My phone rang in my pocket, making me jump a bit as I felt the strange vibration reverberate against my left hip.

      "Dang, sorry, I seriously got to go back home Ethan. You guys take forever to stop looking at vines." I sighed, trying to hold back a laugh even though it was somewhat comical. I was trying to make a point that it wasn't funny at all but my expression must have faltered.

      Ethan laughed a bit and then responded with a deep voice "Alright then, Linnea, I will walk home with you then." Ethan obliged as we went arm in arm together down the sidewalk.

    Ethan stopped dead in his tracks, pivoting around to face Ben who was tapping away at his phone again. His head quickly shot upwards as he felt Ethan's stare rest on him. Ben seemed to feel awkward so he returned to playing on his phone again.

       "Ben, do you want to stay here and scare the crap out of everyone who walks by, or are you going to be a respectful sixteen year old and go home?" Ethan spat as he began massaging his stubbly chin

        "I will . . . stay here." Ben replied eagerly with a huge smile plastered across his small and acne-filled face.

        "Suit yourself." Ethan snapped as he turned around and began walking beside me, lacing his long fingers into my hand.

       After we walked a good block or so, I questioned him on how he knew Ben. He was silent for a few moments but then he spoke up, answering my question.

      "Our parents are friends." Ethan finally answered avoiding eye contact with me. Instead he just kept looking down at his black fit bit on his wrist," I've known him since I was at least three or four."

       "Oh, that's cool." I responded tightening my ponytail as we were getting closer and closer to my house.

      "Well, here we are." Ethan smiled as we strolled up to my driveway. Before releasing his sturdy grip he squeezed my hand and then gazed into my eyes.

      "Okay, bye!" I shouted as I ran inside to see Madi, who would hopefully be home at the moment. I couldn't wait any longer to tell her about everything that had just happened today.

       "See ya Linny!" Ethan waved backed, smiling happily as he jogged down my driveway and onto the road.

I opened the garage door to see Madi packing bags into the trunk of her keep. I looked at her strangely and then walked inside. I decided maybe I should just go back out there, so I did.

      "Linnea!" Madi exclaimed, continuing to pack her things into her car. My dad's old Subaru was parked next to her blue Jeep. His Subaru was already looking dusty and dirty since he did not drive the car that much anymore.

I mean, I would not want to drive the raggedy old car if I was him anyway. I get why we still had it there because it was the last bit of his past he could hold on to. The old car was in quite poor shape, but my dad had a different way of thinking.

     "Wait," I paused, letting everything that was happening at the moment soak into my brain, "Madi, what are you doing?" I finally questioned as I turned around to see her packing several bags in the car.

      "I have to go to New York." She replied rubbing her head in stress as she counted off all of the bags that had been packed already.

     "What? Why?" I spat, sounding super upset at her for leaving me. I needed her at home with me. She was literally everything to me. In addition, Dad was still on his Brazil trip which would leave me home all alone for however long she would be gone for.

     "I have a job interview there," Her face was flooded with sadness as she read my facial expression," I know. . . I won't really see you as much, Linnea." She sighed as if she had already gotten the job.

     "You didn't even tell me and you don't know if you'll even get the job! Be realistic, Madi." I retort, letting my anger get the best of me.

     "Oh, Linny." She pulls me in for a comforting embrace despite my biting tone. "I know that you're upset. In a way, it is probably best for me to think ahead. The what ifs, you know? I want that job, but of course I would be devastated to be away from my favorite on the planet. Just . . . be happy for me, okay kiddo?"

     Madi was too understanding for me. I did not deserve to have a sister like her.

     Tears line the edges of my eyes. "Dang, you really know how to make me cry, don't you?

       "Oh, stop." She waved a hand in dismissal. 

     That was when I came to realize something, so I was completely silent for a few moments. 

     Why on earth would Madi travel to New York when I'm on a three week break? 

     She obviously knew I wanted to spend some time with her and I surely would have thought that she would want to hang with me as well, "How long?" I whispered under my breath, hoping she would and wouldn't hear me at the same time.

      "Around two and a half weeks." Madi replied." Just for the interview though." She slammed the car door shut and then wiped her hands.

     Two and a half weeks for an interview? Seems fishy, but then again, what do I know?

      "Can I go?" I replied eagerly. 

     Seriously, I would do anything to be with my best big sister. I knew she was going to disagree with my idea since Madi is the kind of person to reject that kind of question.

      Madi glanced at me worriedly, "What about going to homecoming?" She wondered as she offered me an inquiring look.

      Shoot, I didn't think about that at all. Thankfully homecoming wasn't until next, next Tuesday, "I mean, I would be there for over two weeks and then I could fly back home to North Carolina myself!" I exclaimed proudly at the sound of my brilliant       idea.

      "You sure you would do that?" Madi inquired as she looked deeply into my eyes, searching for an answer.

    "Yes, I'm positive." I replied happy that we could travel to New York together. I pumped my fists in the air and did a mini happy dance,"I would do anything to be able to be at homecoming and come with you to New York."

      Madi glanced down at her apple watch, shaking her head, "Then, I recommend you start packing." Madi suggested shutting the back of the car and going back inside to get more of her supplies. "We've got a long drive ahead of us."