Chapter Text
[LOLA POV]
Charlie hasn't been the same since he received that letter, in my opinion.
In fact, he has been VERY fishy lately.
Just earlier this afternoon, I found him on the sofa, staring at the television. There was nothing on, yet his eyes were glued to it like he was watching some invisible program. All I did was come up to him, wave my hand in front of his face and asked:
"Charlie, you're blacking out again. Are you alright?"
Then he jumps and shuffles to his feet like I'm a ghost or something...
"Nothing!! I'm okay, Lola, trust me..."
Uh-huh. Deeefinitely. Like NOTHING happened, huh?
Sometimes, I really feel like he's keeping things from me. Y'know, like Pirate Squidbones hiding his treasure. He could've told me it was the dorms. I know it was. But...why is he making a fuss about this??
He could go by train. Or a bus. It's not a big deal! He has his own allowance anyway—yet he still acts like there's nothing to choose from...
[10:00 PM]
It's getting pretty late, and Mum and Dad still haven't arrived home. We've been sitting on the couch for three hours, and honestly? I think my buns might've grown ROOTS at this point!
I look over to my brother, who's silently reading a random novel he got from the shelf. It looked like he was more on... distracting himself than ACTUALLY READING, because his face was scrunched up in a very weird shape...
"Hey..." I ask. "Are Mum and Dad going to be okay? They're taking AGES to come home!"
Charlie looks up from the pages and smiles. "Don't worry, I bet they're coming here in a bit. We just need to wait."
...
"Charlie?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm going to the kitchen, do you need anything?"
He shifts in his seat, clutching his stomach. "Come to think of it, I'm starving. Do you have stuff like, maybe...a sandwich?"
That lit me up. Sandwich. I know when Charlie says that, he has NO idea what to eat. Lucky for me, I have a better plan.
"Oh, we don't want that right now," I say with a grin. "We need something heavy!!"
I immediately ready all the pans in the kitchen, bringing out a load of noodles and leftover tomato sauce. If we have to eat, then at least let's make it ABSOLUTELY FILLING like this one!
[15 minutes later...]
Voila! There were two plates of freshly cooked spaghetti ready on the table, one with A LOT more cheese than usual (that's mine!). I bring both of them to the living room, where the smell of the food somehow grew stronger the moment I sat down with it.
"This actually smells good, Lola!" Charlie says. "I can't believe you can cook so well now!"
"It's nothing!" I tell him. "I just LOVE the smell of food when I make them!"
I can't help but watch the time pass by as Charlie and I absolutely DEMOLISH our food in front of us. This was my brother...who will eventually pick where to stay for college. Who would soon be taking those complicated "courses" I've been hearing of. Who might...leave me if he can. I'm still glad he's coming, don't get me wrong—Sunfield Bells College is EXTREMELY AMAZING. But I don't think I'll get used to the house being this empty when he leaves. It feels weird. Like there's a spirit hiding behind the walls or something.
Suddenly, I hear him speak up.
"...Lola?"
"Yeah?" I ask, tilting my head in confusion.
"I'm really proud of you, y'know."
"Huh...what??"
"You used to be the little kid I would always have to look out for. The one who would always get into all sorts of trouble...aaand get a prized hat stuck in a tree."
"HEY!! Lotta gave me that hat!! Of course I would be worried over something like that!"
The only response I heard back for that was a light chuckle.
"But still, I can't believe how long that was already. You're already 14...you've grown so much."
I give back a soft smile. "Aww, don't give me that word again! I'm still that girl who loves the family's PINK MILK!"
"Yeah, except you can make a whole load of meals now!" Charlie replies, pointing to the half finished plates of spaghetti.
"Okay, I'll give you that..."
"What I'm saying is...if I ever leave, I know I can trust you with yourself. And the flat too."
"Really...?"
"You can take charge of this house. Make Mum and Dad proud. You know they're expecting this from you by now..."
"Oh, Charlie..."
I suddenly find myself wrapped in the warmest hug I've ever received in the whole world. My eyes felt swimmy, watery in fact. Even if this was my brother, I know that there would be times he'd...go away for a while. But looking at him right now, I guess I can see how he sees ME—a little sister he loves that he would gladly watch after if she's ever stuck with homework. And yes...
...school projects count.
[A WEEK LATER, 7:00 AM]
I thought I heard a car engine leaving when I opened my eyes. It woke me up, the loud screeches of the wheels and the slight smell of gas...
...wait, GAS??
I jump out of bed, quickly changing out of my jammies. There's GOT to be something going on here!
In an instinctive call, I scream out his name.
"CHAAARLIEEEE!!!"
...No one answered back. The engine sounds were gone.
I check downstairs, waiting for a nice breakfast awaiting in the table...
...but all I found was an empty house...with no one inside except me.