She came to live with you and mom after her father passed away. Who was your father too. You barely knew the man. Cared even less. He was a deadbeat who walked out before you could care.
Now this girl, his other daughter sat there on the doorstep. Dropped off just like that. More like dumped. Her mother didn't seem to care. She looked like a drowned rat in the rain. Clutching a soaked backpack to her chest she looked like she'd cry any second.
Mother pulled her in asking me to fetch a towel. The moment the girl was inside, she was already apologizing. For what? She was the one dumped.
"Im...Im sorry...sorry...I...can go a-after the storm-"
Mother put a finger to her lips shaking her head "Sweetheart, you are going to stay right here. Now, as soon as we get you dried off, I'll see if there is something warm for you to wear"
"S-Sorry...I'm so m-much trouble"
Why was she apologizing so much? Sure this was a bit weird, but not like she was trying to demand anything. She was so skinny, barely anything to her. You huffed putting your hands on your hips, this girl flinched at it, not good "Hardly trouble at all. Let me get you something to eat too. Hold on there are some microwave snacks I can make up. You're not, allergic to anything are you?"
She stood there as mother started to dry the girl off "N-No...I don't think so."
While coming back with a plate full of those little pizza things you could hear her. She was crying, quietly, like really quiet. Mother was running their clothing through the wash, even the stuff in that backpack was all soaked. She was curled up on the couch in a set of fuzzy pj's you had outgrown.
Setting down the plate she jumped, startled, all the while trying to wipe her tears away "Sorry...sorry... I didn't mean to get dumped here..."
You sit down next to her. She looked so small but she couldn't be that much younger than you. Her hair was still a bit of a mess. Same color as yours, or maybe a bit lighter "Hey, easy there. Don't worry about that right now. Right now you should be enjoying terrible snacks and some cat videos." You pick up one of the snacks, blowing on it before holding it towards her "Say ahh"
There is this look she gives you, confused before slowly opening her mouth slowly. As you pop the snack in you could wear you see the start of a smile. As she finishes the first one she opens her mouth again, waiting.
You didn't intend it but, why not. Same as before you gently pop the next one in her mouth. This time you know you saw her smile. She was cute. Then as you kept feeding her, it came out just like that, as easy as could be "Good girl"
She squeaked, really squeaked, like a startled mouse. She tried to hide her face in her hands so fast. She shook her head making this tiny whine. She was really cute. Though she was your little half-sister. Of course she was going to be cute.
She looked up at you through her fingers "D-did you really mean that?"
"I wouldn't say if I didn't. You're being such a good girl. A brave one too. I can't imagine how awful this must be for you, but, you're safe here okay?"
Your nod alone had this girl smiling again "Promise. I'm your big sister. Of course I'll keep you safe."
She wrapped her arms around you in a great hug as she nearly bawled her eyes out. You hugged her back nearly as tight. Petting her hair softly as she cried on your shoulder. You let her. What else were big sisters for?
Finally as it felt like she had cried herself it had gotten late, very late. Helping her to bed you almost took her to the guest room. A thought later and you pulled her along to your room. The last thing this girl needed was to be alone.
"A-Are you sure that's...that its okay?"
"You just got here, besides we're both girls."
She shifts in place looking at the floor "I'm...I'm not really a...girl-girl..."
It takes you a moment. Then it comes to you "Oh fuck"
She winces when she hears you. She pulls away fast, too fast "Im sorry! I'm sorry...I'll sleep somewhere else, I'm sorry."
"Is that why she left you here?"
She nods slowly looking like she's about to cry again. Both hands held to her chest, watching you. Waiting for, something.
"If I get my hands on her..." You take a deep breath to calm yourself and hold your hand out to her "Well if you say you're a girl-girl then you are a girl-girl."
This sweet girl ended up asleep in your arms. She felt so small curled up against you. Her head resting against your chest. She was safe and sound under the covers with you. Even in her sleep she held onto you like you were the only thing she ever really wanted.
That was how you started to become your little sister's keeper.
