Torin
Summer break is coming up, and step-cousins Elias and Sienna discuss their plans.
Elias
guess who gets to come home a week early? 😂
Sienna
ugh, they let you leave early because you got good scores??
Elias
pretty much!
i don't have anything else to do in class anyway
Sienna
UGH
if you're so free, maybe you should finish my last book report for me
Elias
what's it about?
Sienna
simone de beauvoir
i luv her and she's very interesting, but i really can't focus
all i can think about are mojitos by the beach and meeting new people
Elias
i guess i can help, but nothing comes for free
Sienna
of course, what do you want?
Elias
well, two things
don't tell anyone i'm coming home a week early and...
you buy me food for the entire first week
Sienna
omg that's overkill
a book report can't be that expensive??
Elias
trust me, it is
i can guarantee at least a B-
we can't get too greedy or your professor might ask questions
Sienna
HEEEEY
are you saying i'm incapable of getting a b-???
Elias
no, but it's best to not stand out too much
trust me, this wouldn't be the first time i've provided this service
Sienna
what other services do you offer? 😳
Elias
that depends on what my client needs
Sienna
ewwwww
Elias
what??? it's purely academic
Sienna
sure, purely academic
Elias
do you want your book report done or not?
Sienna
FINE, food for a whole week and i'll keep your secret
why the need for that though?
Elias
idk, just wanted to surprise mom
maybe get a week to myself
Sienna
that's understandable
aunt liora can be a tad clingy 😂
Elias
she's gotten worse after i moved out for college
Sienna
that's just how parents are
dad was the exact same when i moved out
he insisted on finding the apartment himself and i had to convince him to let me stay at the dorm lol
Elias
yeah, i don't get why you prefer the dorm
Sienna
idk, it's just more fun
and i'm never alone 😂
Elias
don't tell me you're still scared of the dark?
Sienna
IT'S A PERFECTLY RATIONAL FEAR
Elias
you're 21
Sienna
doesn't make a difference 🙄
you don't know what lurks there
Elias
like a clown or something?
Sienna
SHUT UP ABOUT CLOWNS
Elias
😂😂😂
remind me to bring my pennywise costume for halloween
Sienna
ughhhhh i'll kick your ass
Elias
not if i scare you first lol
Sienna
just do my book report, k???
i need it before friday
Elias
can't even joke with you 😂
i'll have it done by wednesday
Sienna
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Liora checks on Elias, unaware of his plans.
Liora
hi love! we haven't spoken in a few days. how are you?
Elias
hey mom! sorry, i was a bit busy working on a book report
Liora
a book report? you usually finish those quickly. is something the matter?
Elias
no, no prob! i just fell back a bit due to other stuff
i'm almost done anyway since i need to get this in by wednesday
sorry for not calling, tho! how are YOU?
Liora
okay, if you say so. just tell me if there's anything wrong
i'm so so so excited to see you!
i've been well, too 😘
finally got over the flu thanks to your uncle torin helping me out
Elias
oh nice! too bad i couldn't be there to look after you instead
Liora
well, you'll be home soon enough!
Elias
actually, there is something i want to talk to you about
Liora
yes? what is it?
Elias
i was wondering if you'll be okay with me renting my own apartment while i'm there
i have an old friend whose parents run an airbnb and they're okay with letting me lease it for a month or so
Liora
are you joking, elias?
why would you need to rent when you have a perfectly good place to stay with me?
i just had your bedroom cleaned too
Elias
idk mom, i just want more privacy
i've gotten used to living solo at the dorm, so i want to keep that going
Liora
well... you can still do that
convert the garage into your own space if you want to but you're staying with me
Elias
mom, you don't get it
Liora
i haven't seen you in almost a year, elias!
Elias
it's not like you'll never see me lol
i'm still coming over everyday for food and such haha
Liora
i don't want to be treated like your personal pantry!
besides, it's not safe for someone so young to live alone
where is this airbnb located anyway?
Elias
somewhere downtown, i dont have the address yet
Liora
NO, DEFINITELY NOT
do you know how dangerous downtown can be?
just the other night someone broke into a pharmacy!
Elias
it's not dangerous, mom
besides, i know which places to avoid
Liora
you're being unreasonable, elias
Elias
how about i live alone for a couple weeks? then i'll go stay with you?
Liora
my love, i don't want to argue about this
Elias
please mom 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
i just want to know what it's like having my own place
be responsible for my own stuff
Liora
if you put it that way, i suppose it does make sense
but i would still have to think about it!
Elias
okay, that's a start
promise, i'll pay for everything
you don't have to worry about a thing
Liora
except for you, it seems 🤨
Elias
hahahaha
mom, i'm almost 22
you gotta loosen up the leash a little
Liora
loosen up the leash? is that what you feel like??
Elias
NOOOOOO
you know what i mean, tho
Liora
i don't know anymore, elias
i feel like my baby doesn't want his mommy anymore
Elias
you know that's so not true
Liora
then show me when you come home
Elias
of course, mom!! just think about what i asked, yeah?
love youuuuuuuu
Liora
i love you too 🩷
Later that day, Liora talks to her brother about Elias’s plan and shares her worries.
Torin
are you home? i just dropped by your place, but no one was answering the door
i tried calling you a few times too
Liora
oh! i'm out with the girls, needed some fresh air
elias was stressing me out 😂
Torin
well, looks like it's working 😉
what happened with elias?
Liora
that boy wants his own place when he comes back home during break
i told him NO but he insisted it's for him to become more independent
he says he'll pay for everything and has even spoken to someone about leasing an airbnb
can you believe it?? he doesn't even know how to cook a proper meal
Torin
is that all? hahaha
sis, everyone his age goes through something like that
didn't we do the same thing?
we moved out a lot earlier though 😂
Liora
that's different!
you were there to look after me
elias is gonna be living by himself downtown!
Torin
it's not so bad there
besides he's a pretty smart kid
Liora
i just don't understand why he even wants to
is my house not big enough??
i even told him he could convert the garage if he wants more privacy
Torin
have you considered that maybe he's seeing someone and wants his own space?
Liora
oh my god
do you think that's the reason why?
Torin
possibly!
sienna wanted to stay in the dorm instead of getting an apartment because her boyfriend lived close by
she thinks i didn't know about it, but what father doesn't look into stuff like that? haha
Liora
you think elias is dating a local girl?
then why hasn't he told me about it!
Torin
i dont know, liora
maybe because you tend to overreact and he doesn't want that to happen 😂
Liora
i do not!
i just want to make sure my baby boy is okay
Torin
you no longer have a baby boy
he's a grown man!
who probably wants his own space so he can bring girls home freely
Liora
oh shut up
Torin
he can't do that while living with you
Liora
of course he can
he just has to follow the rules!
Torin
see what i mean?
Liora
my house, my rules
Torin
😂😂😂
you should let him experience having his own place
if it makes you feel better, i can lease him one of my properties
gated, 24/7 security
Liora
why are you agreeing with him?
you should be on my side
Torin
you're my sister, of course i'm on your side
it's where i want to spend most of my time, in fact
so, having elias out of the way certainly helps
Liora
i knew you had ulterior motives
Torin
let's just say it's a win-win situation
Liora
talk to him about it then
i'll only agree if he chooses to stay in one of your properties
Torin
that got you to change your mind real quick
Liora
obviously
the last thing i want is for elias to find out
Torin
of course, that's why we need to be careful
we always have
Liora
take care of it for me, okay?
Torin
when have i not?
Liora
🩷🩷🩷
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