Unbearable (Unexpected Sequel)|✔️

43- Parallel Families

Dad let out a wry laugh. "Figures he'd break my baby's heart. He was always too chicken to meet me."

Mom put a hand on his arm and subtly shook her head. "Not now." He listened to her warning and clamped his mouth shut. "Besides, this isn't about Dean. We're talking about something else. Ary, would you like to voice any concerns?"

I wasn't planning on mentioning this for a while but since it was out in the open... 

"Yeah. I just..." I awkwardly trailed, unsure how to voice this without sounding like a complete ass. My mom's encouraging smile urged me to continue. "It seems a little insensitive that you leave me home alone all the time knowing I hate being alone at night."

"Well, you're not alone! You have Justin," she argued.

Justin sent me a panicked look. I guess all of his sleepovers weren't parent-approved. Now how could I make my point without arguing?

Dad caught our little exchange and narrowed his eyes at Justin. "We'll address you" –he pointed at Justin– "later. Sweetheart, what about Dylan?"

"Dylan's busy and I don't wanna bother him," I whined. It was only partly true. I knew he'd drop everything and come here if I called, but I couldn't depend on him every time. "And I know Ryder is my guard dog so it's not really about feeling protected. I guess... what I'm trying to say is that I'm so lonely."

Their eyes softened again and I realized what they were thinking. They felt bad for me. Not only did I go through a major breakup, but now I had to deal with an empty house too.

"I don't get it! Shouldn't you guys be okay with being home alone? To throw your major parties or whatever?" My dad was oblivious. Totally oblivious.

Justin and I simultaneously sighed. "That's not the point. We're just feeling–"

"Neglected," Justin finished for me. I nodded to confirm.

"We love you guys but it feels like you're choosing work over us. I don't even understand why you guys have to travel together. And I could stand the day trips but when it turns into weeks, it gets concerning. Not to mention you rarely keep in touch. No kid wants to sit around and wonder if your parents are still alive."

Guilty. Super guilty. They felt so bad I almost wanted to take back my words. But I couldn't now.

"Sweetheart–" My dad was abruptly cut off by his work phone ringing. He gave me a sheepish look before holding up a finger. "Hello?" As the person responded, his face grew serious. Without a second glance, he left the table and went straight to the office.

This is exactly what I was talking about. We couldn't even handle a nice dinner together.

"I'm not hungry anymore," I sighed, dropping my fork onto my half-empty plate. Without looking at my mom, I got up and went upstairs.

My hair fanned around me as I dramatically plopped onto my bed. My back gently hit the mattress and made me bounce three times before I was finally still. My head turned to face my window.

I wonder what Andrew's doing right now, I thought to myself. I knew I shouldn't have thought about him, but I couldn't help but be curious. After all, I was still friends with him.

I faced my ceiling again and thought about dinner. It's crazy how I just talked about how I hated work being prioritized over us, yet he just had to take that work call. I wondered if things would ever change again.

After a good amount of self-pitying, I took a hot shower and changed into warm pajamas. Ryder was already waiting at my door so I let him in. To my surprise, Justin was also outside my room. I moved back, letting him in. He didn't hesitate to fall onto my bed. I tried to hide my disappointment that neither of my parents came up to comfort me.

I made the bed dip as I sat next to my brother. He offered me a small smile. "Our parents suck sometimes."

"Indeed," I sighed. "Are you okay?"

He sheepishly cleared his throat and ducked his head down. "I wanted to apologize for never being here anymore–"

I cut him off before he could continue. "No. You don't have to. It was wrong of me to bring that up. I don't want you to hold back the fun in your life because your annoying sister can't sleep alone."

"But–"

"No buts! Besides, I've been okay. I just told mom that so she'd feel guiltier." That was mostly true. Only because of Ryder though. Without him, I'd be a mess.

He hesitantly nodded. I could see the arguments brewing behind his eyes but I sent him a stern look to stop thinking about it.

He let out a puff of air as he petted Ryder. "I'm sorry you didn't go to homecoming."

I waved a dismissive hand and smiled. "Don't worry about it. There's always prom anyway."

"Wow, you think you'll win prom queen? Someone's cocky," he snorted, making my smile widen. I liked the teasing between us, not the serious things.

I dramatically flipped my hair over my shoulder. "Oh I don't think, I know." Of course, I was only playing along. There was no guarantee I'd get renominated.

He abruptly sat up. "I need to get out of here before your head takes up all the space."

I sarcastically laughed as he left me alone again.

And somehow my obnoxious little brother got me to smile that night.

~

A boring chapter :/ I'll probably double update so keep a look out.