I went straight to bed as soon as I got home from my date with Simon. I didn’t want to run into Chloe and have her tell me how I’m failing as a sister. I’m being forced to hide in my own home. I weep at the memories of a time when my house was a safe haven.Like clockwork Chloe took over my life and like a fool I let her. Now I’m lying in my bed wide awake, I should be sleeping but I can’t. I wish I was in Simon’s bed right now. I want to sleep like I did the other night.My brain is running so fast right now there’s no way in hell I’m falling asleep.“Just come in.” I hear Chloe say at my front door. She’s trying to whisper but she’s failing. It’s 3 am and everything is quiet, so I can hear clearly. “Why are you walking so slowly? Come in.” She says and I hear feet shuffle on the floor. Chloe is unbelievable; she’s not pulling this sit on me right now. I 

 “This smells so good. Wow, I’m literally salivating. It looks good too.” Adira says taking the seat she was sitting in before she left me in the kitchen. I place a bowl of food in front of her and she smiles. I’m proud of the food I made tonight. I can’t wait for her to have a bite.“It tastes good too.” I say smiling at her proudly. I can tell by the smell that this is the best Teriyaki chicken I’ve ever made. I don’t need her to confirm that fact but I love that she loves what she’s seeing.“Wow!” She exclaims after taking a bite. She looks at me appreciatively and then she takes another bite immediately after. I smile feeling good; I love to see her enjoying the little things.“I told you.” I say when she does her little dance. I take a seat and start eating too. I do a dance too when the chicken hits my taste buds. This is really god, my mother

“I’m glad you decided to come with me.” I say smiling at her. She’s walking toward me, her bag in one hand her phone in the other. I was surprised when she texted letting me know she’s like to come with me this weekend. I was sure she wasn’t interested. I open my car trunk and take the bag from her.She’s looking at me unsure; I knew this wouldn’t be easy for her so I came prepared. I know she might change her mind and I’d have to go alone but I’m hopeful.“I’m still not sure this is a good idea.” She says looking back at her apartment building like she’s wants to run back home. I close the trunk and stand next to her; I give her a moment to think this over. I don’t want to rush her into anything.I  take a deep breath and stay calm and wait for her to decide if she wants to change her mind or not. I cross my fingers praying she doesn’t. I already told my parents

“You parents are very into each other.” Adira says as we walk out of m parent’s house and head down my street. I want to take her on a night walk in my neighborhood. I used to take night walks all the time when I lived at home. I find the night air relaxing, especially if I’m going to sleep right after my walk.And our neighborhood is very beautiful at night; most people are in their houses at this hour. So we can walk casually in the middle of the streets with no cars driving up and down.“Yeah, they act like newlyweds. I doubt they’ll ever stop.” I say smiling; my parents are obsessed with each other. They are as touchy feely today as they were when I was old enough to understand. I tease them all the time about how much they kiss and hug each other.“It’s so beautiful to see.” She says surprising me. That’s not the usual reaction I usually get when people see my parents together. I’ve fou

The breeze makes Adira’s hair fly around her, she smiles at me through the lens taking my breath away. I snap a few pictures of her beautiful face. I’ve wanted to take pictures of her from the moment I saw her. I wanted to capture her beauty and keep it forever. The ocean behind her makes her look majestic; she looks like she belongs here. The waves sloshing behind her give the pictures a depth that is incredible. I want to touch her and bring the same beauty I feel around her to me. But at the same time I don’t want to ruin the moment. Now that I’m here doing just that I’m lost for words, this girl is beautiful. She has the kind of beauty no one can deny. She doesn’t have to try hard; her smile alone is life changing. She looks even more beautiful when she’s frustrated. She been like this from the time I took my camera out and started taking pictures of her. She complained she looks too plain, and then she complained she looks too ugly and now she’s