I hop off the plane at LAX, excited to be in California for the first time. Following the signs, I make my way to the baggage claim area where I know my sister, Olivia, will be waiting for me. My phone rings as I spot the baggage carousels.

I accept the call; it's from Olivia. "Hello?"

"Hey, I'm running a little behind. I'll be there in, like, five minutes, okay?"

I nod, even though she can't see it. "Yeah, I'll see you when you get here. I'm waiting for my suitcase to come around anyway." We say goodbye and hang up. Within the next few minutes, I spot my suitcase and pick it up. As I step away from the carousel, I see my sister approaching quickly.

"I missed you so much, Jack!" I slip into an easy grin as Olivia uses my nickname. She wraps her arms around me and I hug her back. "It's been too long."

As we let go of each other, I grab the handle of my suitcase. "Oh, Mom said to tell you hello," I state as we leave the airport.

Olivia nods, leading me to her car. "I spoke to Dad last night and he told me to tell you the same." Once we reach her car, I put my bag in the back and get in the passenger side. "So," Olivia starts as she starts the car. "Tell me about this boyfriend of yours."

I shrug. "There isn't much to tell. River and I went to high school together, but we never really talked. We were in the same psychology class last semester, and we had some of the same friends. I thought he was cute and we kind of hit it off. And now we're dating." As if on cue, my phone buzzes with a text message from my boyfriend.

River Davidson

<< Where are you? I stopped by your apartment
but you weren't there. >>

I sigh heavily, earning a curious look from Olivia as I type a response.

<< I'm in LA to visit my sister during
the filming for Newsies, remember? >>

<< You didn't tell me >>

<< I've been planning this for months >>

This is a common pattern with River: I tell him I have plans, and he forgets about them almost immediately. Instead of replying with a text, River calls me.

"Why didn't you tell me you'd be gone, Jacqueline?" He asks as soon as I accept the call.

"I did tell you," I reply, trying to refrain from getting angry. "I told you multiple times, actually."

"I thought we agreed to not keep secrets after last August, when you-"

"We were playing truth or dare, what do you expect me to do?" I interrupt.

"Turn down the dare."

I roll my eyes. "We weren't even dating then! You had no reason to get upset." I stop myself, taking a deep breath. "Look, I told you about this trip a long time ago. I'm not going to be back for a few weeks. I'll see you when I get back." I hang up before River has a chance to answer.

"What was that about?" Olivia asks softly.

"Nothing." I shake my head quickly. "How much further to the hotel?" I turn my attention to the passing city as Olivia drives.

"A few more minutes," she answers. "Tomorrow we'll head to the theater for rehearsals. Everyone's excited to meet you, since they heard so much about you while we were on tour."

"You talked about me?"

Olivia shrugs as she pulls up to a hotel. "How could I not? You're my favorite sister, Jack."

I grin, unbuckling and opening the door once she parks. "That would be a lot sweeter if I weren't your only sister."

~~~~~
I couldn't resist the song reference at the beginning.
it feels so good to be writing again :) thanks for reading!