*Back to past*

‘I can’t believe you and Vic are together!’ I said falling onto Sarah’s bed. I decided to stay over. I’ve been feeling pretty shit lately and I needed some time with my best friend.

‘I know, neither can I.’ Sarah said, shaking her head in disbelief.

‘Sarah, I have something to admit.’ I said resting my head in my hands as I looked over to her.

‘What have you done?’ She said sternly.

‘Nothing, well actually. I heard the whole conversation between you, Jaime and Vic.’ I said just looking at her.

‘Then why didn’t you wait till I told him that you liked him!’ She said jumping up off her desk chair.

‘Because, I’ve liked him for like how long now? Uh, 1 year. Yeah one fucking year, of being invisible.’ I replied.

'Well, I'm just going to have to tell him then.' Sarah spoke as she walked slowly towards the door of her bedroom.

'You won't do it.' I said sitting up on the bed.

‘Okay, whatever you say.’ Sarah said smirking. I jumped off the bed and followed her down the stairs, to the kitchen, where Jade was running around at Jackie’s feet.

‘Jade, bet you can’t catch me!’ I said running up to her and chasing her out the kitchen. Jackie laughed as Jade and I ran around the lounge room.

By the time dinner was ready, I was out of breath. I am so unfit. I sat down in my usual spot and ate. We ended up having some chicken dish, which is normal as that’s what I always eat when I’m there.

After eating, I was getting pulled into Jade’s room, with Sarah yelling at Jade that I was her friend.

As we reached the top of the stairs, I heard my phone ringing. I ran the rest of the way, jumping onto Sarah’s bed and picking it up. Missing it by a ring.

‘Goddammit.’ I said looking at the information now coming through as a text.

Hi, it’s Jaime. I was wondering if you were able to come over and help me with Tyler. Either give me a call back or just come over. 78 Thome Street.

I smiled at the text and slipped on my vans. I was wearing a pair of my trackies that Sarah had stolen once and a spare top of hers. It was an old a day to remember top. I slipped on my jacket and picked up my bag. Making my way down the stairs to the lounge where Sarah and Jackie were sitting, talking.

‘Thanks for dinner Jackie, but I gotta get going. I’ll see you at school tomorrow Sarah.’ I said giving them a smile and wave before walking to the door. I heard a loud, ‘bye Stella’ being yelled from Jade. I laughed and exited.

Luckily, Thome Street was just around the corner, my house living at the end of that. So I could easily just go home, after helping Jaime. The streets were dark, the glow of the street lights giving it a rather scary vibe. I walked as fast as I could, but not running. I just hoped to god, I didn’t bump into Jack or worse, Zack.

I smiled up to the house, number 78 sitting on the letter box. The light shining from next to the door. He was expecting me, well he wasn’t but he was hoping. I walked up to the door, placing three simple knocks on the wooden white door.

‘Oh, Hi Stella. Come in.’ Jaime said opening the door, smiling happily.

‘Thank you.’ I said slipping past him and entering his rather big house. It didn’t look big from the outside. I placed my bag on the floor next to the door and slipped my shoes off. I didn’t want to get his house messy or dirty.

‘So, what can I help you with?’ I said looking to him. He was leant up against the door, looking spaced out.

‘Jaime!’ I talked a little louder, he jumped slightly letting a little laugh slide.

‘Oh, umm. Tyler, he is hungry, tired. But he’s so loud and energetic. I can’t seem to get him to bed. He still doesn’t understand why mum and dad aren’t here.’ Jaime spoke, beginning to walk to the kitchen. I followed him as I slightly sighed. I got a glimpse of the living room. Pizza boxes and plates skated everywhere.

‘How old is your brother. You haven’t told me that yet.’ I said smiling to the back of Jaime. He turned around and frowned.

‘Uh, he is… 4’ Jaime said thinking.

‘No, I’m 5!’ A voice said from behind me. I turned around to be meet with a younger looking Jaime. If looks could kill about how much they looked alike, I’d be dead.

‘Uh, you must be Tyler?’ I questioned. He nodded his head and smiled. ‘I am Stella.’ I said extending my hand out, seeing if he’d shake my hand. Which he did. I laughed and turned to Jamie.

‘How about I cook you guys some dinner?’ I questioned. Tyler squealed and jumped up and down as he ran back away. Jaime frowned then looked to me.

‘You don’t need to do that. Really.’ Jaime said sitting in the dining chair.

‘Yes, I do. You look tired and I said I was going to help you when I could.’ I said walking over to him, giving him a hug. Jamie returned the hug before letting me go. I walked over to his freezer and saw that not much was there. I wanted to cook something quick and simple. I decided on pasta.

About a half hour later, Jaime and Tyler were sat at the table, waiting for me to hand them their plates full of pasta and sauce. As I placed them in front of them, they smiled up to me. I smiled back before going back to wash up the dishes.

‘Stella, don’t even think about it!’ Jaime threatened. I just laughed and turned back around and sat down at the table.

‘This is good Stella!’ Tyler said with a mouthful.

‘Tyler, some manners please.’ Jaime said with a frown. He did that a lot.

‘I hope you like it.’ I said smiling with my head rested in one hand.

‘It’s like the way ma used to cook it.’ Jaime said in a soft voice. I knew he was distraught about it.

‘Yeah! When do ma and pa get back Jaime?’ Tyler questioned.

‘Ah soon buddy. Soon.’ Jaime said letting a tear slip down his cheek and quickly wiping it away.

After dinner, we all moved to the lounge room. I looked through the bunch of movies that were sat on the coffee table.

‘Oh my god. Can we watch Toy Story?!’ I practically yelled. I spun on my heels to face Jaime and Tyler. To my surprise, Tyler groaned and Jaime lit up.

‘No, Jaime I’m going to bed, come tuck me in?’ Tyler said to his older brother. I thought I’d do him a favour.

‘How about I do it? Jaime you set up the movie?’ I said looking at both boys. Both of them nodded their heads and I took Tyler to bed.

Walking into his room, he ran for his bed. He was already changed, which was good. I went next to him and knelt down. I pushed the blankets into his side so he was nice and snug before smiling to him.

‘Stella, can I ask you a question?’ Tyler asked. I nodded my head in response. ‘Where are my parents?’

‘Tyler, sweetheart. Your parents went to a very special place. Where they are sitting together, holding hands watching over you. Watching you grow every second of every day. You need to promise me something, alright?’ I said. He nodded his head. ‘Tyler, I want you to never forget your parents, never stop loving them. They loved you more than anything. I know that they would want you to be a strong boy now. And also promise me, you’ll be strong for Jaime okay?’ I said pushing his falling fringe out of his eyes. I was close to tears. He nodded his head and then flung his arms around my neck.

‘I promise Stella! I promise!’ He said before letting go and putting his head on his pillow. ‘Goodnight Stella!’ Tyler said.

‘Goodnight Tyler. I’ll see you soon.’ I said before turning his light off and closing his door. I made my way back down to the lounge room to see Jaime sitting there crying.

I made my way over, sitting down and getting comfortable before I pulled Jamie into my chest and let him cry. We sat in silence, apart from Jaime’s quiet sobs escaping his mouth. We got to the part in Toy Story where Woody yells at Buzz ‘You are just a toy!’ Which is true but rather rude, when I heard no more sobbing. I looked down to see that Jamie had fallen asleep with his arms around my waist and his head on my stomach. His face and eyes were red but at least he’s stopped crying. I moved Jaime off me slightly, so I could get up.

I pulled the blanket off the back of the couch, putting it over Jaime. I looked at the coffee table and sighed. I was going to clean the lounge room, do the dishes and then clean the kitchen. I moved all the pizza boxes to near my bag, reminding myself to place these in the bigger bin outside. I grabbed the plates and went into the kitchen. Doing the dishes was about 20 minutes then another 30 minutes in cleaning the lounge room a little better as well as the kitchen. I smiled to the snoring Jamie, face down on the couch. I walked to my bag, pulled out my note book and wrote a little note, leaving it on the coffee table.

Jaime,
you fell asleep so I cleaned the lounge and kitchen for you. I did the dishes and got rid of the pizza boxes. I hope you sleep well and I’ll see you tomorrow at school. By the way, I talked to your brother and told him that your parents are in a special place holding hands looking down on you guys. Which they are okay! And I never got to talk to you about the whole storming out at Sarah’s because of Jack and Zack. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.
Stella.

I took one last look to the peaceful looking man

‘You do not know how much I really fucking like you Mr Preciado.’ I said getting off the floor and making my way to the door, turning the light off on the way out.

I grabbed my bag, slipped on my shoes and picked up the boxes before opening the door and getting hit by a cold gust of wind. I walked out and closed the door quietly behind me. I walked over to the bin and chucked away the boxes and began my walk home.

I pulled out my phone to see that the time was in fact 11:30pm. I pulled my bag around my body to see if I had my house keys because dad is away for work. Which I did. I grabbed them, zipped my bag back up and placed it on my back.

I walked all the way down the road to the end of the street. I took a right turn and walked about another 5 metres before being faced with my home. Unlocking the door, I was met with our dog, Max. He bounced up to me and barked in excitement. I laughed at him. I dumped my bag on the floor, slipped my shoes off and made my way to my room. I was so tired that I just flopped onto my bed and fell right asleep.

Notes