Inside

Bounding up the stairs, Marie let out a long sigh as she rested the box on the landing. It wasn't that she disliked her parent's display of affection, just that she felt uncomfortable around that sort of thing. Despite being a senior in high school she hadn't had a serious boyfriend. She instead turned her mind to more academic pursuits. Physics, calculus, and chemistry were some of her favorite subjects!

Now her parents had pulled her across the country in order to satisfy her father's work. No one knew her here, and maybe that was for the best. Senior year was no time to get lazy and she had a lot riding on her academic performance. If she let things slip, she could lose her scholarship and all the work she had done would have been for not.

3 years of dedicated study, and she intended to finish on a high note. If given the proper chance, she wanted to finish as the valedictorian at her new school. The thought of coming from a nobody to one of the top students filled her with a sense of pride. She already knew that she tested higher than the average student, but this was a new school entirely. Many of the student body were slated to go to top performing schools across the nation after graduation. She definitely had her work cut out for her.

"Hey sis. Need a hand? Best not to be daydreaming in the middle of the hallway."

The voice startled her from her thoughts as she stood there contemplating the last 4 years of her life. Turning around, she saw her older brother standing before her and offering his hand.

David Collins was the eldest of the two siblings and was just about to start his next year of college. At 21 he already had his life together and was being scouted as one of the best players in the country for football. A consistent top performer who had brought his university from the laughingstock of the country to the favorite to win the national championship.

As Marie looked up at him, she could see why. David had been a scrawny kid throughout most of junior high. It wasn't until he hit high school that he came into his prime. Standing at 5'10" tall with their father's dark hair and mother's piercing blue eyes, it was easy to see why he had regular girlfriends until university. From there, he decided that his wild days were behind him, and started to settle down. With him and Anabelle approaching their first aniversary there were serious discussions about them moving in together next year.

Standing up straight, Marie gave a playful pout and punched him in the arm.

"My knight in shining armor! Yes, if you would be so kind as to carry this the last 10 feet, I would appreciate it."

She smiled as she watched him easily lift the box up and carry it the rest of the way to her room. Watching him easily lift it made her eyes linger on him a bit too long. The outline of his muscles pressing against the tight tshirt and the small sweat stains under his arms. What was that tantalizing aroma? Musk with the smell of that sandalwood shampoo he used?

Shaking her head, she pressed down her thoughts and followed behind him. After all she had other things to focus on. Plus he was her brother!! How could she possibly think that? She knew she was from the South, but not that kind of south! Still though.... he did give the best hugs.

Pushing the door to her room open she motioned for him to just set it on the floor.

"Thank you, bro. I've got it from here. You better go start, helping, or else dad is going to be on your case again." Unceremoniously, she ushered him out and shut the door behind him.