Smile

Julie waited for Eve on her steps. She smiled genuinely when she saw the bus appear. She stood up and brushed her jeans off when the little six year old with two blonde ponytails hopper off the bus. She ran toward Julie.

"Hi bug! How was school?" Julie asks, sweeping the bouncy little girl off her feet. Eve smiled and laughed.

"Good! We had goldfish for snack!" Eve said excitedly as they walked through the door. But she frowned when she saw her big sister's bruise.

"Julie why is there a owie there?" Evey asked as she was set down. She curiously looked up at Julie.

"I fell, baby. It's okay." Julie smiled.

"Oh okay. OH! I wanna show you my project!" Eve said excitedly, grabbing Julie's hand and dragging her to the now clean kitchen. Eve dropped her bag on the table and unzipped it. She carefully pulled out a paper jelly fish. She grinned when she showed her big sister.

"Wow, Evey! That's so awesome! Yiu did a really good job baby!" Julie smiled, setting the girl on her lap as she sat on a chair. Eve smiled and blushed at her sister's compliment.

"Look, there's are letters and they spell out my name. See! E-V-E" The girl explained carefully, smiling up at Julie.

"I do, and that's awesome sweets. C'mon let's have a snack before I get started a dinner." Julie says, lifting the little girl off her lap. Eve nods and sets the pink and purple jelly fish on her kitchen table. Eve skips along side Julie.

Julie puts the last of the Teddy Grahams into a small bowl for Eve. She lifts Eve on to the stool. She fills a little plastic cup with milk and gives it to her.

While Eve ate her snack, Julie check her mom whom was still asleep. She sighed, glad she was asleep. Then she went upstairs and saw that Chad was busy with schoolwork. She knocked quietly on the door. The sixteen year old boy looked up.

"Jewels?" He spoke. She walked in. "Julie, who the hell did that to you?" He asked seriously, gently grabbing her arm and bringing her closer so he could inspect the bruise.

"No one. It's fine. I'm fine." Julie said gently, smiling as best as she could. But hell, she could cry right about now.

"Julie, I'm not playing. I'm killing whoever did this." The brother said obviously angry anyone would dare lay a hurting finger on his sweet little sister. Julie closed her yes for a few seconds before taking a breath.

"Just a few kids. I have it under control, I want to fight my own battles. And I now you care, but I can do it. A little punch can't take me down." Julie said. Chad sighed, his forehead touching hers.

"I'm really worried about you Jewels." He spoke softly.

"It's okay. We'll be okay." Julie said.

"I know. But it's just scary, and I love you to death. And Evey of course and mom. You're the strongest girl I know." The teenager said, standing up and hugging her. At the moment, Julie broke down. Everything they said to her. Everything bruise they made. It all came back to her. Suddenly the numbness went away and everything stung. She felt her knees weaken as she sunk to the floor.

Still, Chad held her and let her tears fall into his shirt. He just sat there running his hand up and down her back.

"Oh Julie." Was all he said as the two siblings sat together on the floor.