Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the story plot, which I haven't quite figured out yet.
A/N: I thought I'd try something different so I uploaded this to see if anybody liked it. I've already written the second chapter but haven't finished it. I'll see what responses I get for this. Maybe it'll give me a few ideas. Thanks to those who have read my other one-shots and favorited them or reviewed them. It really means a lot to me. And to those who haven't read them, take a look and see if you like/hate. :D
It was the night they had arrived back from the vacation and Justin was still reveling in what had happened over the course of their stay on the foreign country. He shuddered at the memory of their parents having no recollection about their children.
It had been a very lonely feeling and the faces of his younger sister and his younger brother with tears in their eyes and pouts and having no idea how to fix it made him choke up a bit.
He set down his suitcase next to his closet, leaving the chore of unpacking for a later time and moved towards his bed. He sat down first, but with exhaustion weighing on his mind, laid back, and supporting his head by bending his arms and crossing them behind him.
He let himself wander and closed his eyes, very grateful he was finally home.
Though the trip had been pleasant once they had dealt with the whole ordeal, it'd been nice spending time with his family without Alex interrupting with her haughty and sarcastic remarks or jabs directed at him.
They had spent it relaxingly for the remainder of the days they had left of their vacation and he was admittedly sad to see their family bonding fade ever so slightly.
'If it hadn't been for Alex, though,' a little nagging voice said in the back of his mind. He turned to his side to face the wall.
He appreciated his family. He did. But Alex was sometimes a little hard to tolerate. She was funny, he'd give her that, and she somehow had the best interests at heart for anybody she 'helped'; nevertheless, he couldn't help but think of all the trouble she caused. It was his job as their older brother to look out for Alex and Max and to help them when they were in a rut, but sometimes it felt like he was in the same situation when it came to Alex.
Something was always up with her. He admired the way she always tried to solve her own problems or somebody else's, but at times he really thought she should mind her own business.
Alex had definitely learned her lesson over their summer break, he smiled sadly. He wished nothing like that would ever happen to them again. It had been like a light shining into his groggy eyes. A shock of pure fear and panic had coursed through his body when he realized that his parents didn't recognize him. Didn't know him.
He fought back the rush of memories and settled deeper into his comfortable bed.
He hadn't realized he'd fallen asleep without showering or changing until there was a knock on his half-opened door. He stretched and stood, saw who it was at the door, and realized the irony of his actions when he remembered his earlier thoughts.
"Hey." Her quiet voice broke the silence as she found a spot next to him. She was uncharacteristically quiet and he paid more attention on her.
"What's up?" He asked, lacing his fingers on top of his lap.
"I know that I don't apologize often," At a pointed look from him, she hastily corrected herself, annoyance in her voice. "Ok, ever, but I wanted to say sorry about what I did. I know I ruined our vacation and I wish I hadn't been so stubborn and selfish and casted that spell. I definitely learned something and I'll be smarter about boys and family in the future." She finalized, sounding like she was repeating an apology to a teacher. He smirked. He knew how much it pained her to submit defeat and acknowledge her faults but he knew she knew it was the right thing to do.
"I know how much you hate doing this, so I'll leave it at that. Okay?" He asked, trying really hard to hide the smirk threatening to break out over his face. He looked at Alex and saw her nod and her grim expression. She stood up and stretched a bored look in her eyes once again. "I'm gonna leave….so…" She said awkwardly. He smiled and sighed heavily, lying back down. No matter how hard Alex sometimes made life for him, he knew she'd always apologize when she knew she'd gone too far. If only she knew that every time before she even thought of causing trouble.