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Don't be a silent reader!

"Lex,get up."My older brother Tyler commanded.I groaned as I put my pillow over my face.

"Lex.Get.Up"He enunciated every word he spoke.

"Why?"I asked as I continued to stuff my face into my pillow.

"The Johnsons?Your trial?In an hour?Ring any bell?"He asked.

"Crap"I said.

Today I had a babysitting trial with Ms.Johnson's children.It was a Saturday in March,and I needed the money for a trip I wanted to take over the summer.

My older brother,Tyler was a year older than me.We were in the same grade because in 7th grade he was held back because his grades slipped.Tyler already had a full scholarship to Auburn for football.I had a half-ride because of my grades,but I wanted to save up money so I could go back-packing in Europe with my best friends,Sebastian and Lucy.

Most people mistook us for twins.We were both tall,and I shared his dirty blonde hair and tanned skin.The only difference was our eyes.His were blue,and mine were green.

Despite most siblings having an on-going feud,Tyler and I were practically best sibling friends.That's why he was waking me up on time,either that or he needed something.

So after I got ready,I went downstairs to where he had made me pancakes.Something was up.

"What do you want Ty Ty?"I asked.

"Shut up Lex."He mumbled,

"I am going to a party tonight,can you pick me up?"

"Sure"I signed.

Tyler always went to parties,got drunk out of his mind,fell into a pool,and called me to pick him up.

I had an extra set of his clothes and a towel for him in my car at all times just in case.

"Thanks sis,you're the best".He said and patted my shoulder.Then,he was gone.

"Of course"I muttered under my breath.

The Johnson's house was a ten minute drive from my house,so I walked outside and got in my car.

As I rode in the car,I began to get nervous.I needed this job.My parents were paying for the plane tickets,but I needed money for everything else.

Ms.Johnson had three children.

Hallie,age 5,in Kindergarten

Cal,age 14,a high school freshman

Lastly,Jace.Jace was my age.A senior.He was the school's bad boy,and unfortunately for me,I was babysitting the bad boy's little siblings.

My job was pretty complex.Ms.Johnson was traveling to San Francisco to set up another business.It would take a month to set up,and she was staying for another month and a half to make sure it was doing alright.

I was being paid very handsomely for this job,and by the time it ended,the beginning of June,I would be well of on my way to Europe.

When I arrived,I smoothed out imaginary wrinkles on my clothes and rang the doorbell.A cute girl,with curly brown hair answered it.

"Who are you?"She asked.

"I am Alexis,call me Lex"I said and stuck my hand out for her to shake.

This was the moment of truth,she stared at my hand,and glanced up at me warily before a slow grin overtook her face.

"Hi,I'm Hallie.Come on in"She said and grabbed my hand,dragging me in."Call me Hal,I like nicknames Lex.Do you like nicknames?Can we go play?"

"Actually,I need to find your mum first"I said.

"Oh she's around.Come on Lex,let's play!"Hallie said.

She dragged me upstairs when we passed who I assumed Cal.

"Hallie,leave the new babysitter alone"He chided.

"It's Hal!!"She screamed back at him.

"Ok,Hallie"He replied.

"Stop it!"She screamed

"Shhh it's ok,Hal"I said and picked her up,cradling her in my arms.

"Cal,don't be mean to your sister"I reprimanded.

"Woah,how do you know my name?"He asked.

"I'm babysitting you,remember?"I asked.

"Right,what's your name beautiful?"He asked.

"Smooth,Cal.Really smooth"I replied.

Down the hallway,a door slammed and I look up to see none other than Jace Johnson.

He looked me up and down,"Ugh",he said and walked by us.

"Excuse me?"I asked before I could stop myself.

"What?"He asked with a smirk as he turned around."Take a picture.it'll last longer".

"I tried,but my camera melted from the ugliness"I replied with a sneer.

He smirked a bit and then turned around proceeding down the steps.I rolled my eyes.

"Congratulations!"I heard a voice say behind me.I turned to see Ms.Johnson."You passed the tests".

"Tests?"I asked.

"Hallie likes you,Cal likes you,and you showed Jace some attitude.Most other girls flirt with him and forget about the kids".She said with a wink.

"Oh,uh yeah,sorry about that"I said sheepishly.

"It's no problem.Anyways,I'm leaving for San Francisco on Monday"She replied.

Today was Saturday.

"Jace has soccer practise on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons till 7,and morning practises on Mondays,Wednesdays,and Fridays.If it makes things easier you can spend the night on Sunday,Tuesday,and Thursday so you will be here in the morning.Jace drives himself and Hallie rides the bus,so if you bring Cal to school with you you'll be good".

"Alright"I said smiling politely.

"Oh,and Hallie has soccer practise on Monday from 5:30-6:30,her games are on Saturday at 11am.Cal has lacrosse Tuesday and Thursday after school,so Jace can drive him home while you take care of Hallie.Am I forgetting anything?"She asked herself and tapped her head,"I'll leave a list of everything you need to do,and call me if you need me.So I'll see you tomorrow?".

"Yes you will"I replied and smiled brightly.

"Will you be spending the night?"She asked."If not,Jace can handle things past nine o'clock"She reassured.

I didn't want to sleep in the same house as Jace Johnson so I nicely declined,then I drove home.

I ran up to my room and collapsed on my bed.The rest of the year would be eventful.

I woke up to the shrill sound of my phone ringing.I groaned and glanced over at my clock.It was 2am.

After I got home,I'd made a bowl of pasta,watched a movie,and went to bed.

"Who's calling at two in the morning?",I moaned and checked the Caller ID.

Uh oh.

I'd forgotten about Tyler.

I answered the phone."Tyler where are you?".

"Uhhhhhhhhhhhh",a very drunk Tyler slurred on the other end of the phone."I don't know".

"Very helpful Ty.Can you describe your surroundings?"I asked him in the way you'd talk to a little child.

"I'm at Marianne's house,"he mumbled from the other line.

"Ok gotcha".

It was Marianne Matson's house.Her family was insanely rich,and she threw frequent parties at which Tyler would get drunk and take a swim in the pool.

For some reason,he always had to fall in the pool with all his popular friends from football.I guess it was like their ritual,but it resulted in my car being soaking wet.

I had been to Marianne's house to pick up Tyler from so many parties,it took me less than five minutes to get there.As usual there was a raging party and I could hear the music from a block away.

I called Tyler so he could come outside because I was not in the mood to go inside.

"Come outside,I'm in the driveway"I said exasperatedly.

"Oh,by the way,I left"He slurred.

"Why aren't you at Marianne's house"I asked frantically .

"I don't know"He said and started giggling.That was it,Tyler was a pessimistic drunk,he never laughed or giggled.He wasn't drunk.He was high.

"Tyler.What.Did.You.Do"I asked through clenched teeth.

"I am sorry Lex Lex,I didn't mean to"He babbled on the other side of the phone.

"Just give me the address"I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose.My brother was high.He was the star football player at my school,and he had a full ride to Auburn,and here he was,high.

"I'm by the old bridge"He said and then hung up.

The old bridge was a run down bridge on the edge of town where the dangerous people hung out and smoked weed,sniffed coke,and drunk.The old run down bridge was also known as the birthplace of Willow Creek gang.

Now I had to drive all the way to The Bridge,which was on the other side of the town.

"Oh Tyler"I sighed to myself as I pulled up and saw the druggies stumbling about.

I walked around for a few minutes before I saw my brother,dripping wet,and sitting on a rock staring at the ground.

"Lex!You're here!"Tyler shouted,gaining the attention of some dangerous looking men with tattoos.

"Tyler hush"I said.

"Oh right sorry"He replied lowering his voice to a whisper.

"What did you take?"I asked trying not to get frantic.

"Oh I just snorted some stuff"He said casually,but then saw my face and quickly assured,"It was no big deal though,don't worry".

"Don't worry?You're captain of the football team and you are doing drugs now?"I gasped.

"Please just give me a ride home.My head hurts.I'm sorry"He pleaded.

"Tyler,you know I'll always come and get you,and take you home,no matter what"I assured him.

"Thanks Lex"He said and hugged me.

"Should have known"A low voice said behind us,"That you wouldn't resist me unless you had a man of your own".I turned around to see Jace Johnson looking at me.

I glanced at Tyler,we lasted three seconds before we burst out laughing.

"He-he is my brother"I said between cackles.

"Oh"Jace replied,seemingly embarrassed.

However,all of the sudden,Tyler sobered up,"How do you know my sister?"He asked in seriousness with his big brother tones showing through.

"Tyler,he is one of the kids that I babysit"I reminded him.

"Babysit?"Jace exclaimed at the same time Tyler said,"I'm not okay with this".

Jace quickly recovered,"Well you'd better be West,because I'll be spending a lot of time with your sister"He smirked.

Tyler stepped up to him,"You little-".

I grabbed Tyler's shirt.

"Come on,we are going"I told him and dragged him away.

"I don't like him Lexi"Tyler stomped on the ground.

"Well neither do I,so no problem there"I hugged all the while dragging him along.

"Lex,you can date any boy,but never him.Anyone but him,ok?"Tyler told me.

"Ok, Ty Ty"I said,"Now let's go home".

"Ok,I think I covered everything"Ms.Johnson said and grabbed her bag if the counter."Hallie,Cal,Jace come down here and say goodbye to me"she yelled up the stairs.Hallie came running down the stairs immediately"Bye mommy"she whined and started tearing up.

Ms.Johnson crouched down and wiped up Hallie's tears"It's okay sweetie,I'll be back before you know it".Just as she said that,Cal came down the stairs"Bye mom"he said casually,"Bye Cal"Ms.Johnson smiled.

"Jace Johnson,get down here"Ms.Johnson called again.A door slammed and footsteps came down the stairs,"Bye"he said bluntly.

"Awwww,bye Jacey,I'll miss you honey"she said and kissed him on the cheek."Moommmm"Jace whined.

I tried,but I couldn't contain my laughter,Jace was the bad boy at school,and to think he was a momma's kid?Hilarious.

"Ok guys,listen to what Lexi says"Ms.Johnson told her kids and then pointed to Jace"That includes you young man".

She opened the front door and walked out to the taxi that just pulled up,"Bye babies"she yelled before climbing into the car and closing the door.

"I...I...I miss mommy already"Hallie wailed.

"Shut up Hallie,she's been gone what..?20 seconds?"Jace yelled.

At that,she started crying and screaming even harder,I picked her up and carried her upstairs to her room,I looked at my watch and realized it was 3 o'clock and time for her nap.As soon as her head touched the pillow,she calmed down and her eyelids fluttered,when she was asleep,I closed her bedroom door and made my way to Jace's room.

I opened the door,not bothering to knock,and found him sitting on his bed....Reading.As soon as he saw me he closed it immediately,and threw it under his pillow."What?"he snapped.

"You just yelled at your sister?What was that about?"I demanded.

He stared at me blankly.Then,he stood up,pushed me back into the hallway,and slammed the door.As I went to open it again,I heard a click sound.

He locked me out.

"Jace you'd better open this dor right now"I shouted from outside with my arms crossed against my chest.

"You can't tell me what to do,I'm 18"Jace replied.

After a few minutes,it was clear he wasn't opening his door so I walked downstairs.I saw Cal on the couch looking at something in his computer.

The moment I walked in he quickly shut it."Callan,you know I am going to ask so go ahead and tell me"I said,using his full name and looking at him with a pointed look.

"No"he replied.

"Fine,don't tell me"I said as I walked away.

3,2,and....

"Wait!"I knew it."How do you ask a girl on a date without seeming to eager to go on a date?"

"You don't do that"I told him,and at his confused face I elaborated,"Girls hate it when guys do that.The whole,whatever attitude,and waiting five hours to text annoys the heck out of them.You can't ask over text or email too,ask to her face"I told him.

"That's shit advice".Said a low voice from the doorway.I looked up to see Jace."When you text,you say'Friday night at 7'.Its short and simple.And that way if you get rejected you just say whatever,but you won't,cause you're related to me"Jace advised.

Cal picked up his phone and held it in his hands,he looked torn between what to do.

"You could take the advice of an actual girl,or the advise of someone who's never had a girlfriend"I said pointing at myself and then gesturing at Jace.

"Ok,thanks guys"Cal said,and mentioned for us to live the room.

As we walk out of the room,he followed us and closed the door.I stayed at the door to listen.

After a few minutes I heard him say,"Hey Lacy".

I turned around to mouth"Ha" at Jace.He made a face at me.

When I turned back I heard Cal say,"So,tonight at six?".

"Ok great,I'll pick you up then"He hung up.

I jump away from the door into the hallway and pretended to look at the family pictures.There was no dad in any of them,but I did see a very adorable three-year-old Jace.

"Lex,I know you heard all of that,can you give me and Lacy a lift?"Cal said as he opened the door.

"Where are you taking her?"I asked him.His face paled and he exclaimed one word.

"Shit".

"Cal,language"I reprimanded.

"What do I do,Lexi?"he whined.

"Jace watch Hal!"I shouted.

"Whatever"he called back.

It was four o'clock,we had an hour and a half.

"First,go put on khakis and a button down shirt"I told him.I was in date mood.

"What shoes?"He asked panicked.

"Umm,sperrys"I replied.I already had a plan in my head.

"Ok"he said as he run upstairs.

I picked up my phone and dialed a familiar number.

"Sebastian,I need a favour"I said.

"Sure little Lexi,what is it?"His familiar voice answered through the phone.He had a slight Spanish twinge to his accent,and his dad owned a Latin cantina.

"Can I make a reservation for two at six thirty?The roof table please"I informed.Sebastian was my best friend,and I knew he'd pull through for me.

"Why?Got a hot date?"He asked suggestively.

"No but one of the kids I'm babysitting does"I replied.

"Sure,that's fine"He replied.

"Thanks Sebby!"I called and hung up.

"Come on Cal,let's go get some flowers"I said.

We got into my car,and I drove him to our towns florist.We walked inside and looked at some of the flowers.

"Oh Alexis dear,how may I help you?"Mrs.Flotts,the florist,asked.

"We are looking for date flowers"I said gesturing towards Cal.

"Oh,I have the perfect ones!"She exclaimed and ran back to the storage room.She came out holding a bouquet of red,white,and pink roses.

Cal cringed,"That's a bit too anniversary for a first date,ma'am"He said.

"Oh,but dear these are Lacy's favourite"She replied.

"You know Lacy?"Cal asked with wide eyes.

"Yes dear,I'm her aunt.Her mom called and told me all about how she was struggling to find the perfect dress.I told her, 'Lacy ,you wear whatever you want and if that boy doesn't appreciate it,he's not worthy of your time'"Mrs.Flotts informed us.

"She looks beautiful in anything"Cal replied.

Mrs.Flotts patted him on the shoulder,"Good boy"she said.

She rung up the flowers,and I used a ten percent off coupon so they were only 18 dollars.

We got back into the car.I patted my pockets."Crap,I left my phone at your house"I said.It was already five thirty.

"Hurry"Cal whined as I sped back to their house.

I ran inside to get my phone.Five forty.

"Where are you going?"Jace asked just as I had reached the door.I sighed as I turned around.

"I gotta get Cal to his date"I responded."Bye now"I said running out the door.Of course,Jace followed me.

"What about dinner?"He asked.

"Order pizza"I responded.

"I can't eat pizza,I'm on a diet for soccer".

"You poor thing.Make some noodles or something".

"I can't cook".

"Well that's too bad"I said glancing up at him.I saw he was holding Hallie off his hip."Oh,hi Hallie".

She didn't respond.

"She just woke up"Jace told me."Can we please come with you?"He asked.

Hallie made a pouty face with puppy dog eyes.

"Fine"I said.

I ran back inside and grabbed the keys to the minivan.

"Cal,get in the minivan"I said.

"What?Why?No they can't come!"He shouted.

"Hurry or we will be late,plus girls like guys who are good with kids"I replied.

"Fine"Cal said grumpily as he got into the backseat.Jace buckled Hallie into her car seat and then ran around to get in the passenger seat.

I connected my phone to the Bluetooth and then tossed it to Cal."Put in her address,and buckle in tight".

We had exactly ten minute to get to her house.

"Take a left onto 7th street,you will arrive at 6:06 p.m."said the phone.

"Oh no,we are getting there earlier than that"I said as I executed a perfect swing out of the driveway and sped down the street.We were not going to be late to his date.