-Chapter Five-
Sister, Sister

"Hey, hey baby sis." Val said happily as I let her into the lake house.

It had been three days being locked away in the lake house, I was starting to go stir crazy...it took some coaxing but I finally got Braxton to allow me some company, he of course suggested Elise and Mariah...but truth be told I didn't want them to see me in this state, in short, I am embarrassed.

But having my sister here meant that for even a short time I didn't have to talk about Luna's, Marks, or even Weres in general.

"I'm glad you came" I said as she let herself in and I closed the door behind her. "...and I really love that you're letting your hair get long again...what's it been 3 or 4 years now?"

"Thanks H, and honestly not since high school...but figured it was time for a change, what's the saying; new hair, new me."

I laughed a little, "I'm pretty sure you're thinking of new year, new me...but you look good anyways." And I meant it, the length of her hair made her seem her true age, instead of the mature vibe she tired to give off...for as long as I can remember Valerie always tried to be much older than she actually is. But this styling made her seem younger...innocent almost...this could also be in part to the fact that she wasn't wearing as much makeup as she usually does.

"So you said this is Braxton's place...I swear H, you struck gold when you bagged him." She said with a sigh.

"I'm sure you'll find a guy just as good as Braxton."

She shook her head no, "I've sworn off boys, as well as partying...I'm trying to really focus on myself and school."

"I am so proud of you Val."

She smiled her beautiful smile, it was genuine and warm.

"Well," I said. "As you can see we have plenty of space here if you'd like to stay...it's a little cool out otherwise I'd suggest taking a swim in the lake."

She brushed the idea away, "you know I burn in the sun." She smirked.

It was true, every since we were kids Valerie has always had such fair skin, and her porcelain like exterior never fared well...turning lobster red in only a short time in the sun.

"Well how about we go to the movies then?" She offered.

I made a face, I couldn't tell her that Braxton wouldn't allow me to leave without him. I knew it sounded archaic even to me but I also understood his precautionary reasoning behind it, my sister however...she'd hear that and all sorts of red flags would go up.

"What's wrong?" She asked, her doe eyes full of concern.

"Oh I just haven't been feeling my best...that's kinda why I'm here, Braxton doesn't want me getting worse...but if you want, we have a theater room down in the basement." I offered, "I can order us some food and we can watch Audrey Hepburn movies all day."

I knew it'd be hard for her to resist Audrey Hepburn.

And she happily agreed, I let her explore the place while I ordered the food, once she was bored we gathered some snacks and drinks from the kitchen and I showed her to basement.

"This should hold us over until the pizza gets here." I said as I opened the door to the basement.

Once she got a glimpse inside her eyes grew huge, "ok seriously, how loaded is this guy?" She asked.

I shook my head, "Braxton and I don't really discuss finances, but I know his family is pretty well off."

She gave me a look that asked me to explain myself better so I tried...

"Well I do know, when his father passed away he was left a sizable insurance alongside his mother...but honestly I don't know too much about any familial finances outside of that...but he invested his money into this lake house." I smiled.

"I mean it is beautiful." She offered.

I nodded, "Brax knows we come here so much and we also invite our friends and family over when we do come, that he wanted this place to pretty much have everything in terms of entertainment... so it was only recently that we renovated the rooms, he put in a library and this theater room...and out back of course there's the lake, but there's also a lake house that essentially doubles as a man cave so that's where all the games and pool table are...and if the lake isn't really your thing then we've also got the hot tub and I'm thinking about having a fire-pit installed for those night you just really want s'mores."

She looked at me awe-struck.

"What?" I asked slightly humored.

She shook her head, "nothing."

"Spit it out Val."

"It's just...you two aren't like secretly married or anything are you?" She sounded.

I balked, "what, no!"

"I mean I wouldn't blame you, you two love each other, he's good looking, he's obviously rich...it's just the way you talk and the life you live, I mean...I know you moved back home and all, but you know you could tell me anything right."

I smiled, "I know and thank you...truth be told you're probably the only person right now who I could tell anything to and wouldn't feel judged, but I promise Braxton and I aren't married...not even engaged yet." I said holding up my bare left hand.

She smiled, "Okay, so...have you had sex yet?"

At this my face instantly heated up and the slight discomfort I had been experiencing all week seemed to becoming increasingly worse.

"No...But it has been brought up."

"And?" She wondered.

"Actually as of lately I've seriously been contemplating it." I admitted honestly, it was the first time I was saying it out loud, maybe it's these past few days of the heat or maybe I'm tired of holding out but I had been thinking about it lately, a lot actually.

"He isn't pressuring you...-"

"No, that isn't Braxton at all." I ensured her. "But yes it is something we have discussed and he definitely knows my stance on the trying to save myself for marriage...but lately the temptation has been super high...that's why I chose to move back to mom and dad's," I admitted.

Then I sighed, "... I know he'd never push me to do something I didn't want to, but that's what if I do want to do it...I mean after I've gone all Molly Morals on everybody about saving yourself only to cave and just do it...-"

"Look... I'm not exactly 'Abstinence Abby'" She said in reference to my stupid Molly Morals remark and I smirked because of it.

"H... while I get your morals, if you are ready it's okay to have sex."

"But how will I really know if I'm genuinely ready?"

"Well, we listen to our bodies." She put delicately. "No one would look down on you if you did give into your urges, hell its nobodies damn business to begin with, what you do with your own body...just know that I know you're a good person, you know you're are a good person and more importantly you trust Braxton."

I nodded, "He's been a saint throughout this whole experience."

She nodded now, "Look, if you are able to save yourself and that's something that you want to do for yourself and not for the approval of society and others then kudos, if not and you just so happen to sleep with your boyfriend...well then welcome to the 21 century honey."

I smiled, I knew this decision was mine alone, but if I was being honest, she had me wondering now... why was I saving myself?

Sure it's how I was raised, but is that reason enough to not do it?

I mean religiously speaking I know it's frowned upon to have sex out of wedlock, but surely there'd be some loophole about sleeping with the man you're going to marry.

As I thought about It Further I had come to the stony conclusion that the only reasons I had truly been saving myself for marriage still was because I knew it's what my parents (and I felt like everyone) expected from me.

I'm the good one, the daughter who gets perfect grades and had perfect attendance (Before I found out Weres existed), doesn't stay out past curfew, or go out partying every weekend, always on time, and if I'm running late for some reason I call and let them know what's going on...I'm the reliable one, the predictable one.

I knew I was worried that they'd judge me, and scared of how they'd view me afterward...I knew I was also scared physically and emotionally.

Yes I wondered if it would hurt and what if I just didn't like it the way most people seem to enjoy it. But more so as I looked at my sister my heart panged with sadness, beautiful girls like Mariah and Valerie...the ones who always wore their heart on their sleeve, they open themselves up completely to allow men in with the hopes of love, only to find themselves used and discarded shortly after.

I thought of how my friend had found her happily ever after in Patrick of all people and hoped with my whole heart that the same could be said of my sister.

I sighed as the movie started, I was worried...I didn't want to give my entire self to one guy only to have him so carelessly disregard me afterward.

Of course it's Braxton, he would never do that...would he?