Struggles ✔

Chapter 18.

Aurora...my baby sister...my princess...my angel....

Gone.

I woke up to someone shaking me. I shot up and covered my eyes. I felt the tears flow down my cheeks.

"Cole..."

I looked up and saw Lexi looking at me worried. I gather up the energy to speak.

"Get out." I say. My voice was raspy and shaky.

"Are you sure?" She asks me. I nod my head in response

"Really? Because you look like you need someone to take care of you right now." She says softly

"Get the fuck out Lexi. I don't need your help. Leave me alone." I snap at her

She's silent for a moment but then nods

"Okay...I'll leave you. But you know where to find me."

She starts walking to the door. I was thankful she didn't put up a fight. I really wanted to be alone but I knew she was right...I needed a hug.

"Wait..." I mumbled

She turned around and without saying anything more, she crawled into bed and sat next to me. She opened her arms for a hug and I immediately cuddled into her. I burst out crying and she held me tightly.

"Was it a bad dream?" She asks in a whisper

I shake my head still sobbing.

"A bad memory then"

I nod my head and she didn't say anything more. I calmed down and we sat in silence. She didn't ask about it and I was thankful for that. She wasn't pushing me to tell her.

"Thanks...Sorry bout your shirt" i whisper

"It's just a shirt Cole." she mumbles

I wipe my eyes and lay down. She lays down with me and we face each other. She stares at me and I see curiosity in her eyes. She must be dying to know about why I was crying. I guess I should tell her...

I grabbed the picture from my night stand and showed it to her. I ran my finger across Aurora's face. I felt tears swell up again.

"She's so cute..." Lexi whispers beside me

"She's a princess. My princess. She's also an angel...literally." I say

"Don't." she says

I look at her confused but she just smiles.

"Don't tell me. Not now. I want you to tell me when you're 100% ready." she says

I sigh in relief. I smile thankfully and she just pulls me into a hug.

"You're lucky I'm such a caring friend. I skipped school cause i was worried about you."

I pull back from the hug and look at her with wide eyes.

"Why?! Lexi you didn't have to do that." I shake my head at her

"Cole. Do you honestly think that I'd leave you here in sadness. You've helped me when I was sad so now it's my turn." she says

"You're amazing" I whisper and bury my head on the crook of her neck

She giggles and I chuckle looking up at her.

"Is someone ticklish?" I smirk

Her eyes widen and I sit up. I attack her sides and her laughter fills the room, replacing the sad aura from earlier. She squirms under my touch but I don't let go.

"S-Stop!!!! Cole!!! get off me!!!" She yells

"Say Cole is the hottest and sexiest guy alive" I tell her

"B-but i-it's bad to lie" She manages to say through her laughter

I tickle her even more and she laughs even harder. Her laugh is such a nice sound.

"Okay okay!!! Cole is the hottest and sexiest guy alive" she breathes out

I get off her and she hits my arm. I laugh and smile at her.

"You made me lie" She playfully glares at me

"It's not a lie babe. Ask anyone." I smirk at her

I saw a figure that was looking at us from behind the door. I squinted and saw a smiling Marie. She caught my glance and gave me a huge smile. I smile lightly at her and turned my head to look back at Lexi.

She looked back at me and I smiled. I stood up and offered my hand to her.

"I'm gonna take you somewhere but first I'm gonna get ready." I tell her

She nods and walks out of the room. I sighed and ruffle my hair.

I got dressed and ready to go see my baby sister.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!!