feeling she felt that way because if our aunt. She refused to have Alexis stay over at her house.
I was angry at our aunt; she couldn't take Alexis in because her and my mom weren't in good terms?
I couldn't help but think her reasons were invalid.
"Ale, I would have to be a useless and horrible person to not take you in" I say.
I look down at her and find her already looking up at me.
She had tears streaming down her face.
"you're not horrible Y/n, you're everything mom was supposed to be after dad's death" her voice cracked mid-sentence.
I cradled her head, holding her against my chest. She grips onto my hoodie.
I hear her let out a shaky sob.
I rock us both back and forth, gently shushing her.
"I won't let anyone hurt you again, Alexis" I say more to myself.
I would do anything in my power to give her the life she was unable to have.
I lean my head down to peck the crown of her head. A few minutes go by, the both of us holding onto each other.
"You should rest, you're probably tired" I tell her.
She lets out a yawn, "yea, I do feel jetlagged" she says.
I laugh at her.
She lets go of me, and I do the same. She wipes her cheeks with the sleeves of her shirt.
"I'll be in my art room if you need anything" I say. She nods at my words.
I tuck her into bed, kissing her forehead goodnight, it was the middle of the day, but I knew she felt tired because of the jetlag, plus most importantly the different time zones.
"Rest well" I say. She nods her head from her place on the bed. On the pillows. The corners of her lips tugging up in a smile. I tug a strand of hair behind her ear. She let out another yawn. I leave the room gently shutting the door behind me.
I make my way to the art room. The art museum requested for a collection, containing a set of 10 drawings. I didn't have any completed so I would use this time to do so.
I didn't change into a different pair of clothes, instead getting right into it. I tie my hair up into a messy bun with a rubber band I had on my wrist.
I start taking out different painting brushes, placing them on the table. I pull out my bin filled with various shades of colors of acrylics, from under the table.
I take off its lid, I began taking out darker colors, like black, grey, white, dark green, light blue, and a darker blue. I wasn't sure what it was I would be painting but I only knew what colors I was in the mood of using.
I place everything on the table, setting up the blank canvas on the wooden stand, also setting up a cup with water on the table.
I squeeze the amount of acrylic I wanted to use onto the palate I use to mix colors together. I set everything down on the table and grab a charcoal pencil from one of the drawers in the art room.
I start off by sketching out forest trees, a large lake, and a full moon. I had an idea, but I wasn't sure what else I wanted to do. I put aside the charcoal pencil and grab the palette and brush. It was a thick brush. I mix together the black and dark blue, it ends up giving me a midnight blue.
I begin with steady strokes on top of the canvas, careful not to paint over the moon, I mix black and blue, and add drops of white. I get a lighter midnight color. I stroke it across the midnight blue, blending the colors in. Once I've completed the sky, I add stars. They looked more like small dots; I add four sharp corners to give the stars shape. Though one wouldn't be able to see it from afar.
As for the lake I realized, I wanted it to be frozen. The Ice had the frozen forest trees reflection on its surface. The trees weren't green but its leaves filled with snow. The moon was a full moon.
In between the tree's lurked a white wolf with bright cerulean eyes. It's breath fogging the air around it, creating a misty vision of its body.
A deer looking for water but instead is met with the lakes water being completely frozen by the winter's climate.
I wasn't sure what the image would make viewers think but the most logical was that the wolf, the predator was about to catch its prey, the deer.
I put the brush down, stepping back from the canvas.
Alright one completed, nine more to go.
I walk out the room and into the bathroom in my bedroom. I strip from my clothing once I'm in the bathroom. I turn the knob of the water in the shower, stepping into the tub.
I flinch when I feel the cold water hit my skin. I lean forward to adjust the waters temperature, I turn the knob of the hot waters side. I place my hand under the running water, once I feel it's gotten warm I fill the tub up. I clog the drain, and lay down.
Once the tubs filled, I turn off the water.
I let go of my whole body, feeling the warm water seep through my tensed muscles. Relaxing every tense muscle in my body. I close my eyes and breathe in from my nose and out my mouth. Feeling myself slip away every exhale.
***
I rapidly wrap the towel around my body, making my way out the bathroom and to the front door of my apartment. There were loud knocks, that awoke me.
I unlock the door and pull it open.
Only to reveal tom. I wanted to roll my eyes. "What do you want?"
He smirks down at me and so I wrap the towel tighter around my body.
"Can you stop eye fucking me and tell me what your here for at this hour?"
He eyes me for a few seconds more.
It was night and not to mention I was basically nude!
"Since you've asked oh so nicely" he lets out a sigh.
"I'm going to be honest and I don't expect you to do or say anything yet but"
"Tom, please don't-"
"Just let me say what I have to say"
I look around, looking at anything but him.
"Please?"
My eyes lock with his own.
"Fine" I relent.
He fiddled with his lip ring for a moment before speaking.
"I told you how I felt already and you said you would give me an answer when you were ready"
I nod my head slowly. Yeah I did say that, where exactly was he going with this?
"And last night you said you loved bill, and the next morning you say I'm making it hard for you to love bill"
I'm about to open my mouth to say something when he interrupts me.
"I just want to know where I stand"