^^Nolan

"What strange creatures brothers are!" – Jane Austen

                              • • •

After I arrive home, I head straight to the kitchen to grab a snack. While perusing the fridge, I debate between grabbing a healthy yoghurt or a leftover bar of chocolate. Obviously, I choose the chocolate because who can resist am I right? And the fact that the chocolate is in the fridge is not weird at all people. Cold chocolate is 100% the best I'm telling you.

After grabbing my snack, I head up stairs taking two steps at a time eager to reach the comfort of my room.

Ten minutes later, I've started completing my homework when I hear the door downstairs open.

I step out of my room and peek over the railing that over looks the ground floor and find Omari and Nolan just entering.

"Hey guys!" I shout causing them to look up. "How was your last day of term?"

"Literally the same as every other day Keziah." Omari starts before grabbing a drink of water.

Alright sassy pants. That's the last time I ask you.

"Well we got to do painting with brushes and with our hands!" Nolan shows me his hands which are covered in dried multicoloured paint. That's gonna be hard to wash off.

"Really? I'm jealous, all we did was write lots and lots of notes and words."

"That sounds really boring Keziah, maybe you shouldn't have grown up and stayed young like me."

Obviously done with the conversation, Nolan runs up the stairs past me and into his room.

Since I don't have the energy to deal with Omaris attitude, I also retreat into my room.

After doing my homework for another half hour, I become extremely bored and decide to call my friends.

I ring Rolo, Rani and Ana putting us in a four way call.

"Keziah, what made you decide to call me this evening?" Asks Rolo.

"She didn't just call you Rolo." Rani adds.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure she called all three of us." States Ana.

"Wait, I wasn't the only one you wanted to talk to Kez? I'm hurt, I thought you wanted some one on one time with moi. Maybe even some wisdom provided by myself."

"Oh shut up Rolo. Stop thinking your all high and mighty." Says Rani.

"You just can't handle the fact that I'm smarter than you babe."

"Gross! Don't babe me, I am not one of your hoes."

Rolo snorts, "As if you can talk."

"Hey!-"

"Will you guys stop arguing. I'm pretty sure Keziah called us for a reason so let's actually listen to what she has to say."

I silently thank Ana for being more mature than those other two idiots I call my friends. They're basically 10 year olds in a 17 year old body-so childish.

I clear my throat ready to start talking. "I actually wanted to talk to you guys about Eliza-"

"Oh I cannot believe she did that!" Interrupts Rani.

"Let me finish!" I yell. "Anyway, I'm just kind of confused on what she's doing if I'm honest. She'd told me she would back off yet here she is clearly not backing off. What am I supposed to do?"

"Well for starters, we could always cut her hair off in lesson and-"

"Um that's a bit far Rolo." What is wrong with this boy?

"I think you should confront her and ask what her problem is. I mean, you've been friends for a long time now you can't let her do this."

That would be a very Rani thing to do. She honestly loves arguments and causing trouble between others while she watches. Kind of psychotic really.

"Because you've been friends for ages, I think you should give her the benefit of the doubt and wait it out to see what happens.  Everyone has those days when they act out and maybe today was hers."

Ah Anastasia, ever the optimist. She tends to lean towards the nicer and less confrontational options which is completely opposite to Rani.

"I still think cutting her hair would be fun."

Rolo is on another level. Half the time I don't even know how to respond to the things he says.

Ignoring him, I reply to Rani and Ana.

"Both of you have valid points but I think I'm gonna go with what Ana said and try to see if anything else happens. I have to admit though, it did annoy me when she grabbed his hand."

"Yeah we know Keziah. You literally stormed out of the room." Says Ana who I can practically see rolling her eyes.

"Yeah.." Remembering how I could hear both Rolo and Rani shouting at Eliza, I decide to question them. "Wait, what were you guys saying to her while I left. Cause I could hear the yelling match between Rolo, Rani and Eliza."

"Um nothing." Rani says this quickly making it sound suspicious.

"Rolo?" I ask.

He sighs through the phone, "She was basically saying how it will never work out between you and Abel."

I feel my eyebrows raise upwards from shock and irritation.

"Wow." I say. "At least I know where I stand now."

"Don't worry about her Keziah. Abel has his eyes set only on you trust me." Replies Ana.

Still feeling annoyed from the recent revelation, I decide to change the topic to prevent my anger from rising. "Anyway, Abel invited me to his house tomorrow and I think I might meet his parents. I'm excited and-"

Before I can actually finish speaking, I'm interrupted by someone barging into my room.

Turning my head towards my door, I find it's no one other than my older brother Marcel. What a surprise-not. He literally has no clue about boundaries or respect. I could be dressing up in here people! I want a lock on my door; I have actually asked for one but obviously my parents said no. I have no idea why though. Moving on-

"Would you stop barging into my room like that, it's annoying." I say to him.

"No can do sis. Who are you talking to?"

"None of your business now get out."

"Hi Marcel!" Shouts Rolo from the phone. They're both as annoying as each other, maybe they should be siblings. What an idea.

"Is that Rolo? Is Tenaya there too? Can I talk to her?"

Hmmm interesting. He so likes her. I'm gonna have fun with this I can tell already.

"No Marcel, if I'm talking to Rolo why would Tenaya be there. If you want to talk to her so badly then call her yourself. Now get out!" While shouting at him, I throw multiple pillows to try and get my message across.

"Geez, no need for violence."

I lift another pillow up in a threatening manor causing him to take many steps back until he reaches the door.

"I'm going I'm going."

Shaking my head as he shuts the door behind him, I return back to my friends on the phone.

Placing my mobile back against my ear, I immediately hear the sound of laughter.

"Your arguments with you brother are hilarious. I'd pay to watch you both." Says Rani through fits of laughter.

"I have to agree with her on that one." Adds Ana.

"Yeah Yeah, whatever. As I was saying, I'm going to Abel's tomorrow and I might need your help deciding what to wear."

"We'll be there Kez. Don't fret my dear." Says Rolo as if his advice is the one I need. What does he know about girl clothes? Probably only how to take them off. Gross.

After talking about other trivial things, I end the phone call and head downstairs to see if my parents are home yet.

I check every room and come to the realisation that neither of them have arrived yet.

"Marcel! Mum and dad aren't home yet and Omari and Nolan need to eat!" I holler from downstairs.

I receive an instant reply from him. "So what?! Figure something out then!"

You wouldn't believe that he's older than me. I practically do everything here, he doesn't even know how to cook.

Since it's already 5:30, I decide to quickly make my special stir fry with chicken which is a family favourite. It is pretty good if I do say so myself.

While I'm cooking, I connect my phone to the speaker and play some Drake. Dancing and singing along helps to pass by the time a lot faster.

It takes me about 40 minutes to cook making it just after 6.

I call Omari and Nolan down for dinner and check my phone to see if either of parents texted.

Mother: Stayin late at work 2nite. Soz hunny. Pls cook for ur bros. Love u x

I really hate the way my mum texts. It's just awful and weird, like she's trying to be hip. Sadly, it's really not working.

Father: Won't be home until later. Make sure Marcel doesn't do something stupid please.

My dad on the other hand, texts like a very normal person and for that I am truly grateful.

My mum works as a care worker in a home for young children called 'Safe Haven'. What you don't know though is that she built it up from scratch hiring workers and helping kids who need it. It's taken a while but for her, it's been worth every minute. That's why she's staying late tonight; it's obviously her creation and she's been with the children every step of the way so likes to sometimes spend more time with them and I'm alright with that. I really do admire my mum for her perseverance and strength; it can't be easy in a job like that knowing the different situations people have been in. I'm proud and lucky.

On the other hand, my dad is a trauma physiotherapist which generally involves treating veterans and soldiers who have injuries from war. He also built up his business; this time it being a private physio therapy centre that involves treating different types of patients. Working in this field is hard from what he's told us; the patients aren't always the most cooperative which makes the session last longer probably like tonight.

"Where's mummy and daddy?" Nolan questions.

"They're working later tonight so you probably won't see them till tomorrow morning Nolan." I respond softly.

"Oh." He finishes eating and pushes his plate away from him. "Can you read me a story tonight then?"

Nolan gives me his ridiculously adorable puppy dog eyes that I honestly cannot resist no matter how hard I try.

"Okay squirt, but you have to be in bed by 7:30 with your teeth brushed and your pyjamas on."

"Okay!" He shouts excitedly and runs up the stairs.

Since Omari has finished eating too, he helps me clean and tidy up putting everything back where they came from.

As we're finally done, Marcel comes speeding down the stairs demanding food.

"Where's the food Kez? I thought you were cooking." Marcel begins to scour the dining table for food laid out for him.

"I'm not your slave Marcel, dish your own food out." I roll my eyes in annoyance at him.

"You might as well have done it for me since you did it for Omari and Nolan."

"Marcel you literally do nothing so stop begging me to do everything for you, it's annoying. For once, it would be nice if you acted like the older brother you are."

His immaturity is one of the things that irritate me the most as you can tell. The childish behaviour gets old pretty fast you know.

Since it's just after 7, I decide to head straight to Nolans room to make sure he's getting ready for bed. This boy really tries his hardest to get out of sleeping on time. And I have no idea why, one day he'll miss sleeping and will regret all his chances.

"Nolan! I told you to be ready by half 7."

"But I don't want to sleep now, I'm not tired."

"Well too bad, you're having a bath and dressing now even if have to drag you myself."

"No!" He whines annoyingly.

In the end, I march up to where he's playing with his toys and drag him to the bathroom with him trying to make his body as heavy as possible to make it harder for me. Why people think he's adorable, I have no clue. It's so tiring dealing with him, honestly.

"Stop being so annoying Nolan!"

I quickly run a bath with loads of bubbles and add a few rubber toys for him to play with.

Nolan sees this and finally decides to get in. I let him splash around for a bit before washing him thoroughly. When it's time to get out, Nolan refuses. What a surprise.

I sigh out loud and grab a towel to wrap around his body and pull him out. After brushing his teeth, we head back into his room to put on his pyjamas.

"I want my power ranger ones tonight."

"Alright then."

"Actually, I want the dinosaur ones. No the racing car ones."

"Pick one already we don't have all night."

Nolan taps his finger against his chin acting as if he's in deep deep thought. "Okay, I choose dinosaurs."

Finally!

Before he changes his mind, I quickly tuck him into bed and grab his favourite book from the shelf. Of course, it's on dinosaurs.

"Once upon a time.."

I start reading the book and make it halfway before he falls asleep. All I hear is the beautiful sound of silence.

I feel like I aged ten years dealing with this kid. But, he's my little brother so what can you do?

Still ignoring Marcel, I quickly go and say good night to Omari before finally heading to my room for the night.

I settle inside my bed and grab a book from one of the many on my shelves.

However, I don't even make it through the first page since my mind drifts to no one other than Abel. I think about what could happen tomorrow and the excitement of being around him even more. Yet, the feeling of nervousness still surrounds me knowing it's a possibility that I could meet his parents. I mean, we're not dating so it's not really a approval of your sons girlfriend kind of thing. I still want to make a good impression though.

With that thought in mind, I fall into a peaceful sleep dreaming about deep blue eyes.

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A/N:
I'd love to know what you think of the book so far! Any favourite characters? Favourite scenes?

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