I'm sorry I never update. I could apologize for hours on end, because I feel like it. But instead, let's get to the story.

I think the story of my life is: So what if it's like, 5 in the morning. Anyway.

There's sort of a change of pace in this chapter. For my sake, please enjoy. :)

Dear Jonah,

Sometimes the right thing to say to someone is not what they need to hear most of all. In many cases, they know the real answer, but need you to bring it out of them. For instance, when a friend asks for your approval of their boyfriend or girlfriend, you give a thumbs up, though who are you to decide whether someone is "worthy enough" to date them? But nevertheless, they need to know that you're okay with this, even if it's a raging, bold lie. In all honesty, people prefer to trust a tightly-wrapped, well-presented lie, rather than the exposed raw truth.

(Nick)

I drummed my fingers against the keys of my laptop, racking my brain for ideas. A single, simplistic thought would have been nice, but after several uneventful minutes of staring at the bare computer screen, it was decided that my mind was blank. I'd never finish this story.

Just as I shut my laptop closed, ferocity came raging through the door, slamming it behind her. I remained silent and let her vent out her problems as she thrashed through the refrigerator, before deciding that there was nothing she wanted to eat. Then, as she walked past me, she paused. It was obvious she had previously thought that she was alone in the room.

"Who are you, and why the hell are you in my house?"

Instead of explaining my presence here, I just stay put in my chair, watching in amusement as she assessed the situation. She was so obviously confused that I was just sitting here like it was a normal routine of mine. She must have thought I should have been wearing some gloves and a mask. "Okay, if it's money you want, or like, some valuables, or whatever, you can take them, just leave, please…" Her face was priceless when I started to spontaneously burst into laughter. I then supposed she deserved a break. "Jamie, do you seriously not recognize me?" I said through my laughter. With that, I raised an eyebrow, and grinned like an idiot—a facial expression I knew she would find familiar. After all, I had only looked at her that way every day when we were little.

"Oh, my God…" she said softly, a smile beginning to blossom on her lips. "Nick! Is that you?"
I could feel the creases in my eyes as I smiled, nodding vigorously. "The one and only."
She released a quick squeal that only a female could, and ran over to throw her arms around me. "Oh, my God, I can actually wrap my arms around you now!" She pulled back to trace her eyes along my body, making me feel a little exposed. "Look at you! You look so different!"
I smiled at her yet again, the sense of home settling into my skin. "Yeah, well, haircut," I explained, grinning. She hit me playfully on the chest. "Shut up, you sexy beast. You look absolutely fantastic."
"Aw, shucks." I replied with fake bashfulness.
"No, but seriously, how did you do it? Lose all the weight, I mean."
I rolled my eyes playfully, "I know what you meant, Jay. Seriously though, it just all got too much. My doctor told me something about not making the right choices, and living a dangerous life, but I never really listened, you know? And then one day, well, don't freak out, but I got really sick, and I—"
"Sick how?" Jamie gasped.
"Look, it doesn't matter. I'm here now, alright?" I said with an assuring smile, slinging an arm over her shoulders.
"Well, I'm happy for you," she said, looking back at me.
After a while, I offered a little, crooked smile that felt like it was just for my own security. "Yeah, me too."
Sometimes, the things you've left unsaid have to remain that way. There was a whole half she didn't know, that I felt like, maybe, if I didn't share, would get lost somewhere in the recesses of my brain, and hopefully, could cease to exist. There are some things that just easier to forget than to get over.

Then, I blinked slightly, and returned back to the conversation. "So, tell me more about what's going on with my favorite cousin. What was that whole episode about when you walked through the door?"
She looked down then, as if I had just dropped a weight on her feather-light heart. "Well, now that you're here, I feel bad for doing this… but God, I just really need a break. I was actually just about to pack up all my stuff and leave for a while. I can't take all this anymore. My life is wreck. And, I know you're probably just here to visit, but now that you are here, can I ask you a huge favor? It would put a lot off my shoulders."
"Sure, anything. You know I'm here," I said, knowing very well that she wouldn't have asked me to do anything unless it was something I was really not going to enjoy.
"Can you look after Aunt Barbara? If I'm going on hiatus, I can't just leave her here. She's been staying with me recently, and maybe you didn't know this, but she's a raging alcoholic. I'll just need you to look after her for a few weeks. You know… cook her dinner a few nights… make sure she doesn't choke on her vomit…" she trailed off, speaking softly. I could tell she was hesitant, but it wasn't like I was about to say no. And she knew that. She knew me well enough to know that I have trouble saying no to anything, even if it's against every fiber of my being. That's how she would play me like a fiddle.
"Just for a couple of weeks, right?" I said, my resistance slowly giving way. She nodded vigorously, biting her lip, apparently to suppress a smile lined with anticipation. My answer was inevitable to her. My voice was soft and doubtful, yet audible enough to someone who was expecting it. "Okay."

Alright. That's chapter 4. I know it wasn't the most interesting episode ever, but I'll continue to work on this story throughout the weekend. At least you got to learn a bit about Nick. This brings me to remind you that these characters do not at ALL resemble the experiences or lives of the actual people.

You know what to do. And if you don't, well, frowny face.

Hint: Please review! :)

With Love, Carlie :D