The internet café was hardly busy. There were about six other people beside me. I had set up my laptop and was sitting in the quietest corner of the café with a cappuccino. I was waiting for Murphy to answer my Skype call. Time to tell him about my crazyass week.

He answered the call and my heart stopped when I saw him. I missed him so much and the nostalgia was overwhelming. He was sitting on his bed with the giant teddy bear we had won at a school charity fair.

"Hey, Jay! What's up? Been a while. Holy shit! What happened to your eye? And that lip ring?"

"Yeah I've just been busy dealing with some personal shit."

"Um okay....How's things with Christine?"

"Um actually, that's part of why I'm calling. My dad proposed."

Then the whole story came tumbling out. I told him about the proposal, Luke, the fight, my feelings, the talent show, the war, my new piercing and how all I wanted at this point was to go back to Australia.

"Fuck. That's intense. But I can be honest?"

"You know I'd never ask you to be anything else."

"I believe in you and your skills. You can win the war regardless of your life at home. And as for Christine, just ignore her. She'll just be like a pet puppy or something."

I had to laugh at this.

"And a new stepbrother is awesome. Don't think of him as a replacement for Seb. Think of him as a new guy best friend. But I will always be your first and foremost right?"

"Of course. Thanks, Murphy."

"Now get your ass home and try to learn some tolerance skills. You're gonna need them."

"Okay, general. I'll Skype you and the squad on Sunday night. Deal?"

"Or no deal?"

"Be serious."

"You know I'm allergic to that. But yeah, deal."

I ended the call and ordered another coffee.

"And a caramel cappuccino for me too please, " said a familiar voice.

I whipped around. There stood Luke, asking to join me. I allowed him to and he sat down.

"So I'm gonna talk and you're gonna listen. And you won't interrupt me til I'm done. I know you lost a brother and I am truly sorry but I'm not here to replace him. I've never had any siblings and I'm actually pretty happy to be getting one. Even if it is a only a step-sibling. Also, my mom had decided to move me to your school. It's more in the area and they have a great art program. And that's all I have to say. "

The waitress brought us our coffees at that exact moment.

Way to kill a moment, lady.

"Okay," I said, " now I'm gonna talk and you're gonna listen. I'm chill with a stepbro and I think I can handle a stepmom. I'm just weirded out at how fast this is happening. And I think it would be pretty fucking cool if you attended my school."

We talked some more and I really felt like we were bonding. Things were starting to look up. It turns out that he followed me to the café to make sure I was okay. Then he went shopping and came back now to fetch me.

"Dude, I have an idea!" I said.

"I'm listening."

"My friend Scarlett's dad owns one of those hippy Kombis. It sleeps four and we were planning a road trip for the summer vacation. You could join us if you want?"

"Legit?"

"Yeah. It'll be just me, you, Scarlett and Kyle. That way we can bond a little before everything goes batshit crazy."

"Sounds perfect," he laughed.

☆☆☆

My dad and Christine looked fairly pissed at us when we got back. After all, it 22:30 and we hadn't called them once to let them know where we were. After spending an hour at the café, we decided to catch a movie. There was a new horror movie out that looked good. Then after the movie, we decided to make our way home.

Christine and Luke said goodbye and left. As they walked through the door, Luke and I mouthed at each other "Good luck!". We know a storm was coming for each of us.

My dad yelled for a solid half an hour. I just sat there looking bored. Then when he had finished shouting, I calmly stood up and said goodnight. Feeling like a boss, I went upstairs and went to bed.

***

Above photo is of Murphy ^-^