"When did you realize you wanted to move away?" Aspyn looked up from her sketchpad, reaching over to lower the music that was flowing out of her small bluetooth speaker.

She met George's gaze, who was editing a video whilst talking to her. The small timer on the top of their screens indicated that their call almost ran 3 hours. "When I turned fifteen, right after Karsyn moved away," she started, placing down her pencil to give him her undivided attention. It was just a sketch anyway— a sketch of him to be exact. "But I always kind of looked forward to it, you know, while growing up. I liked the idea of being away from my family, siblings included."

"Like, I love my siblings, you know? Growing up was so stressful for all of us— even Rhea because she felt like she had responsibility over me since I was kind of... ignored? I don't know what word to use," Aspyn let out a small laugh, sighing. "I-it felt so suffocating, like I was being pushed into becoming someone that wasn't me, and when I didn't comply, I was shunned. I feel like I can breath now without my mom on my back about everything. It's like.. I think I learned more about myself, being alone."

George hummed, intently listening to the girl's small rant. "I'm thinking about moving into an apartment," he told her quietly, voicing the thoughts he had been having for the past week.

"With your screams? You'd be kicked out in a day!" Aspyn joked before her tone dropped into a more softer one. "Are the fights getting worse?" The atmosphere changed into a serious one, the calm music in the background clashing in difference.

George shook his head, a small frown on his face. "No, but they're on the brink of divorce." He confessed, recalling the bits of yells he had heard in the middle of the night when they thought everyone was asleep. "It could escalate and I don't really want to be here when it does— is that selfish?" He spoke quietly, not wanting any of his family to hear him. It was 8 in the late evening for him, he knew his sisters would be downstairs eating dinner with their mother.

Aspyn gave him a small smile, knowing how it feels to want to move out to avoid fights. Of course, their situations are entirely different. But the two had more in common than they first thought. "Not at all," she reassures him. "What about your sisters?"

"Most have them moved out, but my younger sisters would be fine with either parent." George shrugged. He had thought it over, not wanting to leave the younger girls alone in the loud household. But if he got his own apartment, he could have them over as often as he wanted. "Like I said before, both my mom and dad are good parents. I think they're just... incompatible. I think the only thing that worries me is the custody thing— like who gets who and stuff. And I obviously don't think they should get separated but... at this point, I feel like it's inevitable."

"I'm sorry," Aspyn couldn't help but say.

The corners of George's lips quirked up to a half-smile. "You have nothing to apologize for, silly." He recited the words she once said to him.

The mood was lighter, Aspyn rolled her eyes. "What are your sisters like?" She saw the way his eyes lit up, and her heart warmed. She could tell he loved them, each one.

"Well there's Marianne," he began to list them off with the count of his fingers. "She's the oldest. She kind of influenced me with gaming, because she used to let me play with her Pokémon cards."

"Next is Phoebe. She's the closest age to me, and I guess she's also the one I'm the closest with out of all of them too. She's only a year older. Willa came after me, she's 19, and then after Willa, there's Nora and Allegra. They're fraternal twins and the youngest of the family, both 16."

Aspyn smiled, not only at the descriptions, but at the look on his face while he described them. "They sound lovely. They're lucky to have you as a brother."

Through the screen, George beamed, a soft blush forming across his cheeks. "Thank you," he smiled genuinely. "Willa's a fan of yours actually. She told me a couple of times."

At this, Aspyn's mouth dropped open. "A fan? Of mine?" She squeaked, pointing to herself. She had never met an actual fan of hers before, considering that she didn't do much other than stream 'work' periods and some art. And after all that had happened, it was a real good feeling, knowing that somewhere across the world she had someone who enjoyed her content.

George grinned at her excitement, feeling his own heart race at her wide, hopeful eyes. She looked adorable. "Yes, you."

"Maybe I could meet her once," she hummed, indirectly implying that she would want to visit them in England.

The British man had the same thought, and tossed her a lazy grin back. "She'd like that." They both knew it wasn't just about Willa.

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i keep forgetting to finish pieces i've already started :(

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ugh imagine being talented 🙄

— i hate u so much omg 😭

— oh yeah? come prove it then

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HAHAHA I CAN COMMENT AND YOU CANT FUCK YOU

— i can comment too, tom

— go away green bitch

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look at her goooo, painting and shit 🤩