Effort At Its Finest (Brother's Bestfriend)

A Shot Of Whiskey Does The Trick

I didn't know what to think. My mind was empty, but at the same time it was filled with questions. How obvious could I be? I didn't even know what she meant to me at that time.  

Cory looked sorry, but I knew he didn't regret it. "And before we left to California."  

Remembering California made me shiver. In no way did I want to think about it. When I woke to head back to Dallas I remembered everything. I was so angry at myself I didn't bother to look at her, and that was when I decided to stay away from her for good. What happened with Xavier was one thing too, after that she couldn't stand me at all.  

"When we were joking around and running around the house." He said.  

I was mad thinking about it, but I let down my walls with Cory so I smiled like I truly wanted to. It was a sad memory, when we laughed together. For someone as clumsy as her, she still had a way of looking graceful. 

"Ok, Cory." I said dismissively and just wanted to forget about it. 

"No." He said again. "I know what you want. You may not want it now, but I know you'll want me to see her." 

"I never said th-" 

"But you will." This kid needed to stop interrupting me. "And I'll do it, under one condition." 

I couldn't help but smirk at the proposition he had for me. Though I lost it as soon as he spoke.  

"Admit you love her." I scoffed and turned around to walk away. 

"Fine, don't bother coming back, asshole." Cory yelled behind me. 

"Cory!" I scolded him and he only smirked back at me when I turned to face him. 

"Admit it." 

"No, I won't say it." I fought. "It's not true." 

"You'd be admitting it. We both know you love her, but if you keep lying to yourself you'll go crazy." Cory said things like he knew from experience. He turned from the flirty and crazy seven-year-old to the calm, patient, and exteremely wise eleven-year-old. 

"I have to go, Cory. You're popcorn is in the game room." I walked to my car this time. 

"Don't bother coming back." He repeated angrily as I drove off. 

I felt bad, I felt guilty. But wasn't it too much to ask of me? To.. Admit one tiny little thing? It wasn't just a tiny little thing. It was the gate to reality, once I said it, it would be true. And I would have to live with the constant reminders of my feelings for her. It was safe now to just say I hated her. 

Cory didn't like Macy now. I was thankful, but bitter at the same time for that. Why couldn't he be happy, and maybe make me be happy, too? 

It was three in the afternoon when I got back. Macy's monster Titan truck sat in the front and reminded me of my own. Sure it wasn't as good as hers, not one slightest bit, but it was all Matthew. 

When I stepped out I wanted to go in, but I didn't want to see her face. Even at the front door I heard her laughter. I tried to make the rush of unlocking the door as quick as possible, making less noise, but with the squeaky door as soon as I opened it, all heads turned to me. Calley was there. She didn't like me. 

Everyone turned back to do what they were doing, but there was a problem. Macy didn't turn her head. She was so engrossed with a framed picture of her and Xavier to even acknowledge me. 

When she couldn't see me, I always wondered if she could feel my glares. It would result in her meeting my eyes, and that's what wanted, but I remember always seeing the hurt in her when I could read them. I didn't want to care.