Tanna Carson

"Hey, I'm home." My voice echoes throughout the house as soon as I push the front door open.

I stand still for a second, waiting for a response from anywhere in the house which never came, just like it has been for the last week.

I sigh, nodding my head slowly in realization once again as I step further inside, locking the front door behind me. I place the keys by the front door before making my way up to my bedroom.

I walk over to my desk, slinging my bag over the back of the chair after pulling my computer out of the bag and opening it up.

Although the boys have been gone almost every day this week after I have gotten home from classes, I've had this assignment keeping me occupied.

My fingers drum softly against the edge of the computer as I wait for my email to open, needing to submit the assignment after the whole week of working on it.

I didn't realize how long it would take for a few documents to upload, but I tuck my legs underneath me on the chair as the bar gets closer and closer to finishing but never seemingly reaching the end.

I sigh in relief, running my hands down the back of my head, clasping them together behind my neck as I notice it had finally finished loading.

"Took you long enough." I quickly hit the submit button in the corner of the screen, immediately closing the computer, not wanting to look at it any longer.

I swing my legs over the edge of the chair, not really knowing what to do considering my assignment was now finished and I didn't exactly feel like leaving the house.

I lift my head, my eyes land on myself in the mirror, running over my face intently.

I bit down on the inside of my cheeks, running my hands over the side of my jaw before turning my face to the other side, analyzing every detail and flaw.

I shake my head, sighing as I push away from the mirror slightly to stand up, hating the thoughts that had recently been flooding my mind for a reason beyond my understanding.

I know I've been struggling recently but I don't exactly know why so for now it's just going to stay in my mind.

Choosing to ignore those thoughts, I pull my hair up into a high bun, reaching over into one of the desk drawers to grab my face mask tub.

I guess some self care could help quiet down some of the thoughts running through my head.

I let my music play on shuffle, gently spreading the face mask across my skin, sighing in content at the feeling of relief it gives me.

I stop my actions at the sound of my phone ringing, cutting off the music, leaving the room quiet once again.

The quiet, something I've come to hate over the past week, something Alex has been way too much of, more than he normally is. I know something is wrong and although he keeps telling me it had to do with Willie he won't talk about it more than that.

My phone rings again and I quickly wipe my hands on the facecloth before reaching over to answer the FaceTime call.

"Hey Ma." I smile, laughing softly as I see the screen filled with dark colours rather than her face.

"Tanna darling, how are you!" I immediately feel my mood being lifted at the sound of her voice, making me realize how much I miss my parents.

"Ma, you do know you FaceTimed me?"

"Oh, I did?" I can't help but laugh again as she pulls the phone away from her ear, allowing me to see her whole face. "There we go, I didn't even notice, I thought I had just called."

I lean my phone against the mirror, letting it balance there as I continue to apply the face mask.

"That's not like you, you're usually very good with technology."

"I know, I'm a bit tired and I must have just clicked the wrong button. If your dad was in the room you know he'd be laughing at me."

"He would, but we both know he's no better with technology." Our laughter blends through the air as my mom moves to sit down on the couch. "How's everything Ma?"

"We're all good here Tan, how about you? Having a self care day today, is college treating you badly?"

"You don't even know the half of it. I just finished this major assignment, so I guess this is my reward." I say, gesturing to the face mask that was now drying. "So well needed."

She laughs at my dramatics but nods in understanding.

"I'm sure, college can be draining. Where are the boys? Not adding to the chaos of it all?"

"Sadly not. They're at the studio, they should be back soon though." As soon as the words left my lips, I heard the sound of the front door closing before the familiar voices follow suit.

"It's so quiet, Do you think she's here?"

"Obviously Reg, Luke's car is in the driveway."

I giggle softly at their conversation, hearing their footsteps coming upstairs as I turn my attention back to my mom.

"I guess they just got back." I nod at her words and not even seconds later, I turn to see Reggie walking into my room.

"Roomie, you're doing face masks without us?" My mom's laughter sounded through the phone, as Reggie walked over to me. "Miss Kate! How are you."

"Hi Reggie, I'm good thank you, how are you?" 

"I'm good thank you, we just got home from the studio." He says excitedly and I can't help but smile at him. "Although, I'm a bit upset that Tan didn't wait for me."

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Alex walk into my room, gesturing with my head for him to come closer, really hoping he would.

"Sorry Reg, I didn't know when you guys would be home, I just started, you want to join?" His eyes lit up, nodding eagerly as he reached over to grab a headband from my desk to push his hair away from his face.

"Who's on the phone?" Alex asks as he walks over, resting his hands on the chair behind me. "Oh, hi Kate."

I furrow my eyebrows, tilting my head backwards until I was looking up at him, watching as he tilted his head down to look at me.

"Hi Dork." A smile crosses my face and I sigh in relief at his words. I stick my tongue out at him in response, missing this side of him that hasn't been around much.

"Look who's talking."

"Be nice Tan." My mom says teasingly, making me lift my head back up in laughter as I make eye contact with her. "Alex honey, I hope Tanna isn't giving you this much trouble all the time."

"All the time, it's getting a bit much." I nudge him away from my chair as he teases me again, making my mom laugh once again.

"Well, I won't keep you from your face masks. I'll speak to you guys soon yeah? Tell Luke he better be looking after my little girl." I nod smiling, saying goodbye along with Alex and Reggie chiming in from where he was already sitting on my bed.

As soon as the call ended, I hop out of the chair, grabbing the face mask tub before going over to sit on my bed with Reggie.

"Al, are you joining us?" I look over to him, watching him take a seat in my chair as he pushes a headband into his hair. "I'll take that as a yes."

I grab a cushion from behind me, placing it in my lap. Reggie immediately lays his head on it, without me even saying anything.

"Okay, I'm ready. Face mask me!" I can't help the laugh that escapes my mouth, noticing how much happier I already was with them around.

I take the brush, dipping it into the tub before gently rubbing it over his face, evening it out as he sighs happily.

At the sound of knocking, I look up to see Luke leaning against the doorway with a smile on his face.

"I see that I've missed a lot." Without even seeing myself in the mirror, I know my face lit up at the sight of him.

It's scary to think how great of an effect he has on me, but in the best way possible. I wouldn't change it for anything. 

"Yeah man, we're doing face-masks."

"Without me?" We all laugh as Luke holds his hand to his heart in mock hurt as he walks over to me, leaning over to kiss me gently.

I hum happily against his lips, my eyes fluttering closed as his lips meet mine.

"Roomiieeeee." I laugh against Luke's lips, pulling away before looking down at Reggie.

"Sorry Reg, nearly done." He nods gently, sitting still again as he waits for me to finish applying the face mask. "So, how was the studio today?"

"It was so good, we started recording our songs for our first official album." Luke says excitedly, moving over to sit in the space behind me on the bed. "It still sounds so weird every time I say that."

"I know right, it's crazy to even think about." Alex chimes in from the chair, chucking a headband over to Luke as Reggie jumps up after muttering that I was finished.

"Imagine our songs on the radio."

"That would be insane man! What do you think our radio singles will be?" Alex asks as takes Reggie's seat on the bed.

"Definitely Now or Never."

The conversation faded slightly into the background, my mind taking a step back as I appreciated how much these boys meant to me.

Within seconds of them being here all those thoughts that were clouding my mind were pushed away and I couldn't be more thankful for that.

"Hey Roomie, can I put on friends?"

I closed the tub after finishing applying the masks, walking back over to my desk to pack it away.

"Yeah of course Reg." He smiles happily, climbing onto the bed next to Alex who was leaning against my headboard.

"Baby?" I turn around at the sound of Luke's hushed voice which was much closer than I anticipated. I tilt my head up slightly as his arms wrap around my waist. "Do you think you could repaint my nails? They're kinda chipping."

"Of course love." I couldn't help but nod eagerly as he lets go of me to sit in the desk chair.

Let me be honest for a second. The rings and the nail polish, god is it attractive.

"Black again?"

"Yeah, please." I grab the nail polish, moving over to sit in his lap before opening the nail polish.

"I've missed you guys this week." The words leave my mouth before I can stop them, but I don't take my eyes off of Luke's hands even though I could feel the boys all looking at me.

"We missed you too Tan." Alex says, Reggie chiming in straight after "Yeah Roomie, we always do."

Luke's lips brush gently against my neck, planting a kiss against the skin softly before adding to the boys words.

"So much."