19/20
🌼A ~Wish~
Chapter 19
“Um Xavier.” I knocked on the ha-rd wooden door. “May i come in?”
“Yes princess, you dont nee-d to ask me.” I opened the door and stepped inside, closing it behind me. Xavier was seated on his study table that was beside his be-d. He had his glas-ses on and his eyes were fixed on a notebook. Three other books were beside the notebook he’s been re-ading.
I dropped down on his be-d, turning to stare at him. “Studying for exams?”
“Yes.” He sighed. I took a closer look at him, his eyes were slenderly red, face ti-ght£ñed, stress lines on his forehead. He looked exhausted.
“You nee-d to st©p stressing yourself out Xavier.” I told him. “Just because exams are around the corner, doesn’t mean you should over work yourself.”
Xavier took in a de-ep breath and re-leased it. “I’m not stressing myself out Brielle, i just want to study.” Is he really serious? If someone cant take a closer look at him, they’ll think that he’s a workalholic.
“That’s what am trying to say!” I insisted. “You ba-rely have enough sleep! You only eat breakfast and lunch! And i dont always see you out of your room. The only place i see you is either in your room or the libr@ry!”
Xavier ru-bbe-d his forehead, his eyes ti-ghtly shut together. “plea-se dont shout Brielle, you’re giving me a headache.”
“And what do you think is the cause of that headache.” I snapped. “Its you! You’re overworking yourself.”
“Brielle.” Xavier tone was stern. “I’m studying for the exams. Dont you think you should also be studying instead of coming her to bother me?”
My eyes wi-de-ned at his words. “Did you just say that am bothering you?”
“Yes Brielle.” He said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m trying to study really ha-rd so that my grades will be excellent. I nee-d good grades to get into college, that’s why am studying and your blabbing isn’t helping me one bit.”
I looked away so that he wont see the tears brimming my eyes. “I’ll be in my room and let you study in peace cause i dont want to be a bother.”
I heard him let out a cheesed off sigh. “I’m not saying you’re a bother Brielle, i just want to study and i think you should also be doing the same.”
“I’m also studying.” I said in a subdued tone. “But am not overworking myself because of it.”
“Look Brielle.” I blinked back my tears and used my sleeve to wipe remaining drops of tears off my eyes, turning to face Xavier. “You’re still in junior year so plea-se dont talk like its going to be a random exam. This exam will determine whether i will be going to college, so i nee-d excellent grades to achieve it.”
“If you say so.” I stood up, refusing to look at Xavier when i felt his intense gaze on me. “I’m just worried about you health but clearly you’re too stubborn to adhere.” I walked out of his room before he could say anything else, rounding the corner to my room and opening the door before i stepped inside the room. I sli-pped in my phone in my pocket jeans and gr@bb£d my denim jacket, putting it on.
I went downstairs to the living room and opened the front door. I jogged to the gate and carefully opened it before stepping outside. As i walked down to the road i recalled mine and Xavier’s earlier conversation. I had my first k!sswith Xavier, he’s my first b©yfri£ndand now i just had my first fight with him. It really hurt me when he said i was bothering him. I’m just worried about him cause i hate seeing him so worked out all because he want to study for the exams. We ba-rely even sit down to cudd-lewhile watching netflix or go on a d@t£, all because he wants to study. I might sound a little selfish and br@tty but i just miss Xavier and am also worried about him cause he ha-rd ly eat food and get enough sleep. I’ve re-ad stories about most couples first fight and sometimes it doesn’t end well. They might end up breaking up or just stay away from each other for some time. What if Xavier thinks am a distraction to his studies and just break up with me? I dont think i can handle it cause i love Xavier. I’m in love with Xavier and am really scared of that. What do i know about love? Sure, i’ve re-ad love stories and have always wished to find a love of my own. But is it okay for a 16-17 girl to fall in love? Do i really love Xavier? What if Xavier isn’t the type that believes in love? Well i guess for now, i’ll just stick to the ‘i like you’ stage even when i love Xavier. I dont know if i really love Xavier or if i dont. What did i see in him? Was it his handsomeness? Or was it his strong-willed self?
I admired the way he cares about Damon and Alex and will do anything for them. Xavier was the boy who saved me from my bullies and stepdad, he saved me when i was almost S-xually as-saulted, he was the one who believed and un-derstood me, he saw me as a survivor despite my horrible past, he didn’t look at me with disgust or pity. He looked at me with nothing but admiration, he didn’t made me feel uncomfortable or insecure, he protected me and i always feel safe when am around him.
When i realised i was falling for Xavier, the simple gestures from him was enough to pu-ll out my heartstrings. His smile, his laugh, his hvgs, his k!sses and so much more. I cant believe this, am in love with Xavier Hill.
Back in Liam’s house, my plan for the future was to gather or save enough money, leave the city and search for my real parents. I had told myself that if my real parents were dead, i will get a job, attend a public school, then after highschool i will apply for college. What i had thought and imagined was that i will maybe see a boy who will love and protect me. My plans was to focus on my studies and maybe start a YouTube channel cause i love singing, that way i will open an account and save enough money to pursue my career. I never told Xavier, Damon, Ava and Alex that i love singing. Xavier must have thought it was just a random thing that i do to stay calm when i had sang for him on our d@t£. But no, the first time i started singing was when i was nine. I sang for Liam and he told me that i sounded like a dying frog. Of course that had brou-ght tear to my naive nine year old self. A lady who was pas-sing by in the park heard me singing and told me that i have a beautiful and angelic voice. After that i never gave up on singing.
I stepped over a medium pit hole filled with dirt and gras-ses and continue to walk forward. I dont even know where i should go but i didn’t st©p walking. Right now i just nee-d to be alone in a quiet place and the park is definitely not quiet when little kids are shouting, running and pla-ying around. I st©pped right in front of an old monolithic building. I rounded the side of the building and saw a metallic ladder that is joint to the building. The ladder was rou-gh-textured when i grazed it with my f!nger, it had little dust and dirt’s on it but it was still strong enough to hold more than my weight. The ladder didn’t make any creaky noises when i mounted up on the first step. I looked up and my eyes immediately wi-de-ned. The ladder was really high but thank God that am not acrophobia.
Breathing out, i climbe-d up the ladder without even sneaking a peek down till i finally attain at the roof of the building. It was really high up here and beautiful. I could see most if the building and headlights in the city. I glanced down at my watch and saw that is was 7:30 pm. I left the house when it was six so am sure that no one will be searching for me. I sat down on a small bench after i dusted it clean with my handkerchief. I stargazed up at the sky and smiled when i saw the thousand stars sparkle beautifully in the night sky.
I remember when i was six, i tried to count the stars and even though its impossible, six year old me thought that the stars can be counted.
The stars looks so close up here even though its really far up in the sky. I wonder how it feels like to be up in space. It will cost millions though. If i ever see an astronaut, i will ask him/her what the stars looks like in space.
I dont know how long i stayed up on the roof but when i saw it was alre-ady really dark. I casually climbe-d down, gracefully landing on my feet when i got to the last step. If Xavier were to see me now, he would freak out, scold me and never let me out of his sight. I glanced down at my watch and my eyes went wi-de. It is alre-ady 8:30! Oh my gosh, the guys are gonna freak out, especially Xavier. I reached for my phone and switched it on. I think that my phone should be taken away from me for some days cause i dont always switch it on. When am not in nee-d of my phone i switch it off. Right now, i really wish i had switched on my phone. I have 10 missed calls from Ava, 15 from Alex, 30 from Damon and 40 from Xavier. The 100 messages in our group chat nearly had me over the edge. Alex texts sounded like he was really worried and scared, Damon’s own were a little threatening but still sounds worried at the same time. I gulped at Ava’s texts, she was threatening to lock me up in the basement if i dont pick up my phone. I felt a little guilty when i saw Xavier pri-vates texts to me. He sounded so worried, scared and angry.
I dialed Ava’s number and brou-ght the phone close to my ear.
“Brielle so help me God if i get my hands on you!” I winced at her loud tone.
“H-hi Ava.” I stuttered, nervously chuckling.
“Where the hell are you?!” She exclaimed angrily. “Do you know how worried me and the boys are? Xavier is going crazy and looked like he was going to tear this city ap@rt just to find you!”
“Wait are you guys on the road searching for me?”
“No!” She snapped. “Xavier, Damon and Alex have all gone out with their cars, trying to search for you and they told me to wait at the mansion incase you come hone.”
“I’m sorry, i lost track of time.” I kept on walking, my phone still close to my ear as i glanced around the road before i crossed over to the other side.
“Just get home fast before the boys arrive.” He tone still sounds angry even when she’s trying to stay calm.
“Okay.” I hung up and called for a taxi before getting inside and telling the driver the street where am headed to. When the driver pu-ll-ed over beside the gate, i just shoved a $10 bill in his hand and spranged up from my seat, opening the door and rushing outside to the gate.
“Miss, your change!” The taxi yelled.
“Keep the change good sir!” I yelled back, opening the gate and walking inside the compound before i closed it.
“Thank you miss!” I just waved at him in response, running towards the front door. I opened the door and stepped inside, gulping when i saw three pairs of angry eyes glaring at me. I glanced at my b©yfri£ndto see all sort of emotions swirling in his eyes. Relief, sadness, anger and guilt?
“Hey guys, where’s Ava? She told me she was here when i called her.” I trued to keep my tone casual.
“She had to go home because its alre-ady pas-s her curfew.” Damon responded in a gruff tone. I peeked at the wall clock to see its alre-ady 9:15. Wow, time does run fast. If only it runs fast when am in school.
“Okay.” I said. “I’ll be in my room now.” I tried to quic-kly walk pas-s them but Alex blocked my way. When did he grow three inches taller than me?!
“Hold it right there young lady.” Alex has always been the quiet type and doesn’t like to talk much unless he’s angry. I’ve never seen him like this before, eyes dark, face red. He looks furious! Hey, but an angry Alex night not be that bad. Right?
“Where have you been?!” He hollered.
“At the park?” That c@m£ out as a question rather than a statement.
“Dont lie to me Brielle!” I flin-ched at his loud voice, nervously glancing at Xavier and Damon to see if one of them will intervene. They just stood there, staring at us with blank expressions.
“I went for a walk.” I said quietly.
“For a walk?” Alex laughter made me take a step back. “You went out for four hours Brielle! Four hours! You didn’t leave a voicemail or message! We were so worried about you cause your fv¢king phone kept on saying its switched off. Xavier almost called the cops, thinking that you went missing! And Damon was worried sick cause he thought something had happened to you.”
I stepped backwards again, trying to put some distance between us cause he was scaring me. “I dont really see the reason why you’re overreacting, i was jus-” i was interrupted by Xavier who now stood in front of me.
“Do you really think we’re overreacting?” I avoided eye contact with him as he spoke. “I was really worried, knowing my girlfriend is nowhere to be seen with no single trace of her.”
“Wow Xavier cl@p for yourself.” I said sarcastically. “The reason i went out for a walk is because of you! You told me that you nee-ded to study and i was bothering you. So i just decided to go out and cool off. It really hurt me when you said i was giving you a headache. I was just concerned about you but clearly you’re too stubborn to listen.” His eyes were wi-de, same goes for Damon and Alex. But i was not done, i still had more to say.
“Oh and Alex.” I turned to face him. “Why should leave a message if i want to go out? Or do i now nee-d you guys permission before i can go somewhere? I was gone for only four hours Alex. Four hours! If i dont show up after 24 hours, that’s when you guys can go crazy and report to the police! I’m sick of you and Damon acting like parents. I grew without the love of parents and i can still take care of myself.” They all had the same expression on their faces, guilt, they still looked shocked but Xavier face held remorse.
“Look Brielle, we didn’t mean to m-” i raised my hand up to silence Damon.
“I dont want to listen to you Damon.” After saying that i huffed and stomped up to my room, ma-king sure to slam the door really ha-rd so they’ll know how angry i am at them, especially my b©yfri£nd!
When Damon c@m£ up to call me for dinner, i told him i wasn’t hungry. He pleaded bit i just ignored him. Alex also c@m£ up to my room abd begged me to come down for dinner, that he is really sorry. I still refused to and just told him to leave me alone.
I heard a knock on my door and i sighed, sitting up straight. “Who is it this time around?”
“Its me princess, plea-se can i come in?”
“I dont know Xavier, can you?”
I heard him curse un-der his breath. “I’m sorry, may i come in? plea-se i nee-d to talk to you.” I always hated it when Xavier pleads but this time around i refuse to give in.
“No.” I said firmly, lying back down on the be-d. It looks like Xavier is determined to get me to talk to him.
“plea-se Brielle.” He begged. “I’m sorry about what i said to you, i was a big time j£rk and i snapped at you.” I got down from the be-d and dragged my feet to the door, unlocking it.
“Come inside.” I said quietly. Xavier walked inside my room and closed the door. I dropped down on my be-d, staring blankly at Xavier as he awkwardly made his way to sit down beside me. There was a thick silence in the room until Xavier broke it. “Brielle.” He took one of my hands and placed it in his warm ones, his thumb gently c@r£ss!ngmy f!ngers. The simple t©uçh from him was enough to make me feel relaxed.
“I’m sorry, i just wanted to study ha-rd for these exams and it took a toll on me, i know you were just worried about me yet i was a j£rky b©yfri£ndto you.” He apologized, guilt morphing his features.
“Then don’t.” I stated firmly. “Dont strain yourself all in the name of exam, dont skip food and plea-se get enough sleep cause i hate seeing you look like a zombie.”
Xavier pouted and gave my arm a light punch. “I’m more handsome than a zombie, how can you say that to your perfect, structured and handsome b©yfri£nd.”
“I gotta admit.” I win-ked at him. “Zombies are h0t.”
Xavier gagged. “They are definitely not h0t, they are far from h0t, instead they are ugly, creepy and scary.” I laughed for some seconds before i smiled at Xavier and buried my face in his che-st. He placed a k!sson the t©p of my head and wra-pped his arms around me.
“You still nee-d to talk to Damon and Alex.” He mumbled, his face buried in my hair.
“Okay.” I pu-ll-ed away from him and proceeded to stand up but Xavier held my hand, pu-lling me back down. I turned to him with raised eyebrows. He just had a large creepy grin plastered on hisl-ips.
“You’re forgetting something.”
“What?” I asked confused. Xavier just rolled his eyes at me and brou-ght his hands to the back of my n£¢k, pressing hisl-ips on mine.
My cheeks were flu-shed when he pu-ll-ed back. “Now let’s go have dinner.” We stood up and Xavier arms encircled my shoulder as we walked downstairs to the dining room.
“Hey guys.” Damon and Alex looked up from their plates and gave me small hesitant smiles. I sat down beside Xavier and looked down at the plate filled with spaghetti and meatba-lls. The spaghetti was really delicious and the meatba-lls were really mouthwatering tasty. I wasted no time in finishing the food till my plates had no single trace of spaghetti in it.
A chuckle from someone made me look up, to see Alex and Damon quietly snickering. I stared at Xavier questioningly and he smiled at me then reached out to pick up a serviette, bringing it close to my mouth.
“You have some sauce at the edge of yourl-ips.” I blu-shed as Xavier wiped the red sauce off myl-ips.
“Brielle.” Alex started. “I’m really sorry for yelling at you, you were right when you said that we should st©p treating you like a little girl.”
I smiled. “I’m sorry too, i know it must be ha-rd for you guys to take care of a rebellious teenager.”
Xavier nodded. “You are a little rebellious.” I sma-cked him on the head when he said that and he pla-yfully glared at me, ru-bbing the sp©t were i had hit him.
“Why did you hit me?” He whined.
I rolled my eyes. “Because, you’re suppose to back me up and say ‘Dont talk like that Brielle, you’re the best girlfriend in the world.’
“Aww babe, you’re the best girlfriend in the world, whose the best girlfriend in the world, yes you are.” He pinched my alre-ady alre-ady red cheeks.
“I’m not a little kid.” I grumbled. Xavier laughed and blew me an imaginary k!sswhich i caught and threw it to Damon. He caught it and sl@pped it on his cheeks.
“Thanks for the k!ssXavier!” Damon exclaimed. Alex and i laughed at the death glare Xavier was giving Damon who was either oblivious or just choose to ignore it.
“It wasn’t for you stupid.” Xavier gr-unted.
Damon grinned wi-dely, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I know you’re just saying that to make me angry but i got something that will make you really happy.”
Xavier arched a brow. “And what is it?”
“This.” Damon picked up a hand full of spaghetti filled with sauce and threw it at Xavier shi-t.
“Damon.” I hissed. He just grinned at me in response and faced a red, angry Xavier.
“H-hey Xavier, it was just an innocent joke, no nee-d to get mad.” Damon stuttered nervously when he saw Xavier stand up from his chair and slowly stalked towards him.
Xavier grinned creepily Damon gulped. “Oh its just an innocent joke dear brother.” Before Damon could reply, Xavier picked up a plate filled with banana puree and dumped it on Damon’s hair.”
“Ooh burn.” Alex said, excitedly staring at Damon’s shocked face.
“You did not just mess with my hair Xavier!” Damon stood up and glared at Xavier. One thing i know about Damon is that he really loves his hair. He can spend thirty minutes just to make his hair perfect.
“Oh i just did, Damon.” Xavier mocked ma-king me gawk at him.
“That’s it.” Damon picked up a pie and sl@pped in on Xavier’s face.
“Food fight!” Alex yelled. All the boys soon started throwing food at each other.
“Guys!” I stood up from the chair. “You guys are behaving like little kids! St©p it right n-” my s£ntence was cut short when a burger was thrown on my face.
I glared at my b©yfri£ndwho was sm-irking, holding wh!pped cream and strawberries in his hand. “You did not just throw a burger at me Xavier!”
“Loos£n up babe.” He flashed me a flir-ty wi-nk ma-king my cheeks flush but i was still angry.
“Oh its on.” I mumbled and gr@bb£d a jar filled with mustard before i quic-kly mixed it with ketchup. I added some white pasta inside and gr@bb£d a handful of it, throwing it at Xavier, Damon and Alex. Our dinner which was suppose to be filled with small talks ended up as a messy and wasted food fight. Smears of white, yellow, red and pink were on the floor and dining table. Our clothes were also stained badly.
“That was fun.” I breathed out, slumping on a chair.
“Couldn’t agree more.” Alex added.
“So fun’s over, now lets clean this place up.” Xavier ordered ma-king me, Alex and Damon simultaneously gro-an .
“Why do you always have to be a joy killer?” Damon whined. Xavier chuckled and went inside the kitchen, returning back with four mops and broomsticks. He handed each of us the mopping stick and we all started cleaning up the dining room. It was ha-rd but we still managed to get all the stains off.
After cleaning up, i walked up to my be-droom and took off my clothes before having a nice and long shower. I wore my pajamas and jumped on my be-d, pu-lling the covers over my b©dy. Before i could drift off into the black abyss, my be-droom door opened and someone walked in, gently closing the door. He got close to me and placed a k!sson my forehead.
“Night princess.”
“Good night Xavier.” I muttered, my eyes getting heavy as i fell into a de-ep slumber.
🌼A Wish🌼
Chapter 20
“Brielle you’ll be in charge of distracting him.” Ava stated, jotting out some of the plans in her notebook.
“But why me? Why cant Damon do it?” I grizzled.
“Hey!” Damon exclaimed. “Your work isnt that much and besides i want to spend some time with my girlfriend.” He hands went around Ava shoulder and he placed a k!sson herl-ips ma-king Ava blus-h.
“Xavier can you plea-se be the one to distract Alex while i bake the cake?” I asked, trying to give him my best puppy dog eyes.
“Sorry princess but that eyes wont work on me.” He leaned forward and pe-cked my cheek. “No offence but your baking skills aren’t that good.
I g@sped. “Offence taken. My cakes are wonderful, tell him Ava!”
Ava scratched the back of her n£¢k. “Well bestie, am telling you this because i love you and i dont want to discourage you, but its true, your cakes are horrible.” She blurted out.
“That’s not true!” I whined.
“Sorry Bri but its true.” Damon Concluded.
“Just tell me what i’ll be doing.” I grumbled, still annoyed at the three of them cause they said my baking skills are horrible.
“Dont be like that princess.” Xavier placed a soft k!sson myl-ips. “If it makes you feel better, your cooking is great.”
“Wow Xavier thank you, that mskes me feel so special.” I said sarcastically.
He grinned. “You’re welcome.”
“I was being sarcastic.”
“I know.” I just rolled my eyes and turned to face Ava who’s eyes were suddenly wi-de when she saw something behind me, or rather someone behind me.
“What are you two doing.” I asked in confusion when i saw that Damon and Ava were practically stuffing all the decorations and banners in the boxes before they quic-kly hid it behind them.
“Alex!” She whisper-yelled. Xavier eyes went wi-de and he mumbled curses un-der his breath. I reached out and gr@bb£d the decoration i bought and hid it behind me. Ava, Damon, Xavier and i promptly glued ourselves together.
Alex casually walked inside the living room and st©pped, staring at us with narrowed blue eyes. I dont really blame him though, it must be weird when you see four people glued together with their hands behind their back as they all had creepy smiles on their faces.
“What are you guys doing.” He asked, his eyebrows furrowed.
“Nothing.” I quic-kly responded. “We’re just chilling out.”
“Yeah.” Ava nodded her head vigourously. “Just chilling out and thinking.”
“About what?” Alex asked suspiciously. Ugh! Why does he have to be so smart?
“You know.” Damon said, a weird smile on his face. “About life, how things will be in the future and stuff.”
“Alright.” Alex said, nodding. “But can you plea-se explain why you guys cant space out your bodies a little.
“We just like thinking about life together.” Xavier said cooly.
Alex furrowed his brows and then he shrugged, turning to walk towards the kicthen. “Weirdos.” He muttered.
The four of us quic-kly entangled from our glued form, holding onto the stuff we bought for Alex birthday which is today. We’re planning a surprise for him today but not a p@rty cause Xavier said that Alex hates crowds. Alex tried to give us hints that today is his birthday but we just pretended to be clueless and act like today is any other tuesday.
“That was close.” Ava said, wiping off a sweat on her forehead. “He almost caught in on us but we still managed to get off the hook so he wont suspect a thing.”
“Okay guys.” Damon started out in a serious tone. “We nee-d to start working on the house now, Brielle find a way to get Alex out of the house for atleast three hours while Xavier will work on the cake and desserts then me and Ava will hang up the banners and decorations, and also prepare the activites.”
“Fine.” I quic-kly k!$$£d Xavier on thel-ips before ma-king my way over to the kitchen but Alex was not in here. My eyes landed on the slightly opened backdoor and i walked towards it, opening it and stepping outside to see Alex, in his hand was a small white dove. He smiled down at the dove and gently stro-ked its belly with his f!nger.
“Go on, fly away away now little dove.” He held the dove up and it flew up in the sky.
“I didn’t know you were a bird fancier.” Alex jo-lts up at my sudden vouce and snapped his head to where i was standing.
He relaxed and smiled, his eyes on flying birds and doves that all gathered on the tree. “They’re wonderful.”
“I always see them as free animals that can get away from this cruel world we live in.” His eyes darkened slightly as he said the last p@rt.
I nodded. “That’s true, hey why dont we take this conversation to the park.”
“Okay.” We both walked to the front side of the mansion and st©pped in front of the gate. Alex opened the gate and we walked out, moving towards the park.
“Why do you see birds as free animals?” I asked Alex as we st©pped walking, right un-der an apple tree.
Alex gazed at a couple of children pla-ying on the swings and then faced me.
“Cause they can escape.” He drummed his f!ngerson the tree. “Escape from the captivity of this wicked world we live in. If a bird is in trouble all it has to do is just fly and all will be alright for it.”
“Do you like all birds?” I asked.
Alex smiled. “I do but there’s one bird that i admire the most.”
“And what bird is that?”
Alex sighed, his eyes sparkling with admiration as he said. “The Eagle, i love that its the strongest of all birds and it can fly really high up in the sky, it has a very good sight.”
“I wish i can be strong.” That line kind of got me appalled.
“But Alex.” I said softly. “You are strong, stronger than you can ever imagine.”
Alex laughed bitterly, unshed tears glistening in his eyes. “I may be physically strong, but mentally am not.”
I frowned. “St©p saying that Alex, you’re stronger than you can ever imagine.” Alex just stared at me blankly and stepped up close. I flin-ched when he punched the tree behind me.
“Dont you get it Brielle!” He was breathing heavily, jaw ti-ghtly clenched, blue eyes storming with rage. “I’m broken.” He whispered out the last p@rt.
Y-you’re not broken Alex.” I took a bold step towards him even when i was scared. “You’re just like me, we had a rou-gh past but we survived.”
Alex chuckled and wiped off his teary eyes. “I wish am like you Brielle, you’re younger than me yet you are so mature and have a lot of hope in life, but i dont. I just want to be alone and not involve myself in anything, i’ve lost all hope left in me.”
“Dont say that Alex.” I held his arm. “There is still hope left in you, you have people around you who loves you and will do anything to help and guide you. I love you, Xavier loves you, Damon loves you and am sure that Ava loves you too. One day you will meet a girl who you will love with all your heart and she will also love you back.”
Alex plucked a dried leaf from the tree, tracing it with his f!ngers. “Who will love a broken, useless, pathetic and ugly b-” i couldn’t listen to him say those horrible things about himself so i did the best thing i could think of. I stepped closer to him and sl@pped him ha-rd across the face. Alexl-ips p@rted in shock, jaw hung open. He brou-ght his hand up to his cheek and stared at me in shock.
“St©p it Alex!” I yelled. “St©p saying those awful things about yourself. Just st©p it! I love you, Xavier loves you, Damon loves you and so does Ava! We all care about you so st©p acting selfish and st©p thinking that you are all alone. Look at me.” I pointed at myself.
“I never gave up cause i believed that one day, i will find happiness. And guess what? I did. I found love with you, Xavier, Damon and Ava. You all care about me and love me. I got an amazing b©yfri£nd, two wonderful brothers and a loving best friend. I don’t know if i have parents or not but am not worried about that cause i alre-ady have my happy place and its with you guys.”
“So plea-se dont talk bad about yourself Alex.” I whispered, tears streaming down my cheeks.
I felt warm hands wra-pped around me and i instantly hvgged him back, not because i nee-d it, not because he nee-ds it, but because we both nee-ded it. The tears refused to st©p falling and i didn’t bother to wipe it off.
“I’m sorry Brielle.” Alex hands gently stro-ked my hair, his voice cracking. “I’m sorry.”
“I forgot that i have people in my life who truly cares about me and they will never hurt me. I love you and the others too.” He placed a k!sson the crown of my head and pu-ll-ed back from the hvg.
I smiled and used my sleeve to wipe my eyes, looking up at Alex. “I know a place where you can let out all your anger and emotions.”
Alex eyebrows crea-sed together. “Where?” He asked curiously.
“Just follow me.” He shrugged and we both walked down to the direction of the building, me leading Alex while he just trails behind me.
Alex eyes were wi-de, jaw hung open as he gawked up at the building in awe.
“Um this is where i was, the day you got angry and yelled at me for coming home late.” I nervously scratched my hair.
“How on earth did you manage to get up there?!” Alex exclaimed, his hands gesturing up to the building.
“A ladder.” I gr@bb£d his hand and dragged him to where the ladder was. I crouch down and adjusted the stra-ps of my converse then hopped on the first step of the ladder, craning my n£¢k down to look at Alex who was staring at me like i was crazy.
“Aren’t you coming?” I asked.
“This is a death s£ntence Brielle!” Alex proclaimed. “There is no way i’ll climb up.”
I sm-irked. “I had no idea that you were such a chicken.”
Alex glared at me. “I am not!”
“Well then prove it.” I didn’t wait for his response and started to climb up.
“Oh i’ll show you that am not a chicken.” I heard Alex mutter un-der his breath before he mounted up on the ladder. We both continued climbing till we reached on t©p of the roof. Alex eyes were wi-de as he took in the view of the city from up here.
“Its.” He whispered, still awestruck by the view. “Its beautiful up here.”
“The roof isnt beautiful Alex, it had dirts and dust on it.”
Alex rolled his eyes, a small smile pla-ying on hisl-ips. “I’m talking about the view of the city from up here Brielle.”
“I know.” I grinned, showing off my white teeth.
Alex looked down and sighed, bringing his head back up to stare at me. “I have so many anger and frustration i want to let out.”
“Then do it, let out all the pain and anger in you Alex, its time to let go.” His eyes darkened and they were swirling with so much hatred and anger. Alex turned around at looked down, his fist balling up, jaw ti-ghtly clenched.
“I hate you Mason!” He yelled. “I fv¢king hate you and i hope you rot in jail for the rest of your pathetic life. You broke me! But guess what?! I’m no longer broken because i have four important and loving people in my life! I have my brothers and sisters with me! You cant control my head anymore and i will not let you ruin my chances of having a better life! You hear that Mason?! fv¢k you!” Alex fell down on his knees. I walked towards him and crouched down, wra-pping my arms around his torso. My heart clenched when i heard his painful sobs.
‘Mason whereever you are, i hope you dont have peace’
Alex pu-ll-ed back from the hvg and wiped his eyes with his sleeve, getting up and pu-lling my on my feet also.
Alex smiled, not a fake smile, not a small smile, but a real and genuine smile. “Let’s go home.” He whispered.
~*~*~
When we got home, i quic-kly moved behind Alex so he’ll be the one to open the front door.
“Why is eveywhere so dark?” Alex questioned, confusion etched in his tone. “Brielle?” Unknown to Alex, we we entered inside the house, i sneakily made my way to the back, where Xavier, Damon and Ava all stood.
“Suprise!” We yelled out when Alex switched on the light bulb ma-king the latter jump up in fright. He glanced around the room and fixed his eyes on us, a big smile plastered on his face.
“Happy birthday Alex!” I ran to him and tackled him in a big bear hvg.
“You guys remembered.” Alex said, hvgging me back.
“Of course we did.” Ava c@m£ up next and higged him. “Happy birthday Alex, you’re now seventeen!” She squealed.
“Yep.” He sm-irked. “I’m older than you.”
Ava tsked. “Only with a day dumbo.” She pla-yfully fli-cked his nose.
“I cant believe this!” Damon cried. “My little brother isn’t so little again.” He hvgged Alex so ti-ght, the latter started to wheeze.
“You’re killing me bro.” Alex breathed out.
“Oh sorry.” Damon apologized sheepishly.
Xavier c@m£ up forward and shoved Damon to the side. “Happy birthday little bro.” He pu-ll-ed Alex in for a brotherly hvg.
Alex smiled. “Thank you, all of you.”
“Now make a wish!” Ava brou-ght in a big vanilla with blue bu-tter cream frosting three layer cake close to Alex. What i would do just to get a bite out of that cake.
Alex closed his eyes for a moment then opened them and he blew the fire off the candle.
“Its kinda risky and ha-rd to set seventeen candles on a cake so we only used one.” Xavier explained.
“No worries.” Alex grinned, his eyes glancing around the living room. “I cant believe you guys did all this for me.”
“Technically it was mostly me and Ava that hung all the decoration and banners, Damon kept on trying to steal picks from the dessert and cakes.” Xavier sh0t a glare at Damon who pouted.
“And your job was to distract me, right?” Alex asked me.
I nodded. “Yep, but it actually turned out more than just a distraction.” Alex just smiled at me in response.
“Okay guys!” Ava exclaimed. “Now that we have wished the birthday boy, let’s start eating cause i am really famished.” She ran into the dining room.
“Right back at you babe.” Damon followed suit.
I heard a loud sma-ck, followed by a yelp. “Damon if you dare t©uçh my churros, i’ll cut your hands off.” Ava threatned menacingly. One thing about Ava is that she hates sharing her churros.
“Just one babe.” Damon begged.
“No!” Xavier and Alex chuckled at that and i just sighed, shaking my head.
“Let’s go to the dining room before Damon does something stupid that will make Ava mad.” I heard a loud sma-ck after i said that.
“Like right now.” We walked inside the dining room and saw Ava glaring at Damon.
“You’re a mean girlfriend.” Damon whined. Ava simply sm-irked and stuck her ton-gue out at him.
Damon rolled his eyes. “Real mature Ava.”
“Oh look who’s talking.” Ava sas-sed.
I intervened. “Okay that’s enough you two, we still haven’t given Alex a fun time.
“plea-se dont tell me you guys also set up fun stuff for me?” Alex questioned. “I thought we were just going to eat then go to be-d after that.”
“Sorry little bro.” Xavier gr@bb£d Alex in a headlock and pla-yfully ruffled his hair. “But we set up a whole lot of activities for you.”
“This is going to be a long evening.” Akex gro-an ed.
“It sure is.” I chimed in.
~*~*~
“Can we go home now?” Alex asked tiredly. We had pla-yed lots of video games with Alex and watched an action movie. We had completely drained Alex with our pla-ying of video games, dance competiton, board games and watching movies. Like as if that wasn’t enough, Damon told us that he still has one more surprise for Alex before we all give him his gifts. Damon drove all of us to the carnival and just blurted out that he paid for all the rides in the carnival. It was really fun but also tiring at the same time cause the rides were many.
Ava and Damon didn’t seem to mind, they were both having a blast on the rollercoaters while me, Xavier and Alex were all exhausted.
“One more ride, plea-se?” Ava begged.
“No.” Xavier said, ru-bbing his forehead. “If i get on another ride, i’m going to pas-s out.”
“Fine.” Ava slumpled her shoulder in defeat.
“Xavier just one more, plea-se.” Damon pleaded.
“I said no Damon.” Xavier stated in a stern tone. Damon just huffed in response and stormed towards the car. Ava shook her head and sighed before she trailed behind Damon.
“I’m really tired.” Alex yawned.
“Dont fall asleep yet.” I said, shaking his shoulder. “You still haven’t seen your pres£nts from us.”
“Okay.” He drawked out tiredly. We joined Ava and Damon in the car all all brou-ght out our gifts to Alex. I got Alex a polo shi-t that is written ‘My favourite brother in the whole world’ and he smiled and then hvgged me. Xavier got Alex the new anime video game that he has been dying to get his hands on. Ava got Alex a book that contain hundreds of piano musical songs and finally Damon got Alex two coupons to starbucks and a bluetooth headset.
“Thanks guys.” Alex said, a genuine smile on his face.
“That’s not all.” I said excitedly, bringing out the medium size frame from a box.
“This last gift is from all of us.” I gave Alex the frame and he held it in his hand, staring down at it with a soft expression.
“This is really wonderful guys.” He whispered, still gazing at the ph0toframe which had all of us in it. It was the day we all took a ph0to at the carnival. Written on t©p of the frame is ‘Family forever’
“Thank you so much.” He pu-ll-ed each and everyone of us in a hvg till it bec@m£ a group hvg.
“I love you guys.” Alex said, his voice sounding like he was going to cry.
“We love you too.” Xavier, Damon, Ava and i replied simultaneously.
After we pu-ll-ed back from our emotional group hvg, Damon started the ignition and drove out of the carnival. Our conversation in the car was filled with laughters, knock knock jokes and a crazy pick-up lines competion between Xavier and Damon. We dropped Ava at her place before driving back home. Damon and Alex ran up to their rooms when we got home.
As me and Xavier walked upstairs, he wra-pped his arms around my w@!st and k!$$£d me. “You’re a little clingy.” I tea-sed.
He nuzzled his face in my n£¢k and placed a k!sson my shoulder. “I missed you, I didn’t spend enough time with my girlfriend.”
I smiled and encircled my arms around his torso, burying the side of my face against his che-st. “I missed you too.” I said softly. We just stayed like that before we later pu-ll-ed away and said our goodnight to each other, going inside our various rooms.
I entered my room and changed into my pajamas before getting on the be-d. I tossed and stirred but still couldn’t get any sleep and its been thirty minutes since i had l@ydown in my be-d.
Putting on my sli-ppers, i made my way over to Xavier’s room and opened the door to see him alre-ady on his be-d, his arm covering his forehead.
Xavier sat up and stared at me, smiling. “Couldn’t sleep?”
I shyly nodded and he chuckled, motioning for me to get on the be-d. I took off my sli-ppers and mounted on the be-d, lying down close to Xavier. I rested my head on his che-st, listening to his steady heartbeats.
I could feel my eyes getting heavy as Xavier mas-saged my scalp. “Goodnight princess.” He k!$$£d my forehead.
“Night Xavier.”
TBC.