Ben was really riding the line of what is and isn’t okay with me for the past few days, and that was rare for a guy who did almost nothing I really cared about usually. I know he’d been lying, sneaking, and ignoring people, and I was really, really worried about that. Like, those were things I normally did. And the last thing Mom and Dad really need is another me jumping out of windows at night. Because I’m pretty certain Ben wouldn’t make it back by morning.

So there I was, throwing some clothes on to get ready for a night out with the girls again. I just needed tonight to make things right with Cadence and Megan, and hopefully things wouldn’t be so… tense with us as a group. Then I’ll admit that I just had to take a small bathroom break before I went out. So I took out my phone.

“Will b a couple mins L8, got 2 use the bathroom.” I texted.

“Don’t hold us up.” Cadence texted back. Nice. Thanks. I chose the sympathetic friend to text, clearly.

I just made a quick trip out of my room and down the hall. Wasn’t supposed to be anything crazy. Just me, on the toilet, and out the window in under five minutes. So I strolled out of my room, opened the bathroom door, and realized I wasn’t going to be in and out in just five minutes. To put it simply, things got complicated.

I looked in, and Ben was hunched over the toilet jamming his fingers down his throat and vomiting up what was left of his dinner. He didn’t even notice me until he’d barfed like three times. I felt something drop in my stomach, and I just felt terrified. Like, that wasn’t Ben. I don’t know what it was, but it wasn’t my brother. I had to cover my mouth in disgust.

He turned his head and we locked eyes for a few seconds. The expression he had on was definitely one of a person who just got caught. Only he wasn’t just taking a cookie from a jar. No, this was a lot more concerning.

“Sophie?!” he exclaimed, voice hoarse and shaking. “What’re you- Why are you up?!”

“Ben,” I harshly breathed, trying to steady my own voice. “What are you doing?”

“I’m just… I was sick and-“

“Don’t you dare lie to me again!” I said abrasively, trying to sound angry but not shout to let Mom or Dad hear. “The truth right now, or I go to Mom and Dad!”

“I…” he looked scared, but also guilty. Clearly he felt bad, and was holding something back. I let my face soften.

“Come on Ben, I’m your sis. You know you can tell me whatever is making you upset.” Ben closed his eyes tightly then looked back at me.

“I feel like I have the flu. My head hurts and my stomach-“

“I can’t believe you right now!” I huffed. Even when I cornered and threatened him, he refused to tell me the truth! 

I turned away from the bathroom and started walking to Mom and Dad’s room. What I didn’t expect was for Ben to start scrambling out of the bathroom and chasing me.

I had never seen him run as fast as he did at that moment. I could’ve easily outran him like any other day really. He just caught me by surprise. Not sure what he thought he was going to accomplish by grabbing my ankle; maybe stall for time or something, but I was too quick. He chased me into Mom and Dad’s room.

I didn't know that Dad was still working in his office until I realized there was only one parent in bed. By the time Mom took her sleeping mask off, turned a light on, and sat up, Ben and I were on the ground fighting. Well, it wasn’t really fighting, because at most he was just trying to cover my mouth while I kept him at arm’s length. It didn’t stop Mom from summoning the ender of arguments though.

“Kevin!” she bellowed. “It’s the kids!”

Dad came running into the bedroom and was stunned for a second to see Ben and I in a tussle. I’m sure it looked a bit funny from the outside. Dad grabbed Ben by the arm while Mom helped me into the bed. I felt kinda dazed, which was embarrassing when my opponent was Ben.

“Hey, are you alright?” asked mom.

“Yeah, I just need a second…”

A minute later, Dad came back into the room and sighed. I knew he didn’t like doing that one bit. He never liked having to ever discipline Ben or I, so it was a good thing we were behaved kids. Most of the time.

“What did you do to get him so riled up?” he asked, looking at a clock. “And this late too?”

Ah, screw my promise to Ben. He lied to my face, so I think that’s good cause for considering our promise void. Mom and Dad sat patiently on the bed next to me, waiting for some explanation.

“So it started our first day back to school from spring break, I think…”