"GET BACK HERE, CHARLIE!"

I couldn't swallow back the wild cackle that erupted from my throat. Sprinting down the sidewalk, away from my now incensed sister, Alex, my eyes flitted around as I tried to find a way to throw her off my trail. Who'd have thought a handful of ice cubes down the back of her shirt during January would make her so mad?

Pfft, hahaha...

Darting around a corner, I ducked inside an alleyway and dropped behind a couple garbage cans. I clamped my lips together so tight it hurt, and listened as my sister tore past me, totally ignoring the alleyway. Her cries of my name and threats against my future family faded into the distance. What'd she do, run all the way to the library?

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I yelped, not expecting the text or call. I fumbled with my phone for a minute - it's cold in winter! And my hands were really numb! - and smirked when I read the text from my friend Kortinee.

Did you do it?

I texted back: Yes, mwahahahaaaa! I am the evil icer! Bow b4 me and my cruel coldness!

Oh, the horror! Lol, u dork. Quit pissing A off. She's gonna leave you in town, and u'll have to walk home in the slush.

She'd never do that to me.

Like she'd never forget u at the library.

That was 1 time, Kort!

No, that was 1 of 3 times. Seriously, u need to quit tormenting people. Ur like the Bad Touch Trio from Hetalia, except rolled up into one. And worse.

I rolled my eyes, and shut the phone, shoving it back in my jeans pocket. Whatever. I apparently wasn't allowed to have fun at others expense. When did Kortinee turn mature? She used to join in on all my pranks and high-jinks before.

At least Rin still enjoys a good prank and run for her life.

XXX

Back at home, I quickly locked myself in my basement bedroom to try and block out my sister's angry voice. It didn't really work, but at least she was getting the message that I didn't really care about what she said. I brought my computer back to life, selected an Evanescence album to play, and threw myself in my desk chair, determined to work on the new script.

College was fun, though hard. I'd chosen to build my own career in filmmaking. My family was against it, but I ignored them and started buying the necessary pieces first for a home recording studio, then saving up for a good DSLR camera for my movies. I was almost there, and was also working on a short script to use as my first movie. The actors I'd chosen were my own brother's children. They were so excited at the prospect of being immortalized on Youtube for everyone to see.

There was a knock on the door. "Charlie?"

I swallowed back a sigh. "Yea, Ben. Hang on." I got up and unlocked the door, letting my oldest nephew in. He had his school backpack with him. "What are you doing down here? Aren't you supposed to be doing homework with your dad?"

"He got called in to the shop. Can you help me?" His big, blue/green eyes were pleading.

I quirked an eyebrow. "Kid, that stopped working when you were five. You're eleven now. But yeah, you can stay down here and I'll help with you the stuff you absolutely cannot do on your own. Got it?"

He nodded enthusiastically, pitching his bag on my bed and sprawling on it while digging out his homework.

Fighting back the urge to roll my eyes, I settled back into my desk chair. Having Ben in my room while I worked wasn't too bad. Turned out he didn't need help at all, he just wanted to get away from his sister and two younger brothers. I sympathized with the kid. Being the third of four kids, I didn't understand it from the eldest's point of view, but I understood the need to get away from noisy siblings!

Finally, he was done and gone, and all I had left to do was read through the script and edit it however needed. Writing in script form always frustrated me. I wasn't used to it, even after having already taken a few classes for film, and each one had script writing in them. But I managed it.

I shoved the script in the side drawer, then flopped on my bed, turning on my TV to continue the Hetalia DVD where I'd left off that morning. I was re-watching my favorite episodes. As Germany talked to his new stick friend, I couldn't stop giggling. It was too funny to imagine a personified country talking to a dead piece of wood, of all things!

Heh...stick friend...*snort*

I glanced at the clock, making a face when I saw it was already eleven o'clock. The time had flown by. I settled back into my pillows, relaxing as I forced myself to stay awake and finish the DVD.

My eyes fluttered shut...then I snapped them open again, jerking my head.

The last thing I remember hearing was Italy babbling about his pasta...

Sorry the chapter is so short. As you can see, this is the re-write of 'Past Comes Back'. I've changed a lot around, and even started the story off differently. Whattya think? Please review!

Allonsy,

Eli