The Sinners Are Much More Fun

The encounter with Scripps had left her feeling better. Much, much better. Call it the thrill of the moment, but now university seemed like the best idea ever in the world. Almost. She thought about turning her giddiness into a song, figured why share the greatest moment of her life with indifferent listeners who most likely didn't care anyway. She was on such a tremendous high, nothing could possibly kill her mood.

She flung open the front door, puffed up like a peacock.

"Ah there she is, Char we've been waiting for you. Down by the pet shop again?" her mother asked cheerfully, moving about the kitchen putting away the dishes. "Oh sweetheart we heard the good news and I can assure you, no matter what we will work something out."

That was her mother, never let anyone breathe or have a say for themselves. "Mum, what if I don't want to go? What if I want to, er, do something else?" she asked sitting down at the table and laying her chin on her arms. She knew she was crossing dangerous water here, her parents firmly believed that there was nothing more important than education and that a degree could make a person for life.

"Sweetheart, we let you 'jam' all you wanted when you were younger. You've played enough. It's time to be an adult now and put those dreams on the backburner. University is the way to go."

Thanks for the support, mum. "That's what Jimmy says"

"And he is right. Where is he by the way?"

"With his friends. But mum," she argued, "We can't afford two tuitions each year."

"Charlotte, parents take care of children, children do not take care of parents. This is important, this is your future. We'll manage, trust me cheeky madam."

"Joy!"

"Can we check that attitude please?"

"Sorry.. Um, thank you mum, for all you do for me.. How's that?"

"You only have one parent?"

Now who was being cheeky? "For all you and dad do for me."

"That's better, now please do me a big favor honey and go check on the wash. Your father needs clean work clothes for tomorrow."

Silently she left the table and marched to the laundry like a prisoner about to face the gallows. On the plus side, if she did make it to Oxbridge, the only laundry she'd ever have to deal with would be her own. "Nah," she told her father's sock, "I won't even do any laundry. I'll be so filthy rich I'll just buy clothes every day."

"Once a clothes horse, always a clothes horse."

Without a word, she turned around and threw the sock at the voice. She only wished it was dirty and stinky and sweaty.

"Now is that any way to treat your adorable big brother?"

He had some nerve. "Screw you."

"Wow, your time with Scripps really sharpened your verbal skills. Just don't display that to any dons. Maybe I should go tell Scrippsy nice work."

She froze, and felt her breath get caught in her throat. What did he know? Had Scripps said anything? Or was he just being obnoxious? She decided to play it cool and shrugged. "It does rub off on people."

"Don't play coy with me Charlotte. He's been my friend for years, and for a stubborn little girl who's convinced she's got life all beat, well there's something mighty different about you."

"I am not stubborn, and I'm not telling you nothing."

"Oh yes, I can see how that's not stubborn at all. When are you telling mum?"

"Nice try Jimmy, you can't fool me. I still won't say a word."

"No? Well he might. And by the way miss un-stubborn sister, there's something on your bed. Go look."

"Jimmy if it's a mud pie, I'm really not interested. I have to finish this."

"It's not, truly. Go on, I'll finish this."

"Oh now you decide to be nice."

"Just go will ya? Before I change my mind."

She groaned, "Fine."

She passed through the hallway and shut the door to her room rather loudly. Now she was excited. Just because she was up for Oxbridge didn't mean she didn't stop getting excited over a present. Just as he had said, there was a tiny box on her bed with two pieces of notebook paper attached. She picked the top one up and began to read.

"Dear Charlotte,

Today is the first day of the rest of your life, congratulations. This is such an exciting chapter for you and we are thrilled to be apart of it. Soon, you will be figuring out who you are and how you would like the world to see you, but please remember that no one is perfect (no, not even you. During this time, you will fall in love,(hopefully a few times so when it's real, you will know it), fall out of love, and unfortunately- shed some tears. Charlotte, you make us proud and it has truly been our honor to know you, and spend this time with you as an adult.

Love you forever,

Mummy and Daddy.

"Wow," was all she could manage, locking the door and sitting down slowly. "Alright, alright, alright I'll go" It couldn't be that bad, right? At least she'd be away from her mother's prying eyes and free to be with Scripps. Providing they even made it that far.

Scripps. Oh Jimmy! The second one had to be from her brother.

Hey Kiddo,

Well you did this for me so now I guess I'm returning the favor. Anyway, I know you're not looking forward to university as much as I did, but I want you to know I'll help you through it. You're the only sister I've got, and I have to take care of you. I don't care how much we argue, what we say, or even what we do, I'll still love you. Just don't ever repeat that to anyone haha.

I suppose I better be deep here, so I want to come out and say that the brave don't live forever, but the cautious don't live at all, so never let that inner fire you have be put out, never explain yourself, and never look back with regret.

I love you Charlotte, you're my star whether you like it or not. Now stop reading and open already, I know you want to.

Your favorite brother,

Jimmy.

"Ok-ay" she sang carefully putting the notes in her desk, I'll open." Inside the box was a diamond and sapphire star necklace. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life. Now the star part of Jimmy's letter made perfect sense.

"Ohh my God, ohh my God it's beautiful! Thank youu" she cried running out the door and back into the kitchen to give her mother the biggest hug she could manage. "I take it someone found a present," her mom laughed and brushed back her hair.

"I did, I love it. Thank you thank you thank you!!"

"You're quite welcome sweetheart, enjoy."

"I will!" she called over her shoulder running into the laundry room and tackled Jimmy to the ground.

"Am I forgiven?"

"Very much so! I love it, I love you too. You're the best brother ever."

"That's what we were hiding at the pub before, mum would slaughter me if I ruined the surprise. You're a good sister though, just wanted to let you know."

Awww shucks!

"So will you tell me about Scripps now? What did you talk about?"

"Why do you want to know so bad?"

He shrugged. "Nosy."

"Nothing doing Jimmy, nothing doing" she swore, hugging her brother as tight as she possibly could.