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She loves a challenge.
Just like her brother.
Rolling my eyes, I smile, throwing it again with just a little more force. She manages to catch it, and I shake my hands in the air celebrating with her as she dances around. She moves back again, stepping onto the running trail at the same time that a woman comes barrelling around the corner.
The two collide, the runner nearly tripping over Vienna but catching herself just as my little sister falls to the pavement.
"V!" I call on instinct, sprinting toward her like I'm stealing home.
My eyes lock on her despite the movement beside her—the runner making her way back.
I'll check on her after.
I crouch down, relieved to see Vienna staring at the blood on her knee with a boo boo lip I've seen a million times.
She's okay.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry." The woman's voice floats above me as she comes closer, putting her hands into the mix as if she wants to help Vienna but knows not to touch her.
I reach for V's arm instead. "No, it's okay."
The runner holds her palm out for my sister's other hand. But when Vienna looks up at us both hovered above her, reality sets in, and the sobs begin.
"Here, let me help you," the stranger insists.
"Don't worry about it," I say, leaning down to brush Vienna's hair from her now tear-streaked face. Her eyes are closed, so I don't bother consoling her. Instead, I brush my knuckles past her cheek, catching the woman standing from the corner of my eye.
"I'm a nurse," she says from above, her voice full of genuine concern. She leans over me as I check that the scrape on Vienna's knee is her only injury, her arms still stretched in front of her like she's ready to help the second I let her. "Are you okay, hun?" she asks V.
I shake my head, flustered as I struggle to both help and explain the situation. "It's—" I pull Vienna up as she continues to cry. "She's good."
"Does anything hurt?" the runner asks, her breath coasting past my ear.
The warm air sends a shiver down my spine that makes me whip around, my chest tightening before I know why.
"She can't hear you," I explain. "She's…"
My eyes land on hers.
"Deaf."
I finish my sentence, using whatever air is still left in my lungs.
Both of us go still, just like everything around us.
Or at least that's how it seems.
"Lenny?" I whisper.
In perfect timing, Vienna's sobs turn to sniffles, then stop completely.
"Jace."
Her voice is barely a whisper, but my name falling from her lips hits like a punch to the ribs.
Like muscle memory I never wanted back.
We hold the stare, both of our chests rising and falling from what I tell myself is just the adrenaline. The chaos.
