Michael

"I-I promise," Jacob insists, "I wouldn't do anything to hurt Marissa, I swear."

This kid might be big – even taller than me, but it only took a few minutes for him to shrink into a measly little shrimp. Am I really going to let someone like him date my little sister?

"And why should I believe that?" I scoff. "I know your type."

Based on his build, he's clearly a jock. He has the typical look that girls seem to always fall for; tall, blonde, brown eyes. He also doesn't seem very bright either.

"My type?" he asks hesitantly. "I don't know what you mean, man. I just really like Marissa, and I think she likes me too."

"Yeah, well-" I begin, but my heart suddenly drops as I have a terrible epiphany.

Fucking hell

I realize he's just like Chris.

Maybe I'm being too hard on Jacob for no fault of his own.

But I'm not upset at Chris. It doesn't make any sense, why the hell would I give a shit about him? This doesn't have anything to do with Alyssa either, I couldn't care less about her love life.

My emotions are suddenly running wild and it makes me feel fucking sick.

"You know what," I mumble, "I think you get the point, let's head back."

He looks at me nervously, as if trying to see if this is a trap. "You sure?"

I narrow my eyes at him. "Let's go before I change my mind."

-----

I return just in time to see some guy with Lillian. It's been less than a minute since I spoke to Jacob and now this? You have to be shitting me.

I clear my throat. "Going somewhere, Lillian?" I ask sternly.

I gauge the guy. Tall and kind of lanky. Blonde and in desperate need of a haircut. Ripped jeans and a graphic tee shirt. Is this really her type? At least Jacob was kempt and dressed appropriately.

It takes me a moment to realize he was the DJ, which somehow makes it worse.

He gives me a sheepish smile. "Er, hi, you must be Michael. I'm Kyle."

"Yeah," I say dryly. "Why don't you and I go have a little talk?"

"Michael," Lillian pouts and crosses her arms, "we were just going to dance."

"Lillian, it's for your own good-"

"Michael," Alyssa quickly interrupts me and places her hand over mine, "c'mon she's young, let her have fun, please."

Alyssa's smile is soft and comforting. I feel another unpleasant rush of emotions crashing over me.

I look out onto the dance floor. Marissa has a bright smile on her face, Jacob as well, as they dance to some cheesy pop song.

My heart is being torn in different directions, and I don't know how I feel. It's hard to see the twins growing up. Sometimes I forget they're teenagers, I still see them as the little toddlers I took care of after mom died. They're young, but I know they're strong and capable.

I turn back to Lillian. She's giving me the puppy dog eyes she always uses when she wants something.

"Alyssa's right," I finally say. "Go have fun, Lily."

"Thanks!" She pulls me into a hug.

I rarely use her old nickname these days. She decided when she turned ten that Lily was too babyish. Although she admitted to me a few months afterwards that she was ok with me still calling her that.

Before the two head out onto the dance floor, Alyssa stops them to have a short chat. They're out of earshot, but I pick up on words like respect and consent from Alyssa as she looks at Kyle sternly. Her tone is friendly, but firm.

I'm comforted by the thought that she cares about my sisters. I'm even willing to look past the fact that I'm pretty sure Alyssa just set my sister up with the DJ. I was initially suspicious about her intentions for coming tonight, but I'm realizing she probably didn't have any ulterior motives. Maybe it was simply to spend time with me.

I quickly shake the thought from my head. That's stupid.

"Can we go somewhere else?" I ask Alyssa once she finally lets them go.

As opened minded as I'm willing to be, I'm definitely not going to watch my sisters be all lovey-dovey with some boys.

-----

The hotel's lounge is classy, as expected. It's pretty dim, besides some candles and mini chandeliers, and quiet jazz plays in the background. We sit at the bar, the counter is a polished, dark oak. The stools are black leather with a gold chrome base.

I didn't even realize this area existed, Alyssa was the one who spotted the lounge as we walked through the lobby.

You would think that I should know more about this hotel, but mom's family handles the business. I've never really been involved, besides the hefty cheque that gets sent to me every month. Mom made sure in her will that the revenue from her portion of the company would go to me and the twins.

The extent of my involvement is basically limited to one distant, yet vivid memory. I was probably three or four, mom had a presentation to do at an important meeting one afternoon. Our babysitter cancelled, so mom just brought me to the meeting. I sat quietly in the corner of the meeting room.

I remember being amazed at how seemingly perfect she was during her presentation. She wore a navy blue pantsuit and her hair in a neat bun. She spoke confidently and professionally, yet never lost the warm and friendly tone in her voice.

"Michael? Are you there?"

I slightly jump at Alyssa tapping me on the shoulder. "O-oh sorry, I completely spaced out," I mumble. "What did you say?"

"Do you want a drink?" she asks.

I realize that the bartender is standing in front of us, patiently waiting.

"Oh yeah, uh, I'll have a Manhattan."

"I'll have a gin and tonic," Alyssa orders as well, "and two shots of tequila."

The bartender immediately gets to work. All of his movements are quick and flow smoothly, clearly through years of experience.

He places two small shot glasses in front of us. We each take one and clink them together before downing the tequila. I wince as the burn runs down my throat – shots have never been my thing.

The bartender chuckles. "Belvedere is much smoother if shots are what you're into, although it's quite pricey."

"Sure, we'll take two," Alyssa says.

He ends up being right. The burn is much less noticeable. Even after just two shots, I feel myself starting to get a bit lightheaded. Alyssa looks fine for the most part, just a bit more giggly than usual.

My phone suddenly buzzes, it's a text from Marissa.

Marissa: Thank Alyssa for us. I really like her, I can tell Lillian does too. I hope you guys stay friends.

I make a mental note to reply later before slipping my phone back into my pocket. Her text gives me an unwanted, warm feeling inside. It's not as if I need approval from my sister, it's the other way around, in fact, but for some reason it still makes me feel... good.

God dammit.

"Two more shots, please," I order, trying to numb my feelings. They go down quickly.

Alyssa's brows furrow in worry. "Is there something you want to talk about?" she asks. "I'm always here if you want to talk."

I stop myself from immediately declining – I surprise even myself as I begin speaking. "Does change ever worry you?" I ask quietly.

Life has been full of changes lately. I've always been good at adapting, I had to be, but these changes have been making me question myself as a person. Especially one change in particular...

Alyssa purses her lips and taps her fingers against her chin. "Well, yes and no. It's definitely scary sometimes, knowing that you rarely have control over what happens," she says. "The world is unpredictable."

"That's one way to word it," I snort. Sometimes it feels like life is out to destroy me.

Alyssa playfully rolls her eyes. "Despite that, changes aren't necessarily bad," she says. "Change is what keeps life interesting."

I stay quiet, but I can already tell that Alyssa knows what I'm thinking about.

"Like with us," she says and chuckles softly. "You never thought you'd get this attached, did you?"

I feel my face turning red. Thankfully, the bartender returns and places our drinks on coasters in front of us. I take a sip of my drink to stall and recollect my thoughts.

"Yeah," I admit begrudgingly. "It hasn't been all bad, I guess."

"I knew I'd get you to like me!" Alyssa says gleefully and playfully nudges me. "Lucky for you, I like you too."

I roll my eyes, but I can't stop an amused grin from tugging at my lips. Alyssa just laughs. Her laugh is soft and glittery, and I can't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all too.

Who would've thought that I'd become friends with suitcase girl. The girl who nearly killed me.

We finally calm down and reach a lull in the conversation. We look at each other, but neither of us speak. What feels like a zap of static suddenly goes through me as Alyssa stares at me. She bites her lip and her eyes darken. The alcohol is making my face feel hot and the room spin, but I'm completely focused on Alyssa.

I tune out the noises of the lounge; voices, music, glasses clinking, and it's suddenly just us here. My pulse races as she places her hand on my knee and begins to lean forward.

It feels as if we're going in slow motion as we inch closer and closer. Her nose brushes against mine and I feel her warm breath against my lips. My heart pounds in my ears, we're mere millimeters away.

Alyssa suddenly pulls back and shakes her head.

"Shit," I mutter. Did that really just happen? My mind is foggy and I try to recollect myself. "Alyssa-"

"N-no this is wrong, this is so wrong," she stammers. Alyssa quickly fumbles some money out of her purse and places it on the counter. "Text me when you're ready to head home and I'll come pick you up."

Alyssa slips off of her stool and starts to leave, but I grab onto her wrist to stop her. "Alyssa?"

She nervously chews on her lip. "Chris asked me out."

"So? He asks you out on dates all the time."

"Officially this time."

-----

A/N:

I had 3 different possible ending planned for this chapter, I think I chose the right one 😏