“Would you miss me?” She asked curiously with bright eyes and a wide smile, eyeing her brother. Simon’s reply, from his position on the floor, was an unintelligible grunt that suggested he found his homework far more interesting then any questions his sister provided. “Simon,” she tried again, a sigh of exasperation accompanying his name. “Pay attention to me,” she intoned, both hands clasped behind her back as she bounced on the balls of her feet before him.

“You know what they say,” he began, eyebrows drawn together as he worked on the problem before him despite her presence in his room. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” he repeated, which judging by the slight cluck of her tongue against her teeth, was not the answer she was looking for.

“Simon,” and he could practically hear her eyes rolling, “I’m being serious.”

“So am I. I read that quote in a book somewhere, one of the ones you liked actually,” he reminded her, pencil working away at the problem still. She would tire of the game eventually and he would be able to finish his last problem in peace.

“Your parameter is wrong,” she told him offhandedly as she peered over his shoulder and favored him with her condescending voice.

“River,” he started but then with eyes turned skyward, gave up. There was no winning when she was determined. Rolling over on his back he threw his pencil at her playfully. “You’re so spoiled, you know? Now go on and ask me your question for I fear I will get little done until you are satisfied,” he admonished, a playful smile on his face.

“The Academy left a vid for me again, asking for my decision. I don’t know if I should go or not. The program is interesting but…”

“But?” He questioned, with a single eyebrow raised in query. “Why are you hesitant? I thought you wanted to go.”

“I don’t know Simon, it’s just so far away. I wouldn’t get to see you save for holidays. Wouldn’t you miss me?”

“River, of course,” he told her honestly, sitting up and drawing her down beside him. He pulled her into a warm em