"I'm home!" I call out as I walk through my front door. It was dead silent in the house. It was also really dark. You know what that means? They are throwing me a surprise welcome home party! They did that for my brother Shawn his first year in college.

I place my bags down and walk around the living room. Nothing has changed since I left. I make my way toward the kitchen. I walk in, not to find people hiding, but to find at note on the kitchen island. I swiftly pick it up.

Alex,

We went to the store to get things for dinner. I'm making my special lasagna! I know it's your favorite! Anyway, we will be back in an hour.

Love, Mom

No surprise party. I laughed at myself and placed the note back in its place. I went back into the living room and picked up my bags. I walked down the stairs to my room. A couple years ago my dad turned the basement into my room. I used to have to share a room with Thomas and Zack. You know how bad it was to share a room with twin boys?

My room looked exactly how I left it except there were clothes on the ground. It would either be Zack or Thomas. I examined the T-shirts and shorts. Thomas has been sleeping in my room. I knew it was him because he wears sporty clothes and Zack wears more of dark "rocker" type clothing. And it couldn't be Shawn because he's away at college as well.

I quickly pick up the clothes and place them in a corner. I place my bags on my bed and start to unpack.

It didn't take me long before I was done unpacking. As soon as I was done, I decided to take a little nap. I laid down on my comfy bed. I have missed this bed so much. I slowly close my eyes.

"Alex are you home!" Someone shouts and slams the front door. I sigh and get up. So much for a nap. I fix my hair and head up the stairs. As soon as I made it up the stairs I was tackled.

"Alex we missed you!" The twins say at the same time.

"I missed you guys too but can you please get off, you're kind of crushing me." I breath out. They both quickly get off of me. A hand reaches down and I grab it.

"Thanks for helping me up," I look up. My breath hitches at the sight of my oldest brother. I didn't expect him to be home!

"Shawn! I didn't know you were coming home too!" I exclaim. My arms wrap around him so tight.

"Way to show favorites." Zack mumbles.

"Yea I kind of had to. They kick us out of the dorms during breaks so they can clean." He says. I look behind him to see a black haired girl. My brother looks behind me to see what I'm looking at.

"Oh this is Quinn, my girlfriend." He places her in front of him. I could tell that she was very shy because she stayed very close to him. She gave my a small yet uncomfortable smile.

"Hi! I'm Alex." I introduce myself. I reach it to shake her hand. She hesitates for a moment before shaking it.

"Hi, I'm Quinn." She smiles again and speaks lightly.

"Ugh, thanks for the help kids." I hear a deep voice come from the door. My dad walked in holding a couple of bags.

"Sorry we just wanted to see Alex." Zack apologizes. He quickly walks out to get some of the bags.

I walk over to my dad. "Hey dad, let me help you." I take the bags out of his hands.

"Thank you Alex." He says. I nod and carry the bags into the kitchen. I place them down and go outside to get the rest.

It didn't take long until all the groceries were inside and my mom started cooking. I offered to help her but she shooed me away and told me to go in the living room with my brothers.

I walk in to find them watching

"Oh I like this movie!" I say jumping over the couch and landing in between Zack and Shawn.

Zack turns and looks at me seriously."You can't sit with us."

I burst out laughing. "You are such a dork." He laughs as well.

"I never knew my brothers liked Mean Girls."

Shawn shrugs."Its a classic." Quinn laughs at her boyfriend.

"Kids it's time for dinner." My mom calls from the kitchen.

"Race you!" Thomas screams and runs to the kitchen. The rest of us lazily walk. The active kid. He always wants to race.

"Why won't anyone race me.You guys are no fun." Thomas whines and sits in his chair. Is he really 16? He whines like a five year old.

You know who I think he would get along with? Dylan.

"It's not that we aren't fun. It's just no one has as much energy as you." Zack pats his shoulder and sits down next to him.

Shawn and Quinn sit across from them, I sit next to Quinn, and my parents sit at both ends of the table.

"Oh how much I have missed this." My mom smiles. "I love having all my children at home."

We all talk about randoms things and enjoy each other's company. I am surprised, this has to be the longest I have got along with my siblings. I guess we've all just missed each other.

"So how long have you guys been together?" I ask both Shawn and Quinn.

"9 months now." Quinn smiles. My eyes widen. They have dates that long and this is the first time I've met her? Has he been hiding her?

"You go to NYU too?"

"Yep!"

"What about you Alex, do you have a boyfriend?" My mom asks. My dad gives her a shocked look. Oh no here comes over protective daddy.

"Of course she doesn't." He says.

"He's right, I don't have one. I did for a few but things didn't really work out." I say. I stopped and thought about my answer for a moment and then shook me head. He's not your boyfriend Alex don't even think about it.

"There must be a guy you like then." Thomas says. I look at him confused.

"Why would you think that? " I question. I narrow my eyes at him.

"You looked down and thought about something after your answer. So there must be a new guy." He smirks.

"W-we are just friends." I stutter. Why was I nervous all of the sudden?

"Mhhm sure." He says.

I decided to change the topic. "Thomas why have you been sleeping in my room." I question. His eyes widen and he looks down.

"You would understand if you had to share a room with him." He points to Zack.

"Did you forget that I did!"

We finished dinner and I started helping my mom clean up while everyone else went their separate ways.

"You should be resting. I bet you are tired from your flight." My mom says.

"Nah I'm not that tired. Hand me the plates." I say and she hands them to me. I dip them into the hot water and then begin scrubbing them.

"I miss you being home." My mom frowns.

"I miss being home too. It's weird only having one person in my home. I miss the chaotic and loudness." Even though it's pretty chaotic with Mason anyways.

"You know it's always so quiet. It's been like that since the boys got their license. It normally just your dad and I. My baby's are growing up. Can't you just not go back?"She cries.

"Mom, you know I can't do that." I laugh.

"I know but it was worth asking." She smiles.

We finished cleaning and I went down to my room. I was so tired. I decided to text Mason goodnight before I went to sleep. I didn't get an answer. Hopefully he's okay. He seemed really upset when I left. I should have brought him with me.