COUNTING DOWN THE YEARS

OH WOW!

This chapter might as well be the one making this book a 18+ book so watch out! Okay false alarm, kind of. But have your fingers crossed anyway. I'm saying enjoy yourself and maybe say hello... 

                                                                   OH WOW! 

I wake up to cheery noises around me. Everyone forgot about the girl who just wanted some peace and quiet. Out of four two are happier and louder. Don't think too much, it's the parents. I swear sometimes I just want to deny knowing them. It's dark in here save for the bright light of the TV screen. I guess it's because I'm from sleep .

I thought I'd wake up when everyone has gone to bed at least . But just my luck they are still here and the game must be still on. I sit up straighter only to end up in a pizza box then someone screaming my name. Very heartbroken .

That gives me some satisfaction. Peter throws me the finger and I wink at him. I don't know why I did that but what I meant was to... wiggle my eyebrows! So I awkwardly get up walk to the kitchen. Is it just me or is there anyone else who feels thirsty when they wake up? 

After a glass of water I wipe the pizza grease off of my feet. I'm bend down with a tissue wiping when I feel a presence behind me. I don't bother to acknowledge them. So when I'm done it's when I turn around hoping to throw the dirty tissue in the bin but instead meet a someone's body tall as mine so I'm looking Peter straight in the eye. 

My heart pounds so first me not expecting him to be there like that. He wears a smirk on his face I'm thinking glad to have scared me like that. If I had some space to swing my hands I would punch him a heavy one in the face. 

"Move! " I hiss. 

"Make me! " He says playfully actually chuckling. 

You've got to be kidding me. Now more than ever I would punch him! 

"Pete , that water coming or what? " Drew's voice shouts from the living room. 

"Chop chop servant boy. " I mock him smirking. 

A bad habit I'm developing. Peter laughs at that and steps out of the way for me to pass. I do and walk back to the living room. I stand behind the couch where mom and dad are seated and Drew down on the carpet . I feel irritated for some reason. So I go out. And to the main switch up in the back. I do the most childish thing ever. Cut off the supply to our house. 

"No! " Four voices yell in frustration from inside the house. 

"Yes! " I celebrate. 

This is so good why haven't I ever done it before. In my victory I almost trip over some cable which makes me sober up. 

"I knew you were fun even if you don't like to show that part. "

I freeze. Why can't I just do something and enjoy myself without anyone interfering because there is no fun in doing something wrong and getting caught red handed ! And didn't I hear four voices in there seconds ago? How could he have gotten here so fast? And most importantly... 

"Peter are you following me? "

"Maybe. "

"What the hell? Why would you ever do that? "

"Because Annie... " He trails off turning away from me. 

"Yeah? " I push. 

"You heart my feelings. " He says quietly. 

I burst out laughing. 

"Seriously? I wake up and step into your pizza and now you want to what, punish me for it? " I ask shocked he is that petty. 

I'd expect Drew to be but then I don't quite know this Peter so... 

"I wasn't done with that pizza, " He turns to face me, " But I'm not talking about that you reincarnated freak! "

My mouth hangs open. He exits after that not sparing me a glance. Yeah, wow. That just happened. 

"I don't even think of myself as a reincarnate! I never died so... " I mutter to self. 

I like to think I went back in time. Was born ten years before I was earlier born but I didn't die, did I? 

"Sweetie what are you doing out here alone? " Dad asks suddenly. 

"Oh, uh! "

"Get inside, we're all making dinner when I fix the power. " Dad says. 

Sometimes I forget he's a retired electrician. Not really retired since all over the neighborhood people have his number on speed dial in case they need an electrician but he doesn't take jobs with monthly payments any more. 

I get inside sheepishly walking facing him with a guilty look on my face because I know he'll find out what I did. Even if he doesn't mention it, I can't help feel the guilt . Then he'll have to lie to mom for me what happened. 

I hate it here and how such a child I become. Also how creepy our house is at the back. The back door opens into a hallway with a sole room to the right. Then it goes on to being between the kitchen and closet room. That first room I've never been inside. I don't know what's in there. My parents have always warned me about going in there when I was younger until I gave up trying. 

Coming to think of it, I've never seen them get in there too. I don't know why it's even there so I assumed I had a sibling who died or something. So the parents keep their stuff and memories in there. Honestly it's the only explanation that got me not to ask questions. I always feel creeped walking past it. Maybe it's just paranoia but I don't like using the back door. 

Lights come back on just as I step into the doorway of the kitchen. I see mom blowing off candles. The boys are eating some bread. Do they ever not eat? 

"Hey honey, you want to help daddy make those delicious pasta you guys make? The boys and I will make the sauce. " Mom speaks cheerily. 

"Sure. " I say with a faint smile. 

"Oh, where is the excitement? We make the best pasta ever. Italians have nothing on us. " Dad yells excitedly shaking me. 

"I can't wait. You know my stomach is a bottomless pit. I could eat all day. " Drew says. 

We all laugh at that. Then we get to making dinner. My parents are enjoying too much the boys company I'm hoping this is not them trying to fill some void because they have always wanted sons Instead of a daughter. I don't want to be replaced. I don't want to have all of their attention on me either. I know how that sounds. 

Looking at them so happy like this makes me feel out of place honestly. I've been trying to run away from them all my life I think I barely know them. Can't blame me though, they've always tried to baby me and I thought medicine for that was acting like a grown up. I haven't had a normal childhood thanks to the three of us. 

Maybe all I needed was to be there and be their kid. But what I did was take up more classes, study quick and leave home soonest possible. But it's all done now. I won't say I'm done fighting them because that can't just happen overnight. But maybe I'll try to be their daughter for once. I hope they didn't accept the bitter truth of not ever having their baby back. 

"I think I'll stay for a week this time. " I announce out of the blues before I sleep on it and talk myself out of it. 

"Me too. " Drew says eyeing me keenly challenging me. 

"Me three. " Peter too says in a challenge. 

"But you boys have school! " Dad reasons. 

"Ah! School. " Peter laments eyes still zeroed on me. 

"Too bad because we'd have loved to stay longer. " Drew smirks at me. 

I ignore them both eating like I've never had tastier food. 

"You can always visit over the weekend again. " Mom offers. 

"Over the weekend. " The boys say together like they've just figured out something important. 

I roll my eyes at that. They won't get a reaction out of me no matter how hard they try. 

"Yeah, we can always watch another game. " Dad says as if he just remembered. 

Once dinner is finished and the boys offer to do the dishes despite mom's protests, I go upstairs to my room. The parents sit by the TV sipping on some red wine. Typical! 

I just need to clean up then climb in bed to rest. I got myself too tired curling up on the couch earlier. Now all my bones hurt. Way I could sleep when I want to sleep, the neighborhood could be robbed at gunpoint but I won't hear a thing. I think it's what people like to call sleeping soundly, right? 

I lay my head on the pillow and close my eyes feeling the soft sheets against my romper wearing form. It smells like lavender and sunflower. Nice, this is definitely a recipe for a good night sleep. But boy, did I think that too soon. 

A cold hand presses down on my mouth. I immediately panic thinking my long dead brother is here to haunt me for letting two other boys replace his parent's love. I've never encountered a ghost so I'm frozen in place not knowing what to do or say. 

"Don't say a word Annie. " Peter says in a whisper. 

Peter? I was already sweating and all along it's Peter! 

"Get your cold hands off me! " I say but it sounds muffled so I take them off myself and turn on my night stand. 

He is smiling sheepishly at me. 

"What the hell is wrong with you? " I whisper yell. 

He makes me sit from my propped up on my elbows position. Then he sits on the bed close to me. Looking at his face. He has a strange look on. He's not meeting my eyes. When he does, he looks so vulnerable and confused. Sad too. I wonder what happened to him a few minutes ago to make him like that. 

"It's not pride Annie. I know you think it's pride but it's not. " Pause. " It's just that I've switched off that part of me for so long I seem to not be able to tap into it anymore. I can't concentrate for long. I feel like I should drop it forever some times you know. "

Oh. 

" You want me to help you reconnect? "

"I want you to help me find myself. Help me get my inspiration. You were right, high school will be over soon and I don't want my future to go down the drain with it. "

I was most definitely right. I cup his face and gently stroke his cheeks with my thumbs. 

"You'll... Help me right? " He asks softly and hopefully I want to cry. 

"Yes, of course. " I assure him with a smile. 

Aaw, look at me being mama bear and all. I retract my hands resting them on my lap. His eyes follow my hands to my very exposed thighs. Next thing I know his lips are gently nibbling on mine and my eyes close on their own accord. But a second later open in alarm. This is a high school kid I'm letting kiss me. 

One look at his confused face after pulling away melts my heart, what the hell? I'm drawn in before I could think and now it's me kissing him. He doesn't hesitate to kiss me back. Goes as far as running his fingers through my hair . I like the action but I'm not sure I should do that to him too. He gently bites on my bottom lip and pulls at it making my lips part more. 

He inserts his tongue in my mouth and I gladly suck on it. He tastes like wine. Must have drank some with my parents. They forget he is a minor? We kiss like that licking and sucking each other for a while until Peter grabs my breasts. I gasp in shock but it comes out as a moan instead. 

Then with my bad luck of course it's when Drew walks in. The i***t whistles at the scene in front of him instead of walking out like a sane person. I've never been more embarrassed in my life.