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My alarm clock blared beside my head making me gasp for air as if I was lacking it, but the moment I calmed on down did I realize where I was. It's Tuesday. And from the looks of it, I finished all my homework. Just need a cup of coffee or tea and I'll be all set. Getting dressed into my normal attire, just switching out my tall boots for a different brand did I head downstairs. Getting a cup of coffee and fruit as I managed to get through Jarod. "Goodmorning!" I yelped, surprising him entirely. Making him chuckle into his chocolate milk. "Someones awake. Did mom talk to you yet?" Shaking my head did he just peer on back down to his food before him, not saying anything more than that. So avoiding that conversation did I make my way upstairs from the spiral staircase in the kitchen. 

I still needed to do my face, and this coffee needed to be in my system before seven. So I hurried on my way, not bothering with my hair for it's curly enough at the moment. So I just took my longer bangs and bobby pinned them to the back of my head. Before returning downstairs with my dishes. My mom was right there, feeding Mickey. While Jarod was quick to leave the room the second I entered. "I'm sorry for worrying you, there was a line of people ordering food." "Please don't make it a habit." "If it's because the bike makes too much noise I'll fix it-" Her smile rang from her face as she continued to feed the baby. I thought she was mad..."Sweetie, it's alright. I was just worried that's all. Michael kept telling me you were fine. Sure you're not overworking?" Shaking my head did I not want to pass that idea off to her. 

Continuing to get ready does Jarod walk me over to my bike. "You gonna go to this party on Saturday?" "Is this you asking me if I'm going or to go?" His stern face dropped on out, and instead of me laughing I just mimicked him. And then started to laugh. "I won't go if you don't want me to, I think my friends can throw a better party anyway," I exclaimed as I unlocked the barn door, him following me was another sign. "I don't want you going to that." Eyeing him as I placed down my helmet and my hand hooked to my hip. "Why not?"
"Because...They do..." "Drugs? Alcohol? Everything that you plan on doing?" Silence overstepped the conversation, so I just pulled out my bike. Putting my helmet on as sliding up the black glass part of it so he could see where I was looking. "I'll let you go if you go to this party." "The hell kind of deal is this?" "I won't tell mom about either one of them." Squinting my eyes at him, I began to throw scenarios about what sort of plan I would have. Would he be that willing to get on my bad side, but his rising smirk meant there was a catch. "There's an 'and'." "And...You have to take a date." That right there had me sink my head back to look directly up, a date? I'm going to be chaperoned by some of my brother's football buddies, and I bet my bike it's Daniel. "If it's Daniel I'm telling mom right now about both parties." "No. Ryan." I sighed in relief, as if I had a choice anyway, I want to hang outside of school with my friends. 

Along with being confined to just this friend group, I'll make it a living hell for them all. However, my side eye was blocked from his view due to me pulling down the shade and starting my bike. A quick salute was all I needed before speeding off towards a different sort of hell. Seeing my friends at their usual spot I come on over with my helmet in hand and a good smile on their face. Trevor offers me a cigarette like he does every morning, but this time do I take it. "Someone feeling a little antsy this morning?" "My brother," I said, while having it between my lips and sparking the lighter in a small little area between my hands. Before returning it back to whomever it was. "What did big old boy Jarod do?" "Making me go on a damn date with one of his friends." "Can't make that interesting. Now, can't we." The eyes all drifted over to my brother across the parking lot, he held up a hand to wave towards me. And as I was about to make a grand gesture back, Trevor pulls his arm around my neck. Having my brother freeze in response. I chuckled at all the expressions changing from a smile to a wide open mouth in an instant. "Damn, I'd done that a long time ago if I knew I'd get that response," I said as we entered in with the group falling behind. My cigarette was already on the floor as I had one last breath in before throwing it onto the ground and making sure to step on it. The only issue was, he didn't let go of his hold on me until after I got to my locker. Or escorted.

"You're willing to go on a date with one of his friends to hang out with us?" "The bonfire sounds like fun. Of course." The smiles all went around, and either that was a good thing. Or a very different approach than I would have seen. Karen and Rachel were excited, but now that there was going to be a few more people than just us. At least a good twenty. Trevor left to go to whichever end of the school he hides out for during class, while Shawn was already in Psychology. 

But as was Stephaine. 
Her smile towards me earned me a slightly odd eye from my partner beside me, and I explained it was my brother's friend. If that is even the case. "Brother taking over your life sweetheart?"
"He wishes. You heard about the bonfire deal right?"
"Yeah, everyone's just excited to finally have a night out." I nodded, opening my notebook and sliding him a piece of paper as our usual routine. 

The teacher was yet to be in the class so we continued to talk about what we were gonna be doing, just standard stuff as what I'm hearing. But the rumor of shrooms being there was a complete throw off. "Shrooms and fire don't mix well."
"That's true."
"How much money goes into this sort of thing?"
"Connecticut stoners make you pay? Nah this is different, usually, Dixon covers everything. But we bring our own share. You'll be fine. It's your first time." Rolling my eyes did I offer to bring snacks and things of that nature, and he said it was fine. 

The only thing is bringing it to the actual bonfire. This was all going to be next week, sad to say it's not this weekend. Getting me sort of excited to go to this. Pumping it up entirely. "Might make an appearance to this frap party."
"That's what they're calling it?"
"Gotta stick together, can't have you going off to the dark side."
"In my brother's eyes. I'm already there." The last laugh we squeezed in as the teacher strolled on in, a small groan entered the classroom as we were surprised with a test. Especially since it was this early in the morning, the subject was easy. And I made sure that Shawn could see my paper at all times, don't like seeing people fail when they don't know the answer. This was an odd timing test as well. He thanked me when we were walking out of class, but just like the first day of school. Does Daniel come charging through the hallway, completely ignoring him like I do his texts do I say 'hi' to my brother as he walks on down.

Men are so easy to get angry. 

Especially this one. Rounding into Law class did I see my friend was not here, perhaps her other class took her away. So I just took the back seat and started to 'do now' before we were told to. I hate when the teachers act like we are younger than we actually are. I'm supposed to be a senior but whatever happened to that is beyond my knowledge at the moment. "Seat taken?" About to shake my head do I think it's a good idea, and I'm glad it was. Because it was my supposes date to the party. "Heard there was a surprise quiz in Psych, was it hard?" "Not too difficult," I said, still writing down my thoughts for the do now. It was basic terms and definitions if the law book taught me anything it would be that there is nothing more important than that.

Again did the teacher return, to explain the definitions and responses without allowing us to guess for ourselves. Maybe I take that back, this was better than babying us. In the end, will it weed out the people who don't take this seriously. "You don't have to go to the party with me..." He whispered, and I was yet to understand why he had done that. Out of everyone in this school, he was probably the better man out of the rest. "Don't want someone to be by themselves." "You sure? Jarod said he'd ask you for me. Not have a deal with you." "He's new at this sibling thing, Mickey was his only practice before me...But you could have asked me yourself." My smirk rang as I resumed my focus to the class. And his nervous response rang in the back of my head, he likes me. 

Damnit. 

Thought I could through the year without the new girl tag becoming too real for anyone to deal with. "Maybe we can hang out this weekend?" My smile was a shock in myself because I truly did not know what I was getting myself into. "I work at the dinner in town."
"Now that isn't something your brother said." I chuckled as the teacher caught on to our separate discussion, and I continued to write notes. Trying to seem as aware of everything as I could. "Heard Michael is leaving soon." "Yeah. It's my first time for that too." My left hand was holding my head up from the lack of interesting from whatever this man is mumbling about. Over and over the same damn thing.

"Jarod usually steps up." "Could figure that much out." There was no eye contact, I was trying to focus and not arouse any more suspicion to everyone here who could obviously hear the conversation. The bell soon rang, signaling the start of the next class. And personally was not waiting for Ryan to actually wait for me to gather my things to walk to my next class. "I mean it, I'll take you out to dinner....Or we can just hang out." Again did my smile ring, probably from the fact he was nicer than I would normally be expected. Especially with Daniel giving him this dirtiest look. "Well see... I don't want to start fights between the two of you." "He'll get over the damn thing, it was a month ago." I chuckled before heading off in the other direction, and a swift hand caught over my neck. Knowing full well it's Trevor. "Got another football boy after you?" "Nothing I can't handle." He hummed a response, before explaining details on the party coming up. They were putting more work into this than their school work. 
Or even their attention to school.

But I've seen this before. Again. Nothing I can't handle. "Drinking or smoking?" "Why not both." I chuckled, grabbing the textbook I needed for math. And in turn did his laughter come on forward. K&R are coming as well, so I wouldn't be the only girl there. But Trevor was just surprised by the reaction. "That a girl! First party in the state. It gotta be good." Rolling my eyes did I say my goodbyes before walking into math, now it was this lady that I had the most trouble with. 
If I didn't know any better then I would have been in trouble, but lucky enough. My brother comes on by. "Hey!" "Hi. The first time you're talking to me at school. Need something?" "The guys wanted to hang out at the house Friday night and I said you'd be there..." My mind just drifted once I heard that I wanted to make an excuse. Especially since I didn't want to deal with more than one event with the wrong crowd. Especially when I still want to go to this bonfire party. "Might be working..."
"That's what Ryan said."
"I'm trying to save up my sick days so I can go to your party and this bonfire thing okay?" He stopped in the middle of the hallway, gripping my arm and pulling me to the side near some poor freshman's locker. Like I was a child. 
Swinging my arm away was I confused on what he meant by this. "You got invited to the bonfire?"
"Yeah..."
"Think you can bring a few guests?"
"No." He groaned into the air, exclusive party and I just laughed entirely as he tried to get connections through me to get to this damn thing. "Your taking Ryan aren't you. I knew it." "Nope. It's me and my friends. Thought you didn't like them anyway." He tried to salvage me getting him an invitation but I just shook my head and headed back through the main hallways to get to my class. Slipping my phone out of my jacket pocket did I text Trevor. 

>my brother just asked me if he could come to the bonfire :'D <

Slipping it into my bag did I hear it vibrate like crazy, but I ended up sitting in the back of the class so I could be able to respond. 

>Shit. That just made my day.<

No reason to respond. Especially since I needed to focus on all subjects. 

The teacher didn't care what we did as long as we handed in our work at the end of the class. And with twenty minutes remaining did I start my other assignments, this week would be unforgiving with homework. I had two essays to complete and no time for them.

Even if I got home right after lunch would I still be in the zone of not being able to concentrate. Walking my usual way towards my bike did I pass by the tree I almost always sit at before leaving. "Hey Blake!" It was Shawn, he waves his hand to call me over. So I fix my strap and hurry along towards them. "How did it go down with your brother?" "I told him no. He wanted to invite friends." Everyone's expression began to turn into a humorous laughter, really setting the tone from whatever they were talking about before my arrival. "Glad we made an impression on them." "It's probably the people from the other school that shares too much." They were just beaming with joy in how much my jock brother wanted to join this party. And to be honest, they are invited to all of the other parties in hopes of being good enough for this one.

Guys, it's the hooks ups.

Heading home did I see that my mom's car was in the line of them all, but Michael's was still gone. For a few days now it would seem, makes me wonder if he ever came home for a brief moment. "Hey mom!" I yell as I enter the house, she peaks her head out from the kitchen and yells a greeting as well. Her being in her nurse uniform meant that she was needed. Especially since her hair was up. "I know this is a late favor to ask, but the babysitter canceled and-"
"Don't worry. Mickey and I will be fine. Jarod's coming home in a few hours anyway." She smiled, kissing my cheek before running out the door. 

The was the first time I was left alone with my little brother, and in one quick moment. Did it all fall apart. He began to cry, and no amount of effort would be enough for him to stop. Not until I brought him to his room and began to talk to him, telling him that everything is alright. Showing him pictures of his parents, he began to calm down. Becoming the laughable little boy I've grown with, and before I knew it. 


He was alright.

So I brought him back downstairs to give him a small snack, mom was participating this because she left me a 'to do list,' and most of it was either reading to him, play with him in his room. Or just give him a bath so he can take a nap. I wouldn't do that, mess up his sleep schedule. But the hour began to grow over time and there was a point in time I would have to get to work. So I began to work on my essay as he played on the floor beside me, just waiting by the door all dressed and ready to go to work. "Hey Blake. Mom not home?" "She had to go to work. Do you have practice?" "Shit yeah, I'll call Maddie, she usually takes him if I can't...Are you late for work?" Shaking my head did I explain to him that I called Joe to tell her I might be late, the situation was hectic because it was the first time this had happened. 

With Michael's departure day coming soon, I began to worry about how stressful everyday life will be. Or how mom will react to his leaving...The fact that Maddie has done this before just serves the worriment that it has happened before that she needs to watch him.
But he soon pushed me out of the house, packing my bag did I run on off to my bike and hurried to the restaurant. Apologizing the second I came on in, there was barely three families and nothing she couldn't handle. It was the organization of the order in meals that are the biggest trouble we have, and since it is Tuesday night. I would assume so as well.

It was a quiet night after the insane rush, and I was trying to finish up the last few questions. I was surprised by looking out the window to see how dark it truly was. "Struggling there I see." "Yea. House is stressed cause stepdad's leaving." Her eyes widened as she completely understood the situation, like my mother had hinted before. Holden was a name everyone knew in town, since we don't live on base. It was sort of a large opportunity that my family lives here. "If you need to take a break, I don't mind calling up my nieces. "Weekends are the biggest issue, but that's when you need me the most." "School work is more important, don't want to end up like me do ya?" Her attitude spiked a bit higher in the most humorous of ways, but I did, however, bring dinner home for my mom and brother because I wasn't there to make anything. 


I doubt Jarod knows how to cook for himself, but this was just the difference. Because the second I walked on into the door, and mom's car was still not back. I handed him the plastic container of food. "Mom's not back?" "She doesn't come home until late these times. It's because dad's leaving." I nodded in agreement as I went to put mom's plate into the fridge, making a note for her when she does make it home. I was almost done with my first essay, I just needed another hour.

But in this moment, did I feel the need to talk to my brother. About what is going to happen when Micheal leaves. "What is the plan...What Micheal does leave?" "Mom usually takes off her shifts from the base to stay home with Mickey. Takes early morning shifts instead. Not much changes." I nodded. Signaling I knew what he meant. "But what about mom? Is she alright when he leaves?"
"She's quieter, but never enough to make me question it." It is a scary thing say goodbye to a family member, even if I've seen him once. "But we do have this little thing we do. We wear his dog-tags when he's away." I nodded once again. Wanting to partake in this like the rest of my family. 

Again was I surprised at how quickly I've adapted to living here with family I barely know as well I wished, I guess hardships and distress are what bring us all together. "I'm gonna hit the hay, does Mickey have a monitor?" Jarod held it up in his hand, reaching for it did he not allow. Assuming he would be up with mom was just a straight shot, so I gave up and headed to my room. Just plopping right down so I could get some sleep.

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Date Posted: 12-25-17 // Time: 3:22
Word-Count: 3544

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Author's Note: MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🎄