Letting Him In

Chapter-35

"Come on, young (Wanna live, wanna live, wanna live)
Wanna live while we're young
(Wanna live, wanna live, wanna live while we're young)
Tonight, let's get some
And live while we're young"

-One Direction, Live While We're Young
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Elijah

It was around 10:45, and even if his parents weren't asleep, Elijah was sure they would be in their room by now. He got up, dressed in the blue jeans and black t-shirt he had put on before getting into bed, covering up his attire with a blanket.

His mother had already come in and wished him good night, something he hadn't been entirely sure she would do after their argument earlier in the day. Neither of them had apologized, and it had been weighing on him all day. Elijah did feel bad, but he wanted his parents to see his side too.

Now, he grabbed a grey jacket from his closet, silently opening his bedroom door and slipping out. He shut the door behind him, relieved that it didn't make much noise.

Making his way to his siblings' room was easy enough, since it was much closer to him than his parents' room, which was on the floor below.

He opened the door, walking over to Leo's bed first. He put a hand on his brother's shoulder, gently shaking him awake.

"Leo," he whispered when he made a shooing noise. "Wake up, c'mon."

"Lijah?" Leo asked groggily as he opened his eyes. "What time is it?"

"Almost eleven," Elijah said, keeping his voice low just in case. "Why are you two even asleep; you're usually up way past your bedtime."

Leo sat up, grabbing his glasses from the bedside table. He didn't wear them during the day, claiming he looked nerdy.

"Today was tiring," Leo said, looking at him sleepily. "And I wanna sleep."

Elijah rolled his eyes. "So you don't wanna go to the carnival with me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Leo's eyes widened, and he sat up straighter. "You're kidding, right?" he asked, not looking the slightest bit sleepy anymore. He grinned, but a moment later, the smile faltered, and he frowned slightly. "You can't go. It's too risky."

Elijah looked at him blandly. "If I hear the phrase 'it's risky' one more time, I swear to God," he muttered. "I'm going. I cannot stay locked up in the house when I feel perfectly fine. Especially since you and I both know that I won't be able to get out during the day for a long while now."

Leo shrugged, but Elijah didn't miss the concern that flitted across his face. "I know," he said. "But you're so dead if we get caught."

Elijah gave him a half-grin. "Have I ever been caught?"

That comment took a moment to register.

"Excuse me?" Leo asked, his mouth open in shock. "You've done this before?"

Elijah leaned back, resting on his heels, not being able to resist the smug smile on his face. "A couple times," he admitted. "So get up and get dressed. I'll wake up Lily."

"I'm already up," a cheerful voice said from behind him. "As a matter of fact, I hadn't even fallen asleep when you came in."

Both of them turned to look at her, Leo rolling his eyes and Elijah giving her a playful scowl.

"Then what are you waiting for? Go get changed," he said, and Lily immediately went to grab a change of clothes. Leo hesitated, but a shove Elijah had him following her lead.