The guys had been home for a few days, and I was currently in my room at Jimmy and Leana’s house, packing up all my things to take to Brian’s. I was in the middle of wrapping up my pictures, when one caught my eye. It was a picture of Jimmy, Me, and our parents. Mom and dad had their arms around each other, while I was on Jim’s back, huge smiles on both of our faces. I was fifteen years old, which made Jim 19. It was taken on the beach, right behind our old house, two weeks before the accident. I smiled softly, wiping a tear from my eye. “No tears Bea, you know they wouldn’t want you to cry.” Jimmy said from the doorway. “I know, but it’s so hard sometimes. Daddy should be here, bitching about how much shit I have to move.” I chuckled, my voice cracking a little. “It’s not fair Jim, why was I the only one who made it? They’ve missed everything. Birthdays, graduation, the band blowing up, everything. It isn’t fair!” I sobbed hysterically, clutching the picture. Jimmy sat next to me and pulled me into his lap. “Baby I don’t know, but you can’t keep doing this to yourself. You’re gonna make yourself crazy, and we can’t have you going crazy. We need you. Brian needs you. I definitely need you. What the hell would I do without you around? You’re the only one that will chase ducks and attack people with me,” he said rubbing my back as I chuckled weakly, “It’s gonna get better, I promise, it’ll just take time. I’m sure it will never stop hurting, but it will get better. Dry your eyes baby Bea, and I’ll help you finish packing your shit, so I can bitch about how much you have.” He chuckled, kissing my head. We sat there a little longer, until my breathing calmed down. “Holy shit, I’m glad I wasn’t wearing makeup. I’d look terrible” I chuckled, wiping my eyes. “Be right back JimJam, then we can finish.” I kissed his cheek and walked into the bathroom. I splashed some cold water on my face and looked into the mirror. Jimmy was right, I can’t keep doing this to myself. I have to be able to move on, but don’t forget them. Like I could ever forget my parents. I sighed and walked back into my room, helping Jimmy pack up the rest of my pictures and the rest of my belongings. “Holy shit, I think I’m done” I said, flopping on the bed after we had filled our fifth box. “Jesus Bea, where the hell is all that shit gonna go in Brian’s house?” Jimmy chuckled, laying down next to me. “He’s got a huge house that’s barely decorated. I’m sure there will be plenty of room. Thanks Jimmy, I’m sorry I had a breakdown on you.” I said, laying my head on his shoulder. “You don’t have to apologize. I told you I was always going to be here, and I meant it. Just because you’re moving to Brian’s doesn’t mean I’m going to stop being there for you. You’re my baby sister. You mean the world to me.” He replied, kissing my head. “Okay, enough of this sappy shit, call Bri and tell him to get his punk ass over here to help me move your shit.” I chuckled and called Brian, who came straight over and helped Jimmy with my things.

A few hours later, Bri and I were unpacking our last box when there was a knock on the door. “I’ll go see who it is baby, go grab yourself a beer or something.” I said, going to open the door, which revealed Michelle on the other side. “Um, you’re not Brian, why the hell are you here?” she asked snarkily, while I rolled my eyes. “Well. I live here, why the hell are YOU here?” I smirked, watching her eyes widen. “Are you fucking kidding me? He moved on to YOU?” she screeched, face reddening. “Michelle what are you doing here?” Brian asked, walking to the door. “I was coming to see you, to see if we could talk things out. I didn’t expect this little bitch to be here.” was her reply “You better watch your mouth Mich. Don’t forget you’re on MY front porch.” I said, taking a step closer to her. “Get the fuck out of here Michelle. You had your chance, you blew it. I moved on, you should too. And don’t even think about trying to fuck with Brook, because if you do, it’ll be the biggest mistake you’ve ever made.” Brian said, pulling me back and slamming the door in Michelle’s face. “Ugh! What the fuck is her deal?!” I asked angrily, storming in to the kitchen to pour myself a glass of wine, “she’s the one that screwed up, not you. Jealous girl. Ugh.” “Baby calm down. Let’s just forget that she even showed up, we’ll finish unpacking this box, and we can cook dinner together, and have some wine. Well, you can have wine, I’ll have beer.” he chuckled, pulling me close, “It’s all about us tonight. Forget everyone else, they can wait until tomorrow. Besides, Michelle’s just mad because you’re drop dead gorgeous.” he grinned down at me, kissing my head. “Okay, you’re right. Sorry, it’s been a rough day. I had a breakdown on Jim today and now Michelle’s shit. I’m just ready to relax with you in my new home.” I sighed, leaning my head on his chest. “Jim told me about it, you okay baby? Want to talk about it?” he asked, voice laced with concern. “No, I don’t. I want to unpack this box, and spend the rest of the night with you, doing whatever we want to do, clothing optional.” I said, grinning up at him. “That’s my girl! Let’s get this box done.” he said, throwing me over his shoulder and carrying me back to the living room. We spent the rest of the night unpacking, cooking, and just being with each other. We even turned on music and slow danced in the living room. “If you tell anyone I did this, I’ll deny it.” he chuckled. It was so nice to have him all to myself, with no worries in the world.

I woke up the next morning and groaned as I rolled onto my back. “Too much wine?” Brian chuckled. “Maybe, maybe not. What are you doing today babe?” I asked, rolling back over to lay my head on his chest. “I think I’m supposed to be helping the guys set up for the barbecue tonight. What are you gonna do?” “Shopping with the girls. Food and party supplies, the usual. I don’t have to be there until one, so we have some time. I don’t want to get up yet. Then we have to actually talk to people.” I whined as he chuckled. “We can lay here a little longer, I’m definitely okay with that.” he said, playing with my hair. We laid there in silence, just enjoying each other’s company, and we must have drifted off to sleep, because the next thing I hear is the doorbell ringing. “Oh shit, what time is it?” I jumped up, looking at the clock, which read 12:45 “Holy shit. Babe we have fifteen minutes to shower, get ready, and get to Matt’s.” I said, rushing into the closet to find something to wear. “Go ahead and get in the shower baby, I’ll go see who’s at the door.” Brian said, walking out of the room. I grabbed a pair of frayed denim shorts, a gray halter top, and my underwear. I jumped into the shower, skipping my hair, I would just use the dry shampoo. I quickly washed and ran a razor over all the appropriate places, and turned the water off. I was just wrapping a towel around my body when the bathroom door swung open. “Holy shit Jim! What the hell are you doing?!” I shrieked, jumping backwards. “You better hurry Bean, we don’t need all the girls over here trying to drag your ass out of the house!” “Well get out so I can!” I laughed, pushing him out of the way and closing the door, making sure to lock it this time. I quickly dressed and applied dry shampoo to my hair, brushing it out. I threw it into a quick side braid, and decided to skip makeup, since we would be in the pool anyway. I walked back into the closet, grabbed my hot pink bikini and threw it in my beach bag, put a pair of flip flops on, and headed downstairs. “Bri I’m leaving, Val is gonna have a fit if I’m super late.” I said, walking out back where he and Jimmy were smoking. “Okay babe, I’ll see you later.” he said, giving me a quick kiss. I kissed Jimmy’s cheek and quickly hopped into my car and headed to Matt’s.

Once I got to Matt’s all the girls piled in my car and we headed to the store. “Jeeze Brook, what took you so long to get here? You had all night to bang your man.” Lacey joked from the backseat. “I woke up and fell asleep again, there was no banging involved this morning.” I replied. “Okay, that’s enough of that, as much as I love you, I do not want to hear about my husband’s little sister getting it on with her boyfriend.” Leana said, plugging her ears in the front seat. “Oh come on Lee, you know it’s gonna happen, I bet they do it all the time.” Val joked. “Hang on a second! Why is my sex life even being discussed?” I argued. “Bea, you can’t even say the words sex life together, it’s just, too weird.” she said, shivering. “Lee you’re such a freak. Oh girls, guess who showed up at the house last night.” I said, looking into the rearview mirror at Val. “She didn’t..” Val trailed off. “She did, and she made a big scene, before Brian politely told her to go away.” I said, “she went on and on about how she came over to see if she could talk things out, and wound up talking shit about me, which totally pissed Brian off. Bitch.” I said angrily. “I’m sorry Bea, she’s ridiculous. She obviously can’t take a hint. I won’t be mad at all if you punched her in the face next time.” Val smirked, making everyone laugh. “I can do that, I came close yesterday.” I smirked, pulling into the parking lot. We grabbed everything we needed : meat, sides, desserts, fruit, soda, all kinds of stuff. We picked up more foam plates and solo cups, and a few other things we needed. After we got everything we needed, I drove to the liquor store. “Okay girls, what do we want?” Val asked, looking at Lily, Lacey, and I. “Rum!” Lacey and I shouted. “Landshark!” Lily said eagerly. We waited in the car while Val and Leana stocked up the alcohol supply, and once they loaded it all in my Equinox we drove back to Matt’s, preparing to have an awesome welcome home party for the guys.