A/N: Pictures of both Cole and Paige </3

*****

Waiting outside on the floor of my brothers history class, I looked at my watch for what felt like the 100th time.

Mr Pine always did let out every class later than the bell. He'd always say some bullshite like; 'I dismiss you, not the bell'

Well then why was the school bell even created if it's the teachers jobs to dismiss us? Why go through all that hassle for something that isn't supposed to be used. Pointless.

Hearing the door open, I watched as everyone hurried out of the class, probably scared that Mr Pine would call them all back, and make them write lines for not leaving in an orderly fashion.

"Yeah so I told her-" sticking my leg further out, whatever my brother was saying to his friend came to a halt, as he came crashing towards the floor.

Some people should really watch where they're going.

"Arghh" he moaned under his breath. Scoffing a laugh, I got up to my feet and waved slowly at his gawking friends.

"He'll speak to you guys later" I said sweetly. Watching as they looked between my brother and I suspiciously, before slowly stalking off in the opposite direction.

Spinning around, I almost jumped out of my skin upon seeing Cole glaring down at me like a I had just kicked him in the face.

"And that was for?" He asked sounding pretty pissed. His brown eyes zoned in on my face with fury slowly filling his features.

"I don't know? I was bored and you were there." I shrugged.

Cocking one of his eyebrows, I followed his action also. Rolling his eyes, he nudged me out of the way before walking in the way of the school car park. Jogging to catch up to him, my eyes caught a glance at one of the plaques on the school wall.

I think it was some award or something, I wasn't really paying attention to that, but my eyes had focused on the name instead.

'Walter Carter'

I didn't really know a lot about the Carter's, except from the fact they have more money than the next person. My mom and dad had became friends with them since they moved here to New York from Texas about 10 years ago.

My parents had always encouraged me to make friends with the boys, but they seemed so intimidating back then. 7 cute boys with adorable southern accents, at the age of 7 I was easily scared.

Running a steady hand through my hair, I realised just how far behind my brother I was.

Eugh , now he's gonna be even more pissed.

***

"So how were both of your days?" My mom's voice snapped me out of my daydreaming, and stopped me from playing around with my peas.

Looking up at her with my eyes slightly squinted, I studied her overally happy face with my lips pursed.

She only ever asked us how our days were in that kind of voice when she had bad news.

"Well?" She chuckled as she popped a piece of pasta in her mouth. Both I and Cole looked at each other worryingly.

"What's the bad news?" I said getting straight to the point. My dad gently laughed under his breath while shaking his head slightly.

"The kid knows" my dad muttered with a smirk. Stabbing my fork into my pasta, I could see Cole massaging his temples already. His tolerance for me today was already running on a low, so I didn't blame him.

My mom shot my dad a deathly glare before returning her gaze to me. Putting down her cutlery, she intwined her fingers and stared at Cole and I, with a look I could only describe as guilty.

It was that serious?

Turning to glance at Cole, he seemed to be already catching on that this wasn't going to be another 'we're gonna miss your school play' kinda thing.

"Mom...?" Cole slowly muffled with food in his mouth. I couldn't take the stupid silence that was hovering over the kitchen table.

"You both know that both your father and I have a busy schedule with work, right" Cole and I nodded our heads in unison as we listened on.

My father was a lawyer, but not just a simple go to work and come home lawyer - no. He was the international type, so at least 5 months out of the entire year he'd be travelling.

My mother on the other hand was a fashion designer, and the owner of a chain of stores. So along with my dad, she'd always be traveling, going to some poxy fashion show, or checking on one of her stores.

So basically, Cole and I both lived in this house together for half of the year. I hated the fact that my parents were always away. They've both missed my birthday for the past 2 years, let's not forget that fact that we had to spend Christmas with our neighbour Mrs Wang.

You ever spent Christmas with just your brother, and a 72 year old lady who had an obsession with Michael Buble?

You don't want to, trust me.

But this year will be different, my parents have a whole year off - did you hear me!? - a whole freaking year.

"Well I know I said this year will just be our time, but-" my confused expression evaporated as I already knew what she was going to say.

"You have to work..." I murmured while picking back up my fork. Propping my elbow on the table, I rested my chin on my palm and started to play with the vegetables on my plate.

"I'm sorry baby" my mom said while trying to outstretch her arm to touch my hand. Pulling it away, I held it in my lap while avoiding her eye contact.

"Marnie, your mom and I didn't know about all the work this year before we told you and your brother." My dad's words weren't helping with the anger trying to boil it's way to the top.

"So what is it now? Fashion show in Milan? A case in England?" Cole said bluntly. I watched as his brown eyes pierced into my father with as much venom as a snake.

"That's the thing-" furrowing my eyebrows, my hand abruptly stopped stirring the cold food on my plate. "We have volunteered to help out in a small village in Africa." Dropping my fork, the clanging sound of cutlery didn't silence the table like I thought it would.

"They need extra help with building and teaching and your mom and I thought why not?"

Why not? I could give them 2 perfect reasons why not, and they're sitting directly in front of them both.

Slamming my hands on the table, I pushed my chair back so I could get to my feet easily.

"Why not?! Why fucking not?!" I yelled.

"Marina Apryll Rodgers!" My dad shouted.

"No! You'd rather go to Africa to play house, than spend time with your kids? How long huh? 3 months? 4?" My eyes darted between them both, waiting for them to answer me already.

"We're going to be gone for the entire year" my mom's voice broke once reaching the middle of sentence, so she took a slight breath. "The publicity will be great for dads firm, and just think how much we'd be helping by doing this."

I was glad that I didn't turn around to see the hurt on Cole's face, as I don't think I would have been able to hold in the tears any longer.

Biting down on my trembling lip, I ran my hand half way through my hair and sighed in frustration.

"W-what do you m-mean a year?" I stuttered. Feeling every emotion rush through me like a ton of bricks, I looked at them both with horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"It'll be over sooner than you think Hun" my mom said sympathetically.

Noticing the pressure I was putting on my lip to try to keep myself from blubbering like a baby, I let go and let a stray tear run down my cheek.

Sitting back down in my chair, I avoided their eye contact at any cost. All I could do was focus on my pasta and grind on my teeth.

"So when are you leaving?" Cole finally piped up. Clearing his throat, he stood up and made his way over to the fridge to pour out something to drink.

"Tomorrow." My dad chocked out. Scoffing a laugh, I shook my head while thinking of how stupid I was for planning out what we were all going to do for summer. I was stupid for thinking my birthday might have been fun this year.

"Great, alone in this house for an entire year" I murmured to myself.

"Ah, that's the thing." My mom said with a face like she had tasted a lemon.

"Your brother will be staying with his dad-" my jaw almost hit the floor at her sentence. I could tell from the tone of her voice that this would be yet again bad news.

"-and you'll be staying with the Carters"

Did she just say what I think she said?

*****

A/N

So that was chapter 2 & i dont know if its crappy or not - hopefully its not (pls be nice)

Tell me what you think below if you're a fab person & dont forget to vote and follow moi.