Splinters: Part One

Part One | 46

"If it makes you feel better though, Brayden, Ursa tried really hard to stay away from me. She wanted to be loyal to you, especially since she asked you to be loyal to her when you and Collie started talking."

I frowned. "She did?"

Andrew nodded, his lips pressed together. "She tried really hard, but I'm not going to lie, Brayden. I like her. A lot. I'm not dating her to piss you off or anything. When I went over to your house when we invited Grady, I realized how cool she was. I always knew her from BMS but not like that."

It was weird hearing Andrew talk about my sister like this, but at the same time, it was nice. Now Ursa understood how I felt with Collie.

"I know it's super selfish and stupid to go after her because she's your sister, but I had already lost you as a friend, so I thought what the hell? At the time, I kind of hoped she and I wouldn't work out either, but... She's, like, my first real girlfriend, Brayden. You've got to understand how great that feels."

I kept silent.

"I mean, you know I was with Collie, but that was freakin' sixth grade. I had a few crushes here and there, but with your sister... I think you know as well as I do she's somethin' else."

I let out a small laugh. "I didn't know you cared for her that much."

Andrew bowed his head, standing up straight. "I'm sorry again, Brayden. For everything."

I nodded, biting my lip. I extended my hand out for him to shake. "Thanks for being honest, Andrew."

He shook it, sighing in relief. "I'm not kidding when I thought you were going to shoot me on my own doorstep ten minutes ago."

I laughed loudly and then suddenly, an idea came to mind. "Tell you what, why don't you come over," I offered.

He pointed at the ground. "Right now?"

"We can surprise my sister that we're friends again."

His face fell in shock. "Wait, you-"

"I guess I just needed to learn more about why you guys are together. I seriously didn't think you liked her all that much. Not like that."

And for the first time in a long time, I thought I saw Andrew blush.

"Collie!" I called. "Let's go!"

She hopped to us holding an ice-cream cone not even ten seconds later. She hooked a thumb over her shoulder. "Penny asked if you wanted one."

"No thanks, Mrs. Fredrickson!"

"Hey, Mom! I'm going to Ursanne's!"

"With Brayden?"

"Yeah!"

"Alright!"

Collie jerked her head to me, confused. "Did I miss something?"

Andrew opened his arms. "I guess... I'm buddies with Brayden again."

"W-what?"

"Not buddies, but... I guess I don't hate him anymore," I admitted.

"So we're going to your house?"

I nodded, resulting in Collie grinning from ear to ear. "Oh my God! Let's go!"

...

When we got to my house, Collie parked at the curb and we all walked up the porch. I opened the door and called to my parents.

"I brought friends over!"

"Who-"

Walking in the hallway at the perfect moment possibly with her phone in her hand, Ursa's mouth dropped to the floor as she took in both mine and Andrew's appearance, barely noticing Collie behind me.

"Um... What's going on?"

We all walked over to her, Andrew taking her hand.

"We've come to see eye to eye," he grinned.

"Y-you..."

"Who'd you bring, Brayden?" Melissa asked, descending from the stairs with Greg and Odera. They too shared the same facial expression as my sister.

"Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Pierson," Collie waved.

Andrew greeted them, too.

My parents both looked at me and smiled. Greg nodded in approval and pride. After explaining to my family that Andrew and I are no longer frenemies, we all decided to bond and play a game of Apples to Apples. My parents both kept conversation with Andrew, Greg attempting to scare him now that he sees how close my sister and Andrew have truly gotten, but I feel like Ursa has secretly coached him up a bit.

We all had fun and laughed and even ordered pizza, and when we were done and it had gotten dark, Ursanne decided to clean up, and the best thing about it was that Collie helped her do it while Andrew and I went to go throw everything away. Not long after, my girlfriend and Andrew decided they should get going.

I kissed my girlfriend goodbye and Ursa kissed her boyfriend goodbye (which was weird to say the least), and we watched them leave.

"You know," Ursa began. "Collie and I talked while cleaning up the game. I was wrong about her," she said. "She's not that bad after all."

The grin I had on my face was impossible to wipe off.

...

I believe there are about 11 chapters until the very end of this incredibly journey called Splinters -- unless I combine any more chapters together. Which means longer chapters, but closer to the end! Ah, I'm beginning to get so sad! Thank you all for your support!

I'm hoping to comment back to all your guys' input at some point! Goodnight!