Overreaction.
Sometimes that can ruin an easy topic by just one sentence. Words can slip out before you proved them and those actions can cost you a relationship. It didn't come across you that you have hurt someone when you're mad, the guilt of your outburst reminds you that it was wrong to put yourself and your needs first.
"Hey what's wrong?" Jake asked, opening the door.
"My brother is leaving," I mumbled, walking passed him into the house.
"Where?" He asked, closing the door, spinning around to face me.
"College. In Florida," I said, with no emotions.
"That's fantastic!" Jake cheered, making my brows furrow.
"How?"
"Did I miss something?" His smile was hone from his face.
"What part of leaving do you not understand? My brother isn't going to be a room away anymore!" I exclaimed, furrowing my brows.
"Sure, but he's receiving a great opportunity to this college and uncover a whole new world," he replied, shaking his head.
"It's awesome but the fact that Joe died and now my brother is leaving isn't helping," I stated.
"Your father has nothing to do with this. Caden was just as devastated when Joe passed and I'm sure if you were the one going to college, which was miles away, he would get in your way," Jake declared, clearly taking Caden's side.
"You're taking Caden's side?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"There are no sides. Caden has been given this life changing opportunity, and his biggest obstacle is his sister. The one person who's suppose to be there and support him," Jake responded, getting a bit angry at me.
"How can I support my brother when he's about to leave for five years?"
"The same way he supported your choice to not talk to your father in the beginning of summer," he snapped.
"I cannot believe you," I whispered, looking down at my feet.
"You're overreacting about something so grand," Jake calmly replied.
"Maybe overreacting is good, I can see who cares and who doesn't," I spat and walked passed him, reaching for the door handle.
"Bella."
"Drop it Jake. Why don't you call Caden and congratulate him yourself," I finished, opened the door and walked to my car.
"Don't make a permanent decision for your your temporary emotions," Jake called after me.
I don't handle change well. When something comes across me unexpectedly I freak out, and yes, overreact. He has always been there and now that he will be gone, a part of me will be missing.
It doesn't help that everyone is proving me wrong. That everyone is happy and excited for the adventures he awaits. I am proud of him, I really am, but from my side of the story, he's leaving and won't come back for a while.
I have never really thought about what Jake and I would be arguing over for the first time. I guess I never really pictured us in a fight, but to be fair, we haven't talked or a few days. We've both been super busy and it gave me the perfect chance to scream my point. Who would've guessed that our first fight would be over my brother, Caden.
Jake and him have bonded since the beginning of summer; they're not brothers, but they're friends and I could understand why Jake would be happy for Caden's accomplishments. But I wish he could see my point of view.
I'm running out of people to talk to about this and every person I've talked to haven't been seeing my perspective, only Caden's.
Walking up the steps to Mason's house, I debating turning around, jumping in my car, and just driving till my hands go numb from gripping the wheel so hard.
Mason and Jake walked into my life around the same time;they are both good listeners, great advise givers and amazing guys in general. I was so lucky to find Jake on Casey's page and I can't even imagine not meeting Mason at the fair.
They have both made such an impact on my life, but at the same time, Mason has been the one hell me figure out difficulties. Jake has guided me through obstacles and challenges, but Mason has this vibe that could easily make me comfortable and relax. It's like he knows what I'm about to say before I even say it.
I have no clue why I didn't go to Mason first and have him knock some sense into me before I go to Jake's. I could've prevented the fight and I could've gone back home and discussed this matter with Caden. But Jake being my boyfriend, I thought it was necessary to talk to him first.
"Mason, your girlfriend is here!" Chace called, opening the door after the first ring of the doorbell. "Thank you for restraining yourself from ringing the bell ten times, my ears appreciate it," he smirked.
"Wouldn't want your eardrums to burst now, would I?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Masons asked, shoving Chace out the way.
"Could've said excuse me," Chace mumbled, walking off and disappearing around the corner.
"Can we talk or am I invading something?" I questioned, peering over his shoulder.
" My relatives are over but I'm free for a quick talk. What's on your mind?" He asked stepping outside, closing the door behind him.
"Caden is heading to college in two weeks," I sighed.
"That's great! Why aren't you smiling about that?" He furrowed his brows, leaning his back against the door.
"The college is in Florida and he's attending school for five years," I quickly said.
"Ah, that's why you're so gloomy," he nodded. "Can I tell you something?" He asked,peeling off the door.
"Please do," I sighed, turning around to sit and the step.
"When my older brother, Noah, went to college, he moved to Alabama and stayed for a few years," he wandered up to the step and sat next to me.
"I was ten at the time and I wanted nothing more than to hop into that suitcase and go with him," he smiled to himself. "But he told me in the simplifies way possible that it was only temporary. When he said this, I realisation hit me. I might have been ten but I knew that he'd be living the best life possible. I didn't want to be the one person holding him back from doing something incredible from himself," he looked up at the sky, and his eyes sparkled like the stars.
"What if he finds the cure for cancer or writes a best selling novel? Would I really want to be the one to stop him doing that?" Now he looked down at his feet, the sparkle fading away from his eyes.
"The day he left, I didn't say goodbye. I don't even leave my room cause I was stubborn. And I regret because he has had so many great accomplishments in college, he bought a nice place in Alabama, and he started a family. If I were to change his mind about attending college then he wouldn't be the successful guy he is," he turned to me and smiled.
"It might be thought to let go," he placed a hand on my shoulder. "But if it was you attending this school, would you want Caden to do everything to stop you? Let him go to Florida, who know what he could do in the matter of five years," he smiled at me again.
"You know I went to Jake's before I came here," I let out a loud sigh, making him look away. "And we got into a fight cause we disagreed. Yet, when we disagree, neither of us walk away upset. Why?" I asked.
"I can't answer that Isabella cause I just don't know why, but maybe it's something to do with your relationship with him. Maybe he feel pressured when talking to him, like you say one thing wrong, everything would go south. I'm just hoping you might take my words into consideration," he concluded, standing up and straightening himself.
"You're right. I need this, thank you," I smiled, standing up too.
"Mason, who are you with?" A male voice asked as the door swung open.
"Isabella, my dad, dad, this is Isabella," mason introduced as we walked up to the front door to greet the man.
"Ah, so this is the girl you always talk about," he laughed, making his moustache bounce.
"Nice to meet you..." I smiled, trailing off since I don't know how to address him.
"Call me David, you're welcome to join us for family night," he invited.
"I wouldn't want to intrude," I replied shaking my head.
"Nonsense, we're one short anyway, Mason's sister Josephine is at a friends house. Apparently, family night is 'uncool'. Whatever that means," David smiled.
"I'd love to."
"You can be partners with Mason, we're about to start the games," he explained, rubbing his hands together.
"Sounds great," I nodded and followed the both of them into the living room.
There were twelve people in total, six pairs of two were considered a team. I recognized two out of everyone: Chace and Abigail, who I'm guessing are a pair. David sat next to a younger women, maybe late twenties and the other three pairs of people were strangers to me.
"I would like to introduce Mason's friend, Isabella, to family night!" David announced. "This is my sister Sherry," David stated, signalling to the girl next to him. "That's my brother Billy and my other brother Robby," he added, pointing to the pair that were sitting on the tan sofa up against the back wall. "And those dorks are my sister in law, and Tom, my brother," he explained, referring to the two who were sitting on the floor in front of the coffee table, leaning against the tan sofa.
How am I going to remember everyone?
"Finally my friends Henry and Tracy," he concluded, nodding to the pair who just sat in the other sofa.
"Let's get the night started!" Abigail shouted, throwing her hands up in the air.
***
"That's not how the game works, you have to pick up a card first," a blond- haired girl, who I forgot the name of, said.
We have played over five games in two hours and I'm exhausted. This family sure gets competitive on family nights, especially when it involves alcohol. A girl is already out drunk on the sofa and we haven't eaten finished our final game yet, talk about family get together eat Mason's house.
"Where are the directions? I don't believe you," Chace argues.
"It stated right here, 'you must pick up a card, roll the die, move your pon, and then read the card out loud to complete your turn'," the blondie stated, holding up the directions right in front of her face.
"Who cares what it says, life's all about changing things up," Chace smirked and set his pon down on the finish line. "Well, would you look at that. I won!" He exclaimed, hopping in his feet and doing a little jig.
"Cheaters don't win," the blondie mumbled, crossing her arms.
"Sore losers don't either," Chace replies, patting the girls head.
"Whatever. No more games, people tend to cheat," another person declared, giving Chace a slight smirk.
"Where's the bathroom?" I whispered to Mason.
"Right down this hall, first door on the left," he replied, standing up. "I'm grabbing some snacks why don't you two stop arguing over who cheated and pick out a movie," Mason suggested, laughing.
"Yes ma'am," Chace saluted, smiling.
"Why are we related?" Mason groaned.
"You know, I ask myself that question everyday when I wake up," Chace stated, but before I got to hear Mason's response, I was already losing the door to the bathroom.
It's been smooth sailing ever since I arrived at Mason's door. Something about is family puts a smile on my face and yet, all I can think about is how Caden and I got in a fight, the same with Jake and I. I shouldn't be partying with Mason's family when my own family is upset with me.
Being here with Mason and his loved ones reminds me that family comes first, always. I've come realize that Caden needs to go to this school and his sister shouldn't be the number one focused right now. Packing up and getting ready to start a new chapter in his life should be and I can't prevent him from living his best, I just can't.
***
"Do you need any help?" I asked David as he was getting the snack ready.
"I'm all good, thank you though," he smiled.
"You shave a lovely house," I complimented, letting my eyes roam the interior.
"Thank you, it was originally my wife's, she had great taste; she really knew how to bring a room to life with just decorations," he laughed, shaking his head.
"She seemed like a lovely lady, I wish I met her," I sighed.
"She would've loved you, she's probably smiling down at Mason for picking such a lovely friend," he guaranteed.
"I really do hope so," I smiled, looking down.
"I heard about your father, I'm sorry for your loss," he apologised, changing the subject.
"He's no longer in pain, that's all I care about," I shrugged. "But thank you for your sympathy."
"Are you almost done pops?" Chace interrupted, stealing popcorn from the bowl.
"Did you start the movie yet?" David asked, completely dodging his question.
"It will soon if you don't get the food out there," he declared.
"Then put yourself to use and reliever the good to the pack of wolves," David ordered, shoving some drinks and snacks into Chace's arms.
"Please would be nice," Chace mumbled, rolling his eyes.
"Please go feed the pack of wolves," David patted Chace's arm, laughing.
***
Authors note
Well this was a longgg chapter :D
I want to say a MASSIVE THANK YOU for 2K views AHHHH like woahhhhh thank you soooo much <3