"I can stay here by myself," Carter insisted as I began to shove articles of clothing back into the closet. Carter followed it up by yanking them back out and throwing the clothes back in the suitcase, and around and round we went.

"You can't stay here alone!" I protested, yanking the clothes back out of the bag.

"Em, it's Hawaii!" he protested. "Duke can just—"

I slammed the suitcase shut, stopping him in his tracks. "Duke isn't available!"

Carter paused, fists filled with clothes falling to his sides.

Duke was going to be out of town, and I refused to leave Carter alone. He was twelve and lived a life on a tight rope. I couldn't afford to be gone for a week or more. Not without someone I trusted to watch out for him.

I watched guilt fill Carter's eyes as he slumped down on the edge of my bed. "I don't want you to miss things because of me," he said quietly. "It isn't fair."

His fingers tugged along the fabric of my clothes, eyes distant. "I keep ruining things."

I shook my head but he kept going. "Don't try and make me feel better, Em. You've been taking care of me all by yourself. Mom and dad haven't come home yet even though they've been due to take vacation time for months..."

He leaned back on the bed and closed his eyes. "I wish I could come. I wish the doctor would let me travel with you."

Sudden anger roared through me, reminding me of Luke's words when he had noticed my anger at my parents. At how I had felt left alone to handle everything. I wanted to erase the guilt on Carter's face. How he felt personally responsible for things that no twelve year old should feel.

None of this was his fault. "I'd pick you every single time kid," I said quietly.

He dropped my clothes onto his face, hiding. "I know. I just wish... There was room for us to be siblings. To fight about stuff. To be normal."

I blinked back tears of frustration. "Normal is overrated."

Then I walked out of the room, on an angry mission. Ducking out onto the fire escape outside our living room window, I glared down at my phone, forcing myself to call two numbers I hadn't heard anything from in months.

My dad's phone rang and rang with no answer. I moved on to my mother's number. She picked up on the third ring. "Heeeey Honey!" she shouted over the roar of an engine.

"Hey mom, I—"

I suddenly heard her shouting at someone on the other side of the phone. "Yeah, almost done! Hold your horses!" She let out an exasperated sigh. "Sorry hon, what were you saying?"

I had quickly learned that fast conversations were the only way to get information across with either parent while they were working, so I took the plunge, trying to keep my irritation at bay. "When are you and dad coming home?"

Her answer was instant, like it had been the last three times I had asked. "Oh, sweetie. I wish it was now, but your father and I are still both a few states away. Maybe in a few months—"

"You have a lot of vacation days mom. Carter needs you guys and you should be here," I said, no longer able to play nice. I had spent years torn between making excuses for them because their job required so much of their time, and being angry that I never tried hard enough to make them see how it hurt Carter and me.

"I know you guys work really hard, and maybe I haven't made it clear how much we need you at home, but—"

"Em," my mother said, her voice firm. "We don't have any vacation days."

My heart dropped. "What?"

There was a long pause, loaded and full of potential to make me break. I knew that pause. It was one that meant something was wrong. "Mom? What happened?"

"Well..." she trailed off again.

My head spun. "Did you guys loose your jobs? Is Dad okay?"

She laughed, shattering my concern. "No sweety. Everything is fine. We just used all our vacation days already."

I blinked, dread crawling up my spine. "What are you talking about?"

"We needed a break so... we booked a trip. We just got back to work actually."

Everything inside of me died. Short circuiting so fast that I dropped the phone, the world tinting an angry red color. I forgot how to breathe and after a moment, found myself on the ground, hands wrapped around my knees.

They took a vacation... they took time away... and didn't bother to come home. To visit. To see if Carter is okay. To see if I was okay...

I squeezed my eyes shut, allowing the loud noises of Los Angeles to wash over me. My mind continued to spin, but I focused on the sounds. The blaring traffic. The music coming from car radios. The sounds of people walking down the street, grocery bags banging against shins. I let it all fill my mind until I couldn't think anymore. Until I could find my breath.

The noise was a relief. Because although silence was great when you needed to think clearly, deafening noise was a lifeline. An almost tangible thing that was going to help me keep going when the world let me down.

The world snapped back into place. I could still hear my mother on the other end of the phone chattering away, oblivious to what just happened. Plucking up my phone, I put it back to my ear in time to hear her say— "A full month in Hawaii! It was beautiful!"

"You went to Hawaii?" I asked. "Didn't think to take anyone with you?" I asked, growing angry, dread vanishing down the drain and replaced by rage that I had been keeping tucked away.

"Carter can't travel, Emelia," my mother said in a tone, that left me clenching my teeth, as if it was some how possible to forget about Carter. I hated my full name. A name that was often used to scold when it was unwarranted. The name felt poisoned in it's original state.

I had changed it to Emily the moment I turned eighteen and then told everyone my name was Em. I wanted to be hard to pin down. Hard to put into a single box. I wanted to be hard to know. Because my parents had proven that knowing someone just gave people the tools to hurt you.

"I know that mom—"

"Honestly, he's got to be careful."

"I am aware of that—"

"That's why we didn't tell you. We didn't want him to feel bad—"

"Mom! That's not the point! You should have come home!"

"We needed a break," my mom replied sounding hurt. "We both work hard and deserve it. You'll understand when you are older and—"

"Don't lecture me mom. I've been alone in this for a long time. Just... let me know when you eventually decide to come home." I hung up the phone before I could start screaming, fully aware that Carter would hear me. That my potential raging monologue would only make him believe that he was a burden.

You aren't, Carter! I screamed into my own mind, angry and hurt, wrung out. Instead I sat, looking out at the sky, fighting tears, letting all the words I wished I could scream out loud fill my chest, and settling into a hard shield, protecting me from the people who were supposed to love me most.

They should have come and seen us. They should have at least pretend that we are both part of their lives. It isn't just the two of them. They made us.

I let out a long, painful breath, allowing the heartbreak out in a huff, even as the anger seemed to settle deeper inside.

They are supposed to love us more than this.

I stared down at my phone, chest constricting, tight, remembering Delle's words. How she promised to be there for me. I hit the call button.

I really hope she can.

"Em? Need a ride to the airport?"

I swallowed. "Not exactly. More like... advice." Delle had the unfortunate blessing of having her family be well known for all the wrong reasons. Her dad had walked out on her and her sisters when they were younger, so if anyone knew how to handle my current situation, it was her.

Delle's voice softened. "What do you need?"

"I'm supposed to be going to Hawaii for the shoot and I..." I leaned my head against the railing, enjoying the feeling of the cool metal against my temple, letting it calm me. "I can't go."

Delle was quiet. "Carter?" she asked.

"I can't leave him, Delle."

"I wouldn't ask you to. I wouldn't leave my sister either if I were you."

"I just didn't know who else to call... and you said..."

I heard Delle smile. "Thanks for choosing me to confide in instead of trying something crazy like canceling. Dustin is pretty understanding, but they kinda need you to shoot things."

"What do I do, Delle? I can't go and it's making me freak out a little. I'm supposed to leave tomorrow."

There was shuffling on the other end of the phone. "Okay, first of all, eat a snack and take a beat. It will help you calm down. I can buy you a day or two."

I ducked back into the house, made a beeline for the kitchen cupboard and shoved my hand into a box of Lucky Charms Cereal, shoving a handful into my mouth. "What's the second of all?" I asked around a mouth full of sweet sugary goodness.

"I'm working on the second of all right now, hold on." There was more shuffling on the phone. "Hey, put down the chalupa for a second. I need to ask you something. Is your Aunt free for a week of adorable kid watching?"

I recognized the other voice almost instantly. "I can eat and talk at the same time, Delle. Don't insult me with your crazy assumptions. I am very skilled." I heard loud chewing before Tate answered. "Yeah. She says she is good to go." There was a pause and then I heard Tate laugh. "Admit it. You are impressed that I can text and eat at the same time."

Delle snorted. "I have no clue what Allie sees in you." The phone shuffled again and Delle was talking to me. "Okay, I have someone who can help you out. She's wonderful. The question is would you rather she stay there with Carter or would you be more comfortable bringing him to her house?"

"Who is it?" I asked, uncertain. "I don't leave my kid brother with strangers."

Delle let out a startled cry and suddenly Tate was on the phone. "Trust me, Aunt Katherine is the best. Moly Weasley level perfection. Protective, always feeding you, and has so much love to give that it makes you feel like you are perpetually wrapped in a fuzzy blanket."

I heard another yelp and suddenly Delle was back on the phone and Tate was muttering about being sucker punched. "She watches my sister all the time. And no paparazzi ever go there. Aiden and Tate have kept her out of the spotlight and well protected from them."

I glanced towards Carter's room, hesitating. "I don't know."

"Em. It's ultimately up to you and Carter. But just know, she will watch him like he is her own. She is the ultimate mamma hen."

When I stayed silent, Delle's voice grew quiet. "Em... I know what it's like to have to leave a sibling for a bit to get a job done. I know it's hard, but trust me when I say this... It doesn't make you like your parents. You being worried about him, caring about him, taking care of him is what makes you different, okay?"

Tears sprung to my eyes, shame, guilt and embarrassment warred to win. I felt so unfitting to be Carter's everything. I could barely keep myself together half the time. But Delle's words felt like a life line. A whisper of truth that cracked through the lies that I so often struggled to see past.

I am a good sister. It's okay to need help. I just need to get better about letting others help me.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. "Okay. Yeah. I'm in." Glancing at the ground, I shuffled my feet, feeling self-conscious. "Oh, and Delle? Thanks... for saying that."

"Don't thank me yet. We still have to get you to Hawaii. Katherine is available starting the day after tomorrow. I'll let Dustin know. We'll do some dance work so I'm not lying when I say I want to work with you a little more before you leave. But I'll have to find you a new ride. The company plane will be gone."

I shrugged. "I can take a regular flight—"

Delle laughed. "No way! You'll be harassed the entire time by your new fans... Or anti fans. Besides, we don't want the paparazzi knowing where you are going." I heard a mischievous tone in her voice. "But I have an idea of someone who can take you."

"Why do I get the feeling that I am going to hate this idea?"

"Because you are allergic to brilliance."

...

"How many quesadilla's would you like? Four? Five? We have guacamole, salsa, chips, and several different sides of cheese for you to pick from. And would you prefer chicken, carne asada, chili roast beef, or pork? We can also add any fillings you like."

Carter and I exchanged a glance as the famous Katherine took us through her living room, showcasing a dining room table where every inch was covered in mouth watering food that had just been served, piping hot, steam rising off of the plates like the most mouth watering food in a anime show.

Katherine had dark black hair pulled back into a wispy ponytail that was peppered with grey strands. She wore a green apron covered in smears from her food making battle and a dark blouse with jeans that hugged her natural curvy figure. She had a warm presence about her as she moved around the room, bright eyes taking everything in with passion and patience.

A slow, wide grin spread across Carter's face. A kid in a candy store didn't quite cover the look. He was a Charlie inside of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.

The moment I had agreed to let Carter stay with Katherine, I had received a text message from her asking for Carter's favorite meals, desserts and allergy restrictions. Needless to say, he was going to be very happily fed while I was gone.

He looked between the food and Katherine, growing more excited. "Wow..."

A girl popped her head around the corner, long brown hair falling down her shoulders, sweeping across her back, a bright smile on her face, making her green eyes sparkle. "Yeah... we get that a lot around here." She bounced up to Carter with a confident air. Carter, who continued to stand in the doorway to the living room, clutching Bowsers small travel tank, suddenly found something new that seemed to be far more fascinating than the food, his eyes following the girl with shy curiosity.

The girl held out her hand as she came to a stop, her long summer dress swooshing around her ankles. "Hi! I'm Iz Dalton. Welcome!"

Carter blinked, and then, coming back to himself, took her hand, face flushing slightly. "Hi."

Katherine shot me a knowing smile as Iz began tugging Cater towards the stairs. "I'll show you where your room is. Then we can make quesadillas. You haven't lived until you've shoved four different types of cheeses into a tortilla that's already filled with chips and all the meat options."

They disappeared up the stairs, Iz still happily chattering away. "Just wait til you meet Misty. She's staying with us too. Do you like to read? What's your favorite genre?"

"I like astronomy books, adventure books—"

"Oh! Like Laliana Summers? She signed my books! Want to see!"

Their voices were quickly lost as they took a turn around the corner on the second story. I turned back to Katherine who was smiling up after them.

"My daughter can make friends with anyone."

I laughed. "It's a good trait to have." I pulled my eyes away from the stairs. "Thanks for watching him."

Katherine waved her hand, dismissing my thank you. "Of course!" She reached onto the table and handed me a Tupperware. "I know you have to leave soon, so I packed you a meal. No sense in going hungry on your way to the airport."

I stared down at the food, smiling. "Thank you." I was at a loss for words and found my eyes going back to the stairs.

"I promise you, he will be alright," Katherine said, her voice filled with compassion and understanding.

"You have my number?" I asked, reluctant to leave, worry beginning to eat at me from the inside.

Katherine nodded. "Yes. I also have his doctor's number and have Tate and Aiden both on stand by if we need to make an emergency trip to the hospital."

It was the fact that Katherine didn't promise that he wouldn't need to go to the hospital that made me trust her. She understood that promising something out of her control was pointless. Instead, she showcased how prepared she was for the task.

I sighed, allowing myself to relax slightly and before I could say anything else, Katherine wrapped her arms around me. "He will be watched, well fed and loved while you are gone. That I can promise."

The gentle motherly touch nearly broke me. I had almost forgotten what it was like to be enveloped in a warm embrace. To be held together by someone else. It made me sad how foreign of a concept it had become.

Katherine gave me a tight squeeze before letting me go. "Now, go get your job done."

Blinking back tears I nodded, at a loss for words. I wasn't sure how to thank her and the words 'thank you,' didn't feel like enough.

"Bye Carter!" I called.

A moment later I heard a half distracted response. He was clearly already at home, settling in with his new best friend. "Bye, Em! Be safe!"

No hug for me.

I had to take that as a good sign as I braced myself to leave him and reluctantly made my way out the door.

...

I had been on a plane a zero amount of times in my life. Family vacations were had in cars and even those were rare because my parents, who were long distant truck drivers for their jobs, hated driving in their free time. So when it came time to get on a plane, I was a bundle of nerves and excitement.

But when I was ushered past the line of people waiting to go through metal detectors and having their bags checked by TSA agents at the airport, and taken out onto a tarmac where a private jet waited, I suddenly realized that my very first plane ride was going to be a very different experience than I had ever pictured.

I blinked up at the sleek jet, eyes wide, hand held above my head to keep the sun out of my eyes. The wind whipped at my hair wildly, tugging at my peach tank top. The words WALKER AIR were painted across the side of the jet in slick black letters, and I couldn't help but laugh.

Of course... The only one around here who has his own plane would be Luke. And he's the one that's giving me a ride.

---

Thank you for reading chapter seventeen! I hope you are enjoying the story! Or are at least curious to see where it goes!

UPDATE DAYS - A NEW CHAPTER EVERY FRIDAY!

What do you think of Katherine and Iz Dalton?

Will Carter be okay with them while Em is gone?

It looks like Em is in for a VERY interesting plane ride! How will things go with her and Luke?

What will happen next?

CHAPTER QUESTION - Have you ever been on a plane? Did you enjoy your experience?