Chapter 15

"Avery." He grabbed my arm almost roughly. He caught up with me just outside the restaurant. "Please. Let’s talk." He looked desperate and frustrated that the arrogant and the hottest quarterback I once knew washed off from his face. His hair was dishevelled like he just woke up from a nightmare. And that nightmare was me. "We did talk and now we’re done. Let go, Ryker. I’m going home." He still held a firm grip on my arm. "It’s him, isn’t he?" I frowned confused to what he said. "You like that guy Stefano." I slapped him with no hesitation. His face turned swiftly to the right from the impact. "What the **** is wrong with you?" I said fumingly. I want to punch him right on his handsome face. But I already have my hands full on Stefano. I can’t be this fool’s driver. I sighed. He fell silent. He couldn’t seem to believe that I hit his damn face. "Just leave me alone, Ryker." I turned and left him. I never looked back. I was fuming with his stupid accusation. Three years later, he was still the asshole I know. When I reached home, I immediately flopped down on my bed. I sighed at the smell of my pillow. The scent was making me calm and drowsy. No place like home and on my bed. I turned and faced the ceiling. Today was exhausting and it’s all because of some ex who realised he actually loves me. Was I wrong to deny him a chance? I mean he was very sincere with his feelings. I could see that he really loves me... but my heart was not into it. I still have issues with my family. This is no time for love. I have to fix myself first before diving to some more complicated things. I sat up from the bed and grabbed my phone. I dialled his number. I know it’s been a while. It would be selfish of me to do this but I really miss him a lot. No day I haven’t thought of him. I heard it ring a few times til he finally picks up. "Hello?" He answered with a hoarse voice. "I’m sorry. Did I wake you?" I asked guiltily knowing I woke him up. "Who’s this?" I heard a rustle of papers and books. He was probably sleeping again on his study. I thought he’s going to grow up like me- a troublemaker. He used to help me sneak out every night in exhange for sweets. "I miss you." I smiled remembering our memories together. "Avery? Is that you?" "Yeah, I’m sorry if I woke you. I’m just... I miss you. I wanted to hear your voice. I say you’re going puberty now, aren’t you? You’re voice has changed." I joked. "Avery..." He paused. I feared that he changed on how he views me too. "I miss you, too." I almost sighed in relief when I heard that. "But you could’ve called me earlier, you know. Like maybe when you just got into school or when you just unpacked your stuff. I wanted to know how you were doing there." I gulped. God, I miss my brother so much. Most siblings fight a lot but we don’t. We understood each other so much that we created an unbreakable bond. He was the only one who truly understood me even with my insanity. Even when I lost myself with drugs. "I’m sorry, Keelan. I truly am. I really don’t have a face nor guts to talk to my brother. But I miss you so much. I miss our hugs, our stupid conversation... your cuteness." I smiled at the thought. "Eww, don’t say that, sis. You know I’m already sixteen." He groaned. I chuckled. "You are... and soon enough I’ll visit you." "I know what happened to you, Avery. Mom and Dad filled me in." I sucked a breath. Silence then fell. "I screwed up again, didn’t I?" I flopped down again on my bed and looked at the ceiling. "I promised you, little bro, I changed. It’s just that..." I trailed. I don’t know why I stopped explaining. Will he blame me? Will he be mad? I could be hated by anyone but not him. Not him. My brother is the most precious person for me. Hated by him means... fate worse than being abandoned by family. And I am being semi abandoned right now. "You know you can still talk to me, Avery. I might have changed physically but I’m still your little bro." I was touched by what he said that a lone tear was escaping from right eye. "I love you, lil bro." I chuckled to cover up my almost overflowing emotion. "I know." He chuckled. "I’m expecting to hear your explanation when you get back, sis. I’ll be waiting for you. That is... when you finish your ’community service’ there." He laughs with his joke. I rolled my eyes. "Ha ha. Funny, Keelan. More like personal service. You have no idea how I’m dealing with this shit right now. The man never fails to get on my nerves." He laughed again. "You’re not so sweet yourself." He said with a hint of smile. "I’d like to hear that when you come home, sis."