Ander

4 YEARS AGO.

It's the first day of school. My final year in this stupid ass place. I get up from the bed and Angie is there smiling at me. She squeals and runs to hug me.

"You're going to be late. Get up." She's pulling me, but I let her. She's my baby sister so I have to tolerate her.

"I should be telling you that. Why aren't you ready?"

She lets me go and starts pouting. I squat to her level. "What's wrong? Why aren't you dressed?"

"Because there's no one to. Daddy is gone, mommy is still asleep and Archie is with Vicky."

I arch my eyebrows. "Vicky? Who the f- on earth is Vicky?"

Angie is already leaving my room. I follow her to the living room. Andrez is sitting there all smiley and happy. I'm almost tempted to roll my eyes. "Andrez. Why'd you call him Vicky?" I ask my sister.

She looks at me like I just asked the dumbest question and goes to the dining. I can see Archer from my peripheral view flipping pancakes. Vicky waves at me and my response is a nod. I look at my brother when I get to the kitchen.

"What's with the look?"

"What is Andrez looking for in our house? I thought that was a one time thing. "

He ignores me and focuses on plating Angie's meal. Pancakes, eggs and sausages, just the way she likes it. I smile at her happy expression before returning to frown st my brother.

"Do you even like him?", I'm whisper screaming. He looks at Angie but she doesn't even spare us a glance.

Archer goes to the living room and I follow. Andrez is still seated very obediently. My brother could ask him to put his hand inside fire and he would.

"I've gotta take a shower. I'll drop the three of you off. Ander, come get mom's breakfast."

Mom takes only a slice of bread and coffee in the morning. She says anything else makes her sick. I'm not one to argue. I put it in a tray, adding an apple just in case her nausea starts acting up again.

"Rise and shine. "

She was already awake. The little... She spreads her hands out for a hug. I do hug her, relishing in her scent.

"Good morning baby. Where are your siblings?"

"Angie is eating, Archer is probably taking a shower. He's dropping us off." I hand the tray to her.

She takes it with a smile. "Thank you baby. And yes, I told him to take both of you. I have a meeting in about two hours and I need to prepare. Your school does nothing but drain me. It drives me crazy."

I laugh at her. Believe me, it's not an exaggeration. My principal is a pure lunatic. "I don't blame you though. I can only laugh at the horror that befalls Ander there."

She holds her hands to get chest. "My poor boy. I'll pray for him."

Her alarm goes off. "I need to get ready. You need to do so too."

I get up, but not to leave. I go to mom's bathroom and start her bath. Warm to perfection. She blows me a kiss as I leave. I don't go to bath right away, I go to Archer's room first. He's just coming out of the shower.

"Why aren't you ready? You're not going to make us late."

"Fuck that. Explain what you're doing with Andrez. Are you gay?"

"No I'm not. Are you happy?"

"Then what the fuck are you doing with him. It's annoying seeing the way he follows you around like a fly."

"I never told him to follow me around. That's strictly on him."

I drop on my brother's bed, going through his antique magazine collections. I know he hates when I do it. That's why I'm doing it. "Well, if you didn't know, it's because you're putting ideas in his head."

" Get off my bed. You're getting your fingerprint over it."

"I'll leave when my question is answered. What's your deal with Andrez?"

"Why the fuck do you even care? Please go away. Get fucking dressed."

"Fine. Just be fucking careful. I'm going to get dressed now."