I stretched like a cat as my phone rang, waking me up to a bright, bright morning. I squinted, searching for my phone like I didn't already know where it was. And I immediately dreaded my choice of location. I glared over to my desk, wondering why in the world I would ever put it that far from my comfy bed. 

Come on, telepathy work... I thought, stretching out my arm to the desk. TO ME, MY PHONE! I reached for it harder, imagining I had Magneto's powers, but naturally, nothing happened. After another second, I got up and went across the room. I answered my phone as I yawned. "Eh-oh?"

"Penn? Did you just get up?" my brother asked.

"Yeah. I had a late night." I replied. "What's up?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to meet up at the park today. Aunt Judy is going to be out until tomorrow. So, I figured it might be a good time to see each other."

Aunt Judy was like my personal parole officer. She kept me away from the one and only real family I had left. And if I ever did go back home to see him, she clocked me on it and made sure I only got to spend thirty minutes with him before kicking me out. My father's sister is a bitter woman, and the second I turned eighteen, she kicked my hide to the curb with nothing more than the clothes on my back and five dollars in my pocket. If it weren't for my amazing brother, I would have never managed to get the rest of my stuff.

"Of course!" I smiled, trying to rub the sleep from eyes. "What time?"

"Um, twelve-thirty?" he asked, thinking about it.

I looked over to the alarm clock. It was eleven in the morning. "I'll definitely be there. The usual spot?"

"Yeah." I could tell he was smiling. I could hear it in the way his voice perked up.

"Awesome. See you then!" I said, before jumping out of bed.

*****

I sat on one of the swings, waiting for my brother to show.

It's been almost four months since the last time I saw him. We tried to communicate with each other, but Judy always had him under lock and key. Sometimes, I wouldn't hear from him for weeks at a time. And just as I would get ready to storm the castle, he'd send me a text or give me a call to let me know he was ok.

I despise that he has to stay with that greedy monster. She only took us in to get the money from my parents' life insurance policy. We were told that they were in an accident. If you can even consider getting driven off the road and slamming into the side of a brick building by some good-for-nothing alcoholic an accident.

They caught the guy after he tried to run, but it didn't really mean anything. I mean, yeah, in the eyes of the law, the guy was caught. But in our eyes... All it did was make us confront the man who slaughtered our family. Who tore us apart. It didn't bring back my parents, and it sure as hell didn't make us any happier. Instead, we got stuck with Judy, and she got stuck with us. 

And to make our lives all the more difficult, Judy has no rights to the cash. It was left in Reese's and my name. Only we could have it. And now that I have half the money, Judy wants nothing more to do with me. She knew I wouldn't give her a cent. Not even if she groveled--but boy, do I wish she had groveled. And it's not like I'm a greedy person. I could give less of a shit about money, to be honest. So long as I had enough for me and Reese, I would be set, but Judy... Well, when you grow up with someone constantly putting you down... Someone who consistently doesn't give a damn about your thoughts, feelings, or rights, you would be a little bitter about it too. 

But now, her only hope for a piece of the action was by 'being nice and caring' towards my brother. But I know better than most. Her motherly instincts were about as sharp as talons. I'm sure the woman couldn't hold an infant without choking the poor thing. 

"Penn!"

I stood up, grinning as I watched my brother run up to me. As soon as he got close enough, I latched on tight to him. "Reese's Pieces!" I hugged him tighter. "My God, you've gotten even taller. What is this?! You were the same height as a munchkin before."

He laughed and pushed me away, gently. "I'm five foot six now. Can you believe it? I totally dwarfed you."

"Hey!" I pointed at him. "I can still kick your fourteen-year-old butt, and don't you forget it."

Reese smiled as he sat on one of the swings. "Yeah, well, that's child abuse, lady." He smirked at me as he bit his tongue from laughing.

"Oh, so you're a child now?" I teased, recalling all the moments he insisted he wasn't.

"Only when it suits me." He stuck his tongue out playfully.

I chuckled, amused. "Fair enough." 

With little hesitation, I joined my brother on the swing next to him. And in that instance, I took the opportunity to take a good hard look at him. His hair was a darker shade of blonde than mine, and he had dark rings under his cerulean eyes. We had the same skin tone, so those black circles made him look sickly. He had a few small pimples on his cheek, but other than an obvious lack of sleep, he seemed to be alright.

"What's the matter with you?" I probed carefully. 

"What do you mean?" he asked confused.

"Has Maleficent been keeping you up?" I squinted.

"Not really." He shrugged.

"Reese..."

"It's nothing, really." My brother paused for a second before saying, "She's just been coming home really late. She usual brings obnoxious company." He looked down at the ground. "It's no big deal though. I usually just put my headphones on and listen to music. Nothing that I can't handle." He grinned at me, trying to push away my concern.

I watched him skeptically, but didn't press for more. All I wanted to do was take Reese away where we could be under the same roof. Even though I got a good sum of money, I had to use it to help pay for college. I got a few scholarships, but the rest of the money was for my schooling.

Sometimes I wondered if I made the right choice, but it was Reese who convinced me to apply at CSU. So, since it was something he wanted, I made sure to make all my years at college count. I'm pretty much gearing up to work in publishing—even at the cost of not getting my own writing out there. But... there isn't much I wouldn't give up if it meant I could be with my brother. 

"So, how's Des?" Reese said with a slight chipper beat in his tone.

He's so subtle at changing the subject. I thought sarcastically. 

I smirked at him. I was pretty sure he had a crush on my roommate. It was kind of like the beginning of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," where Helena is desperately in love with Demetrius, but he doesn't feel the same in any way, shape, or form. Poor Reese, he'll find someone closer to his age one day.

"She's good." I said, thinking about Des. "She's been working hard on her projects. You know she snuck a dress--she made for me--into my closet. How she got my measurements, I'll never know."

He laughed, catching his breath for a moment. "Nice. If anyone can fix you up, it's Des."

"Traitor." I pouted which only made him hoot harder.

I loved when he laughed. It was proof that I made him at least a little happy.

"Come on," I coaxed him up. "Let's go for a walk."

"And some pizza while we're at it." 

*****

"Ah, Petite!" Des greeted me. "Where have you been?"

"The beast had left its cave, so I went and hung out with Reese for a while. Why? What's up?"

"Nothing," she smiled, knowingly. I adored the fact that I didn't have to properly explain myself about Judy to Des. She just knew what I meant. Besides, we already had the our-families-won't-show-up-here talk a long time ago. "Just wondering. Oh, Jack was here earlier."

"For you, I'm sure." I scoffed.

Des stared at me, confused. "Non. He said he wanted to see if you were alright after last night. Why would he come for me?"

"Why wouldn't he after all the fun you guys had."

"Penn..." A slow smirk slid across her face. "...Were you jealous?"

My face burst with heat at her statement. I tried not to stammer. "Of course not. That's ridiculous."

"Ok, if you say so, ma amie." Des still had that crooked grin on.

"Anyway, I better get ready for work. Colin's going to be there, and I'd like to get there a little early, so we have time to chat."

At his name, her face turned blank. "Right, Colin. Alright." She paused. "Oh, how was Reese?"

I sighed for a moment. "He seems well. He looked exhausted, but other than that, everything is the same." I smiled as I recalled him bringing up Des. "I'm still pretty sure he has a crush on you. I was almost tempted to bring him over, but there wasn't enough time."

"It's alright. Next time then." She tried to comfort me.

"Yeah..." I sighed one more time. "Well, off I go! I really need to get ready."