I groaned. I was in no mood to baby-sit. Oh well. I did love my little nephew, Tommy. Why did I have to do it anyway? I'm not even close to being the oldest! I'm only fourteen!

But whatever. I do understand that Nora and her husband need some time to themselves. They're always at home with Tommy. And Lorraine's at college and Charlie works. Henry's at band practice, and Jake's not exactly great with kids, and I'm older than anyone else. Great. At least I'm getting payed.

I got off the couch and turned off the TV. Where was everyone anyway?

"Mom!?" No answer.

"Dad!?" Nothing.

What the hell? "Is anyone home!?"

"What!?" a voice yelled from upstairs.

I ran up the stairs to look for the source of the voice. Kim and Jessica were in their room with some type of chemical in a beaker. "We're trying to-"

"Don't really want to know," I said, walking out of their room.

I switched my sweats for a pair of jeans and put on my favorite tee-shirt. Then, as an afterthought, I walked back into Kim and Jessica's room.

"Are you guys gonna be alright here by yourselves?" I asked. Kim waved the beaker with the strange blue liquid, now bubbling. Jessica grinned. "I tried to tell you, we're-"

"I still don't want to know," I said. "I would prefer to not be a part of this."

I grabbed my bag and walked outside. Nora and her husband lived halfway across town, but apparently anyone with a car forgot that I was supposed to be somewhere, so I grabbed my bike and headed in the direction of their house.

By the time I got there, I was ten minutes late. Nora hugged me.

"Oh good," she said. "I was afraid you'd forgotten. Or I'd set the wrong date. Anyway, I'm glad you're here."

"Yeah, sorry I'm late," I said, "I rode my bike."

"You could have called me!" Nora said. "One of us would have picked you up!"

But I didn't want Nora to know that everyone had forgotten about me. Not today. "I wanted to," I lied. "I've been watching TV all day. I needed the exercise."

"Oh, ok," Nora said, not sounding completely convinced.

Nora's husband (AN: Sorry, but I cant remember his name!) waked into the room. "Nora, we have to go. Hi Sarah!"

I waved and gave him a halfhearted smile.

"Okay," Nora said. Then she turned to me. "There's food in the fridge and Tommy's asleep for now."

I nodded and they left. Soon I was alone in the living room. I walked into the kitchen. That's one of the great things about babysitting for your sister. You are entitled to eat her cheet-os (AN: Did I spell that wrong? Ya know what? I cant spell, so she was eating potato chips!)

I sat on the couch, watching TV. I turned the volume down so I could hear Tommy if he cried.

Just then, my phone rang. I picked it. The caller id said Elliot. I wouldn't have answered for anyone else.

"Hi," I said.

"Hey Sarah!" he said happily, not appearing to pick up on my mood yet. "Happy birthday!"

And then I started to cry.