Even though you're scared,
You're stronger than you know.

LILIANNA NORRIS

__________________

Eliza was fine, which everyone was glad of. Pax and Tanner were cool, which everyone was glad of. Pikachu got three treats when Eliza and Tanner got home, which mostly Pikachu was glad of.

Lily sat in bed, scrolling through old text conversations with Travis, realizing just how fake she'd been. Then, her phone buzzed with a text message. She backed out of the thread and looked at the contact name.

No. It couldn't be. Connor Isaac Norris hadn't texted her since April 15, 2009.

"Where are we going?" "It's my brother, I've never told you about him, but-" "Yes, you have." "Oh?" "You were drunk. You said you had a brother once." "Did I tell you why?" "No, you shushed me and told me it was rude to interrupt." "That sounds like me." "And?" Lily sighed. "He got mad at me one night. Ran away, claiming I wasn't his sister. I decided, no matter what, I wouldn't go against his wishes so much as to call myself his sister."

They arrived at a quaint little house. "This is it." Lily walked up and rang the doorbell. Her heart skipped at the sight of Connor. "Hi." Before Lily could even register how awkward she felt, Connor attacked her in a hug. "Well." "Don't blame me, Lil, I'm your brother."