"I asked you a question Andrew," I said my voice shaking. Andrew walked over to stand in front of me.
"Now Kenny, that's not how you greet your older brother! Plus, you know why I came home," he looked different from when I last saw him. His long brown hair was now cut, and he wore a polo shirt instead of his old lacrosse sweatshirt.
"Brothers don't leave their sister to raise herself. Brothers don't drop off the face of the earth for a year, and they certainly don't hit their little sister, by 8 years, for sneaking out to go to a bookstore!" I was crying, all the pain fresh in my mind. He tried to reach toward me but I stepped away from him.
"Kenny, I didn't mean to hurt you, I was jealous and drunk out of my mind. I realize now that I was the lucky sibling, Mom and Dad sent me to boarding school so that I wouldn't be stuck in this house alone while they were travelling. I ruined that chance for you. I'm so sorry," he said softly. His eyes showed he was truly sorry, but I needed time.
"Andy, I have homework. Can we talk about this later?" I asked hesitantly. He nodded slowly as I stepped away running to my room. I slammed the door behind me as I collapsed against it. Why did he have to show up now?
I sat in that same position for hours. I heard my phone buzz multiple times, but I didn't want to speak to my friends. Not right now. I just wanted to be left alone with my thoughts. Which could sometimes be very dangerous.
My brother had always been a sore topic. Only Payton and Olivia knew about him and that's how I wanted it to stay, unless he suddenly was better and wanted to be apart of my life. But I doubted he was actually better. I had no idea what he had been up to the time he was gone, and I had a feeling I didn't want to.
I decided to get up from my sitting position once my phone started to ring. No use moping around when the thing you are trying to mope about is in the same house right? I'd spend the night at Payton's. She was only just across the street. I picked my phone out of my pocket to text Payton to see she was the one calling.
"Hey Payton. What's up?" I asked trying to keep my voice calm.
"Whose car is that in front of my yard? And why haven't you been answering our texts?"
"I'll explain everything later. Can I spend the night?"
"Of course." she stated. "But you better explain. I want to make sure you're okay."
"I will. Don't worry. See you soon," I said quickly. I grabbed my duffle bag and shoved pajamas and an outfit for tomorrow in it. She already had everything else I would need over at her house so I walked down the stairs to the living room where Andrew was still sitting. I sighed, "Andy? I'm sleeping over at Payton's house. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Ok sis. Have a good time."
Part of me wished that he wouldn't be all so, okay, with this, but I didn't know where that came from. I guess deep down, I actually had a rebellious side.Or I just wanted to spend time with my older brother.
I walked out the door and across the street. I quickly knocked on Payton's front door and jumped up and down to try to keep warm. It had gotten surprisingly cold in the few hours I had spent apart from Liv and Payton. As soon as the door opened, I walked in, shoving slightly past Payton
"Well come in." Pay joked, but I didn't return her smile.
"Ok, something's definitely wrong. You always smile at my jokes. What's wrong?" She asked worriedly.
"He's home, Payton. Andrew came home," I whispered.
A look of shock came over her face for a second. I hadn't realized I'd started crying until Payton pulled me into a hug.
"H-he said he was sorry. That he didn't want to hurt me. I don't know what to do Pay," I sobbed. It seemed like I've done that a lot lately.
"It'll be okay." she said trying to console me. "Just, come in. We'll feed you, and then you can sleep in my room."
"Well then," I said, trying to sound happy, "What's for dinner?"
As we walked into Payton's kitchen, her mother came up to me, giving me a really big hug before pulling away. "Kendra!" she had a big smile on her face. "Haven't seen you in a bit."
"I know. I'm sorry about that. I'll try and make it over more!" I smiled.
"Well, have you eaten? I want to make sure I can't see your ribcage."
I laughed, and Mrs. Tanner smiled back at me as she walked back behind the counter top.
"The food smells really good. I can't wait Mrs. Tanner," I laughed out. I turned to Payton and gestured upstairs. She nodded and we walked upstairs.
"Should I get Olivia, or Rose?" she asked.
"Olivia, she's the only one else who knows about him." I told her.
"Okay. I'll go call her."
"Is it bad I'm ashamed to tell people I have an older brother? I mean, he should be the first thing I mention when people ask about my family Pay. Instead I tell people I'm an only child."
"I know, I know." she said. I could see that she didn't know what to say. But just having her be there was enough for me.
"Thank you Pay. I know I've been saying it a lot but I mean it. You're a great friend," I say. She smiles and nods as she dials Liv's phone number.
I couldn't hear the conversation, but I got that Olivia was coming.I couldn't hear the conversation, but I got that Olivia was coming.
"Sorry it's so late." I apologized.
"Don't be." was all Payton said and shrugged. "Liv will be here, she just needs to sneak out."
Olivia's parents were a lot better than mine, but they really didn't care where she was. As long as she wasn't doing drugs or something somewhere they didn't care if it was the middle of the night, or if she was 100 miles away. I guess they were terrible parents in that sense.
"I feel bad. She shouldn't have too," I started,"Wait, it's midnight. Why haven't you guys eaten yet?"
"We have, but my mom always wants to feed you."
"That's probably because she knows I don't feed myself," I laughed.
The second I said that, Mrs. Tanner opened the door slowly, knocking. She was carrying a plate, and said, "Sorry dears, just wanted to give Kendra this."
"It's ok Mrs. Tanner. I appreciate the food. Sorry for keeping you up so late," I apologized.
"Oh honey, you're like a daughter to me. Don't worry about it. Do you want me to call you and Payton out of school tomorrow?" She asked.
"Could you? I could really use a day off."
"Absolutely!" she smiled at me and left, shutting the door behind her.
"Your mother is freaking awesome." I told Payton as I took a bite of the lasagna that Mrs. Tanner had given me.
"I know she is!" She smiled out. We chatted for a few minutes before Liv's head popped through the door.
"Hey. I heard it was an emergency." she said, letting herself in.
She looked a bit out of place in the slightly girly room. There were fandom posters and stuff everywhere, but Payton's room still had the pink carpet and walls from when she was a little kid.
"Yeah. Uh, Andrews home. He says he's sorry for everything he's done. I don't know what to do, and he wants to talk about it," I stated.
She just looked at me for a second, thinking of what to say. "How dare he." was what she decided on. Olivia walked over then and sat on Payton's bed.
I laughed. Olivia and Payton looked at me like I was crazy, and I laughed even more.
"He was wearing a polo, guys. A polo. he looked so funny not in his ratty sweatshirt," I laughed even harder.
"Are you okay?" Olivia asked, raising her eyebrows.
"I don't even know. He's my older brother who hurt me, but I'm laughing about his choice in clothing," I was still laughing as I said that.
"Well, I hope this doesn't mean you're insane now." Liv said, and then squinted her eyes, looking at me carefully. She sat back and said, "Nope. You're okay."
"Well thank you. I appreciate you checking," I stated. I smiled, looking at my two best friends.
"What's the plan for tonight? Talk, movie? I didn't climb out my window and walk 8 blocks just to talk for five minutes."
"Movie. Though you guys choose. I'm tired," I replied.
"The Perks of Being a Wallflower?" Payton suggested.
"Sure." I said and collapsed on her bed next to Liv. I really was getting tired.
My eyes drooped shut, and I let myself fall asleep. Liv and Payton stayed awake to watch the movie, but I slept for the next few hours, despite the glow and noise from Payton's TV. I was way more exhausted than I thought I had been. My dreams consisted of so many different things, that I can't even remember. That's the thing with my dreams, I don't remember them because their too jumbled.
I was woken up the next morning by Liv shake my arm. "It's almost noon. Get up."
"Why the heck did you let me sleep through breakfast?" I asked groggily.
"You were completely passed out. But we left the waffle maker on for you. I'm not as bad of a cook as I thought." Olivia said, Payton standing next to her.
I laughed and raised my head from the pillow. I walked over to where I had thrown my unopened duffle bag and grabbed my clothes.
"Now, for today we can do anything. We just can't be spotted by anyone we know." Payton laughed.
A/N
I like this chapter a lot. I guess it's because of all the drama and friendship things going on, and the character development but I like it. I don't have much to say today so I'm just gonna say Vote, Comment, and quote if you want.
Bye Guys!
-Rebecca
(Yes I just signed off with my real name. I'm too lazy to type out my normal sign off.)