"What a fun day! I'm going to go check on Jake," Kendall told me, after finishing eating her cookie dough. I gave a nod. It was probably a good thing. As much as I loved having Kendall around, I couldn't deny the fact that sometimes my slight social anxiety would mean I wanted to make use of some well-needed alone time.

Kendall headed away in search of my brother, while I placed our bowls and plates in the dishwasher before going to relax in the garden for a short while, to focus on some reading. I couldn't hear very much outside, which was why it made it the perfect spot, as long as an apple didn't decide to fall on me again, that is.

I read for a short while under the gentle glow of our backyard lights, until I decided it was about time to head back inside.

I wasn't inside the house for too long, before I found Kendall again.

"Hey you," I said.

"Hey," she smiled back. "Jake's just working again," she stated. Noted. He would focus on his work above everything else. While this was great for his career advancement, I could tell that Kendall wished that he spent more time with her as much as I did. After all, she would be turning twenty-one soon. It was understandable that she wanted Jake to spend this time with her.

She sighed, but soon managed a smile again to return my own friendly expression.

Kendall headed towards me and ruffled up my blonde curls a little.

"You know- you never did grow much after high school, did you?" she teased.

I just scrunched up my nose a little as I tried to give her my best look of annoyance. Thinking on it, though, it probably just appeared cute. It couldn't be helped- Kendall was 5'10. She had always been one of the tallest girls in school, that was what made her so capable of being a model.

"It's cute, though," Kendall said absent-mindedly, as her eyes glanced over my features for a moment.

I swallowed, feeling warmth flood to my cheeks a little, in my nervousness.

Kendall cleared her throat before speaking again.

"Anyhow, what did you get up to while yours truly was away?" she asked with a slight smirk, "Any more writing, A-bug?" she asked.

"I read a little, but yeah- I write now," I told her with a grin.

"You always were talented," Kendall said, with a glint of admiration in her eyes. "So was I, though, hey? Head of the cheer-leading club three years in a row," Kendall said. She did kind of relish attention, but she only really cared for our friendship above all others, so that made me feel a little warm inside.

I didn't really get it, but I supposed there was some part of me that just really wanted Kendall's approval.

"Anyways, I might sleep over," Kendall said.

"Yeah?" I asked her, feeling my heart speed a little.

"Yeah, we can have some snacks- put on a movie, and then I'll go see Jake after! Don't think I'm going to forget to make sure my two favourite siblings both have my attention," Kendall said.

I felt myself blush.

"Okay!" I said, trying to keep my voice from seeming too excited. Although, truthfully, I was. I hadn't spent so much time with Kendall in years. I was sort of loving it right now. It was as if our duo was back together again.

So, the slumber party began, for a short while, that is.

"This movie is so cute," Kendall said, as the two main girls on screen kissed. I felt her side-eye me for a moment and just tried to hide my blush because I felt awkward. Why was I blushing? Why did I feel awkward? It was just a movie.

"Hey Ally," Kendall said, turning to me then. It was almost as if she had a clue on my sudden anxiety.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"This was nice. Thank you," she told me.

I smiled, then. The awkwardness lessened considerably.

"You too, Kendall. It's good to have you back," I told her.

Kendall brought me into a quick hug as the movie reached its ending and then stood up.

"Jake time?" I asked.

"Yep. He'll probably still be working but...I'll speak with you soon, Ally cat," she said with a smile, and headed on out of my room.

Once Kendall was gone, I decided it was probably about time that I got some sleep. I needed rest if I wanted to be working at my best, and it probably wouldn't do me a lot of good to be overthinking things I never really thought about before.

The next morning, I was awoken to the sound of birds chirping. I watched as a condor bird flew by my window, narrowly avoiding knocking right into it. Good miss, birdy, I thought. I had always loved birds. I supposed it was to do with the romanticism of them. The freedom that I had always wanted. I mean, don't get me wrong, I loved my life, but sometimes I did have to wonder whether there could be more out there for me.

However, in our best friendship, Kendall had always been the confident one- the risk taker.

I quickly changed into my clothes for the day because I realised that Kendall was still there. Shortly thereafter I headed out down the hall and down the stairs towards the kitchen, where I found her helping my mother cook up breakfast. Kendall had a sort of magnetic personality- the kind that made me want to be her friend again, despite the hurt that could potentially cause.

I wandered over to my mother as she took a step back from the oven for a moment, and brought her into a hug.

"Good morning mom," I said, with a smile that she returned.

"Morning Ally," she said.

I was comfortable being alone- independent like my older brother, however I preferred being with my mother above that. If one person could challenge Kendall for my best friendship, it would be her. Anne knew almost everything there was to know about me, apart from a few details which I tended to keep to myself. I think my mother felt the same about our bond, too. While my father had been outgoing and popular in high school, my mother had always matched me in timidness.

I helped her and Kendall get some of the breakfast sorted, and Kendall wished me a good morning, too.

As was in my responsible nature, once breakfast was all cooked up and eaten- pancakes, of course- I walked away from the kitchen for the moment to clean up around our house. Sure, there were perks to having a large house- more room for books, namely. However, it could take a very long time to clean the whole place, and with my brother frequently working my parents and I cleaned it for the most part. Don't get me wrong, I loved my brother, but he had a significant habit of pulling a get out of jail free card when it came to partaking in basic household chores.

As I passed by my father's room I could hear him talking to someone on the phone. He had always been a strong person, and I could hear as much as he fought for his new business plan on the phone. Anne came to meet me outside of his office and smiled in gentle amusement as she listened in, too.

It wasn't long after that my father exited his office, and looked between the two of us with slightly widened eyes.

Anne tucked some of her hair behind her ear as she smiled at him.

Every time my mother smiled, it was clear why Jackson had fallen for her. Sure, she may be aging. She may now have silver strands among her golden locks, but she was still ever-so beautiful. Jackson had always seemed compassionate and caring towards her, and she had always been supportive of his business plan and goals. Together, they were a perfect match.

Part of me really hoped that I would find something like that one day, but then I was unsure that I would in some ways. I had never really cared for any of the boys in school, and I suppose the same could be said for my time at college, too. Oh well. Better late than never. I was sure I would feel something for someone, sometime.

"I love you. I'll see you later, just have to finish up one more call," my father told my mother, to which she gave a nod.

Anne then headed back down the hall and I followed suit after wishing Jackson a goodbye.

We soon wandered out into the garden.

The day wasn't as warm today, but it was still pleasant. A few rabbits hopped along the grassy parts of the garden. I had always wanted a pet one of those, believing that they symbolised luck. Unfortunately with everyone as busy as they was, the only pet we could really afford to look after was Heidi. Still, I loved that cat, even if she was getting crazier by the day.

Jake was sat outside, and my mother approached him.

"Hey, can I help you with anything work-wise today?" she asked him. My mother had always been reliable when it came to things like that.

My brother gave a gentle shake of his head- probably determined to do things alone, but my mother simply nodded.

"Alright Jake," she said with a smile as she wandered back towards me.

Jake soon ditched his lounger to move some equipment in the garden. He had always been strong- not only physically but mentally. I was fairly sure he had simultaneously become top of his mathematics class and his gym class in the same semester at school.

"Hey Jake," I said.

"Busy," he replied.

I just took a deep breath. I had always tried to be patient with Jake- even when he shut me out.

Jake had always been the serious and independent type. It made me wonder how Kendall felt about their relationship at times, but again, perhaps I was asking questions that I shouldn't be.

Speaking of which, Kendall soon walked out into our garden and fluttered her fingers at me. The bright sunlight brought out the slight reddish hues in her dark hair, and made the gold strands at the front, that she had dyed recently, shimmer. The sun also made her amber eyes more evident- like caramel. They seemed to fill with warmth when she was around those she cared for. In this case, myself and Jake.

Kendall wandered over to Jake and wrapped her arm around his shoulders.

Jake may have put up a guard but Kendall had always seemed to manage to get through it.

Sure, Jake's business may have been stressful at times, but Kendall modeled. That could be a seriously intense business on its own. Kendall had always had a positive outlook on life, though, and believed that one day she would be incredibly successful. I had always tried to cheer her on from the sidelines, so regardless of what she wanted in life, I would support.

However, I couldn't deny the weird sensation that stirred in the pit of my stomach when I observed Kendall and my brother being cute with each other. Before I could question the feeling, though, it disappeared.