April 2, 2016
"Thank you so much!" I flashed the flight attendant a bright smile as she scanned my ticket.
"Of course, sweetie. Have a good flight." She reciprocated my grin.
"Dear god, how do you have this much energy at five in the morning." Mitch grumbled as he trailed behind me.
"I'm excited!" I exclaimed, "It's been soooo long since we last saw mom, dad, and Trey."
"Save your excitement for when we actually land." He deadpans, "That way I can actually get some sleep."
I scoff, "You're such a buzzkill."
We board the plane and put our luggage up in the overhead bins, taking our seats, Mitch in the middle and I in the aisle.
I shut my eyes hoping to get a quick cat nap in before we take off but just as I was about to doze, I'm interrupted by a tap on my shoulder, "Ma'am?" It's one of the flight attendants.
I open my eyes and give her a hum of acknowledgment.
"Sorry to wake you, but you and the gentleman next to you have been upgraded to first class."
I looked at her in confusion. "I think you've got the wrong people." I say, gesturing between Mitch and I.
Mitch playfully swatted my arm and jokingly says, "Don't tell her, Sise just take the seats."
"I've been told that it's for Sienna and Mitchell Rowland. That is the two of you, correct?" She clarified.
I rolled my eyes as Mitch and I made eye contact. We both know exactly what's going on. Nobody actually calls Mitch Mitchell except for him.
"That would be us." I sighed, opting to just agree to follow her rather than argue.
Damn you, Harry Styles.
"I think someone has a little crush on you, Sise." Mitch chuckled as we made our way back up the aisle.
"If only," I scoff as we sit down in our new seats. "He never stops raving over you, you're the one he's got a crush on."
"See now, I would agree with you there, but H and I have yet to have sex so I think you've got the upper hand."
"I'm never gonna live that down." I grumble quietly, crossing my arms which sends Mitch into a fit of quiet laughter.
"Hey, as long as it was good, I'm not gonna judge you."
"I'd rather not disclose the details with my brother...or anyone for that matter, but thanks for asking." I say sarcastically.
"It's okay. I'm sure I'll hear about it in one of your songs eventually. Harry's got nearly two already." He continues to tease.
"Oh god, don't remind me!" I cry out as I cover my face. I don't think I will ever be able to step outside of my house again if he releases that song...or according to Mitch those songs plural. I'm too afraid to even question.
"I can't wait for you to hear them all." He continues chuckling to himself. "Gonna have an aneurysm or some shit, I'm sure."
"Shut up." I mumble in embarrassment, "Keep in mind that me having sex got you into these first class seats. I sure as hell can find a way to get you kicked back out."
"I thought you were saying that I'm the reason we're up here." He countered.
"Who cares which one of us it is." I huff, crossing my arms and leaning back into my seat.
"Awe, someone's flustered." He said as he pinched my cheek. "You know I love you, Sise."
"Yeah, sure." I tease back as I adjust myself in my much more comfortable seat, falling into a deep slumber.
Seven hours and a whole lot of Netflix later, we've landed at home. Home. Somewhere I haven't been in nearly four months. It feels so good to be back, and we haven't even made it to baggage claim yet.
I send a quick text to my dad to let him know we've landed as we set off to find our luggage.
Lucky for me, my bag is first on the conveyor belt and I don't have to wait around long, however, Mitch's bag takes a while. In the meantime I check my phone to see my dads text letting me know they're here to pick us up along with a text from an unknown number.
Hope you had a safe flight - H
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help but let a small smile form at the corners of my lips as I type out my reply.
-How did you even get my number?
It only takes a second to see the three dots appear at the corner of the conversation. He's typing.
I have my ways
- How mysterious of you
- Thank you for the upgrade by the way.
I opted to thank him rather than scold him for the unnecessary extravagance, though I'll need to make it clear to him that I don't expect nor want him to do it again. We don't even know each other. Friends at most.
He replies, but I choose to leave it unread for the time being. I'm more focused on hugging my mom as soon as possible right now.
Mitch gets his bag and drags it behind him as we head towards the curbside pickup location. As soon as we're out of the automatic doors the humidity hits us immediately. We're home.
I'm engulfed in a giant bear hug before I hear my mother's familiar voice, "My babies!"
"Hi momma." I grin, reciprocating her hug.
"I've missed you Gracie girl." She says as she lets me go.
"I've missed you too."
"Sisi in the house!" I heard my brother call loudly from a distance away.
"Clearly, one of us is more popular." I hear Mitch grumble from next to me.
"Well if you'd actually show your emotions and match my excitement, maybe they would be more thrilled to see you." I teased.
"Exactly, listen to your sister Mitchell." My mom scolds as she pulls him in for a hug, and I laugh.
"Good to see you too, mom." He scoffs.
After exchanging hugs with my dad and little brother as well, we all piled into the car to head home.
"Now, I figured you kids would want to spend the day at the lake, so I prepped some sandwiches and a snack tray we can take down to the dock." My mom said. "Your father's already pumped up all of your paddle boards."
"Thanks mom." Mitch acknowledges.
We fall into casual conversation after that, just like old times. As we drive down the roads of my hometown I can't help but feel nostalgic. It's been so long since I've had a proper day home at the lake.
We make it to the two story white-bricked colonial home that we all grew up in and immediately head to our rooms to change.
I put on a black floral bikini pull on some denim cutoff shorts and a striped grey pullover over top. I then pack a tote with some beach essentials, meeting the rest of my family down at the dock behind the house.
My mom has a whole table of food setup and Mitch is scarfing down snacks like he hasn't eaten in weeks. My dad is in the sand with Trey setting up the old volleyball net. I don't know why they bother though, I always seem to kick all their asses anyway.
"I'm so ready to school you all." Mitch calls, as he follows me off the grass and down the path toward the sandy beach.
"We'll see about that." I retort.
Mom opts to sit out and watch and we begin deciding teams.
"I think Mitch and I against Sienna and dad." Trey says. "Because whoever has Sise on their team has a clear advantage and whoever has the old man has a clear disadvantage. Evens out." He shrugs.
Dad lets out an offended 'hey' as he chuckles at his youngest son.
I shrug, "Fine with me, but pops here isn't about to be a disadvantage when he works your sorry asses." I challenge.
"Language!" My mom scolds from her lounge chair.
"Sorry." I apologize sheepishly. I forget we aren't in LA anymore.
We play the first game which my dad and I win easily. We play a few more rounds, switching up the teams each time until the sun starts to go down.
Our parents head in for the night and Trey and I decide to take our paddle boards out. Mitch went inside to do who knows what, but apparently it's for work.
I run towards where the pile of all our paddle boards lay, discarding my shoes in the sand along the way. I pull my white and yellow-orange board from somewhere at the bottom of the stack and grab an oar. I wade out with the board a little ways before hopping on, paddling out on my knees, watching the sun set. Trey follows close behind.
"It feels so good to be home." I sigh. "Nothing like a Carolina sunset."
"There aren't many places that compare." Trey agrees.
We sit in silence, paddling around the lake watching the baby ducks and fish.
When it gets dark, we head inside and go our separate ways toward our bedrooms.
I shower, brush out my hair, and put on an oversized tee shirt and some sleep shorts. I tuck myself into my old bed and fiddle around with my phone for an hour or two, catching up on emails, responding to texts, and checking my song portal to see if anything's been of interest lately.
I'm about to go to sleep when I hear a soft knock on my bedroom door. I get up from the bed and walk over to open it up. It's Trey.
"Hey Trey, what's up?" I ask softly.
"Uh, hey, Sise." He starts awkwardly, "D'you wanna sneak out to the beach to write songs with me? Like the old days?"
"That will always be a yes." I immediately answer him, quickly turning to grab a hoodie out of my suitcase and slip some sandals on. "Let's go get Mitch."
We walk down the hallway to Mitch's room and I hear his voice speaking from the other side of the door. I crack it open slightly and peek my head in, realizing he's on a FaceTime call.
"Trey and I are headed to the beach to write some songs, if you wanna come." I say quietly, as not to disrupt his phone call. "And you also have the best window for the task of sneaking out so we're gonna use it if you don't mind." I add, inviting myself into the room. Trey follows behind with our notebooks and an old guitar.
We probably don't actually need to use a window to sneak out like we used to, we're all adults. Our parents probably wouldn't mind- even if Trey does still live at home, but we do it anyways, for the sake of nostalgia.
"Uh, sure I'll catch up to you two in a few. Let me wrap this up first." He agreed in a low voice, turning back toward his screen after giving us the ok to use his window.
"Okay so what key were you thinking? D sharp?" He asks as he returns to his call.
"Yeah, D sharp is what I've been singing it in. I just can't decide if it would be better stripped back or with a more intense backing." I hear Harry's voice travel through the room. I should have known.
"Is that Harry Styles?" Trey asks loudly, whilst halfway through the window.
"Shut up." I whisper harshly shoving him the rest of the way through.
"Hello!" I hear the British man call out in greeting.
I roll my eyes. Why does he have to be so friendly?
Mitch ignores the two of us, keeping it strictly...whatever they're doing...on a FaceTime call...at nearly midnight. I guess it's only ten back in California.
"Sorry, that was my brother. But I think harsh for sure. Drums and electric guitar. It'll be sick."
"Ooh, that does sound sick. Listen to Mitch." I hear Dede's voice in the background and my stomach drops.
"We'll have to mess around with it when we get down to the house. Thanks for the help, sorry to intrude on your family time." Harry begins to wrap it up. "Say goodbye to whoever's in the room for me."
"It's no problem. Harry says goodbye, Sienna and Trey." Mitch says monotonously.
"Oh it's Sienna? Hiiii!" Harry speaks to me.
I pretend I don't hear him and follow Trey outside, hearing my older brother lie and tell him I said 'hi' back as we start running to the beach.
"What is your problem with him?" Trey asks with a laugh. "Why do you pretend to hate him?"
"Because, I do hate him mostly." I grumble. "I have one hookup - which was supposed to be a one night stand. And then all of the sudden he comes waltzing into my life, showing up with his perfect little smile at my job and then permanently hiring my brother. Now he's calling said brother and weaseling himself into my text messages and saving the day from my psychotic ex. And I'm pretty sure he's had a girlfriend that entire time."
"You're pretty sure?" Trey asks with a raised brow.
"There was this girl at his house when Mitch and I were over the other day. She was literally like his wife. Then he invited Luke and I on a double lunch date. I hung out with her right before we left too. She's so nice I feel like such a slut. I can't show interest, he's going to get the wrong idea. We slept together so now he probably thinks I have a thing for him and that can't happen. I've come between them once and it won't happen again, I'm a professional." I explain.
"Yeah, I'm still not really seeing an issue here. He's literally a millionaire and he writes songs and has one of those sexy accents you've always loved. Just find out if she's actually his girlfriend and go from there."
"I am not letting an eighteen year old give me dating advice."
"No one ever said you two had to be romantic, but you're shutting down even the idea of friendship, which is not very nice."
"I'm done with this conversation." I cross my arms. "What do you have in your notebook? Let's write a song." I suggest as we sit down in the sand.
"I'm feeling something new tonight. I've got some ideas."
I nod at him allowing a few of my own ideas circulate in my head while we wait for Mitch to come out.
Doing this has always been one of my favorite childhood memories. Me and my brothers would constantly be sneaking out to the lake and making music or just chatting the night away. Those moments out here on this beach is why I think we're all so close together. We all have the same passion for music, so much so that we've recorded and released a few songs sporadically through the years.
Trey is our lead singer, I do harmonies and play the keys for the most part, and Mitch is designated guitar guy. We all play a part in the writing, but most of the songs we actually record are majority Trey's work. I register most of my songs instead of keeping them for my silly little sibling band.
"You two are the worst." Mitch grumbles as he catches up to us and plops himself in the sand.
"Awe, we love you too, Mitch." I smile, passing him the acoustic guitar.
"What am I playing?" He asks.
"Give me something staccato. I think I've got a first verse. Sise, you take the second and improvise something since the song's for you." Trey speaks with a devilish smirk while finishing up scrawling something in his notebook.
Mitch nods and begins a harsh strum.
"Thank you for everything," Trey starts in a low register. "You know I'm good, I can numb the pain. You know that you're always welcome here. I'm the kind of man who can hold his stares."
I try to translate and decode the words that spill from his mouth, but I can't figure out how they could possibly relate to me.
"Where would you like to go? We can go there and stay. We could run away, because baby I've got all day."
"Okay, okay, okay." I interrupt. "How is this for me?" I have to ask. I usually am not one to interrupt the creative process, but I have to know.
Trey stops, "It's as if I'm singing from Harry's point of view from the night you met, though you never shared details so I had to make them up myself."
"What the hell?" I shove him, although I can't say I'm not amused.
He laughs, " just wait, you're going to love the chorus."
I roll my eyes as Mitch picks up the tune with his guitar again, this time softer.
"Hear the whisper, feel the breeze." He sings in falsetto this time. "This kind of wind will bring you to your knees. And it'll show you how to love someone, love someone that you're running from."
With that, Mitch takes off doing whatever he pleases with the guitar and I take his impromptu musical break to formulate words in my head.
I nod to him when I'm ready, "People keep locking, then talking behind those doors again. You keep mocking my walk, and I just can't call you my friend." I sing my side. I know the kind of lifestyle that comes with the spotlight, how many friends you can make only to discover it's all fake. I've had a small taste of it myself, I don't want any part of it in a bigger scale.
"I've been around the bend, this is nothing new. Did I lose a friend? Should I make amends? Did I make this mess? Cause I thought that you expressed, unless this stress from you." I practically rap unintentionally. There were too many words I wanted to get out in the short verse I had. I'm not even sure if it all made sense.
Trey takes over with his chorus again and Mitch and I adlib some backing vocals and harmonies this time around.
Trey laughs when he's finished, "But wait, Sienna that verse was actually sick. We should record this."
"It needs a lot of work, but I'm down." Mitch agrees.
"I'll talk to Luke. Maybe next time you come to visit we can record a few songs. Release an EP, possibly." I suggest.
"And you can have your mega famous boyfriend promote it for us and we'll get tons of sales and streams."
I shoot Trey a warning glare with daggers.
"Sorry, your mega famous friend can promote it for us." He corrects.
"Better, but not quite." I accept his correction.
"My god, you're impossible. I'm so glad we only have one sister." He says to Mitch.
"Yeah, whatever. You love me."
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song - running by we three