siempre

a trip

After getting home from her day shift, Emilia changes into sweatpants and an oversized T-shirt. Once changed, she goes into the living room and finds Moy waiting for her on the couch.

"Hey?" Emilia questions, eyeing her brother. 

"Ehem," Moy stands up, grabbing her old Apple laptop and opens it, showing her a PowerPoint slide. "I would like to present something to you."

Emilia smiles and rolls her eyes, making her way to the couch. As she sits, Moy holds the computer standing up, keeping the screen towards her. 

"Reasons why I should go on the camping trip," he begins, tapping a button to show the next slide. "Reason number one, I'm going into high school! This will be one of the last summers I get to spend in freedom." 

Emilia crosses her arms, trying not to smile. 

"Reason number two," he flips to the next slide. "They are my best friends. I can't just ghost them."

"'Ghost' them?"

"Yeah, like, disappear, leave them without saying anything."

Emilia nods. "Got it. Go on."

"Reason number three. I've never been camping before and it sounds really fun. I want to build a fire and make s'mores, see the great outdoors, all that stuff."

"Uh-huh," Emilia is not convinced so far.

"And, lastly, reason number four," he pauses a moment, a large grin appearing on his face. "You love me right? So, that's good enough reason for me to go. Thank you for coming to my TedTalk." Moy bows and closes the laptop. Emilia gives a small laugh and claps sarcastically. 

"Great job, little bro, but I still don't think I've changed my mind." 

"Emmy, please. I promise it'll be okay. And like I said, you don't have to pay for any--"

"And that's just it, Moy. Nadie debería sentir lástima por ti o por mí," Emilia's voice raises a little.

"Yo sé, pero they're just being nice. They don't want either of us to worry about it. They're calling it a graduation trip."

"Graduation??"

"Yeah, from middle school."

Emilia sighs. The desperation in his voice was making her crack. She ponders for a moment before taking a deep breath.

"Okay, Moy. Listen to me very carefully."

Moy stands still, not wanting to miss a word.

"I will let you go on this trip, but--" she pauses a second. "You have to promise me you will be careful."

Moises nods vigorously. 

"And if you suspect anything wrong, call me right away. Me entiendes?" 

He continues nodding, smiling like a little kid. 

"And, you have to do all of your chores and make sure this place is spotless."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!!" He approaches her and squeezes her tightly. Emilia smiles, hugging him back.

"You're welcome. Now, what's their number so I can call?"

Moy hurries to his room, grabbing his phone, then races back to give Emilia the phone number. Her hands are shaky before she makes the phone call to finalize the details. 

~

Two weeks later, it is the morning of the trip. Mr. and Mrs. Chandler come to pick Moy up. Their trip is going to be a full week about three hours away. Emilia makes sure all of Moy's items are packed and that they have everything they need. Moises gives his sister a big hug before leaving. 

"Te quiero mucho. Ten cuidado," she says to him, kissing the top of his head. 

"Siempre. Te quiero. Muchas gracias, Emmy."

As the car pulls away, Emilia's stomach drops. She needs him to be okay, for her sake. 

That day at work, Emilia is a mess. Her anxiety overtakes her, and she has trouble focusing on her work. In the middle of the shift, she texts Esther. 

Hey, you free tonight? Totally freaking out

Yeah, I'll be over around 8

The rest of the shift feels like an eternity. Before going back home, Emilia stops to grab some ice cream. She figured she deserved it this time around. 

Fifteen minutes past eight, a knock is heard at the door. Emilia opens it and finds Esther with a pizza box.

"Delivery!" Esther smiles, walking in. 

"Thanks for coming. You're a life-saver," Emilia sighs with relief. 

"Of course, you know I got you."

Esther puts the box on the kitchen table and grabs some plates.

"What's going on?"

"Moy left for his trip this morning."

"Wait, you actually let him go?" Esther is shocked. 

"Yeah.." Emilia sighs. "He made this whole slideshow and it was super cute. I couldn't take this opportunity away from him. I know he's had trouble making friends in the past."

"Wow. Am I talking to Emilia?"

Emilia laughs, grabbing a plate and some pizza slices. Esther does the same and they sit on the couch.

"How long is the trip?"

"A week."

"A week?! Wow, he must've done a great job with the slideshow."

"It was adorable, E. You should've saw his face when I told him he could go."

"Aw, I'm sure he's super excited."

"Yeah," Emilia's voice gets quiet and she stares at the wall, disconnecting from reality for a moment.

"What are you thinking about?"

"I don't know. I just can't stop thinking about him having an episode. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened on that trip."

Esther puts her plate on the small table in front of the couch and looks at her friend sincerely. 

"Em, it's going to be okay. I'm sure the parents wouldn't have offered to take him if they knew they couldn't handle it." She places her hands on Emilia's shoulders. "He's going to be alright."

A small tear falls from the corner of Emilia's eye, she nods in response to her friend's words.

"You're right. I just worry about him so much. All the time."

"I know. I get it, but worrying isn't going to change anything."

Emilia nods again, knowing Esther spoke truth. 

"Besides, now you have time to invite Javier over," Esther raises her eyebrows and gives a sly smile. 

"Oh, my gosh, E, you're insufferable," Emilia laughs, taking a bite of her pizza. 

"Just sayin'." Esther shrugs and turns the t.v. on. Emilia is thankful for Esther's friendship. She knew she could always count on her. 

A/N

wanted to set up the relationship between Esther and Emilia a little more. they truly are sisters, but don't worry, Javier will soon be in the picture 😏

translations:

Nadie debería sentir lástima por ti o por mí- nobody should feel sorry for you or me

yo sé, pero - I know but

me entiendes?- do you understand me?

te quiero mucho- I love you very much

ten cuidado- be careful

siempre- always

muchas gracias- thank you very much