1 Prologue

"Hey Ethan, let's go out." I'm standing on my bed and Ethan is lying on his. Mum and dad are out again for another business meeting. Sam is sound asleep in the next room with big dumb Linda. Last week, Mum and I passed by a Lego store when we went downtown. She refused to buy me one as it may distract me from my studies.

Ethan just arrived from serving in the local church. He's staying there almost every day as assistant to the deacon and serves as one of the altar boys every Sunday. He'll be leaving for Seminary after his 16th birthday next year. If I won't take advantage of this day, I don't know when I'll ever be able to purchase a toy. Mum and dad are strict disciplinarian and I long since forgotten the last time they grant what I ask, especially if it's a toy.

I jump up and down and wave both of my arms in the air to get his attention.

"Ethan! Let's. Go. Out." I said jumping at every word.

"No Dee. Mum will reprimand us."

"What's reprimand?" I ask sitting on my bed.

"She'll get mad and spank us."

I wince. "But we'll not let her know. And I'll hide the Lego."

"Lego?"

"Yea. I want to buy one. Ethan, it's incredible. They have many in one box. Can create a robot this huge." I stretch my little arm straight to my sides excitedly.

Ethan pressed his lips together and bring his arms in the air. He's looking at his watch. My stomach churn as I wait his decision. "It's already 3pm. We'll get back at dark. It's not safe."

I huff. "But this is the only time think I can have the chance to go and buy." I put on a long face and drop my shoulders. Making sure Ethan sees it all. He turns his head to me and sigh. He drags himself from bed and leisurely put on his shoes.

I grin goofily as I bolt up from bed and run to my closet to get my hoody. I reach for Ethan's and throw him his own hoody. I'm annoyed with his dilly-dally so I grab his shoelace and tie it myself. God. I'm so excited!

When we're done, he goes outside and head to Sam's door. I run after him and pull his arm. "What are you doing?" I whisper.

"Inform Linda we're going out."

"No. You shouldn't." I said irritably.

"What? Mum will call and ask her where on earth we are and she will be reprimanded if she gets dumb." Like she always does, my mind says.

"Ethan, if you inform her, then mum would found out what we have done, she'll be reprimanded much worse because of allowing us to go." I said trying to get the word reprimand perfectly.

"Great that you're anticipating being caught. But in case mum found out, and Linda doesn't have a knowledge in it, then she'll be reprimanded worst."

Great. The time is ticking!

"Ethan, we will do this without anybody's knowledge. Linda wouldn't know. Mum wouldn't know. If we'll hit the road now, then surely we'll back shortly". He huff. Then I'm bouncing off the stairs punching my fist in the air.

We take our bikes from the garage as silently as possible then sneak out from our napping security guard then we start rolling off. I feel like being freed from being cooped up.

"What if mum called and asks Linda to speak to us?"

I roll my eyes. We're on the highway now. If anything happens back in the house, we can't anymore do anything about it. All I wanted earlier is to be out in the house, buy the Lego and go back. Without anybody stopping me. I've long known that Ethan is so good to death so it needs a little pout and sad eyes.

If mum found out, she'll found out. I don't care if she'll spank me. I have my Lego by that time anyway. We stop at red light in the intersection. I look up. The sky is looming with dirty white clouds. The air is getting muggy.

"Since when mum wish to speak to me? And surely she wouldn't speak to you because she'll think you just arrive from church and need to rest. But in case she'll check on us, Linda would simply say we are on our room having a siesta. Even so, we'll be back before she reaches our room." I laugh. Ethan gasps.

"Dee?" his eyes are full of disbelief.

"Just kidding, Ethan. Don't worry. We'll pull this off." I appear serious and calm. Like how I assure my best friend Mark during our every trip to the guidance office. I shake my head and grin as we heed the green light.

One more block and we're on the store. Two hours later we're back outside the store waiting for the rain to stop. I'm holding my Lego and admiring it hard. I'm so excited. Ethan keeps watching his watch every minute. He looks bothered and scared.

"Dee, I wish your cockiness would bring us home dry now." he hiss

"Let's call home to fetch us." I really don't care. I have my Lego now.

"Then mum would know! I should have never let you talk your way in the first place."

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to buy this." I look forlorn.

He sighs, ruffling my hair. "It's okay. We'll get home soon."

But 30 minutes later we're still outside the store. It's still raining hard. I stare at my Lego box. "I think we need to go now. It's almost 6pm." I said. I really want to open and assemble this now.

"What? Bikes are not safe for rain.."

"No Ethan. If we stay here, mum might call anytime soon. And surely she'll ask Linda to speak to us since its long pass our siesta." I argue.

He narrows his eyes and cocks his brow. "You cocky boy. Say you just want to play this already. You're lucky I love you. Come on." he chuckles and mounted his bike.

"Thanks Ethan." I smile sheepishly and mount my bike too. I stare at his back and realize it's awhile since we bonded. The rain stop as we hit back the road. God loves him that much though.

We chitchat as we roll and laugh and chitchat and laugh. I really love this day. Even though I have to pull my smart-ass little brain to coax him to go with me today. I won't regret if my butt sting later. I got my Lego. And I got my brother's time. He'll be gone for Seminary anytime soon. I'll surely miss him even more.