Remembering How It Used To Be.

[Emily Young]

*Emily sat alone while Sam was gone on one of his many patrols, her eyes looked out on the forest wishing he would show up home. She rested her head on her shoulder as she looked out the window, her sigh seemed long and hard. She started to remember what is used to be like around here, when Leah and her used to be pretty much sisters. Now, now things are hard. Leah hates her due to taking Sam away from her. She felt so bad about that at the time, she remembered denying Sam his love for months before…..Emily paused before finishing that thought, her hands brushed over her scar on her face. She knew all to well after that day he mauled her, she was finally his. Even though it last her cousin. She moved her eyes from the window toward her kitchen, she got comfort from cleaning. She walked over to the already clean kitchen and began to clean her area. She started to think about Leah, how many times when she used to be bored they would go swimming at the beach. She started to drift off into deep thought about what it used to be.*



“Are you ready yet mom? Emily and I are waiting.” *Leah yelled at her mother as Emily and her waiting by the door for Sue Leah’s mother. Leah stomped her feet until Sue finally arrived at the door with food and needs in hand.* Sue- “Sorry girls are you ready?” *Emily and Leah started to run out the door heading to their backyard, the beach. Emily and Leah were thick as thieves, they did everything together. It was hard for their parents to keep them apart.* Emily- “Race you to the waters edge Leah!” *Emily took off running ahead of Leah, she was much faster then Leah. Just the same Leah took off leaving Sue behind to catch up with her cousin Emily. Emily made her way to the waters edge, Leah soon behind her. Emily smiled as she kicked up water at her cousin.* Leah- “Oh you are going to get it!.” *Before Leah could do anything back she heard her mother ring out with her pleasant voice* Sue- “Girl, come here we need to lather you up before you get to wet or to burn for words.” *Sue’s arms are waving the two back to her picnic set up. Leah rolled her eyes as she was the first to run back to her mother, Emily joined right behind her. She smiled at Sue trying to be cute, Sue started to lather up Leah as Emily smiled once more.* Emily- “Auntie Sue, could I do my own? I think I am a big girl now!” *Sue smiled as she passed Emily the sun screen for her already browned skin, Emily stuck her tongue out to Leah in a joking manor. Emily lathered her body up as Sue watched just to make sure little Emily got her body covered.* Sue- “Okay girls go play but soon we need to eat! So don’t get mad when I call you in for food!” *Sue made sure the girls understood her rule before taking the Parent leash off the little ones. Sue sat down on her chair opening a large book before dropping her gaze from the girls.*


*Leah walked up to the waters edge before turning her black eyes to Emily. Emily looked out to the ocean her eyes searching for the end of the world, or maybe something other then nothing.* Leah- “You okay cousin? You look like you just saw a ghost or something scary?” *Emily shook head turning her eyes to her cousin whom trying to get her attention.* Emily- “Yeah I am okay just thinking about something, you ready to run in?” *Leah smiled as she reached her hand down to pull Emily’s. Emily ran with her as the surf started to rise up higher. The small framed girls started to jump over the waves, they started to scream and laugh together as the water got the wetter then before. Emily was the first to finally trip into the water, the smaller Emily dove down into the water. She popped up for air as Leah started to laugh at her cousin dripping wet before the time. Emily grinned evil like as she pulled down on Leah’s long arm making her fall down into the surf. Emily started to laugh as Leah jumped up for air, she was laughing as she came up.* Emily- “Leah, I love you. I wish you were my sister.” *Leah smiled at Emily knowing that they were so close they pretty much were sisters.* Leah- “I love you too, you are my sister just because they say you aren’t you really are to me!” *Emily hugged her cousin/sister at those words, she knew it was true. Emily and Leah started to play for a while longer in the surf, the salty air made it all seem like home to the girls.* Sue- “Girls, it is time for lunch, then you can play some more. The boys should be coming down here soon.” *Leah turned as she say her mother standing at the edge of the water waving the girls from the deep surf. Emily started to walk up to the shore with her cousin as they started to hold hands and laugh about things little girls laugh about.* Emily- “what we having for lunch” *Her voice sounding excited for a simple sandwich and chips. Leah and Emily followed Sue up to the food as they sat down wrapping a big towel around their wet bodies. Sue handed them a sandwich as the girls started to eat. Smiling and whispering about things, the woofed down the food like they have not had food before. They turned to Sue showing they have finished, wanting to get down to the water before the boys get down here. Being only 8 years old Leah and Emily loved playing with the boys in the tribe there age. They seemed to be fun, not afraid to play with girls. Emily and Leah ran back down to the water, skipping and singing songs, Sue looked up after the girls as the boys finally made there way to play at the beach.*



*Emily finally snapped back to the present time, she started to think about the feelings she had with her cousin. She missed Leah, but she knew there was no way she could get what they had back. The memories she had with her cousin she would have to keep tight, Emily shook her head again trying to clear her head, she looked up at the time. It was almost time for Sam and the boys to walk through the door. She started to rush to make something for the hungry boys to walk into the house. She pulled out the muffin recipe knowing the boys loved her muffins best. She started to get the things ready as she pushed the thoughts of Leah out of her head so Sam didn’t feel more worse then he already did.*