Because I'm a Nerd.

Chapter 9- "Okay?"

"Wait a minute, your sister?" Evan asked.

"Yes, Nathan's my brother. Do you now understand why I love him? Or why I sobbed into his chest when he'd passed out? Or why I said I knew him?" Lauren asked, wiping away tears. She wasn't one for confrontations. I'm pretty sure had I been out longer, she'd have let them believe she was cheating on Emmett. And no matter the time I would have said nothing, she'd have taken all the blame.

Scarlett slapped a hand to a forehead, "It does make sense, the two of you guys have the same last name!" She squealed.

"Welcome home, Einstein." I muttered in a deadpan tone and everyone laughed, warming up to me again.

"But, if that was the case, why did you hide the fact that you were cousins from us?" Allie questioned, once everyone had turned sober.

"Uh, the thing is, I've never been a social person and when I moved here, I wanted to make friends on my own. I didn't even want to have a single conversation with any of her friends just because I was her cousin. I wanted to talk to people only if they wanted to talk to me too. Of course, I had no idea that she was a part of your group, but when I saw that, I wanted all of you to accept me for who I was. Not because you had to, what with me being her cousin." I finished, putting into words exactly what I felt.

"Oh." Everyone said in unison.

Lauren and I chuckled at their reaction, as Emmett went up to her and started apologising profusely.

"Emmett, don't you have something to say to Nathan as well? I guess a little apology? And Scar, I think Nate has an apology coming in from your side too." Allie said, a stern look on her face.

"Oh yeah, I'm sorry man! I forgot in the spur of the moment how cold I was to you.. Buddies again?" Emmett asked, that twinkle back in his eye.

"Actually guys, they deserve an apology from all of us. Lauren, Nate, we're really sorry for jumping to conclusions!" Evan stated and everyone nodded their heads gravely.

"That's alright, I got no hard feelings. But I gotta let you guys know something more first. Lauren, I'm ready to tell them. I really am" I said.

"Are you sure?" she confirmed.

"I'm positive I want them to know." I said.

"Okay then. Your life, your story, your choice!" Lauren encouraged me. It was actually the first time I was talking to someone, anyone with the exception of Lauren about what happened that night. For the first time ever, I felt like I really wanted someone to know. Not for their pity or empathy. Just because I really did want to them to know about it. I had snubbed Steven, the hospital's in-house physiatrist, Uncle Dave, Aunt Ellen and just about anyone else who asked me about it. Not anymore.

Telling people how exactly they died would be one step closer to closure. I wasn't sure how long the journey was... But I was sure I wanted to embark on it. And I was pretty sure that having them along with me would certainly make it easier, if not shorter.

"But before I say anything, please tell me no one called home." I questioned pleadingly.

"They were about to but I stopped them. You know how mental Mom gets in such cases." Lauren answered, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, we convinced the ER people to let it slide and Evan and Emmett paid the bill as well. There was a lot of rush and they were probably glad to have one less call to make!" She added.