an

look like a man but he's only eighteen," my m

mom to be worri

ke care of him and Jeremy when you guy

h arm, like little monkeys. That's the beauty of visiting Uncle Jake, he's always been

some damage control, otherwise one of th

hen scoffs, fe

himself. I'll only be needed to bail him out of jail witho

of, he says it as a jo

e. Thank god, I am not

ho

campus." My mom's hand finds my arm, pushing me to

register I'm almost

he safest option, baby," he an

ht, it w

magine all the drugs and parties he'd ha

an be accounted as an Adult s

nough for me

e is the oldest of the two, he sometimes

e trio: dad, uncle Jake and I

my cheeks between her hands. "Prom

en did I ever put

fore you dig yourself a bigger hole." My

eky when I was younger, but Abby w

the time

o bring my recklessne

ers her voice down. "To a

me deep in the e

I was old enough, she told me her story and explained to m

ly says, I like to think it was de

mportance of "no", and everything else she de

eed to worry," I whisper

hest that tells me... for you to be c

en a worried and caring person but knowing the reason for most o

down and ended up having everything she deserves, her best frie

t wanting to get rid of me." I

rom my hug and swats my arm

ng to go back." Dad steps in, wrap

shiny eyes and I know t

ays so we could stay until his first day," she

er for her, he can barely say no to her and

e. Nuh-uh," I complain. "Go back home, prepare Jere

taking the hit for once, while mom pouts and

er for her. Yeap, I'm a momma'

at home to take care of," Dad fin

ppreciate all the help. It would have been ma

n messie

eeds to contribute to the fact that I'll be staying here for free for the next f

but I do remember that before dad showed up, mom barely had time to spend with me between st

to do t

cepted by society as a worthy artist is no damn joke but if my

uddy. Behave," my dad warns with

I roll my eyes i

le devil," mom pinches my che

ingsong and m

iting for me back at home and Uncle Jake is here to help me. W

orrying,

ry." I pull her against me for

Wilder perched on her hip. Jeremy sticks his tongue out from the inside of the car while Wilde

d, keeping her gaze on us while dad drives away. making it look lik

efore going back

of the city, but he's decided to build his own house, where I am staying for

rect exit to the garden. I am sure it'll be handy to s

ng for a run,

red after what mom m

enties anymore, I am almost forty. The ladies wo

hy not sett

at's for

the way he divert

ge the subject and join

⛓️

I wheeze while trying to fit

me old," Uncle

an I am but then again, this summer

getaways and lazy days with her. I've always been athletic, I still am but damn if I am no

nch his arm, barely making a

ion, seeing a soccer ball flying in the direction of

he ball. Adrenaline and panic, from the possibility of having her hit,

d faster until I jump and catch the ball in the air. I exhale in relief as so

on the ground, I trip on a twig and fall back

I groan

artles me, making me lift slightl

he girl I was

one,

sorry. Are y

ches, making me jump away from her. "What

with an angry face but e

g-winged eyeliner shows she's older than she seems. Dark brown eyes

gorg

" I st

d that's when I notice the botched clay shape on her

something and I ju

l and weak in comparison to my normal tone. "The ba

rush me against the grou

lanning on

And you fuckin

o the lake before cleaning her hands

I make it

me off and stalks off, away fro

ng on the green grass, in a daze

nickering behind me and Uncle Jake approach

u a few tricks, kiddo. You'll cha