Ada

Mutti was about to call Jacob to get him to come home. It was almost four o'clock on Sunday afternoon and Royce was home, so he didn't have a choice in the matter. Not that he would mind, he and Royce were like peas in a pod.

She had her phone in her hands, trying to figure out what to do with it. She wasn't known for her technological skills. Then again, neither was I. I specialized in languages and music and not much else.

"Mutti, what are you doing?" I asked, speaking in her first language. She was difficult to understand when she spoke English and even though she preferred it around the house, I always spoke German.

"I am calling your brother. He needs to come home."

"Don't," I said, gently sliding her phone out of her hands and setting it on the bench. "I want to go for a jog. Let me run over and fetch him."

"Would you?" She asked as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. "It would save me from trying to call him."

"It's no problem," I beamed, thanking the lord or whoever I believed in at the time that I was already in my exercise gear. "I'll return with Jacob soon."

"Danke schon, Ada, my sweet girl." She kissed both of my cheeks and let me go. I raced up to my bedroom to get my running shoes and was out the door in a minute flat.

I had always enjoyed running, but more so when I had a specific destination in mind. It was easier to reach when you had a goal, especially when that goal was your boyfriend's house. I was still struggling to wrap my head around the fact that we were officially together, despite his constant reminders. He loved saying that I was his girlfriend, bringing it up at any moment he deemed appropriate which was basically every one. It was even weirder how, even though we had agreed not to tell anyone, he was still integrated into my life. I got to see him during the day as a friend of my brother's, and as much as the thought of my family finding out terrified me, it was good to be able to see him in the daylight.

I jogged the whole way, knowing the path like the back of my hand. I'd done it enough times on foot, bike or skateboard; it would be bad if I didn't.

I took out my earphones when I got to the gate of the mayors house, a sight that once frightened me. After seeing them in pitch black after sneaking out a couple of times at night, I realized they were completely harmless.

I made it to the front door and rang the bell, trying to get my breath back and almost succeeding by the time the door swung open.

Hayden was standing in the doorway in his simple shorts and a t-shirt, both designer brands of course. Like he could have anything else. His blonde hair was its usual mess of almost curls and his grin was one of surprise. I smiled at the sight.

"Ada. What a surprise," he said, drawing out his words. He leaned against the doorframe as he looked me up and down, an action that made me blush from head to toe. I hoped my brother standing next to him blamed it on my exercise.

"What are you doing here?" Jacob asked, confusion on his face.

"Mutti wanted me to fetch you," I told him, half telling the truth. My eyes darted quickly to Hayden who cocked up an eyebrow. "Royce will be home for dinner and it's getting late."

He looked down to his watch and I rolled my eyes. "You know it's late to Mutti."

"Why didn't you call?"

I worked to keep the grin on my face as I spat out another lie. "I was about to head out for a run after lessons anyway and Mutti couldn't find her phone. It was easier."

"Okay," he shrugged, seeming to accept it. "I need to run and get my phone. Do you want a ride home?"

As much as I enjoyed running, twenty minutes of it was more than enough for me for a Sunday afternoon. I nodded and began winding up my headphones so that they wouldn't get tangled. As soon as he turned his back and jogged down the steps, Hayden started talking.

"Why are you really here?"

I put my hands on my hips, looking up at him with a smile I couldn't get rid of. "I'm here to get my brother."

"You have a phone. You could have called."

"But I didn't want to," I said.

"I know. I'm happy you came," he grinned, and then pulled me into a hug. He gave the best hugs, squeezing me so tight I felt like he would crush me. I don't know why, but I loved them.

"I know you are," I teased him, poking my tongue out like a child. Then again, fourteen was hardly considered an adult.

"Whatever," he rolled his eyes. "That reminds me though; are you coming over tonight?"

"You never said anything about tonight."

"I'm saying it now."

I heard footsteps sounding in the hallways and realized we didn't have much time. "Milena nearly caught me last night. I don't think I want to risk it again quite yet."

"Wasn't it worth it?"

"We watched three movies, only one of which I actually saw because I fell asleep. I'm pretty sure you don't want to spend your Sunday night like that."

"I'm pretty sure I'd hate to spend it any other way. You're cute when you sleep." He paused, turning quickly to see my brother emerging from the halls. "Come over."

Jacob was at the bottom of the stairs, his phone in his hand and his eyes to the ground. "Hai. Konban ni kaeru."

"Why do you have to be so smart?"

"You like it."

"I like you."

My heart skipped. "I know."

Jacob reached us a moment later and I returned to my position of trying to look like I felt mildly awkward while Hayden didn't bother. I hated how he didn't have to pretend with Jacob because he just played it off as his creepy behaviour. I hated how I had to. I didn't like keeping things from my brother. He was the sibling I was closest to and I was used to being able to tell him everything, but a few nights ago when I'd gone to Hayden's at 1am we'd said he wouldn't take it well. "Not yet," Hayden had said. I agreed. Not yet.

"Thanks for helping me out today, mate," Jacob said, oblivious to us.

Hayden shrugged, doing their secret handshake. "Any time, Jacob."

"By the way, I'll be trying to figure out who this girl is," he threw over his shoulder as he ushered me down the steps. I faltered, nearly losing my footing to which I heard Hayden snicker. I shot him a glare and behind my brother's back, he blew me a kiss. What a loser.

We got in the car and drove off, where only a moment later my phone chimed.

He isn't gonna figure out it's you. Don't worry.

And again.

See you tonight?

I quickly responded Yes, you kartoffel and then switched it off, turning to my brother.

"How'd it go?"