InsaneJournal

Tuesday: November 6, 2007
Who: Chris and Charlie
When: Late afternoon
Where: Riley's cottage / their new home
What: Reflecting on their recent move

Things were always changing. It was the way life worked, and sometimes there was nothing anyone could do about it. Chris and Charlie had figured that out long ago, probably a lot sooner than they would have if the virus and the war didn't happen. Moving was just another change, and it wasn't that big of a deal anyway. Echo had decided to break up with Charlie, and Charlie decided that it was too weird living in a house with your ex-girlfriend. Chris would never leave her brother's side, and so when he expressed interest in moving, she agreed.

"I like it here," Chris said as she glanced out the window of their new room. It wasn't a picnic having to share a room with her brother, but at least they had a nice view of the lake from their window.

"Yeah, Riley is awesome. I'm just sorry you had to meet her like this." Charlie was already worried about how Chris was handling the move, though he was happy that she seemed okay.

"Don't worry," she said. "It's not like Ms. Emily will even notice that we're gone." She sighed a little, brushing her hair away from her face with her fingers. The woman had barely noticed that the girl was sneaking out at all hours of the night, and she never once confronted her about her whereabouts. It wasn't that Chris was looking to get into trouble, she just wanted to know that the woman cared enough to be worried.

Charlie didn't know what to say in response to Chris. He walked over to his sister, and placed an arm around her shoulders. "Not like Echo will, either," he said with a frown. "She said I didn't pay attention to her. What the hell was I supposed to do? Be with her all the time?"

Chris looked over at her brother and laughed. "Yes, silly. Don't you know that's what all girls want? Constant attention and undying loyalty." She laughed.

Charlie rolled his eyes, and poked his sister's side playfully. "Yeah well, I'm only fourteen. I can't stay focused for that long."

Chris smiled at her brother, and then turned to give him a hug. "Charlie?" Her voice was small for some reason.

"Yeah?" He answered.

"Do you think we'll ever see mom and dad again?"

Charlie felt a hitch form in his throat. He swallowed it back, and smiled. "You bet! Mom and dad are out there, probably waiting for the best time to come look for us."

Chris nuzzled into her brother's chest. "I hope so..." she said. She was on the verge of crying, but she held back her tears. She couldn't act like a baby all the time. The girl looked up at her brother, and pulled away after a moment. "Let's finish unpacking," she said with a grin.

The older brother nodded, and continued putting away his clothes and what little belongings he had. Chris did the same, bantering playfully with her brother for the rest of the afternoon.