A/N: Do you see the absolutely beautiful cover? It was made by none other than capacious! I am in love with it!


Chapter 1: "I love narwhals!"

I was gonna die. I didn't want my last thoughts to encompass Ryan, of all people. Damn it, I should've thought of something better.

Narwhals! I love narwhals. They're like unicorn and dolphin half-breeds.

"Eurgh!" came a muffled sound as I didn't die, but rather landed on something squishy and soft, like a bean bag.

"Well hello there, Mr. Seth," I said thankfully. His body was the only one I would describe as a bean bag. He wasn't fat, so it was strange; he was slim, but soft. Like a breadstick.

"Jordan, I've been looking for you everywhere!" he replied crossly. "Where have you been?"

I tapped my chin with my index finger and pretended to think. "Well...since you found me in this area, I'd have to say this is where I've been."

He shoved me away and smacked the back of my head, like the rude older brother he was. "Don't be a smartass!"

"Too late, that's how I was raised," I replied flatly. I stood up and dusted off my jeans thoroughly. Now there were grass stains all over it.

"We should just send you to a correctional facility."

I rolled my eyes. "Why can't you accept me for who I am?"

He wasn't in the mood to play, though. I could tell, because he was in his Mum-pose: hip cocked like a girl, elbows bent and hands on his sides, eyebrows furrowed, and awkwardly arranged feet. "Mum and Dad were worried. Couldn't you have told them before gallivanting out all on your own?"

"For one, I told Dad. And for another, do you mind if I use 'gallivanting'? It's my new favourite word, thanks to you." Lord, who on earth uses that word anymore besides old English professors?

"What's the point of telling Dad? He's gone to work. You know he doesn't care enough about these things to know when to tell Mum."

"That's 'cause he knows what's more important."

"You are important, Danny!" 

I ignored him and looked around. "Did Marie come looking for me too?" Of course she would, that's just her personality.

"Yeah, she's somewhere around here, but - hey, wait!" 

I didn't wait for him to finish, because I had spotted my favourite (and only) sister-in-law, Marie. The poor girl was married to my older brother, so I had to give her extra love. "Marie!" I sang loudly, about to dash after her, but Seth wrapped his arm around my neck and yanked me back.

I fell onto my ass and scowled at him. 

"What was that for?" I said, annoyed.

"She's pregnant!" he scolded. "Be careful!"

"How was I supposed to know?" I looked at Marie, whose hand was on her chest. She looked startled. "Sorry, Marie!" I called. 

"No problem, missy," she said, sounding out of breath. 

I spotted the tiny bump on her tummy and grinned. "You've been gone for four months! Geez, Seth, you've been busy."

He turned red and kicked me. While I was on the ground! "Ow!" I rubbed my leg and pouted. "Marie! Your husband is hurting me!"

She sighed and chuckled softly. "Seth, don't kick your sister."

"I can't help it! She's so, bloody, stupid!" Between each pause, he kicked me. 

"What is the meaning of this, peasant? I will have you hanged!" 

"Uhuh, and where's your rope?"

"It's behind the tree!" I replied triumphantly.

He raised his eyes, surprised I actually had rope. Well, I did. For emergency tree swings. "Jordan, you have the worst taste in guys," he stated flatly. "And you almost killed yourself."

"I did not! That was an accident!" I protested.

"What? The guy, or the suicide attempt?"

"I fell," I said, crossing my arms like a child. "Because I was thanking the guy I wasn't with him anymore!"

He sat down heavily next to me. I glanced at him: his expression was troubled. "So you're not upset over Ryan?"

I laughed. "Of course not! He's a big fathead. I'm glad I'm not with him anymore!"

His lips twisted and I knew he was just trying to be a good brother. I appreciated the attempt, but I didn't need comforting. I was perfectly fine.

Marie came up to us and sat on the other side of me, wrapping her arm around my waist. I leaned against her and laughed. "There's a mini Seth inside you, Marie!" I chuckled. "Aren't you worried that he'll end up a like my brother?"

"Hey!" Seth shoved me and in turn, I was pushed into Marie. 

"Careful, casanova," Marie said. "This kid is already screwed up, what with having your genes."

I burst into laughter and held out my hand out for a high five. Marie slapped it and giggled. Seth sighed mockingly. "This baby better be a boy; I can't handle having all these women teaming up against me."

"What's a baby gonna do to help you?" I asked.

"He can be my support team."

"Team Daddy!" I laughed again.

"Are you ladies ready to go home?"

"Out of comebacks, hun?" Marie teased.

"Shut it," he grumbled, and stood up, holding out a hand to her. She took it and he pulled her up effortlessly. I held out my hands expectantly, but he just stared at me. 

"Hey!" I complained. "Help me up!"

"No, you were mean to me!" You're mature, you stupid twenty-four year old.

"You helped Marie up!"

"She's my wife!"

"I'm your sister!"

"So what?"

I stuck out my tongue like a mature adult and stood up, my tired bones screaming in protest. "Arglemargle," I grumbled incoherently. "You big dummy."

The couple watched me in amusement as I hobbled my way in the direction of my house that was no longer Seth's as well. He had bought himself and Marie a house for their honeymoon a couple years ago when they got married.

"You guys should get me a stretcher as an apology," I continued grumbling.

"What apology?" Seth asked, sounding like he was holding back a laugh.

"For not helping me up!" I pouted. "I need a stretcher. Walking is too much exercise."

"Aren't you in cross country?"

"Who cares!" I threw my hands in the air and almost toppled over backwards. Now he outright laughed at me. I yawned, for some reason incredibly tired. Maybe it had to do with waking up at four in the morning, but you could never be too sure.

"Fine. Climb on," he relented, coming in front of me. 

I grinned happily and winked at Marie. She chuckled at me as I jumped onto my brother's back and held onto his neck. 

"You should know that I can only do this because you're smaller than a twelve year old child."

"What?" I exclaimed, pinching his ear.

"Ow, I'm sorry!" 

"Say it like you mean it!"

"I'm sorry!"

"No, say, 'I'm sorry your Graceful Majesty of Awesomeness, please forgive your humble servant! My head is lower than your feet!'"

"I can't even remember what you said."

I bit my lip. "Neither can I. Oh well." I let go of his ear. "I'm not smaller than a twelve year old child! I'm five feet!"

"Aww, little Jordy!" Marie cooed.

"You're only a couple of inches taller than me," I reminded her.

"I'm still taller!" she sang.

"I'm not like a twelve year old child...more like a fourteen year old. Or fifteen."

"Fifteen's overdoing it, sis."

I wrinkled my nose. "Well, if it gets me piggy back rides, I'm okay with it."

"Then let's go home."

Yeah. Home.

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Hallo my lovely readers! :) I hope you liked this chapter! Luke's not in this chapter, but don't worry, you'll meet him in the next one.