It's Subjective

People underestimate sleep, especially how important it is to staying healthy. It's not just comfortable and good for passing the time at night, your body physically repairs itself, drains away toxins, and builds up energy levels for the next day. Sleep's great, and we never seem to manage to get as much as we should. Particularly when your cousin gets bored with waiting for you to get up and jumps on your back.

"Marie, leave him alone." I hear Rosie's voice argue, but it's too late, the sudden shock pulls me from my dreams, back to the crushing weight of reality.

"Too late now." Marie cackles, getting back off me, noticing my groggy reaction. "Besides, there's a known criminal in the house, we need to make sure he's restrained."

She's enjoying this far too much for my taste. "Hate to break it to you, but they threw me in jail for my own safety, not for a crime, it doesn't go on my record." I growl, as if the technicality matters. I sit up on the sofa and Marie takes the seat next to me, while Rosie occupies one of the chairs. They're both wearing their pyjamas, it must still be before noon. "How's Poppy doing?"

Rosie snorts at my question. "Her crush is sleeping upstairs, she's in the kitchen in full make-up trying to find something to make for lunch. It's adorable." She answers. Guess Ty's still here as well then, I bet he didn't get the wake-up call that I did.

I nod in agreement, remembering what Ty had mentioned about their date, no wonder she's walking on sunshine despite the circumstances. "How are... The others?" I ask, not knowing whose name to put first.

"Sienna went home with some guy, looked a bit older, not sure who he was." Marie explains. "As for Andi and Echo... Well, seems like the plan worked, they were dancing and laughing the night away. I think they actually went home together, so, I'd bet they're more tired than you are." She adds with a wink.

The implication feels like a knife to the gut. I don't even know why, but... I don't want them getting that close, not... Not closer than me. Nah, Echo would probably go for it, but there's no way Andi immediately jumped into bed with her after everything. It's frustrating, I don't even know which one I'd be jealous about.

A bang on the door puts pay to our speculation. I know who it is from the rage in the knock. I instinctively stand and exit the room into the hallway and towards the door, opening it to see an enraged Echo, and a groggy looking Andi.

I try to greet them, but I'm cut off. "Where the fuck is he?" Echo yells at me, barging past me towards the living room, before exiting when she realised Ty isn't in there.

"He's sleeping in my room, Echo, it wasn't his fault, it's mine, he was just-" I try to explain, before being interrupted again.

"I know who's fucking fault it was, dickwipe, but he knows how the police see us, he shouldn't have gotten involved." Echo roars at me, walking closer and pushing me away. "You're fine, bet you didn't even get a warning, he's lucky they even let him out."

I know they've got a bad reputation but... That bad? I turn to Andi, who shrugs in agreement, I guess when Ty said he hates the station he really meant it. I suddenly feel even more guilty for dragging him into it. I try to think of an apology, but my words are beaten to the punch.

"Is this what passes for manners nowadays?" Asks Rouge as she enters the room, still holding her morning coffee. Oh no, this is quite possibly the worst outcome, these two clashing could be cataclysmic. "See, back in my day, you'd walk into someone's house, the first thing you'd do is introduce yourself. Now it's fuck this, dick that, I really must be getting old."

"I'm Echo, I'm here to get my brother." She answers, not bothering to dignify the other comments. "So, if you don't mind, I'm going to go drag him home."

Rouge doesn't seem in the mood to let Echo walk around like she owns the place, her disapproving eye roll says everything it needs to. "I do mind, actually, see, we already insisted he stay for lunch, it'd just be rude to kick him out now." My aunt argues. "Now, you have two options, you can keep throwing your weight around, or you can drop the moody teenager act and join us. It's up to you, but let me promise, baby girl, the first option is not in your best interest."

Echo charges closer to Rouge, who remains unflinching, staring down the infuriated girl, I can't tell if they're gonna make out or brawl... Or both. Luckily, we don't get the chance to find out.

"Wow, busy in here!" I hear Trish's jolly voice exclaim as she enters, carrying a couple of shopping bags. "Hey Andi, nice to see you! Echo? I didn't expect to see you here."

Echo's entire demeanour changes as my other aunt enters. "Mrs Cray-Patel? I'm so sorry, I didn't realise you lived here..." She stammers, before turning to me. "I thought your last name was Monroe!" She hisses desperately.

"Yeah, Cray is my Mum's maiden name, but she took my Mama's name when they got married." I explain, but this just seems to confuse Echo further, until she finally pieces it together, a look of horror appearing on her face as she looks back to Rouge.

My aunt seems to enjoy the sudden change of attitude. "I'm Dr Rouge Cray-Patel, Trish is my wife." She smirks as Echo comes to the realisation that she almost punched Trish's partner. I don't know where Echo's respect for Trish comes from, but it's definitely funny to see her put in check for once.

The awkward silence hangs in the hallway for a few seconds, as various faces realise try not to make eye contact. I guess we didn't ever mention our relations to Echo, our names are so different, and we used to live so far away, even Marie and her parents used to live elsewhere, it's natural she never realised... Doesn't make it any less uncomfortable. Luckily, Andi decides to be the one to break the silence.

"Well, I know lunch sounds good to me. Hopefully it tastes just as good!"

That girl has no idea what a punchline is.