𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞

A A R O N

I take three extra strength Advil and a Tylenol the second I get back to my dorm, collapsing onto my bed to take the weight off of my ankle after a particularly grueling studio session. My mini-fridge is directly next to my bed, also serving as a nightstand for exactly this reason; I take out my ice pack and wrap it tightly around the swollen joint, wincing when the cold burns my bare skin.

Propping it up on a pillow that is constantly kept at the foot of my bed, I lay back and check my phone, seeing a missed call from my mum and a text from Charlie. Deciding that I'll ring my mum back later, I open the message from my sister.

I know you forgot. You can make it up to me by letting me pick out your Halloween costume and actually wearing it. Her text reads and it takes me a minute to realize what she's talking about. Her birthday. "I'm a git," I say aloud, then proceed to type exactly that and send it to her.

Of course, I'll let you. Dinner? I ask, although it's last minute and I'm sure she has plans. What a bloody arsehole I am. Just to bury myself in deeper, I look towards the calendar on the wall and where it says October 30th, nothing is written. I forgot to write my sister's birthday on the goddamn calendar, but I have "last practice before recital" taking up all the space for the day instead.

Studying. Just come over tomorrow and we can get ready together.

I pout, knowing that I'll be guilting myself into going to whatever party or plans that Charlie has on, not that she'd ever pressure me into doing anything I don't want to do; I've got that covered.

Dramatically, I throw my ice pack back into the frozen corner section of the fridge and sigh. Hanging out with my sister for one day can't hurt.

I wonder if Maddison will be there. I know that they share a mutual friend in Reed, so the chances are high...aren't they? My cheeks blush red at the thought of Charlie dressing me up as something adorable and parading me around to her friends and teammates—to Maddison.

Nothing too embarrassing please. I type back.

You have no say in the matter. She replies and I cringe.

"You look so cute!" Reed squeals and I smile awkwardly with my lips pressed together. Being called cute by your older sister's pretty friend is not exactly as flattering as it sounds.

"Very handsome, if I do say so myself," Charlie says, patting the lapels of my costume over my chest and taking a step back to look me over. "Still missing something though. What else was there other than the coat? Dark hair?" She wonders aloud, looking at Reed who shrugs.

"I don't know, it's you who is into the movie. I still think you should have gone with a villain."

"It's just so fun and Aaron loves this stuff."

"Still right here." I cut in, but now I'm genuinely smiling at the two.

"Pull up the picture again," Reed says. "You know people are just going to think he's Harry Styles or something."

"Who cares. The people who get it will use it as a conversation starter and boom! Best friends." Charlie exclaims, smiling at me while scrolling on her phone. Reed leans in.

"You could straighten—"

"That's it! Sit." Charlie turns to me and Reed grimaces at me, mouthing "sorry" and I roll my eyes.

"If this is your present, do whatever you want," I say and wrap my arm around my sister's waist, hugging her to my side for a brief second before letting her go.