Chapter 6 ★

★·.·✶·.·★·.·✶·.·★
Lissy

"Lissy, are you even listening to me right now?" Mum questioned.

To be frank with her, I 'm not; I thought to myself whilst she continued to talk at me.

I'm very distracted by the illuminating designs above our heads. This gallery was spectacular and Mum's choice of conversation seemed pretty bleak in comparison.

The mosaic decorating the ceiling had aromas of Greece enchanting my senses, it has always astounded me how art from way back then could still have so much soul left in it. Sadly these beauties couldn't have my complete attention, as Mum and Dad had been arguing over where they should move since all the kids have moved out.

Art expeditions are meant to spark intellectual verses of conversation, not cater for discussing personal conflicts or in my words, 'idiotic disagreements'.

I'm definitely going to have to come back later by myself, her nattering is very distracting, I thought to myself.

Typical parents. Their arguments were never really a pretty sight.

That's fine you know, Mum but this is 'me time'. This usually means exploring the nooks and crannies of various art galleries by myself procrastinated inwardly.

Everyone needs their space and I love spending time with Steph but the thing is; right now I'm having a hard time listening to any of the passive aggressive sentences that are forming from her mouth.

She gets agitated so easily especially when it's a disagreement with Mark.

Their arguments always amused me when I was younger, it probably had something to do with Dad always assuming that Mum would accept that he was right.

Could he be more delusional?

But the hilarious part was that they were both two really strong minded people, they usually end a statement from either side pouting at the thought; "Agree to disagree."

Arguments are good for us, provoking emotion and roar feelings. Well at least, that's what my acting classes have taught me.

If this hadn't happened to be my first day off in three weeks, I would love to hear Mum pour her heart and soul out to me.

Can a girl not just have some space to think for a couple of minutes? Is that a really huge ask?

As I was admiring the compliment of colours that were spawn across the ceiling, Steph snapped me back to reality.

"Lis, just tell me what you think of all of this, please love it's been eating me up since the early hours. Just say something, I don't mind if you take his side, you usually do, but just speak." This irritated her, she always needed a response, silence scared her.

I exhaled soothingly and tried to not sound too irritated. "Mum, honestly it doesn't matter where you move, okay? Maybe leaving London wouldn't be such a bad idea ? You could start rock climbing again and get away from the toxic pollution down south, which my lungs are collapsing under." I joked.

"You promised to give Char that flat for her eighteenth birthday present and it's only fair if you go through with it. The girl could do with some breathing space, don't you think?"

My mother twitched slightly at the thought of leaving her home, where she had raised her children and kindled a love for people which she had never felt before.

I knew that Steph wasn't going to lose her battle that easily, but I also knew that she cared about her children more than anything in this world. She always put them first even if it was second to her health.

Although luckily for Steph, her guardian angel was an expert in that field, so all she had to do was try and be the best parent she could be.

She did try, it's just the day to day definition of a mother may appear slightly different to the way Steph chose to portray it.

She was eccentric but underneath all of her many layers you knew her intentions were true.

"Speaking of Char, I haven't seen her for a few days. I mean, I know she finished her exams in June, but I wasn't expected her to just disappear off my radar."

Mum speculated, she didn't really seem that concerned but she was unusual in that sense; she believed that we should all have the opportunity to express ourselves. I adored this about her and felt completely the same way.

"You wouldn't mind keeping an eye out for her would you Lis? She's always preferred you to me and I'm not really as erratic when it comes to curfews and that type of stuff like you are."

Ouch, she's making me sound like the wicked witch of the family.

Even though I'm only thirty minutes older than J, sometimes I really do wonder why it has taken him so long to stop being such a kid?

Alex and Thomo aren't completely useless when I ask them to make sure Char's not getting up to any 'Steph' like antics, but I mean they're both pretty bad influences on her, to say the least.

I always remember the day when Steph came home with my little Char bear finally the woman had given birth to her second daughter.

It took long enough; even though they didn't have that much testosterone when we were children. I could sense that we needed more female ambiance at home and she delivered one of my favourite people in this entire world.

Finally.

But I haven't seen her much either at first, I thought she was too busy with her studying but I've been snooping a little recently.

Well when I say snooping, I mean I bumped into Char in this Italian restaurant last week. But I didn't say "Hi", I just kept to myself and watched the scene pan out; because that's what big sisters are for.

"Lis, are you even listening to me." Steph murmured.

"Yes, Mother." I clenched my jaw as her blabbering had started to get on my nerves.

I couldn't get a proper glimpse at the head of hair that belonging to said admirer but he made her flush in all the right ways.

Whatever she's on, I wouldn't mind some of that. Her skins glowing and she's finally taking some consideration into her appearance. It's like she's in heat all the time or something.

I decided to savor that look on her face before it disappeared.

"Fine she gets the apartment but I want you keeping tabs on her, Lissy." Mum croaked loud and clear, "Send my love to J won't you darling enjoy your lunch date with him." She pecked me on my cheek and sent me on my way.

As I strolled down the high street towards the restaurant where I was going to meet my brother I started to think about Char again.

She's been so distant, hardly ever returns my phone calls and I can't completely figure it out, but where there's a will there's always a way.

I'm determined to find out what she's hiding from us.

Maybe she's doing drugs?

"J, have you been listening to anything I've been saying? I haven't seen you in less than a month and you've already started ignoring me in person. Stop concentrating on your food, this is important." I scowled at my brother.

He was so lean and yet he ate like an elephant on steroids. It was rather disgusting and somehow rather impressive. I wasn't sure whether to congratulate him or frown at his unpleasant eating habits.

Being an adult can leave you questioning these minute choices, for longer than they really should be considered. Nonetheless, his table manners were not acceptable. I could tell he was enjoying his meal by the loud unpleasant murmuring.

"Lis... I'm," He managed to spit out as he continued munching furiously, "...listening."

I have this immense hatred; for people who obnoxiously eat with their mouths open, my brother was no exception to this rule.

"Char has been hanging out with this guy and he seems visually stunning and everything, but I mean why hasn't she even introduced him to anyone of us. Weird right? She usually introduces her new friends straight away."

I raised my eyebrows in annoyance as I saw my brother checking out some randomer who passed our table.

J J, really?

Could I not have his attention for a micro second when will he grow out of this perverted stage; probably never, something told me. Do men ever?

I took a moment to analyse the attire my brother was dressed in. Although we were noticeable similar, probably due to the fact that we'd shared the same womb, I was still baffled by the fact that he had grown up in the past half year. He looked dashing, even if I say so myself. I felt proud to be in his company.

So is gonna finish her exams in a couple weeks and I hesitate to disturb her whilst she's revising for her final exams.

But the main problem is that she's ignoring me and I think I know why. It might have something to do with me hooking up with her biology professor, but she's too polite to confront me.

"Lis, she's young and it's not going to amount to anything is it. You went out with tons of people and still are; so don't act like she's taking 'one huge leap for mankind'. Leave the kid alone. Let her enjoy her teen years before she actually has to start giving a crap."

He rolled his eyes and continued chomping away at his streak course, that could happily cater for three.

"Also stop giving me your evil glares, I'm starving." Jacob's voice quivered with annoyance.

"Well stop giving me a reason to," I remarked.

I guess he had a point but still, it was my responsibility to make sure that the kid didn't get into too much mischief. I was never sure with her.

"What else is on your mind Lis?" JJ smirked knowingly.

"I'm I that easy to read."

"We're twins. You idiot, of course, you are." He laughed in amusement.

My thoughts are consumed by Char, why has she decided to be a rebellious teenager now?

Well, that's beside the point she's had the worst influences surrounding her, her whole life. Now she's trying to fly the nest and I'm attempting to break a wing or something; go along with my analogy.

I'm a pretty awful role model, to say the least for Char, she really needs to learn from my mistakes. I need to heal her before she leaves, teach her all there is to know about what people are capable of. She still has so much ahead of her.

There's also another thing I need to mention to J, but I'm not quite sure how he'll respond to this one. As usual, I've allowed my heart to be stolen by an older gentleman. I'm a naive love struck woman but I'm not sure if that's excusable.

" J J, I need to ask you a little favour."

"Spit it out Lis, I need to get back to work. Some of us have internships and I don't want to be late off my lunch break. But my boss definitely fancies the pants off me, she blushes every time I open my mouth, which is pretty often I mean guys gotta breathe."

A dab of sweat emerged across his brow. He looked exhausted and it wasn't even the end of the day for him. Poor J. Arrogant bugger, but I had to admit he worked his arse off.

"Well you know, last time I saw you I mentioned that I was sort of kinda maybe seeing this guy."

"Yes Lis, what about him?"

"Well,the thing is J, I sort of might have agreed to move to Italy with him in summer. And the main thing is you can't tell Mum or Dad about it, deal. Its on a need to know basis."

"Deal, you need to give me the address where you'll be staying so I can make sure you're not abducted by aliens, again right?"

J loved winding me up, it's only because when I was eight, I had such a vivid dream that these aliens had taken me and shown me their spaceship. An extremely traumatising encounter. Naively I told my brother and he's teased me about it ever since. Children have wild imaginations but it makes us the shade of people we are.

"Fine but if I do I'll make sure they come back for you." I gleaned a loving smile his way.

"We should do this more often." He scooped me into a bear hug and smooched my cheek.

"Yeah, maybe even drag the boys along too?" I squeezed him back, I appreciated the fact he'd taken time out of his busy schedule to see me. I on the other hand usually have lunch when I please.

Right back to Char.

"Love ya." He embraced my torso against his

"You too." I sighed but my attention was already elsewhere.

How am I going to keep an eye on her without getting caught out?

She stratred hanging out with this other guy everyone once in a while, he looks like he might be a friend from Uni or something.

I'm not quite sure yet. I'm thinking I could try and seduce him a little and convince him to be my little spy. I know that's such a bad idea in the scheme of things by right now I'm running out of options.

I need someone close to her to keep tabs on her back because I'm not gonna be here to do it for her.

"I have the perfect solution." I blurted out, but none of the passersby seemed to notice my spoken thought.

I just need more time to see whether this guy will go along with my plan. I need to get to know him a little better. It's okay I have ten days before I'm off and that seems like enough to know whether he's trustworthy material.

Char,I'm doing this because I love you, remember that.

Deep down inside this tinge plucking one of my heart strings knows that none of them can see through my eyes.I can foresee the pain I would drown if this little petal was stolen away from the circumstance of my life. She's my responsibility.

Now back to the handsome Polish artist who's asked me to tag along to his exhibition in Rome next month. He's called Antonin. I'm so excited I can't even feasibly split it into words.

The problem is, he's married. He has kids and a wife. But his art speaks volume of lust, of which I just can't resist.

Related by blood which is always accompanied by secrets; you can't spell families without lies.

I've got your back little Sis, don't you worry.

★·.·✶·.·★·.·✶·.·★

― I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you. ―

— Friedrich Nietzsche —

✶Thoughts on protective big sista? I reckon I can sniff drama can you?✶