3

"There's something in the air, I sense it."

Joshua

Salty droplets fell from my face like summer rain. My morning jog was longer than usual since I needed to blow off some steam. Asher was always the main reason for my anxiety.

Once I stepped onto the porch, I leaned forward with my hands on my knees and took deep breaths. I wiped my forehead with the bottom of my shirt. My lungs were burning, but I always loved the feeling.

I waltzed to the kitchen in desperate need of something to quench my thirst, instead; I walked into a room of animosity. Asher was on one side of the counter with a freshly brewed cup of coffee in his hands, whilst my parents were glaring at him from the other end.

He took a large sip before placing his head in his hands. Their glares seemed to magnify his hangover. I hovered in the doorway, uncertain of what to do.

"There's breakfast over there." My mother said once she spotted me.

My dad directed his harshness towards me.

"Did you cover for your brother?"

Before I could think of a lie, Asher groaned.

"I told you, no one knew anything." He said. "I went out on my accord."

My dad glanced at me as if trying to sense if he was telling the truth or not, but I showed no emotion. He nodded before walking to Asher and holding out his hand. Asher raised his brow.

"Give me your car keys."

He slammed his hands on the table.

"You have got to be kidding."

"I'm not laughing."

He turned his attention to Mom, but she didn't falter. His shoulders dropped before he reached into his pockets, sliding the keys across the counter. The chair scraped against the tiles as he pushed it back before stomping out of the kitchen, muttering under his breath. I tried to remain inconspicuous as I poured a glass of apple juice.

"Josh, I need you to please show Sawyer and Noah around at school today."

I nodded.

"Sure thing."

She smiled before rubbing my cheek with her thumb.

"Thank you."

It was clear from the bags under her eyes she had been dealing with stress from Asher. He'd been acting out of character for months and it's put an immense strain on our parents, but trying to reason with him is like reasoning with a houseplant.

I walked upstairs to my bedroom, only to bump into him as he was exiting the bathroom.

"You're stressing mom out."

"They're stressing me out."

"Is it so difficult to care about anyone but yourself?"

He stopped in his tracks with a clenched jaw.

"There you go again." He said. "Judgmental Josh. The perfect son."

"Well, one of us had to step up after you started screwing up."

He stepped closer to intimidate me, but I didn't flinch.

"Are you calling me a screw-up?"

My corner lip twitched.

"Well, if the shoe fits."

I stiffened as he charged at me. My head hit the wooden floor, but I pushed the pain to the back to dodge his blows. We rolled around like a hay ball, not stopping even when our mother yelled for us to break apart. I landed a few punches, which he returned with equal force.

"Knock it off."

Our dad lifted his body from mine, holding him back. My stomach churned at the metallic taste on my tongue. I used the back of my hand to wipe the blood away, and I noticed that his lip was also split.

"I've had it with the fighting."

Dad's neck was as red as a lobster's as he spoke. The veins were protruding along his neck. We'd have tons of moments like this, but I think we went too far this time.

"You're both grounded."

I gasped, but Asher couldn't care less. He snuck out despite the threat from our parents. As much as he upset me, I would never snitch on him. If only my parents knew all the late-night climbing he did through his bedroom window.

"Whatever." He said before storming into his room.

The paintings on the wall twitched from the impact, but the music screeching from his room drowned the vibrations out. My mother sighed before descending the stairs with my father. I cast my finger through my locks, gripping them at the roots. A nervous habit of mine.

Preparing for the day is more tedious than usual, but I managed. I entered my truck, only to find Asher in the passenger seat.

"What are you doing?"

"The fun police took my keys, remember?"

I wasn't in the mood for an argument, so I started the car up and backed out of the driveway. I spotted our new neighbours coming out of their home.

"Hey, Noah!" They turned at the sound of his name. "Need a ride?"

He jogged across the street with Sawyer ambling behind him.

"That would be great. My car hasn't arrived." Noah said.

"Hop in."

I noticed Sawyer hovered between getting in the car and walking away, as if she was unsure if the invitation included her.

"Come on, Sawyer," I said. "We're all going to the same place."

The tension drained from her at my words, pleased that she wouldn't have to walk all the way there. She scooted in beside her brother. I attempted to put her at ease by offering a welcoming smile, but Asher's gaze on her ruined it.

"Hello again, Ms. Bennet."

She tugged a strand of oak locks behind her ear.

"It's Sawyer."

The intensity in her voice surprised me. It's as if she was trying to show Asher that his attempts at intimidation failed. He seemed delighted by her response as his smile widened.

"Ms. Bennet suits you more."

"You say it like you know me."

His lip twitched.

"I think I've got a pretty good idea."

"Then I guess I have one of you, too."

His laugh was dry. He turned back around, and I copied his moves, sneaking a glimpse of her in the rear-view mirror. She folded her arms across her chest and stared out the window.

Mine and Noah's voices filled the drive as we attempted to ease the tension by having a brief conversation, but neither of our siblings seemed to be in the mood.

Before I even turned off the ignition, Asher was bolting out of the door, becoming one with the sizeable crowd in the parking lot. I rolled my eyes at his overdramatic self.

"This place is smaller than I imagined." Noah said, sliding his backpack over his left shoulder.

I'd never pictured it to be small, but if you compared it to the schools in the cities, then this must look like an ant's nest.

"Welcome to Marshtown High."

I extended my hands like a tour guide, gesturing to the rustic building. The walls were surprisingly sturdy despite carrying generations of students through their time.

Noah and Sawyer were looking at it as if they'd stumbled into an alternate universe.

"I like it." She said. "Not too many people."

I smiled at her words. She seemed to appreciate the break from crowded cities. She had a notebook clutched firmly against her chest.

"You should check out the library," I said. "I think you'll love it."

My words brought on a gentle, upturned smile.

"I'll check it out."

She reached into my car for her bag before flinging it over her shoulder.

"Need help to find your way?"

"I'll manage."

I watched in awe as she brushed past people to get through to the entrance. Noah patted my back.

"You can show me around."

I nodded my head and glanced in the direction I last saw Sawyer, before motioning him to follow me.

??