A loud knock resonated through the room as Madeleine zipped up her suitcase. “Come in!”
Her older brother, Brian, stepped inside and smiled. “Ready to go, Mattie?” he asked. “We’re going to miss our flight.”
“Yeah, I’m almost ready. Can you grab this bag for me? It’s really heavy,” she asked. He nodded and lifted it with ease as she raced downstairs to say goodbye to her parents, Harold and Jackie.
“Bye, sweetie. You know I’m going to miss you so much,” Jackie said, wiping a tear from her eye. “Be careful!”
“Mom, I’ll be fine!” Madeleine exclaimed. “I’ll try not to get into too much trouble.”
“You better behave, young lady,” Harold said. He pulled her into a bear hug and let her go eventually. “Good luck, both of you!”
“Dad, we kind of have to get going,” Brian reminded him. “We can’t miss our flight. The guys would kill us!”
“Okay, goodbye, kids! Brian, take care of your sister!” Jackie said as they left the house.
As they drove away in the limo, Madeleine watched the house disappear over the horizon. It would be months before she would set foot in it again. She sighed and looked at her brother. “Well, Brian, I guess it’s just you and me.”
“I guess so, Mattie. I’m so glad you’re going to be working with us. You’re going to have a great time!” Brian said enthusiastically. His face suddenly took on a serious tone. “Mattie, you know I wouldn’t want you to date any of the guys, right?”
Madeleine looked at him strangely. “Yeah, of course I know that. You don’t need to worry, Brian. I wouldn’t put you into a situation like that.”
He looked her in the eye. “Promise?” he asked.
“Of course I promise!” she giggled. “What is with you? You’re all nervous about this!”
“Well, I just don’t want to be in the middle if you get into a relationship with one of my best friends. Then there’s the fact that you’re only seventeen, and you both could get in a lot of trouble if something happened,” Brian replied. “And besides, you’re my baby sister. You’re not supposed to go out with any straight guy over the age of eleven.”
She laughed. “Okay, that makes sense. I promise you, you have nothing to worry about.”