'Dude, my sister...', chapter 3

I stared at my shiny shoes, glinting in the light of a small room. I then glanced up at the full length mirror standing in front of me. I fingered the silky material around my neck and scrunched my nose in dislike at my outfit. The expensive looking cotton hung uncomfortably from my shoulders and covered my legs, making me look too smart for my own liking.

I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts that I didn't notice the small figure standing behind me. I glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her feet turned slightly inwards and her head tilted downwards, eyes wide with disgust at her own outfit. I smirked slightly,

"You look like a meringue." I chuckled softly at all the frills and bows placed at odd places on her salmon pink dress. She looked up, frowning with frustration.

"At least I look edible," she put her hands on her hips, "you look like something out of the mafia." I grinned as she lowered her eyes back down, pulling at the sleeves and shuffling around. I turned back to the mirror, trying to undo my purple tie but failing miserably.

"Oh, don't you two look adorable?" My aunt Claire swooped into the room, wearing a terrible ensemble of pale green and yellow. I smiled helpfully, whilst the Kid creased her top lip and scowled at the plump middle aged woman. I nudged her but she ignored me.

"Now the service shall start soon, so I want you two to follow me." She turned and briskly walked away. I tried to follow as best I could as the Kid dawdled aimlessly behind.

We reached a set of huge oak doors, where Aunt Claire stopped abruptly and smiled widely.

"Now Billie, you stand to the left and Ami on the right, that's good." She placed us in our positions with rough hands. The Kid tried to squirm out of her grip but Aunt Claire ignored her.

"Ami, you take these and throw the petals prettily to the ground, nice and low, like in rehearsals, remember?" Ami pursed her lips for a few seconds before nodding moodily. Aunt Claire then turned to me, tightening my bow tie and smoothing down my hair. I rolled my eyes privately and caught sight of the Kid pulling faces behind the overpowering woman I called my aunt.

"On your best behaviour now, ok?" Aunt Claire asked sternly to both of us, but pointing at the Kid. We both nodded solemnly.

"Now, these doors will open and you two will need to walk slowly down the isle when the music starts. No dawdling, but no jogging, a nice even pace; just like in rehearsals ok?" Aunt Claire trotted off before we could even answer her, though I'm sure she would have only got a civil answer from me. I looked at the Kid, catching her eye and smiling supportively. I knew she was feeling exactly the same as me. Both of us didn't really want this wedding to go through; but it was, and we both knew there was nothing either of us could do about it. She half smiled in return before looking back at who had just come through the door behind us. I looked too and caught sight of my mom, a white gown falling about her feet. I sighed at her humongous grin and waved as she caught sight of me. I then turned back to the opening oak doors and dozens of eyes staring. This was it, I hated this feeling. The feeling of complete dependence, everyone was looking and the kid and I, awing and smiling. I hated it. I also hated what was about to happen. I didn't want my mom to get married again, I wanted my dad back. I lowered my head slightly as these thoughts swan through my mind.

But, there was one saving grace to that boring, hateful day; one saving grace that bought a smile to my face as I plodded down the isle. One saving grace that made peoples faces frown slightly and Aunt Claire mutter behind us. One saving grace that skipped and twirled down the isle next to me in a salmon pink dress, waving and throwing her flower petals as high as they would go.

I felt my leg being jerked harshly and my face slide off my pillow.

"God damn it Beej, wake up," a frustrated voice whined as I lifted my head slightly. It still felt like my leg was being pulled off but I tried to sit up. Upon noticing that I was awake, Ami huffed angrily and rolled her eyes.

"Jesus Billie, stop going out on school nights, it's always me that has to wake you and it takes forever," she moaned as I raised an eyebrow and watched her stalk from my room.

"Hypocrite," I muttered. Once I was sure she'd gone, I lay my head back down and closed my eyes. Sleep was returning, but anybody trying to get sleep while Ami was awake rarely succeeded. A pillow was thumped onto my face multiple times before I yelled,

"Ok, ok I'm up." I sat up wearily and tried my best to get to the bathroom.
Once I'd returned from washing my face, I threw some clothes on and trod down the stairs to the smell of coffee and toast.

"Morning, how do you feel?" mom asked merrily as I slouched at the table. She'd gotten tired of trying to keep me in at night; she'd also gotten tired of saying 'I told you so'. So now she just goes on like there's not a severely hung over teen dribbling in her kitchen. I shoved as much toast in my mouth as I could muster before sipping my coffee. I waited for Ami to emerge, but as usual there was no sign of her.

"Sure, now she decides to bugger off, but when I'm trying to sleep..." I complained to myself. After a few minutes and two more cups of coffee I checked the time.

"You're going to be late for school," mom reminded me.

"So?" mom just stuttered. I groaned as I stood up and made my way to the bottom of the stairs, dragging my bag along behind me.

"Ami, come on!" I yelled loudly. I smirked as I heard Bradley mutter something offensive from mom's bedroom.

"I'm coming!" Ami snapped back as I heard a crash from upstairs.

"What is she doing up there?" mom came up behind me as I began to stomp up the stairs.

"Fuck knows," I muttered as I exhaled heavily.

"Keep it down; some of us are trying to sleep!" Bradley grumbled, making me stomp louder.

"Don't you dare Billie Joe, I said I'm coming, I'll be there in a minute," she called from behind her closed bedroom door as she heard me stamp down the landing. She was muttering swearwords under her breath as I opened her door and scooped her over my shoulder.

"Billie, I said I'm coming," she mumbled as she rummaged in her bag, feet kicking. I swore under my breath as I heaved myself down the stairs and opened the front door.

"Bye mom," I called as Ami grabbed her lunch from the table by the door and closed it behind me.

"There was really no need for that, I was coming," Ami commented dryly as I put her down and continued walking. She stuffed her lunch in her bag and caught up with me as I fished a cigarette out of my pocket.

"That really is a disgusting habit, it's going to be the death of you Bill." I smirked as I took a drag and blew the smoke in her face.

"That's not fair, you know I'm trying to quit," she whined as I continued to smirk.

"You really do amaze me sometimes," I said out of the blue.

"Oh yeah, why's that?" she took the cigarette out of my hand and put it in her mouth.

"Hypocrite," I muttered. Ami took another drag of my cigarette then threw it to the ground. "Hey," I groaned.

"I'm trying to quit," she reasoned.

"But that was mine."

"Like I said, I'm trying to quit." She'd confused me, and probably herself, but I couldn't be bothered to argue with her. Instead I pulled out another cigarette and lit it. She scowled at me but I just smiled in return.

"So, have you decided to take Chel to the prom?"

"Oh not this again," I moaned and hung my head.

"What? I want to convince you that it's the right thing to do."

"Well what about Jack, is he taking you?"

"Hell yes, prom is gonna be excellent. I'd kill him if he didn't." I rolled my eyes.

"What is it with you and prom?"

"Don't try and change the subject, I'm not going to quit until you say you'll take Chel to the prom." I looked at her pleadingly. She shook her head. I gave her the puppy eyes. She shook her head. I handed her my half finished cigarette. She shook her head.

"God damn it, ok...I'll ask her."

"Thank you." She smiled smugly as we entered school.

"But this means I'm allowed to go out and have a drink without being woken up in the morning!" I called after her as she made her way down the corridor.

"That's another disgusting habit Beej, you should quit that too." She turned around and grinned happily.

I smirked at her, "Hypocrite," I muttered.