Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Twenty-Six

"—Passes the ball to Staunton— The score's still 2-nil—Staunton's sprinting across the pitch—She's going for it—And yes! She's done it! She's just gone and drilled that sucker into the back of the net! Goaaaaaaal!—Oh, shit!"

I dived to the ground, my knees landing on the hardwood floor painfully, as I reached for the ball that had just ricocheted against the wall and was heading straight for my mum's beloved antique French vieux vase I had placed on the floor for safekeeping before yesterday's game of cricket. I let out a sigh of relief as I stopped it before it could so much as tap the fragile porcelain.

I flipped over onto my back, letting the ball roll slowly off my fingertips and into the hallway. I stared up at the chandelier above me, my eyes following the specks of light reflecting off the glass onto the ceiling as they disappeared and reappeared again.

It had been a week, and Theo still said I couldn't go to his flat, chatting on about that 'surprise' of his.

I rolled my eyes, sitting up and running a finger over the fresh scrapes on my knees.

So far this bloody surprise sucked.

I stood up, nodding my head along to the radio blasting Stained Coasters. I stretched, raising my arms up and up, before I sauntered over to my plate of half-eaten chocolate chip pancakes resting on the sofa. I picked one up with my bare hands, taking a bite, careful not to get any crumbs on the pristine white rug beneath me. I brushed my fingers across my oversized shirt then picked up my empty plate, simultaneously eating/walking/dancing to the kitchen.

Humming along, I rocked out to a guitar solo, almost dropping my plate in the process. I shimmied to the sink, my plate landing with a clang. Licking my fingers, ridding them of delicious cholate stains, I opened the refrigerator, grabbing a carton of orange juice and bringing it to my lips, gulping more than half of it down before putting it back and mentally reminding myself to grab a new one the next time I go to the market.

I sat down on a bar stool, swiveling around on it. One minute I was looking at the dishes and pan I used to make breakfast, then I caught a glimpse of the football that had rolled into the dining room, resting against a leg of that obscenely large dining table, next my eyes flickered to the foyer, my bags still unpacked and positioned right next to the front door. I put a hand out for the marble countertop, stopping mid-turn, righting myself back to first position: dirty dishes.

I hopped off the stool, heading to the sink, dragging my feet as I went. I twisted the tap making it the coldest it could go. I ran my hand through the icy water, splashing my face. This summer was proving to be excruciatingly hot, not that I was complaining, gave me a chance to make use of the pool while I was still stuck here.

I washed the dishes sluggishly, glancing at the clock behind me. It had only been an hour since I had woken up, and I still had the rest of the day ahead of me.

Putting the last of the dishes on the rack, I dried my hands with the dish rag. I took a detour through the living room, turning off the radio as I passed, before circling back to the staircase in the foyer. I climbed the steps two at a time, quickly reaching the second floor. My bare feet padded against the plush carpeting. I was supposed to head to my room for a shirt not covered in chocolate stains. Instead of turning right though, I found myself walking to my parent's instead.

When I entered, the familiar smell of my mum's signature scent filled my nostrils. It wasn't any kind of expensive perfume, though she had plenty neatly lining her vanity. It was lavender oil. She said it helped calm her nerves—she had plenty of that too.

I made my way to the bed, sitting on the edge of it gingerly. I didn't want to ruin it, I mean, it was made immaculately. Not a crease in sight, the silk pillows fluffed to perfection. Marcy, our maid, was truly a god (her caramel fudge cake was practically on par with freaking nirvana).

My eyes swept across the dimly lit room. The ceiling length drapes were drawn closed, the fireplace in front of me was absent of any kindling, the marble scrubbed clean. After another minute of deafening silence, I got up smoothing out the duvet before crossing my arms and walking back out into the hallway, closing the door behind me.

Back outside, this time I did make my way to my room. My window was thrown open, and sunshine was pouring in, the curtains, pushed all the way to the side, shifted slightly from the rare breeze. I grabbed a hair-tie from the pile of them on my bureau. It seemed useless now to have so many when I hardly had any hair left. I could only pull back a little nub of curls, the rest hung about my face as I bent down to rummage through a drawer in search of the thinnest shirt possible. I needed it to brave the underground in this heat.

I wanted to head up to Central London and if I left now, I could hang around Theo and Liz's flat. After all, it was a waste of time to wallow inside an empty house, no matter that I had plenty of time to waste.

I settled on a loose white top and pulled on some denim shorts. Not bothering with a bag, I just shoved some cash and my keys in my pocket and slid sunglasses atop my head.

Leaving a note for Marcy on the mirrored table by the front entrance, in case I didn't make it back before she got here, I stepped outside. A wave of heat immediately hit me, the blazing sun practically blinding me. I adjusted my sunglasses to rest on the bridge of my nose, solving one problem, but I hadn't taken two steps and I was already perspiring. I trudged on, I'd take my chances with sweaty armpits over hollow houses.

By the time I got to the station my pits were flooded. Too much information? Yes. But, the truth? Also yes, disgustingly so.

Then, after only fifteen minutes of glorious air conditioning, unfortunately countered by the clammy mass of people blocking it from me, I had to step off the train, the same mass of clammy people bustling me forward.

If you thought Hogwarts' corridors on a Friday afternoon were packed, you've never maneuvered you're way through Central London rush hour. Smarmy businessmen were a lot more ruthless than jaded upperclassmen too. Speaking of those skinny-tied spawns of corporate Satan, one of them about knocked me out with his briefcase. Asshole.

Making a turn, entering a less crowded street, Liz's shop was at the other end. Looking through the ivy-painted window, I could see Liz at the cash register, flipping through a magazine.

I knocked on the glass, and she looked up, startled. When she saw it was me, her mouth split into a grin and she hurried over to open the door.

"Hey! You're up early!" She exclaimed letting me inside.

"Wanted to get here before the hippies." I said sighing in contentment when a blast of cool air hit my face. I took off my sunglasses and placed it on the counter, while peeking inside one of the jars filled with samples lined next to the register. I raised a brow. "Clay toothpaste?"

"Yeah!" Liz eyes lit up eagerly. "Doesn't that sound amazing?"

I stopped my face from contorting instinctively, but couldn't help the flat "no" that came out of my mouth.

Liz's shop was a "new age apothecary," which boasted all natural organic ingredients in skincare and whatnot. There were tea tree leaf exfoliants, Marrakech fragrance oils, and now, clay toothpaste.

Liz didn't take my lack of enthusiasm to heart. "Seriously, it's amazing. Doesn't have any of those gross chemicals in it, no fluoride or glycerin. Those actually weaken your teeth," She informed me "It's just—

"Dirt?"

"But really great dirt." She added.

I snorted.

"From the hills of Switzerland!"

I rolled my eyes, focusing on the glossy wedding magazine in her hand. "How's the wedding planning going?" I asked, hopping onto the counter.

Liz joined me, abandoning her sandals on the floor. "Great!" she responded a little too cheerfully, which meant that it was the total opposite.

I gave her a pointed look.

"I mean, it would be better if it wasn't so rushed, and if Theo wasn't so busy trying to graduate, and if there wasn't an alien growing inside of me." She put a hand to her stomach, smoothing it over her gauzy dress.

I stared at her belly, it was still flat but it wouldn't be long before she'd start to show.

"Crazy right?" Liz bit her lip, gap tooth peeking out.

"Barmy." I agreed, taking her hand in mine.

Liz gave me a grateful smile and we sat in silence, the only noise the slight hum of the air conditioner.

"Listen, if you need any help planning all this," I said after a few minutes of Liz chewing her lip incessantly, "I have enough event planning experience from being subjected to that torture from my mum." I offered.

"Oh, thank god!" Liz let out in such relief I was a little taken aback.

I mean, I was just kidding about the experience part. When I had to go on errands for one of my mother's parties all I would really do is block out all the consultant blabbering and attendant ass-kissing, sigh loudly, and sneak some free champagne and those tiny cakes. In that order.

"I'm sorry. I just need all the help I can get." Liz said, her tone more than a little desperate. "Once your mum arrives it'll be this huge affair and—

"We can't have that." I finished knowingly. "I take it Theo broke the news finally?"

"He called her last night."

"The baby?"

Liz's eyes widened. "No way! Your mum was about to book her and your dad a flight right there and then! God, if she found out I was pregnant—" She shook her head vigorously. "Theo only just managed to buy us some time."

I shrugged my shoulders. "Only asking."

"Besides, it's better to tell that sort of thing in person anyway, right?"

"Sure." I tucked a loose curl behind my ear. "So, um, when are they coming back?"

"Next week." Liz moaned. "I mean, I've gotten my priorities straightened out, you know, that thing your mum always says."

"Divide and conquer." I mumbled, my eyes focusing on a nail polish chip on my big toe.

"Yeah, that." Liz nodded. "Venue was really the hardest to think of. Theo had the most brill idea of having it in your backyard."

My eyebrows rose.

"What?" Liz said, catching my expression and biting her lip once again. "D'you not want me to? Because I can totally— "

"No!" I assured her quickly. "I was just thinking that was perfect."

"Really?"

"Absolutely, Sylvia will be thrilled so many people will be seeing her prized garden."

"That's what I thought! I'm just nervous your mum would throw a fit."

"Oh, she'll have one sooner or later." I guaranteed dryly. "Besides, if you two have it in the backyard mum can't possibly manage to invite all of England's finest society." I drawled, with a roll of my eyes.

"Is it bad, I was kind of thinking the same thing?" Liz grinned. "I just really want something small, intimate, you know?"

"Liz, this is your wedding." I reminded her. "You should have whatever you want. But just know peach isn't really my color."

She laughed. "Noted." Hopping off the counter and stepping back into her sandals, she walked over to a display table, rearranging its contents. "Still, you're parents' opinion means a lot to me. I don't want to step on anyone's toes." She turned back, lip tucked underneath her teeth again. "Especially since I'll be asking them to walk me down the aisle."

Before I could say anything, Liz began rambling. "I know that's weird—they're your parents—and your mum hasn't exactly been my biggest fan, but it would be really great if they would—like, super, super, great if—"

"Liz!" I cut her off, trying to give her an encouraging smile. I had never seen her this riled up before. She was usually the Queen of Chill—I mean she sells bloody clay toothpaste for a living for Merlin's sake. "I know they would love to do that for you." I told her sincerely.

"Even—"

I nodded. "Even my mum."

Liz visibly relaxed, managing a sheepish grin in return, her stiff shoulders finally relaxing, slumping down back into the carefree, tense-less Liz I knew. "It's so good to have you back." She said. "I really don't know why you insist on going to boarding school all the way in Scotland."

I shrugged. "Well at least someone's glad to have me here." I replied a little too bitterly.

"What are you talking about? Of course Theo's thrilled to have you back too!"

"So why have I been exiled?" I countered glumly.

"It's a surprise?" Liz exclaimed weakly.

I couldn't even manage an eye-roll at that.

"Look, I'm really sorry. It must totally be the pits staying there by yourself, but I promise it's so worth it."

"Wait." I said, my brows furrowing. "You know what it is?"

"Yeah." Liz's eyes widened as I perked up. "Um, I-I mean nooo."

"Liz." I stared her down, my eyes narrowing. "You have to tell me."

"You know I can't!" She cried, fidgeting under my gaze. "Theo made me pinky swear I wouldn't!"

"Oh, come off it! You're horrible at keeping secrets! You might as well just spill now!"

"But I'm good at keeping promises!" Liz insisted. "How do you think I kept our engagement from your parents before Theo got into med school?"

"You avoided them like the plague." I replied flatly.

Liz was about to object when the door jingled open.

A scruffy-bearded man stumbled in, half-asleep, the other half most likely confused as to how he was awake at a reasonable time. "Uh, heya." He mumbled drowsily, giving an awkward wave. "Need some of that clay toothpaste?"

"Saved by the hippie." I muttered.

Liz flashed a smile at the man. "Best dirt you ever put in your mouth, am I right?" Liz proclaimed cheerfully, throwing me a wink.

The man winced, either at the volume of her voice or her blinding grin. "I suppose?"

"Well, we have some new shipments in, this time from Switzerland! If you want to give that a try? It's amazing."

Not wanting to listen to a spiel about the wonders of cleaning your mouth with muck. I got off the counter and grabbed my sunglasses. I wasn't going to get anything out of Liz while she was indulging her organic-loving customers. No worries though, wearing her down was no big feat. Liz didn't like to keep good news to herself, assuming whatever Theo had in store could even be considered "good." A few nudging here, a little badgering there, Liz put in more effort trying not to tell me anything, than I put trying to convince her to.

"I'm heading up." I interrupted Liz who was really getting into it, her hands waving about, chatting animatedly as the sleepy bloke had actually perked up and was looking way too interested in the wonder that is Swiss dirt.

She glanced at me, a blatant look of relief washed over her face as she gave a little wave.

Pfft. Like she was off the hook.

I exited the store, walking up to the apartment right next door. I knew Theo didn't get up past noon when he had days off so I buzzed a random name to let me in, hurrying inside before the intercom came on. I went up the three flights of stairs to Theo and Liz's flat.

The flat itself was great, open floor plan, hardwood floors, massive windows, I thought it was a steal for what Theo and Liz were paying to rent, the only drawback being forever boiling hallways and no elevator.

I had worked up a sweat again as I reached the top of the staircase, reaching behind me for my keys in my back pocket.

I suppose it would've been easy to just have my parents pay for a posh apartment at an even posher address with an equally posh elevator attendant, which is actually what my brother did when he had first moved out, but when he and Liz decided to live together Liz was adamant they pay for it themselves. Though, of course, because there was nothing posh in living on top of Liz's shop or Saharan-like hallways my mother deemed it unworthy to visit.

I fanned myself with my free hand as I turned the key, entering quietly.

I could hear the distant whiz of a fan on and dropped my keys into the little handwoven African basket on top the entryway table.

I immediately made a beeline for the fridge, opening it and just standing there for a moment to revel in the cool wave that hit me immediately. I took out the jug of Liz's lavender mint lemonade she always made during summer and grabbed a clean glass from the dishwasher, pouring until it was filled to the brim. I gulped nearly all of it down in one go. The refreshing hint of mint made me take a deep contented breath as I looked out the window onto the street. Oh no, the hippies were swarming into the store like flies drawn to eco-friendly solar powered lights.

I wandered over to the living room, placing my cup down as I settled into the couch selecting a medical text to flip through from the messy pile on the coffee table.

I was pretty sucked in on a chapter on flesh eating bacteria, no pun intended, when my brother stumbled into the living room.

"Hope you're more graceful in the surgery room." I said, tilting my head to watch Theo pick up a book he had knocked over.

"Ugh." He grumbled. " ."

"There's a fresh pot in the kitchen I think."

"Ah, Liz is literally life." He said as I heard him bang around in the kitchen. "So is coffee."

"You're marrying one of the two, so not bad." I replied.

He laughed. "Want one?" He called.

"Only if you douse it with enough sugar and crème to make it edible."

"Are we even related?" He asked, walking over with a mug in his hand, his free one ruffling my hair as he sat down next to me. He looked a lot more like his cheesy old self now that there was caffeine in his system.

"You know I've been questioning that myself." I said hiking my legs up on the couch. "I mean, surely my own brother wouldn't be so cruel to keep something from me for so long." My eyes narrowed. "So agonizingly long."

Theo snorted. "Charles it's been like, what, a week?" He sipped from his cup as I made a face. "And I told you, it's a surprise, it's meant to be secret."

I groaned, sinking into the chair further.

"You are seriously as dramatic as mum, I didn't think that was possible."

My mouth dropped open. "Are you really comparing me to the woman who literally, real life, pretended to faint when you told her you were engaged to Liz." I stated completely offended.

Theo's eyes widened. "She was faking?"

"You are so gullible." I shook my head as he continued to stare. "Of course she was! She bloody opened her eyes as soon as Liz left to get help to tell you what a horrible mistake you were making! Even daddy knew," I told him, "that's why they went home early, so he could give her a stern talking to."

"Why'd no one tell me?"

I rolled my eyes. "Liz probably knew too, it explains why no one was with her when she came back."

"Then, why'd no one tell me?" He repeated.

"Theodore, it was bloody obvious, I thought you'd figure it out."

"Apparently not." He shook his head, his curls waving about. "Some future physician I am, can't even tell when someone's gone and faked losing consciousness."

"In your defense, you've always been a mummy's boy." I patted his shoulder consolingly. "You'd believe anything she says or does."

Theo's eyes hit the ceiling. "Oh, shove it."

"Theodore Staunton, you kiss our dearest mummy with that mouth!"

Theo let out a bark of laughter as he got up. "You're one to talk. You put sailors to shame."

I donned a satisfied smile.

"Oi, that's not a compliment."

I watched him as he took both our empty cups and brought them to the kitchen, returning with yogurt. He tossed me one as he passed, disappearing into the bedroom.

I peeled off the lid, licking the yogurt off of it before tilting the plastic container towards my mouth.

When Theo came out of his room he was doing the same as he maneuvered into a button-up one-handed.

"So how's the search for a residency going?"

"I've gotten a couple of offers already, mostly ones around here I've been familiar with. But I haven't heard back from any of the ones I really want."

"Which are?"

He shrugged. "Just some random ones, doesn't matter, probably won't even get it."

"Is this the part where you want me to say how awesome you are, and any hospital would be lucky to have you?"

"No." He said, his lower lip jutting out.

"You're awesome and any hospital would be lucky to have you." I told him. "There you go, confidence boost."

Theo grinned as he chucked our yogurt into the rubbish before heading into the bathroom.

"Wow, look at that!" I yelled to be heard over the running faucet. "How great of a sister am I, huh? Always there for you, giving you pep talks, not keeping any secrets…"

Theo poked his head around the corner, toothbrush in his mouth and toothpaste dribbling down his chin. "Scho draphatic"

"I'm not dramatic. I'm a fucking awesome sister."

He rolled his eyes, his mop of brown hair disappearing again. When he came out a few minutes later, he was smiling.

"You are a fucking awesome baby sister." He agreed, pulling back his curly hair with a hair-tie. "Which is why you're getting a fucking awesome surprise." He finished cheekily, giving me a loud kiss on top my head.

It was my turn to pout as he shoved his wallet and keys into his back pocket. "I gotta get going. I have some last minute review sessions."

"Whatever." I said grumpily, picking back up that flesh eating bacteria book.

He ruffled my hair again before heading to the front door. "Nando's tonight? Just us two?"

"I suppose." I replied sullenly.

"Charles, trust me on this one, it'll be worth the wait." He said earnestly, sliding on some sunglasses. "You may be a fucking awesome sister, but I am top notch, the best older brother."

xxx

You know there was once a time, not that long ago, that I thought that to be true. In my eyes, Theo was hands down, no competition, the most brill sibling ever to be conceived. He always got me out of rows with mum, fed me chocolate when I was having withdrawals, fought his weird phobia of birds on a biweekly basis to send me letters during school.

I mean, how could he have made such a horrible mistake?

He must've been thinking the same when he saw my face a couple days later, staring blankly at what he actually thought was a good idea—no, not just a good idea—the most fan-fucking-tastic surprise ever.

I stood there in my pj bottoms and ratty Quidditch jersey, hair a knotted mess—pretty sure there was dried up drool on the side of my face—mouth gaping open.

Theo looked from me to them and back again before letting out a weak, "Surprise?"

"Surprise!" Katie repeated, her cheerful tone drowning out my brothers obvious regret.

Completely oblivious, Katie engulfed me in a tight embrace, squeezing me hard as the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team piled into my brother's shiny new car, started to get out.

"Oh! This is going to be such a good summer!" Katie exclaimed, her blonde hair smothering me with strawberry.

I sputtered out a couple of strands away from my mouth as I made eye contact with one ex-Quidditch captain. I couldn't help but let out a nervous laugh. "If you say so."

A bit of a rushed chapter, but believe me did I take my time on it. Again, sorry for the wait! But, now that I am a full fledgling adult D: and currently unemployed D: , I have some free time on my hands! Hopefully I make use of it to bang some chapters out before life gets hectic again.
Anyway, thanks for reading!
Mar