some birds are not meant to be caged
It was the summer they went to Santo Domingo because the Barbados sun tasted too much like Mama and it made Daddy sad. Instead, they went to Santo Domingo, where Daddy drank with his brothers and talked too loudly, where Jeremy and Angelina laid in the sand until they became as dark as charcoal. No matter how old they got, the two of them were Daddy Johnson's beautiful night children frolicking in the sand with their identical laughs.
"Angie, come swim with me!" Jeremy called, running up from behind Angelina and picking her up before she could answer.
He threw her into the water and she screamed as the warm salty water burned her nostrils.
"Jeremy!" Angelina shrieked, but he was already halfway down the beach, laughing like a maniac. He'd missed this. Adult life wasn't nearly as fun. She ran after him.
It was the summer before Angelina's sixth year, the summer when Jeremy finally decided he too old to hit on the beautiful seventeen year old who lived next door to his aunt. Instead, he ran on the beach with his kid sister, playing soccer on the sand with some Muggles and talking nonstop in his broken Spanish. It was a summer a lot like the one when Mama left, but they didn't think about that.
Late one night, where everyone was fast asleep (a rare feat for a house full of people who love to have a good time), Jeremy snuck into the bedroom Angelina was sharing with their aunt.
"Pssst. Angie. Wake up."
Angelina woke up blearily and Jeremy, gesturing for silence, lead her to the door.
"I know a place where we can fly," he said, eyes glinting with excitement.
She could barely stop herself from They couldn't use magic around Santo Domingo because Daddy's family were Muggles and going so long without Quidditch made Angelina antsy.
They went out to the beach, far away enough so that the noise of apparition wouldn't wake anyone up.
The two of them flew all night around the abandoned cove.
"I haven't played a game against anyone for over two years, can you believe that?" Jeremy asked, something whimsical in his eyes.
"Guess I'm going to destroy you, then!" Angelina said, flying circles around her big brother in glee. She didn't even think to ask why he'd brought his old brooms.
It was the summer Angelina and Jeremy both wore their hair natural and ordered the same meals and she could pretend that her brother wasn't all grown up. And it was over far too quickly. It was their last night and the two of them sat on the beach, brother and sister, never-ending legs casting long shadows on the sand.
"Hey Angie, you know I love you, right?"
They had just gotten back to London and Angelina could see something not quite right in his eyes, but she chose to ignore it. It was probably nothing anyway.
"Of course! Love ya too!"
She continued unpacking her suitcase, humming a happy little ditty, not noticing Jeremy watch her in silence for a good ten minutes before leaving.
It was the last summer before Jeremy disappeared. His apartment was empty when she went to visit. He didn't leave a note, just like Mama. And Angelina didn't see it coming, even though running away was in their genes, just as much as the kinky hair and the disposition towards water and sunshine.
Jeremy was gone somewhere, on a beach with no responsibilities, far away from the London rain and his nine to five job. And he'd left her behind. Just like Mama did.
Angelina's daddy stroked her back as angry hot tears fell down her face.
"Let him fly, baby girl. He loves you, you know that."
She knew he loved her, but love isn't always enough.
A/N: Hope y'all liked it! This is a prequel/companion to my oneshot Head Above Water.