To Catch a Lightning

"It's still hurting you? Oh, baby. If only I could bring him back, I would. In exchange for the mistakes I did." Her face flinched, as she tried holding back her tears.

"You won't be able to bring him back. Even if you sacrifice yourself." I sniffed, wiping all of my tears away. "It hurts me that everytime I see you, you remind me of his death.

"I didn't just lose you, Mom. I lost my brother too. I didn't even get the chance to hug him, play with him and apologize to him. You took him away instantly from me, you digged his own grave. You never got the chance to offer him this life that you have."

All I could hear was silent sincerity, she stood there realizing how she had caused me pain all throughout her absence. I then moved in, greeting the maids, asking for a cold glass of water.

"Please feel at home. I'll go get something in my room, I made it for you." She followed me into the living room. "Your sister's going to be here soon as well. I hired a babysitter to pick her up after school."

"Oh, okay. I'll just sit here, do you mind if i just take a nap here?" I placed the glass on their coffee table. "Just got into another trouble, it exhausted me."

"Again? This is the third time around. Ethan, I didn't raise you to cause troubles." She went up the stairs, glancing at me. "Please behave yourself."

"If your husband didn't meddle with my life, I wouldn't have been in this mess." I closed my eyes, crossing my arms. "But he did, so here I am."

"You saw him? He hasn't been home for four months." She almost cried, slowly walking to her room. "I hope he's okay. I have been very worried and so is your sister."

I sat up right after I heard those words come out of her mouth. Here I thought she found a much better husband and father. No, she got herself the opposite one.

"Here, it's a song I made for you. I intended it to be your 17th birthday gift." She paused, as she gave it to me along with a player. "But, I decided it was best for me not to show up on your party. I didn't want to be a bad memory on your most awaited birthday."

I felt ashamed. I didn't know she felt those all along. Her not being on my birthday was the last thing I needed. But because I made it to a point where I acted like I never needed her, she left me alone, thinking it was the best.

"Mom, I wan—" I got cut off by the sound of the doorbell ringing. That must be my sister and the babysitter coming home.

"Hold on, I'm coming!" Mother softly raised a voice, walking over to open the door. "Baby, welcome home. I have someone who's very excited to see you, it's your brother."

A small child peered around the door with a purple bag draped around her shoulders. I've been dying to see her and now that I got the chance to makes my heart so happy.

"Come on, don't be scared." I taunted, smiling at her. "I'm Ethan, what's your name?"

"I'm Emilia Jolene. Momma said that you are my big brother." She softly spoke, gazing into my eyes. "I also want you to meet someone, I consider her as my big sister. She's been with me for 4 years now, taking care of me."

"Oh, could you show her to me? I'd love to be able to meet her." I stand up, taking her hand as she walks me to the front door. "Emily? I'm beyond shocked of your presence. You didn't tell me this was your part-time job. Well, ain't that convenient."

Emilia switched glances at the both of us, as she smiled. It seemed that she was happy to find out that we both knew each other, she'd be thinking that she has new playmates. I've figured that part, but not with Emily. But like, she can be cool too, i guess, just stubborn for the most part.

"You two know each other? Oh, right. You go to the same University." Mother peered from behind, handing out cash to her. "Here's your pay for today, but before you go, please stay and have lunch with us."

"Yeah, Emily. Come on over, Emilia would love to have you with us." I smirked at her, while I don't get a pleasant reaction from her. "Oh, I think I'm getting that feeling again. You don't want me around you."

"Don't be silly, Ethan. She's a nice lady, unlike any girl you've seen." Mother pulls her in, as I rolled my eyes at her statement. "Even your sister agrees, she's a kind lady."

"That's what everybody says until you get to live with her." I quipped, stealing glances off of Emily. "It's a disaster. Truly, a disaster. But I am in it for the ride."

Emily turns to me, giving me a glare. I let out a silent laugh, mocking her reaction. Oh, she is my favorite target to bully, she fights back, and not run off like any other girl would. But that would make it tough though, I want her to cry on her knees. I'm a terrible person and I love that.

The three of us followed mother off to where we eat, the dining area. Emilia runs off to her chosen seat as she calls out for Emily to take a seat right next to her. As I was about to go out and follow Mother, Emilia calls out for me as she gives me a pout.

"Bubby, where you going? I want you to take a seat there." Emilia pouts, pointing to a seat next to Emily's. "You both look good together, are you going to make love?"

"No, honey, no. We're just friends, that's all." I blush at the thought. Fuck, now she is going to point it out. "Emily likes someone else too, so that's not going to happen."

"So, if she doesn't like anyone, would you try and date her?" She asks, giving out a grin. "I think you're blushing, bubby. Look, your face is turning red."

Emily glances over at me and smiles, but she drops the look, realizing that Emilia might've caught her red-handed. Fuck, I don't like this. Why did I even blush at that thought when I shouldn't have? This day could've gone well, but no. I put my hand over my face, taking in the embarrassment as I sit next to Emily. She nudged me, giving out a sly smile. I lowered my head, frantically scouting Emilia to make sure she isn't paying attention to us.

"What's up with that smile, huh? If you think I have a thing for you, I don't." I feel my cheeks flood with heat. "Second, I didn't blush at the thought of dating you. Lastly, why would you be so caught up in this when in fact you're in love with Franco."

"Oh, really? If only you could see the way you blushed, Ethan Josiah Kinsly." She locks eyes with me, trying to make me blush again. "Do tell me about the theorist who said you can't fall in love with two people at the same time, or I will gladly fall for you."

"Science. Science proved that, Emily." I break the stare, convincing myself that all of what she said was a joke. "Lightning doesn't strike the same place twice."

"Oh, it does, young man. You've never fallen in love, have you?" a man in his 40's entered the room. "But it's not about the lightning, or the place. It's about who felt that electrifying feeling the most, it's about choosing whether you want to feel safe and secure, or you just want to run off and chase the lightning even if it means stumbling and falling down.

"Certainly, our lightning would not strike the same place twice. But who said the lightning of love can't strike the same person twice? It can and it will, more than twice, more than a thousand digits you could say. It will have no regrets. If you don't believe me, then you can find out for yourself."