There's a faint smell of lemon cleaner beneath the heavy antiseptic that hangs in the air like a bad perfume. Somewhere down the hall you can hear the squeak of nurses' shoes, and beeping of pagers as they check in and out of patient's rooms, murmuring in low voices trying not to disrupt anyone's sleep.

My gaze swiveled over towards the door, hoping that the doctor would bring some good news. Lake and I were currently housed in the small hospital room awaiting results from his recent scans. The tv in the corner played quietly as a distraction- though we weren't really paying much attention.

The rapid knocking at the door before opening draws our attention. I sit up straighter in the uncomfortable flat memory foam chair that currently has my butt numb not to mention I'm sure It'll cause me back pain down the road.

Good thing I know a lot of doctors. I think sarcastically to myself.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Doctor Carver says, standing over the hospital bed.

"I just looked at your results and I'm happy to report that no new cancer cells have appeared, though I would like to schedule another scan in two weeks as a follow up."

Giving a reassuring squeeze to Lake's hand, "That's great Doc. We'll be there." I say sending a look to lake as he stares at the wall pretending, he's not bothered by having to do another scan.

Doctor Carver nods, causing her blonde hair to fall from its bun in a few loose strands framing her face. Her crystal blue eyes catching my own as she smiles one last time before swiftly making her exit her classic pumps making a clicking noise as she leaves.

Turning towards Lake, his black hair hangs in front of his face hiding his emerald, green eyes as his shoulders slump forward. His body rigid as he subconsciously taps his hands against his knee.

"Lake." I call.

His head snapped up meeting my gaze, "You okay bud?"

As he holds my gaze, It's like his emotions drift through me.

Sadness.

Anger.

Confusion.

Worry.

Guilt.

And lastly, tiredness.

Sighing I stand and engulf my little brother into a hug letting him know that somehow, we'll get through it despite all the odds as they stack up against us. His head slumps against my chest and his breath fans my neck tickling me.

"We got this Lake." I say trying to lift his spirits, despite myself secretly wanting to scream.

Wordlessly he nods before slowly standing and towering over my 5'3 frame. Grabbing my bag along with his before we make our way out into the hall and over towards the door passing the waiting area that's occupied by people waiting to be seen. One of them was a man whose body racked with harsh coughs, while another was a woman trying to settle a restless toddler.

I'm so glad we don't have to sit between those two. I doubt my patients could handle it.

Passing them we made our way out into the chilly night air and down the sidewalk as I lifted my arm trying to successfully hail a taxi in the middle of the night. After a few moments, a yellow cab pulls up to the side of the curb allowing my brother and I to leave.

Sliding into the cab, I settle into the old foam seat and wrinkle my nose at the distant smell of sweaty feet and bad body odor.

Motioning to Lake to crack the window as my nose practically begs for the retched smell to disappear.

"Where to?" The cab driver Hollers over his shoulder as he pulls back onto the street.

"7th on Parkland Street."

Slumping in the seat, I sigh turning towards Lake. "We'll do you think we still have siblings at home?"

He lips crinkle into a small smirk as he shakes his head. "Knowing Wrenley, she probably strangled Noah."

My chapped lips puckered, and eyes crinkled as I snorted at the thought.

Clicking my tongue, "Right."

"Well we can hope that Mr. Hayes doesn't file a noise complaint again." I bitterly state, crossing my arms.

Lake rolls his eyes at the mention of our dear old cranky ass- I mean sweet elderly neighbor Mr. Hayes.

He was an old man who if you so much as sneezed wrong, he'd go down the the building manager to file a complaint.

This week alone, I've received 12 notices about his so called 'complaints'.

Practically everyone on our floor hated him, yet we were all too tired and caught up in our own pathetic lives to do anything about him.

"Here you are." The cab drivers gruff voice greets us.

Glancing out the window, I look up towards our apartment building. The old, crumbling four-story brick building stood on the corner.  Some of the patio fire escapes cluttered with foldable chairs from the K-Mart down the block, along with potted plants that the local ally cats use as their relieving post.

Home sweet home. 

Pulling out a wrinkled up twenty from my front pocket, I lean forward and hand it to the driver, "keep the change."

Shuffling out of the cab behind Lake onto the sidewalk being illuminated underneath the street posts glow. Slowly we make our way up the slanted concrete steps and through the front door going up to the winding staircase bypassing the metal death trap- I mean 'functioning' elevator.

Our footsteps echoing as we ascend up the flight of stairs all the way the the third floor, down the narrow halls. The floor was an ugly cement coated tile that had missing chips and scratches, probably from tenants moving in and out, while the walls were a beige color that clashed with the brown and red design tiles. 

Finally reaching our door.

It was a black door that was coated in cheap, tacky paint that flaked off in certain spots. The barely legible sticker numbers 306 covering the door. The silver nob was dented and crumbled like someone had tried to break it off one too many times- yet somehow it was still in tack.

 Digging through my bag blindly as I search for the keys, squinting my eyes as I hold my bag up trying to see inside despite the crappy hallway lighting. Lake stands off to the side shuffling on the balls of his feet. 

Groaning I toss the bag into Lakes arms causing him to stagger backwards, "Here." I snap. before peering into the bag trying to find the damn keys. After rummaging through everything I finally find them as my fingers feel the cold miscellaneous set of keys. 

Spinning on my heel I go to set the keys in the lock, but a rough, throaty voice has me screwing my eyes shut and sagging my shoulders. I hear lake make a grunt beside me.

 Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

I chant in my head before opening my eyes and spinning around meeting dear Ol Mr. Hayes. He stands outside his doorway; his usual attire consists of khaki pants and an ugly knit sweater that go along with his oval wired glasses that sit at the bridge of his nose. His cold grey eyes stare me down as I plaster on a smile willing myself not to lose it on an old guy today.

"Mr. Hayes. Lovely to see you." 

"Wish I could say the same." He grates out. 

Ditto you old cranky bastard. 

Continuing to smile- despite wanting to roll my eyes and give him the bird. "What can I help you with today?" I ask trying to keep the snarky tone to a minimal, shifting on my hip.

"You can keep those damn kids from making a ruckus. I can't hear the the tv to watch jeopardy over all the commotion." 

Seriously?!

"Will do Mr. Hayes. Have a good night." 

He waves me off dismissively before bending down to pick up the multicolored calico cat that's perched at his feet before cooing at it affectionately, giving us one last glance and snicker before entering his apartment. 

Deciding to quickly enter the apartment before any of our other crazy neighbors decide to pop by for a nightly chat, I jam the key in the lock before twisting it and then I turn the nob and usher lake inside. 

Closing the door, I listen for the yells of Wrenley and Noah from their usually bickering, but the apartment is dead silent. Shit maybe she did strangle him after all. Making my way through the small entryway and into the kitchen before nearly busting my ass if not for instinctively gripping the counter. 

Gritting my teeth, I glance down to see Noah's skateboard on the other side of the kitchen. Damn it, Noah! How many times have I told him not to leave that damn thing where people can break their neck- mostly me. 

"Noah Ward McKay!" I bellow out

Soon a guilty looking Noah enters the kitchen and gives me a cheeky smile followed by a smug looking Wrenley and a confused lake. 

"Yes, my lovely sister." 

Wrenley chuckles as she hops up onto the counter, her old, dirty vans banging against the cabinet door. Lake shuffles over towards the kitchen table, taking a seat in one of the chairs and crossing his arms. 

"Why did you guys move away from me?" Noah questions, glancing towards our siblings and they both look to each other before shrugging their shoulders causing Noah's face to distort in disbelief, "Wow. I feel really loved guys." He mocks, clutching his chest. 

"You're lucky that's all you feel." I snap, picking up his skateboard and handing it to him, "How many times? Huh, how many times have I told you. Don't leave your skateboard laying around." 

He shrugs and rubs the back of his neck. "Sorry." 

"It's fine. Just don't do it again." I say sighing, "Did you guys do your homework?" I question glancing at them. 

Noah nods his head while Wrenly nods before pointing to Noah and shaking her head no.

"Noah seriously!" I exclaim placing my hand on my hip, " Go do your homework. Wren go help him."  I say walking towards the fridge. 

Why do I have to help him?" She asks, crossing her arms. 

"Because I asked. Now go. Both of you." I state, opening the fridge looking for something to string together for a late dinner before ultimately deciding on pizza, again. 

Wrenly hops down and playfully shoves Noah as he chases after her, Lake rises from the table and goes toward the counter near the microwave and shuffles through a stack of menu's before handing me one and then going off to find wren and Noah. 

1796 Word Count.

Welp! There you have it folks, chapter one. I hope you enjoyed reading it and if you've made it this far comment a 🧡 and don't forget to hit the little star button. 

Leave me some of your thoughts in the comments. 

XoXo

Reia