A/N: So...I started a new story. Because well, because I have no life *thumbs up* And because a couple other stories will be ending soon :'( SO THERE'S THIS ONE :D Anyway, we're Maslows in this (yes, I said we, I'm delusional and I'm James' sister. Like duh) BUT we live in Shakopee, Minnesota. Because FUCK YOU, THAT'S WHY. Jk, I love you guys, I've just been watching way too much Jenna Marbles.

Now. This story is going to be a lot of fun and stuff. Cause yeah. Each chapter will also be significantly longer than what I usually write because I'm feeling generous and am actually really excited to work on this story :)

I HOPE YOU LIKE THIS. I LOVE YOU ALL. *MWAH*

"Honey!" Mom yelled. "He's...home?" she finished in more of a question than a statement as I flew past her and out the door to my brother's car.

"JAMIE!" I squealed as I jumped on him.

"Jesus, Jack," James laughed as he hugged me back.

"Jackie," I scowled. "How many times do I have to remind you that you have a sister, not a brother?"

"Uh, not anymore," James commented, raising his eyebrows and putting me down before taking in my new look. "You look...old."

"Gee thanks," I rolled my eyes. "I've just grown up, that's all," I shrugged. "Tell me all about the show!" I urged as I tugged on his hand. "And where's Fox?"

"Can I get my suitcases out first?" he teased. "My little buddy is staying overnight at Pampered Paws cause he needs a really good bath."

"I can't wait to see him! And hurry up," I whined. "I haven't seen my big bro in like, six months and I missed you! We need to catch up and stuff."

"Aw, you have a heart!" James cooed before petting my head.

"Stop it!" I laughed and slapped his hand away. "You know very well that I love you, you just make it hard sometimes."

"Psh, girl, it is always easy to love me."

"Not when you're being an ass," I snickered.

"Just go," he laughed and playfully kicked my butt.

"Hey, that is precious cargo!" I teased.

"It'd better be wrapped in bubble wrap and stamped with fragile, cause ain't nobody touchin' my lil sister's ass."

"I think that was the worst English you've spoken in a while," I grinned.

"Yeah yeah, ya English freak," he rolled his eyes. "Grab the duffle, will you?"

"What about 'just go'?" I smirked.

"Well now I'm saying get the damn duffle bag," he smiled.

"Only cause you're so darn cute," I giggled before pinching his cheek and running down to his car.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to do that?" James yelled.

"JUST LIKE YOU CALLING ME JACK!" I shot back.

"YEAH WELL- point taken," he scowled. "Well done. Maybe you should be a lawyer instead."

I tilted my head back and forth, toying with the idea. "Eh, maybe. I'll leave that to your girlfriend. Wait...why?" A slow grin spread across my face. "Do anything worthy of being arrested? Did you need to be bailed out of jail?"

"Absolutely not!" James scoffed. "You- you're a horrible child. Where's Mom?"

"In the kitchen, making food."

"Awesome."

"Please," I laughed. "You hear 'food' and you're in heaven."

"I'm a growing twenty two year old-"

"Boy?" I finished, cackling.

"MAN!"

"YOU HAVE A FREAKING SCOOTER PARKED IN THE GARAGE!"

James pointed an accusatory finger at me and shouted, "I WAS TWENTY ONE WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IT WAS JUSTIFIED."

I put my hand up and shook my head. "I don't even want to try and understand you."

"Good, don't," he smirked.

"Ass."

"Bitch."

"Co-"

"Nu uh," James cringed. "I hate you using that word. Detest it. It just-" he shuddered. "Ew."

"-ck," I finished with a smirk.

"MOM, JACKIE'S BEING WEIRD AND SEXUALLY INAPPROPRIATE AGAIN!" James called as he walked into the house.

Great. That's the first thing you say to your mother when you walk back into the house? Smooth, big bro, real smooth.

"She is twenty, honey," Mom grinned as she walked over to James to give him a huge hug and kiss. "How's my biggest baby?"

He smiled and held her close. "Happy to be home."

"Good," she sighed in his arms. "We are too. By the way, literally the whole fridge is stocked with food."

"Yeah," I agreed, nodding my head. "We cleaned the grocery store out."

"And me and the guys will be happy to help you out with that," he smiled.

"The guys and I," Mom and I automatically corrected, grinning at eachother.

"Ok I so didn't miss having two English majors on my ass," James laughed.

"Ehem," Mom coughed.

"Aw c'mon, Mom, really?"

She raised an eyebrow and gave him "the look".

"Butt," he sighed. "I meant butt."

"Thank you, honey." She patted his cheek and went back to the stove. "I know you both are 'adults' now, but you're always going to be my Jackie and Jamie. My two babies."

James draped his arm over my shoulder and rested his head on top of mine. "Ah, still so young and short," he grinned.

"And still so tall and stupid," I shot back.

"Um, that should have been 'old' and 'tall'."

"I decided to switch it up a bit," I grinned and stuck my tongue out at him.

"Ya weirdo."

"Deal with it!"

"I have been, for twenty...almost-one years!"

"Don't hurt yourself with the math there, Jamie-bear," I giggled.

"You- just- ugh- I- going upstairs," he finished with a scowl.

"Love you!" I yelled after him.

"Yeah yeah, love you too, stupid."

"You two have the weirdest relationship," Mom chuckled.

"I know," I laughed with her. "But I love it. Hey Mom?"

"Hmm?" She glanced up at me briefly before going back to dicing tomatoes.

"Do you- Do you think he'll show up? Or call? Or anything?"

"Your father?" she asked, her voice void of emotion.

"Yeah," I nodded. "Last time he visited was when James turned eighteen. He didn't come for his twenty first, either."

"Well," she sighed. "He came to see James. Not us."

"Oh."

"Don't take it personally," she shook her head. "He's very...different about these things."

"Did you really love him?"

Mom gave me a funny look. "Where are all these questions coming from? Go help your brother unpack."

"But Mom-"

"Jacqueline. Go."

Holy mother. When the full name comes out, it's time for my ass to run.

I grabbed my brother's last two bags and hurried upstairs and into his room. "Knock knock," I called as I stepped inside.

"In here," James said from the closet. "Just hanging some stuff up. I'm not really unpacking because-"

"Tour starts in a week," I sighed, finishing his sentence for him.

"Aw c'mon, Jackie, don't look at me like that," he groaned.

"Sorry," I frowned. "I just hate not having you here, that's all."

"Ugh, c'mere."

"Nonono no Jamie-bear hugs! They're painful!" I giggled.

"Nope. Come here, Jackie."

"No!" I yelped, trying to dodge his hands.

"I'm going to hug you, I hope you know that. I'm like, a good four inches taller than you."

"Ooh a whole four inches!" I teased.

"Jackie, look, it's the guys!" James pointed behind me and I spun around.

"What? What? Where? Where's Ken-"

"GOTCHA!" he yelled and grabbed me in a bear hug.

"No!" I wailed. "You're too strong."

"Been working out," he said with a smug grin, flexing his bicep.

"Since when have you not?" I rolled my eyes.

"Ouch. That hurt."

"Mmhm. Sure. So seriously, tell me about filming the show! My life in Shakopee is boring as fuck," I sighed dramatically and fell backwards onto his bed.

"I seriously don't understand why you can't just wait to watch the season."

"Because I'm an impatient twenty year old," I said matter-of-factly.

"Mmhm," James smiled. "But I have something bigger to tell you."

"Like?" I yelled, sitting up on my knees.

"I wanna marry Kali."

"YOU WHAT?" I shrieked.

"I really do," he grinned. "I love her, Jackie."

"I love her too!" I squealed, getting up to hug him. "Ugh, I'm so proud of you! This is- yes. I approve. Wholeheartedly. This is perfect."

"Happy to hear it," he smiled and kissed the top of my head. "So do you wanna help me pick out a ring?"

"Is that even a question?" I grinned. "Yes! Absolutely! It has to be beautiful, like her. Classy, sophisticated, not too blingy, but just enough. Definitely diamond since, yeah. Maybe princess cut."

"Whoa whoa whoa, slow your roll there!" James laughed. "We'll talk to Mom, then go online. They're all coming over for dinner tonight, so we can pick it up before then. We have roughly two hours."

"Let's go!" I cried and dragged him back downstairs. "Mom! MOTHER! MOM, WHERE ARE YOU?"

"In the same place I've been for an hour," she cracked. "What's up?"

"Tell her," I bit my lip, my eyes twinkling.

"Mom, I'm going to marry Kali."

Mom dropped the carrot she was holding and I face palmed. "You couldn't wait until after she put it down?" I smiled at my brother.

"That would've been smarter," he nodded.

"Ya think?"

"I'll get the carrot," I offered, walking over. "You go talk to James." I pushed Mom out of the kitchen and took up her job of making salad.

When I finished up, I joined my mom and brother in the living room where they were talking on the couch. "-so I really wanna go today," James finished.

"We can definitely manage that," Mom beamed. "My baby's growing up! Getting married. Oh I feel so old," she sighed.

"How are you going to be at my wedding?" I laughed.

"Your wedding?" James chuckled. "No, that's never happening. You're not allowed to grow up and meet a man and get married and have kids. It's just- nope. Not happening."

"Is he serious?" I directed my question at Mom while simultaneously making a face at James.

"Dead serious," Mom nodded.

James walked over and took my face in his hands before leaning down to kiss my forehead. "You are an innocent young child and are not allowed to get older."

"Alright don't get sentimental on me," I joked, nudging him. "Let's pick out a ring!"

James, Mom, and I sat down at the table with my laptop in front of us for the next hour. "This is taking forever," James groaned. "None of these are perfect enough and- that one." He shoved me out of my seat and took over my spot at the computer. "This- this is absolutely perfect!"

I stood up off the floor, made a big show of brushing myself off, and promptly shoved him over. "Ha. Loser," I snickered.

"Let's not forget who shoved who first," James commented from the floor.

"Let's not forget who's on the floor now."

"Touché."

"That's what you say when you know I've won."

"Hey Mom, if I take her to the store to get the ring, am I allowed to duct tape her mouth shut?"

"Absolutely n..." Mom trailed off and studied me.

"NOT!" I shrieked. "Mom, finish the sentence! He can't do that!"

"It's probably best if you didn't, James," she added. "That wouldn't look very good for you."

"But-but-but what about me?" I spluttered. "You can't be ok with him suggesting that! That's like- like kidnapping!"

James shrugged. "Hey, you can't call it kidnapping when you keep reminding me you're an adult. Oh and by the way, I'm your brother, so it's cool."

"No, it's not," I insisted.

"Yes it is."

"Why are you still on the floor?" I snapped.

"Because it loves my body," he grinned. Oh god, I know not to fight him on that one.

"Can we just go?"

"Sure. Lemme get my wallet and keys. Mom, do you wanna go, too?"

"That's ok, you guys go. I'll stay home and make sure everything's ready for dinner tonight. You have just about an hour."

"Aw damn," James groaned. "C'mon Jack, let's go." I gave him a look and he sighed. "Jackie."

"Thank you," I nodded.

As we were walking out the door, I stopped and turned around. "Hey uh, shouldn't we get a picture of the ring or print it out or something?"

"I was just about to say that," James shouted, pointing to the ceiling as he walked back into the house.

Ah, my brother. My brilliant brother.

"Shit, James, she's already here," I groaned as James pulled into our driveway.

"How do we manage this? I can't exactly walk in with a jewelry bag and be like 'Nope, nothing to see here!'."

"I got this," I nodded decisively. As soon as the car was in park, I ran to my car and rummaged through the trunk until I found what I was looking for. I waved a Kohl's bag triumphantly in the air. "Slip the ring in and she'll never know. Follow my lead." I grabbed a few more bags from my last trip to the mall and sauntered into the house.

"Hey Kali, sorry for being late," I smiled at my sister-in-law-to-be. SQUEAL. "James promised me a shopping day for leaving for six months," I laughed, displaying the bags on my arms.

"Sounds fun. Hey there, Jamie," she smiled at James, going up to him and quickly pecking his lips. Look at that. She hasn't seen him in six months, yet she'll still wait till they're alone.

What a classy woman.

"What'd you get for her, James?"

I stood behind Kali and gestured frantically at my chest. Ok, so I was TRYING to say shirts. But I was a bit unbalanced with all the bags. Don't judge.

"Uh...bras?" James guessed, giving me a funny look.

I shook my head frantically and tugged the hem of my t-shirt. "SHIRTS!" he yelled.

JACKASS. CLASS ACT JACKASS.

"Look at that, he doesn't even pay attention," I covered up, shooting Kali a smile and James a glare. I moved closer to him to "thank him" and whispered, "You are an ABSOLUTE idiot. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING!" I said louder before kissing his cheek and scurrying upstairs.

I'm a pretty damn good sister, if I may say so myself.

Ha. Who gives a fuck? I just did.

Come at me, bitch.

"Jackie, they're here! Come on down."

Oh god. They're here. That means...

Kendall's here.

That man just...hehe. HE WILL BE MINE!

Well damn, I've been talking to my brother too much. Weird.

"Coming!" I yelled. I ran into my bathroom and made sure my makeup and hair was all good before glancing down at the outfit I was wearing.

Ugh. I am so changing this shirt. I pulled on a t-shirt that was a bit...lower cut. James will just have to deal with it.

I put on some simple studs and skipped downstairs, right into Carlos' arms. "JACKIE!"

"LOS!" I hugged him tight and kissed his cheek. "I missed you dorks around this house."

"Still the same old Jackie," Logan laughed. "C'mere, kiddo." I ran into Logan's arms and he held me tight. "How's college going?"

"Meh," I shrugged. "Same old, same old. Pretty boring. How's life for you guys?"

"Pretty good," he smiled. "It's good to be home, though."

"For us too," I grinned. "This place is weird without you guys."

"Don't I get some love?"

My breath hitched in my throat and my heart skipped a beat. That voice. "Of course you do, Ken," I smiled, turning around to face him.

Kendall opened his arms wide and I all but jumped him. "I missed you so much," he whispered.

I blushed and kept my eyes glued to the floor, muttering out an "I missed you, too".

"Guys, come on out to the porch," Mom called.

"We should probably join them," I told Kendall.

"Or we could stay here, alone," he smiled down at me.

"You know, I wouldn't mind-"

"Jackie, come on, honey!" Mom yelled again. "Oh and find Kendall!"

"Already did," I laughed. "C'mon." I took his hand and pulled him out onto the porch.

I feel like...ugh, I don't even know! Kendall and I have always been close. I mean, we grew up together. He and James have been best friends since forever. But I fell in love with him.

And I feel like he did, too.

But I don't wanna ruin our friendship.

GETTING OLD SUCKS. DON'T DO IT.

I sat down at the table next to my brother and smiled at him. He leaned over and kissed my temple. "Everything ok?"

"Mmhm," I nodded. "But seriously, thanks for my day out. Everything is being displayed in my closet."

James winked at me and I smiled. Carlos caught my attention and started asking about what I did back home while they were in LA. I talked to him for a while, but I never missed the looks Kendall sent me while talking to my mom.

IS THIS SERIOUSLY HAPPENING? I'M FREAKING THE FUCK OUT INSIDE. I NEED A VENTILATOR OR SOME SHIT. I CAN'T BREATHE.

"Jack? Jackie..." James waved his hand in front of my face and I shook my head.

"Huh?"

"Kal's trying to talk to you," he chuckled, using his pet name for his girlfriend.

"Sorry," I blushed. "Just um, thinking about stuff."

"Yeah, we could see," James teased.

I stuck my tongue out at him and turned to his girlfriend. "What's up?"

"I wanted to know if you were going on tour as well."

"Hold up. As well?" I shot a look at my brother who developed a sudden interest in the patio design. "James," I growled.

"Kal's going on tour with us," he mumbled.

"Well that's good," I smiled. "So how come I wasn't invited?"

"Um..."

"Good answer," I rolled my eyes.

"You can go on tour with us," Kendall immediately spoke up.

"What? How?" I smiled.

"You can stay on my bus," he grinned. Logan shot him a look and he corrected himself. "Our bus. Mine and Logan's."

"Wait, seriously? Mom, can I?"

"I don't see why not," she smiled. "It is summer break after all."

"You can't go," James sighed.

"Why not?" I pouted, crossing my arms.

"Yeah, why not?" Carlos asked, mimicking my movements.

"I'm not letting her stay on a bus by herself with Kendall!"

"Logan will be there, too!" I said indignantly. "And what are you even suggesting?"

"I'm just not comfortable with that."

"So I'll stay on your bus," I argued.

"How?"

"You and Kali share a bunk, and I can take an extra one."

"I'm fine with that," Kali smiled, placing her hand on James' bicep.

"But we have Carlos, Alec, and Ranel on our bus, Jackie. That's the four bunks."

"James, honey, why can't she just stay on their bus?" Mom questioned.

"I just don't want her to, ok?"

"Alright, so what if you, Kal, Kendall, and I share a bus? Then Carlos, Logan, Alec, and Ranel can be on the other one. Right?"

"There are other crew members."

"And we have more buses," Kendall jumped in. "C'mon James, Jackie should go with us. We've never taken her before."

"I...alright," James relented. "Welcome aboard the Summer Break Tour, kiddo."

"Yes, thank you thank you thank you!" I squealed, hugging him. "I'm so excited!"

"I seriously can't believe you're going to be twenty one in two days," Logan grinned.

"Believe it, buddy boy," I laughed as I leaned back in my chair and took a sip of lemonade. "Better believe it."

"Being twenty one is fun," Kali grinned. "I remember my twenty first birthday."

"Does James?" I cackled.

Kali covered her mouth with her hand and James blushed a bright red.

"Oh my," Mom laughed.

"She got you there, man," Carlos snickered.

"What?" I asked innocently. "I was asking if he remembered his twenty first birthday. Now c'mon, guys."

"Yeah yeah, cause you're so innocent," Kendall winked.

"Hey, what was that?" James glared at him.

"Uh...me talking to your sister?" Kendall offered.

"Jamie, stop it," Kali whispered. "Calm down."

"I swear to god, if you pull anything, anything on this tour, I will-"

"ALRIGHT, DESSERT," Mom cut in. "All of you stop it. You." She pointed at James. "Kitchen. Now."

"Ugh, why me?" I groaned, dropping my head onto the table.

"Don't worry about it," Kali sighed, rubbing my back. "You know your brother's very protective of you."

"But from Kendall? Seriously? They've been best friends since before I was born!"

"Well you're both older now. And everyone can tell that something is clearly going on."

"What?" My head shot up and I stared at Kendall. "What's clearly going on?"

"Dunno," he shrugged. "Did we miss something?"

"Clearly," Kali, Carlos, and Logan laughed.

"Guys, come inside!" Mom yelled. "It's getting dark out there, anyway."

Kali, Carlos, and Logan headed inside through the sliding glass door, me following behind until I felt a hand slip into mine.

Kendall.

"What's up?" I asked him.

"Were they- Are they- Are they right? Is something going on between us?"

"Um...do you want it to?"

"I asked you first," he smirked.

"Let me put it this way," I laughed. "Pretty soon, I'm gonna be singing Gold to you."

"Gold..." he said under his breath. "Gold...Gold?"

"I'm going inside, Ken," I sang, and stepped through the door.

I could actually see him wracking his brain for my meaning.

What an adorable dork.

"Wait, seriously what does that mean?" he asked, running to catch up with me as I walked to the kitchen.

I shrugged. "You'll have to figure it out."

"But I wanna know," he whined.

We finally reached the kitchen where my big brother was staring down at the island counter and smiling like an idiot.

"What happened to you?" I asked him.

"Best. Girlfriend. Ever."

I smiled at Kali who grinned back. "Red velvet cupcakes?"

"Mmhm," she smirked. "Do I know my man, or what?"

"You definitely know him," James insisted as he tore off the wrapper and bit into one. "So good," he hummed happily.

"Thanks for distracting him," I whispered to Kali, going to stand next to her.

"No problem, Jackie," she laughed.

James wiped his mouth with a napkin and cleared his throat. "So um, Jackie, you're gonna go on my bus with me, Kal, and- and-"

Kali smacked his arm and he coughed out, "Kendall!"

"I love you!" I squealed as I ran over to hug him. "You're the best brother I could ever ask for."

"Yeah yeah," he laughed. "Way to lay it on thick. But no funny business."

"What could happen?" Carlos asked innocently. "I mean, the bunks don't have a very high ceiling so it would be awfully uncomfortable to-"

"LOS!" I yelled, turning bright red.

"Now this- this is a good system," James smirked. "Anytime you or Kendall says something awkwardly sexual, I'll just get Litos to embarrass you."

"I don't like you," I pouted at my brother.

"Aw, but I love you," he cooed, squeezing my shoulder.

"Shove off," I growled.

"Fine," he shrugged. "So you don't want to come on tour then?"

"No!" I shouted immediately. "I mean, yes, yes I do and no to not wanting to and-"

"Honey, you're absolutely horrible," Mom laughed. "So mean to your sister."

"She does it to herself," James snickered. "I mean, c'mon, she sets herself up for a comment half the time."

"Go fix your hair," I snapped.

Kali's hand instantly went to James' arm and she shook her head. "It looks perfect."

"It better," James grumbled.

"You do it to yourself," I mocked him.

"You're unbelievable."

"And so are you."

"Yeah well you're-"

"James," Mom cut in. "Can you go upstairs and check my phone? Jared was supposed to call, and I don't want to call him back too late if he did."

"But-"

"Please?" Mom cut him off again.

Oh god, James, you're really stupid. She's telling you to go get the ring. JARED, genius, JARED. Where we bought the fucking ring.

Ugh. Dumbass.

James' eyes suddenly lit up and he nodded. "Sure, I'll go check."

I skipped over to where Kendall was standing and leaned against the counter. "So didja figure it out yet?" I grinned.

"Yeah Sherlock, I did," he teased.

"Oh I'm so proud of you," I rolled my eyes. "But I'm serious."

"Kendall might need glasses," Logan commented, swinging an arm across my shoulders.

"Because...?" I prompted.

"Wow, I thought you would get that one," he laughed. "Cause he's so blind."

"Oh see now that was good!" I smiled, nodding. "I got it now," I told Logan, giving him a thumbs up.

"Proud of you, kiddo," he teased. "Why is James taking so long?"

"I told him where I put it," I muttered. "Hold on. I think something's in my contact, I'll be back," I explained as I made my way upstairs. I ran to my room and found James standing in my closet. "What's taking you so long?"

"I can't find it," he whined. "You have like, fifty million dresses in here."

"Jamie," I sighed, reaching up to the shelf and pulling the bag down. "It's right here."

"I knew that," he immediately said as he grabbed the bag from me. "But seriously thanks. I owe you one, little sis."

"You owe me like, a hundred but that's cool," I told him with a wave of my hand. "It's all good in the hood."

"Please...never say that again," he shook his head.

"You always question my cool...ness."

"You're a weirdo," James said lovingly as he bent down to kiss my forehead. "Now let's go. I've got to propose to my girlfriend."

James slipped the box out of the bag and into his pocket. "Ready?" I smiled and squeezed his hand.

He gulped and nodded. "I just hope she says yes."

"Wow you're stupid," I laughed as we walked downstairs.

"Thanks for your vote of confidence," he rolled his eyes. He walked over to Kali and took her hand, then led her out to the gazebo in the garden.

A minute later we heard a squeal and triumphant yell from James. "YES!" Kendall shouted and picked me up to kiss me.

We pulled back a second later, smiling at eachother, him still holding me in his arms. "Uh...did that just happen?" I grinned.

"I-I think so," he smiled. "You think James will be pissed?"

"I can assume so," I giggled, pointing behind Kendall.

"He's gonna murder me in my sleep," Kendall whispered.

"No, I wouldn't let him," I smiled, stroking Kendall's cheek.

"Did what I not want to happen just happen?" James growled.

"Ken, put me down," I whispered.

"Oh. Right."

Kendall put me back down on the ground and I walked over to my brother. "Don't do this now," I pleaded. "Just celebrate that you got engaged."

"I'm with her on that," Kali smiled, pointing at me.

"You got lucky this time, Jackie," he glared at me.

"We'll talk about it later," I insisted. "Now. Who wants another cupcake?"

"I'm up for one," Carlos smiled. "And congrats, guys."

"Thanks, Litos," James smiled, returning to his relaxed state.

GOD BLESS YOU CARLOS.

"So let's see the ring!" Logan yelled.

"How should I model it?" Kali smiled. "One of these?" She put her hand against her cheek and made a sultry face. "Or maybe this?" Kali rested her left hand on James' arm and turned her head away from us. "Or how about-"

"Kal, just show them," James laughed.

"Fine. Take all the fun out of it," she giggled and stuck her tongue out at James. Kali placed her hand on the kitchen counter and my god, she could not look more beautiful. The way she was smiling at my brother and the clear adoration in his eyes...it was absolutely perfect.

My brother is one lucky son of a bitch.

Just saying.

About an hour later, everyone had headed home and James, Mom, and I had just finished cleaning up the kitchen when he suddenly turned to me and nodded upstairs. "Let's go. We need to talk."

"Mom," I groaned. "Please tell him he's being unreasonable."

"Jackie, c'mon, sweetheart. Listen to your older brother."

"Ugh, fine." I trudged upstairs, James following behind me. "Your room or mine?"

"Mine. Yours is too...girly."

"Just be glad I don't have posters of Kendall up everywhere," I smirked. "Ooh I should get some!"

James rolled his eyes and shoved me into his room and onto the bed. "I don't like the thought of you dating him," he started immediately, sitting down next to me.

"Why not?"

"Because...because Kendall's my best friend and you're my baby sister. If something happens, can you imagine where I'd be? Stuck in between you two. And I can't pick between you guys, you know that. I love you both way too much."

"I love you, too," I smiled. "But shouldn't you be happy I'm choosing your best friend? I mean, he's gonna be my first official boyfriend. You know him so well! That's a plus for you," I pointed out.

"Well yes, but still."

"But still what?" I frowned. "What else could there be?"

"What about the age difference?"

"Jamie," I whined. "Come on. He's turning twenty three in a few months, and I'm turning twenty one in a few days. What difference?"

"But I- But- No, there's gotta be something else."

"Nothing else, big bro," I laughed. "Just give up! You should trust us."

"It's not that I don't trust you," James sighed. "It's just that...I've always been the one to protect you from the world. And you're suddenly growing up and changing and wanting to date Kendall and- I guess I'm just trying to say...I want to be there for you, Jackie. Always. I don't want you dating Kendall to get in between us."

"That could never happen," I shook my head and moved over to hug him. He held me tight and gently rocked us back and forth.

"I love you so much, Jackie. I have this instinct to murder anything that hurts you and I don't want to end up in jail for doing that to my best friend."

"You won't!" I laughed. "I promise. And besides, he hasn't even asked me yet. We just kissed once."

"Ew."

"Oh grow up," I smiled and shoved him. "We won't do it in front of you, if that makes it better."

"Hey, as you so smartly pointed out, you're not together yet. I'm gonna see how long I can keep that true."

OH GOD JUST LET IT GO.