I see the change in Connor's expression immediately. It's like a huge weight has been lifted off him. 

"So what happens now?" Chris asks.

"Well," Mrs Davis replies "Connor just needs to write a statement. Explaining what happened and what he and Kailin did while they were together. There's an officer coming from the station to attend to it. You could mention Connor pushing you earlier?"

"No," Chris replies "it's alright."

"No it isn't. You two, clean the mess up in here before the officers arrive. Mr Raklowski, you and I can discuss Connor's behaviour. You could consider placing them back in the system if they're too much trouble."

They leave and we start clearing up the mess. 

"There's no way Chris will dump us back in the system, right?" I ask.

"No way. He wants us around to clean up after him." Connor replies. 

It's around an hour before the officer arrives. And another hour of questioning before he leaves. 

Mrs Davis finally decides it's time for her to leave too. 

"Right. I have other places to be this afternoon so I will be leaving now." She says.

"Thank you so much for coming," Chris says. He rests a hand on my shoulder "and for helping Connor here through the police business." 

"Um....that's Roman, not Connor" Mrs Davis points out.

"HA! Just testing you!" Chris says.

Mrs Davis laughs "very funny, but I really must go."

"I'll show you to the door," Chris says.

It's not long before Chris comes back into the living room. He looks at both of us for a few moments. Saying nothing. He eventually lands his eyes on Connor.

"You, are grounded" he says.

"WHAT? WHY?" Connor shouts.

"Oh I don't know. Maybe because you were trying to push my buttons earlier!"

"You told Mrs Davis that I pushed you over!"

"Yeah, 'cause at least you give her some fucking respect!"

"You don't deserve respect. You're a shit dad."

"I WISH I'D NEVER AGREED TO FOSTER YOU TWO!"

"AND I WISH WE'D NEVER COME HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!" Connor shouts back.

"Just give me your phone" Chris says, holding out a hand.

"No" Connor replies.

"YOUR PHONE CONNOR? NOW!"

Reluctantly Connor hands Chris his phone. He storms off towards my room.

"2 WEEKS!" Chris shouts out as I follow Connor down the hall.

When I push open the door to my room the last thing I expected to see was my brother leaning halfway out the window.

"Connor! What the hell are you doing?" I ask.

"Shhhh, we're going out." He replies. 

"Out? Where?"

"Nowhere specifically, just out. Are you coming or not?"

I move to climb out after him in answer. He drops to the ground which is only a one foot drop. I drop down and elegantly fall over. 

"Nice one princess" Connor teases.

"Have you done this before? Sneaking out of windows?" 

"Yeah loads of times. I used to do it at night mostly, when Chris was asleep."

"How come you never invited me?"

"Didn't think you'd be up for getting into trouble. Besides he never caught me."

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"I want to show you something."

We walk for about 30 minutes until we reach what Connor wants to show me. It's a view of the river, from a bridge which runs across it. On the sidewalk, looking over the river is a bench. It's here where Connor sits. He signals for me to do the same.

"I need your phone," he says.

I give it to him. He starts fiddling around with it for a few minutes.

"Got it" he says about 5 minutes later.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Just listen" he says in reply.

He taps the screen and a recording starts playing. I'm shocked when it's Kailin's voice that plays.

Kailin: I wrote a poem about you and him once.

Connor: Who, me and Roman?

Kailin: Yeah. It always seemed like you two came as a pair. It felt like I couldn't date Roman without being around you as well. I sometimes thought you were jealous. Remember how you protected me and Roman from Chris when Roman tried to introduce me to him?

Connor: Yeah, of course I remember that. 

Kailin: I wrote this poem after that day. I hope you find a girlfriend too someday Connor. Any girl who ends up with you is a very lucky one.

Connor: Actually Kailin I'm....

Here the recording stops. Connor skips ahead a small amount.

Kailin: Are you sure you want to hear it. 

Connor: Yeah, can I record it? To show it to Roman?

Kailin: Yeah sure. Ok here it is:

One can't live without the other 

Always and forever they'll remain together

One is like a mouse, as quiet as can be

The other is a lion, who wants to be set free

Like a bird on the wind, they fly as one

They'll never forget their dad and their mom

For never shall they be apart, they'll always be one forever

And I hope that the mouse and I will be always be a couple that's impossible to sever

Connor: That was beautiful. 

Kailin: Thanks. I never got the courage to give it to Roman of course.

Connor: He'll find the right girl one day.

Kailin: Yeah. I know.

The recording ends.

"Why did you skip some of it?" I ask.

"I told Kailin a secret. Something I'm not sure I'm ready to talk about yet." Connor explains.

"So you can tell this secret to my ex-girlfriend but not your brother? Wow, it must be some secret."

"Ugh. Fine, I'll tell you."

I move and stare at him. I really want to know what this secret is.

"I think. I might be gay." He says.

"Really? How do you know?" 

"Well I've never exactly found girls attractive. I thought I was just trying to find the right one for me but then I met someone who's made me realise that I don't like girls in that way."

"Kailin? Did she make you realise that?"

"No. It was...someone else."

"What's he like? Is he our age?"

"Yeah, he's 17 as well. He's a bit of a nerd..."

"Oh the nerd and the bad boy trope, nice."

"Shut up," Connor says teasingly "you've seen too many romantic movies."

"So what's he into. Is he gay too or do you not know?"

"He's bisexual. He told me himself."

"You asked him?"

"No! I asked him what he thought about girls and that's when he told me."

"Do you think he feels the same way?" I ask.

"Oh, I don't know. He barely knows I exist."

"Aww, you need to do something to grab his attention. Then he might show an interest."

"I can't believe you don't care that I'm gay" Connor says.

"Of course not. I don't care who you like. You're still my brother. You'll still be a massive pain."

"Hey!"

"I'm kidding. But you should never be afraid to tell me anything Connor. I'll always support you, no matter what."

"Thanks Ro. It's really great to have your support at least. I don't think telling Chris would be wise though."

"Yeah, that would basically be a death wish."

"I'd probably have to find a boyfriend in heaven."

"Bold of you to assume you'd go to heaven" I tease.

"Bold of you to assume I'd lose a fight against Chris" Connor replies.

"So, who is this mystery crush of yours?"

"Don't use the word crush. We're not 13. He's the same age as us. I'm not staring at the soccer star or something."

"Sorry. So, who is he then?"

"You remember the woman you met yesterday? Genevieve?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, you remember her son? That's who it is."

"Luke? You've only known him for a day."

"I still like him," Connor replies "I didn't think he was my type. But I can't stop thinking about him. I really think I like him."

"Well then. You're going to need a cupid to set you two up. Lucky for you. You've got one right here."

"You'll really help?"

"Of course Con. I'll always help you out. Even if it is trying to set you up with a nerd."

Connor laughs and it makes me so happy to see my brother laugh again. I've missed him more than I've let myself admit. And if he wants to try things out with Luke, I'll damn well help him as much as I can. 'Cause I'd give anything to see him laugh and smile every day for the rest of our lives.