Chapter 2
Age twelve
“Have you seen Katie Peters?” Lucas asks.
I shake my head. We’ve spent summer hanging out together before our move across the other side of town last week. I’m not sure what I’m going to do without my best friend being right next door.
“She got boobs over the summer. Sprouted out of nowhere. I’m so asking her out.”
I snort. “As if you’re allowed to date yet.”
“Boobs?”
Lucas glares at his little sister. She’s so quiet, sitting on the deck beside the table we’re lounging around. She’s holding a crayon in her hand, her hazel eyes flicking between me and Lucas.
“Go back to your colouring, Pippa. This is grown-up conversation,” Lucas growls.
Anyone else might feel threatened by his tone, but Pippa bursts out laughing and shakes her head, her dark pigtails flapping around. “Stop being silly, Lucas. You’re a kid.”
He goes to stand, and I shove him back in his seat. “What the hell are you doing?”
“She’s making fun of me.” He puffs out his chest. “Some people think I’m very grown up.”
I roll my eyes. “She’s five. Leave her alone.” Shifting my gaze to Pippa, I nod toward the picture she’s colouring. “That’s a cool cat. Is that Roger?”
She shakes her head. “No, silly. Roger’s white. This cat’s black.”
I chuckle.
“Why are you being so nice to her?” Lucas asks.
I turn toward him. “Because you’re lucky you have a little sister. I don’t have anyone.”
His face falls. “You have me.”
“I have both of you.” I tilt my head. “You’re like family.”
A tearing sound behind us makes us both turn, and Pippa stands, a piece of paper in her hand. “This is for you, Lucas.”
She hands him a picture of a black kitten. It’s a good effort from her—mostly inside the lines, and she beams at him as if she’s just painted the Mona Lisa.
“For me?” His whole attitude changes, and he smiles.
“I was going to give it to Deacon, but you’re the grumpy one today.” She grabs hold of his arm and hugs it. “I love you.”
Lucas, who’d just been scowling at her, lights up like a Christmas tree. “I love you too, Pippa.”
She pokes my arm with an index finger. “The next picture is for you.”
I give her a gentle smile. “I’d like that very much.”
“I’m going to draw a dragon for you.”
My brow dips as I tilt my head. “A dragon?”
“You and Lucas would fight a dragon if we saw one.”
I laugh. “Pipsqueak, when would we see a dragon?”
Her hazel eyes widen and she holds up her palms, her fingers splayed. “They could be anywhere.”
Lucas shakes his head. “Mum’s reading her a book about dragons at the moment.”
“Dragons?” I say, stroking my chin. “I think there’s a dragon behind you.”
Pippa lets out a squeal, and Lucas glares at me with a ‘What the fuck’ expression, but I laugh, leaping out of my chair and tickling Pippa.
“That’s not fair.” She screams with laughter.
I let go, and Lucas shoots her an affectionate look.
“We’ll slay the dragons, Pip,” Lucas says.
She places her hand on her heart. “Whew.”
“Deacon.” Lucas’s dad walks toward us. “I’m just heading out to grab some fish and chips. Want me to drop you home for dinner?”
“That’d be great, Mr Chapman.”
“Daddy, can I come?” Pippa looks at me before switching her gaze to her father.
He reaches down and bops her on the nose. “Not today, Pipsqueak. Your mother wants you inside.”
She pouts.
“Come on, Pip. Let’s go and see what Mum wants.” Lucas stands and holds out his fist for me to bump. “Catch you later, Deac.”
The car ride is quiet. I say nothing, and Mr Chapman shoots a glance at me every so often.
Life at home isn’t good right now.
“Will you be okay?” he asks as we pull into the driveway.
The Chapmans aren’t stupid. They know my parents fight.
I nod. “I’ll be fine. Thanks for the ride.”
“Any time, son.”
I scramble out of the car and take a deep breath before I pull open the screen door. Mr Chapman backs down the driveway, but he’s not even at the mailbox before I hear my mother screech.
“Would it kill you to pay attention to me?”
Dad sighs. “I do, Elise. It’s just never enough.”
Bypassing the living room where they’re arguing, I race upstairs to my room.
I close the door, sliding down to the floor behind it, my hands over my ears.
Sometimes I wish I could go and live with Lucas. His parents sometimes argue, but it never gets as bad as my mum and dad.
I’m not even sure why they’re together, but my dad says he loves my mum more than anything and that some people just argue.
Whatever it is, I hate it.