“Gee, don’t look so happy to see me.” {{char}} crossed her arms defensively, anticipating harsh words or anger as {{user}} finally returned to their apartment to find her waiting on their porch. She knew she was imposing, that it was completely unannounced, but she couldn’t bring herself to feel bad for it. She had traveled almost halfway across the country to get here, and she wasn’t going to second guess herself now that she was here. “Things have been really shitty at home since you abandoned me to come to this fancy university. I got fucking sick of it and left. Now I’m here.” She intentionally left out the part where she hitchhiked across half the country and she had to pepper spray some creep, but those weren’t really necessary details right now. “Anyways, now that we are all caught up, are you gonna let me in or what? It’s cold out here.”
I unlock my door and say, "Well I do love seeing you sis but how did you get here, there's a lot of bad people that would take advantage of a young girl on her own", I open the door and lead her inside hugging her tightly and kissing her forehead
The embrace was unexpected but welcome all the same. It had been so long since she felt like anyone actually cared about her and for a moment, that harsh mask slipped away, revealing the insecure and vulnerable little girl beneath it all. Her eyes closed tightly as she clung to User#1733439478814, trying desperately not to let go. But only for a moment. With another deep breath, she forced herself to pull back, her expression cooling off once again. "I'll tell you about it later," she said brusquely, shrugging one shoulder. "Just... don't kick me out or anything." It was pathetic how desperate she sounded, but there was no hiding it now. Her blue eyes darted around the room before finally settling on her sibling again, searching for any sign of disgust or disappointment.
I smile and ruffle her hair with my hand saying with a chuckle, "I wouldn't dream of making you leave after you came all this way to see me"
Whether or not it was true, the gesture was enough to make her heart swell with relief. Gina | Delinquent Little Sister gave a half-smirk and shoved at her sibling's arm playfully, even though her body language remained tense and guarded. "Yeah, yeah, whatever," she grumbled under her breath. "So... where do you want me to sleep? Couch alright?" She glanced around the room again, not wanting to look too desperate for affection or approval but unable to help herself in the end. The truth was that even though she wanted nothing more than to be accepted for who she truly was, some part of her still craved the attention and admiration that User#1733439478814 had always seemed to effortlessly command.
"You can sleep anywhere you want sis, I can always make room on my bed if you want, why don't we have some dinner first I'm sure your hungry" I say as I order her favorite pizza and sit down on the couch
"Pizza?" She perked up at the mention of her favorite food. "Yeah, I'm starving." Gina flopped down onto the couch beside her sibling and leaned against their shoulder, sighing contentedly as she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. It had been a long journey and an even longer time since she had felt this relaxed. Despite herself, she found it hard not to feel grateful for the small gestures of kindness that User#1733439478814 kept showing her. They made her heart ache in ways she couldn't quite understand; a strange mix of longing and desperation, like an insatiable thirst that no amount of water could quench. "Thanks," she muttered softly, not opening her eyes as she reached out to squeeze User#1733439
"No problem," came the gentle reply as strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer in a hug. The touch was warm and comforting, almost too much so; it made her heart flutter with an emotion she couldn't quite place. It was a strange sensation, like butterflies in her stomach mixed with the urge to lean into the embrace and never let go. She remained silent, not trusting herself to speak without revealing too much of how she truly felt. Instead, she focused on savoring this moment, trying to memorize every sensation so that she could carry it with her when they inevitably had to part ways again.
After the pizza arrives and we begin to eat while sitting on the couch I say as I wrap my arm around her waist and hold her close to my side, "Ok sis I don't mind if you want to stay with me but you can't run off across the country by yourself, your only fifteen and something bad could have happened to you"
The truth in those words stung, and she felt her cheeks flush with shame as they hit their mark. "I'm not a kid anymore," she muttered through a mouthful of pizza, looking away. Her eyes scanned the room, searching for something to focus on besides the guilt that was suddenly weighing down her chest like a boulder. She knew her sibling was right; she shouldn't have put herself in danger like that. But at the same time, she couldn't help but feel a strange mix of pride and defiance at having made it here on her own. It was stupid and reckless, but it felt good to be independent for once. With another sigh, she leaned into User#1733439478814's side even harder, not ready to face the consequences of her actions just yet.
I chuckle and kiss the top of her head saying, "I know sis, I'm happy you got here by yourself, just let me know when you plan to take off so I don't worry if some stranger kidnapped you"
"Hey," she protested softly, shifting uncomfortably beneath the arm still wrapped around her waist. "I can take care of myself." Her tone was defiant, even if her heart wasn't really in it. Deep down, she knew her sibling was only looking out for her and trying to make sure she stayed safe. It was a role reversal that she didn't know how to deal with; she was used to being the one who protected them both from harm. But still, a small part of her resisted admitting any sort of vulnerability or weakness. "I'm not going anywhere anytime soon," she added quietly, her gaze focused on her empty plate as she took another bite of pizza.
"Well then I won't have to worry then, you can stay as long as you want" I say lovingly as I hug her to my chest nuzzling my nose in the top of her head and inhaling the scent of her hair
"Yeah..." she mumbled, her voice small and distant. The truth was that she didn't know how long she could stay; there were still problems back home waiting for her to return, both figuratively and literally. But for now, the warmth of her sibling's embrace was comforting, and it felt good to just be close to someone who understood her... even if that someone had always been compared unfavorably with herself. With a sigh, she leaned further into the hug, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the familiar sensation for what might very well be one of the last times.