Perfect Little Angel (falling angel & lovingbrother)

[falling angel]

Natalie looked at her watch for about the hundredth time since the movie started. She was out with Kyle, watching a car chase that should have ended 15 minutes ago. Would somebody please remind me why I'm here? I will be so glad to go home. I don't even want to get anything to eat....

She finally noticed that Kyle had spoken to her, and that the closing credits were rolling. "I'm sorry... what did you say?"

Kyle looked annoyed. "I asked if you want to get some ice cream and take a walk, but I'm guessing the answer is no." He stood up and waited for Natalie to get up.

Now Natalie felt ashamed. She thought carefully about what to say. "Kyle, I'm sorry. The movie wasn't really my cup of tea, but I know that's what you like, and that's fine. But I'm kinda tired and I think I'd just like to go home, okay?"

Kyle walked down the row of seats to the aisle and waited for Natalie. They exited the theater and he drove her home in silence. He stopped at the curb in front of the house and waited for her to get out, tapping his fingertips impatiently on the steering wheel.

Natalie got out of the car, leaned in and said, "See you Monday, then."

Kyle hardly looked at her. "Yeah."

Natalie shut the car door and Kyle took off without another word. She trudged up the front walk and let herself in. The house was dark except for a light in the kitchen. She heard the sounds of someone looking for a midnight snack, but her parents rarely ate after ten o'clock, if ever. She was in the kitchen doorway by the time she thought it through, and then a man stood up from where he was crouched in front of the refrigerator and looked her up and down, smiling in approval. Her big brother was bare-chested, barefoot, wearing sweatpants that rode low on his hips. Duh! He's back home while they fix the damage to his house after the fire.

"Hey. Do you always eat this late?" Natalie set her purse down on the kitchen table and sat down.

 

[lovingbrother]

Michael nodded, smirking, chewing. After swallowing, he stayed where he stood, leaning with one hand on the open fridge door and his left foot crossed over his right, resting on the ball of his foot, toes flat on the ground. His eyes traced Natalie's figure toes to head, then back to her toes again while sleepily scratching the back of his head with his free hand, somewhat self-conscious about not having at least done his hair before running into his sister, who seemed to have put quite a bit of effort into her appearance this evening. He quickly tried to that feeling off when he remembered exactly who she is.

"Hey, princess. You know that whole 'don't eat late at night' thing is a myth, right?"

His smirk returned the instant his words stopped, stare now fixated firmly on his little sister's eyes.

"Where've YOU been? I remember a time when you would've been verbally smacked for staying out this late. Your lips look awfully shiny tonight...and stand up...let me see that outfit! You must've been with a boy."