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Ever since I've known him, Aiden has been a person that I felt the need to look out for. It's the least I could do for a person that is helping me find a new purpose in life. And as the older cousin, I have to look out for him in every way.
It's always been this way.
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Never trust Aiden to lead you through a forest.
"C'mon Benny! Just a little further!" Aiden giggled, grabbing my arm and pulling me along the path, "I have the perfect place we can play!".
"Aiden! Let go! We need to go home now!" I paused for a moment, pulling my arm out of his grasp. It had been an hour since we'd wandered off from where our parents were having a picnic, I'm starting to believe he doesn't even know where he's going.
In Aiden's defence, they said we could explore. It's their own fault for not looking after us!
"Benny, you're such a party pooper. We'll go home soon. If you're really scared you can hold my hand, kay?" His grin was so wide that I couldn't help but smile back. Every time I hang out with Aiden, it's a guaranteed good time, even if we do get lost. Well, that's what just happens when you hang out with your favourite cousin, isn't it?
I scoffed at that, "You're the one who needs someone to hold his hand. You were crying 10 minute ago 'cos a squirrel ran away from you!" Now, as much as I love Aiden, he was the baby of the family. He once cried because a frog landed in his hand, not because he was scared but because the frog chose HIM to jump on instead of anyone else. He's the definition of joy but he is so so reckless. I bet you sometime today he's going to fall over.
"Yeah well, at least I don't wanna become Justin Bie-"
I think the universe is on my side.
He fell on his face. His own fault for not tying his shoe laces. He probably doesn't know how to. Welp.
"That's what you get for dissing Justin. You know he's awesome." I laughed, approaching where Aiden had fell. I stop when I hear little sniffles coming from his small little body.
"Aiden?! Are you okay?" Upon seeing his face, I didn't see any tears, just red trailing from his nose. No wonder he was sniffing, he probably didn't want me to see, bless. No doubt his first nosebleed.
"Yep! It doesn't even hurts!"
He gets up, brushes himself off, and keeps walking. Like he doesn't look like he just murdered someone. This kid is going kill me.
"Aiden.. I think we should head back. You're hurt and our moms are gonna kill us either way."
"But we haven't been to the place I wanted to show you! I'm not leaving yet!"
"Aiden.."
Now, he starts crying. He just stands there, and cries. All these tears could wash all the blood stains off his hands and face. As I reach out to comfort him, he mumbles something.
"What was that?"
"Idontknowthewayback"
"Huh?"
"I don't know the way back.."
And just as I'm about to reassure him, he presses his face into my shirt. Well, now its going to seem like I gave him the nosebleed. He'll explain surely. Right now, I need to be the big older cousin!
"Its okay Aiden, I can find us a way back, don't worry!" I promise, attaching his hand in mine, "I told you, you're a baby."
"Well-"
"Aiden."
"Hmph!"
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To this day, me and Aiden look after to each other. We look up to each other.
If anything were to happen to him, I don't know what I'd do with myself.