– Hey
– Is Briar in the restroom?
– She didn't come today
– Why not?
– She ate walnuts by mistake and our parents took her to the hospital this morning to check if she's completely fine
– So Terrence came with you?
– Yea
– Terrence what? – Jesse said walking in
– Came with me today because Briar is in the hospital
– Then I'm eager to see Bastian's face
All the teachers were informed about the new visitor so Terrence simply took a seat behind his sister with Jesse next to him and Finn next to Aly.
Tobias and Bastian ran to their seats when the teacher started the lesson. The latter couldn't help but stare at Aly and was taken aback after seeing somebody else instead of her annoying 19-minute elder twin sister.
Finn and Jesse, amused as hell with his reaction, had to fight back the laughter as prevention so they won't make a scene causing them to be told to talk about the joke in front of the whole class and get detention as they high fived. They just didn't want to make it easy for Bastian ruining the surprise.
***
– Mate, do you know where is Bree? – Bastian asked his friend as soon as the lunch break bell rang
– I heard she didn't come, because of one of her allergies I presume
– Then who's that tall basketball player type of dude that is with Aly? Please don't tell me that he's her boyfriend
– He's not, that's their elder brother, Terrence.
– Brother? No pressure, right? – He scratched the back of his neck –. How old is he?
– I don't know I never asked, he must have finished his bachelor recently so he will be here until Briar is okay – he pointed at his chest –. You better behave
– Do you know him?
– Not really, we just crossed a few words when I dated Briar but I could tell he hated me
– How come I never saw him before?
– He must have been somewhere else, out of the country, I guess
– That explains it all – he shook his head –. Now I'll have to figure something out so I won't mess it up
– Don't even bother her today, he's very protective he'll kill you if you get too close
– I won't bother
– Cut the crap, okay? I know you'll just get rid of Aly after a date as you have done with all the others – Tobias blurted out
– You really think you have me all figured out. What if I want to play the nurse for the rest of my life? – Bastian challenged, Tobias stayed quiet since he didn't expect he would say that –. I'm not a heartless player anymore and if I say I like her a lot is because I mean it!
Bastian was nervous beyond words because he had to ask Aly what could be a suitable time to go to her house, meaning he had to go talk to her and her brother will definitely be next to her.
"I must try hard not to mess it up," he thought as he walked in the last classroom of the day.
Luckily for him, Terrence wasn't there, but still, he had to make it quick since he didn't want to run into him.
– Hey Aly
– Hey, how do you feel?
– Not so bad but I've been told I look even more hideous
– I don't think you look like that. Have you gone to check?
– No, this will go by itself
– You need painkillers
– I'll go, I promise – he smiled lightly at the thought of her actually caring for him –. I wanted to, you know, set the time to arrange the presentation
– I was thinking about 5:30 maybe but, don't you have lacrosse practice?
– No – he did have a practice indeed, but since he wasn't in the mood to wear safety glasses or a face shield, he could perfectly skip it. "Anthony can't hurt me more," he thought –. 5:30 is okay
– Cool then we’ll catch up later
– Sure – then, he walked to his seat
– Who was that? – Terrence asked taking his seat behind Aly
– A classmate – she answered –. He's friends with Tobias, remember him?
– Cross, yeah I remember. Tell me again how it ended?
– Not so well
– I saw that since they started going out and I only had to see him once to guess the type of guy he turned out to be
– She was in love
– He wasn't the best idea of first love I would have chosen for her
– Mine either – Aly said and heard the teacher starting the lesson
Class ended and it was time to go home.
– Briar will be home in a while so we'll expect you – Terrence pointed at Finn as they walked out of the school
– Thanks, later then
16
As nervous as Bastian was, he parked in front of the Brighton house and made the bell ring with a trembling finger.
– Who the hell are you? – Terrence opened the door and the former bully took a step back instinctively
– Bastian Turner, I came because Alyssa and I were pulled together to make a presentation
– And you need to do it today?
– Well, we don’t have any other thing for homework to do so I thought we should do it today instead of Saturday or Sunday because Monday is the deadline so… – he didn’t even know what to say –. But it will be quick, I have some of the information already – pause, Terrence’s eyes narrowed –. May I come in?
– Wait a minute – the elder brother didn’t wait for an answer and closed the door.
– Alright – he said uncomfortably
Terrence ran to Aly’s room.
– Raven!
– Yes?
– A jackass from your school is here, should I let him come in?
– Who?
– Turner
– Damn, I almost forgot that shit
– No cursing – he shook his head –. We had this discussion, young lady
– Sorry – she said forcefully –. Tell him to come here
– Okay – he nodded though and she heard his footsteps walking out of her room
– Terrence – she called
– Yes?
– Be nice
– Of course not!
– Why not?
– Do you think I didn’t see him in your school? He literally was raping you with his eyes and you’re asking me to be nice, I mean how dare you
– It is just a school work my grades depend on, it’s not like I’m going to marry him
– You better not – he pointed out and ran to the door
– Come in, she’s in her room go to the left and you’ll see the living room, the first door you see next to it – Terrence said to Bastian as he moved to let the visitor in and slammed the door right after his sister’s homework mate stepped in making him jump slightly, Terrence wanted to laugh
“Coward,” he thought
– Thanks – Bastian said and Terrence hmm-ed watching the fella walk to where he indicated
He headed to Aly’s room and even though he saw the door was open, he felt he still had to knock since she was just sitting in a chair in front of a desk on which her laptop and a printer rested, and she seemed pretty concentrated pressing buttons also, so he knocked and she immediately turned to the door.
– Hey Aly, may I come in?
– Hi, of course, Bastian
– Thanks – he walked in her room feeling nervous since it was the first time he entered the room of a girl that wasn’t part of his family
– Could you bring the information?
– Yes, it is here
– Great. Take a seat, please
Obeying, he settled in her window seat with the laptop in his legs
– I was thinking we can like, alternate the slides
– Good idea – she smiled lightly –. Could you read to me when it is my turn to write down what to explain?
– Sure – he smiled back forgetting about her condition for a second
He gave himself the task to start searching because he didn’t want her to get bored and since he learned of Terrence's existence, he didn’t want to be there for so long.
He wrote what he could say in another document to then read her part and admire how she ran her fingers through the braille keyboard and they made a conversation as good friends from time to time.
The partners were dealing with the last slides when a knock on the door made Bastian look up to find her brother’s cold glance.
– Do you mind if I join you two?
– I’m doing homework, Terrence
– I’ll be quiet, you’ll forget real soon that I’m here, I promise
– You’ll be hard to forget with all that perfume wafting all over the place –. Bastian tried not to laugh as he typed
– I don’t even use that much perfume Raven, the scent is concentrated, that’s all
– Too concentrated for my taste, if you ask me
– This is it, Aly – he said closing the documents
– Did you finish? – Terrence asked and Bastian nodded –. Good, that’s just great
– Okay, just let me print this – Aly turned the printer on and pressed a button of the keyboard as she took her headphone off –. I’ll walk him to the door if you don’t mind, bro – she said and the noise of the printer stopped so she folded the dotted line to tear it –. Why don’t you check on Briar and Finn?
– Good idea
– Nice meeting you, Terrence – Bastian said as he packed his laptop
– Aha – the elder brother said about to leave, Aly cleared her throat –. Same – he said forcefully and walked out of the room
– I want to talk to you – Aly said as she left the paper in her desk and stood up
– What’s up?
– About your invite to go out…
– Yes?
– I’ve been thinking about it and…
– What about tomorrow? – He took her hand –. We can go to the beach and get ice cream or something else you like
– Sure, I’d like that
– Amazing, 4:30 or 5:00?
– 4:30 – she nodded
– Okay then – he sighed –. I better go, I don’t want your brother to kill me before our… – he stopped to think for the right word as they walked out of the room –. Activity of tomorrow
– He’s inoffensive
– He seems way more than offensive to me
– I’m the little one, what can you expect? Not to mention that I’m fragile
– I don’t think you are – he kissed her cheek, she smiled lightly
– You do know how to behave nicely, don’t you?
– I try – he smirked and looked at her eyes that seemed to be looking up at him –. I had a lot of fun being your partner
– I had too
– I’ll count the minutes to see you tomorrow
– Until then – Aly didn’t know what else to say, she just smiled and he kissed her cheek one last time before leaving
– Shall we start singing Alyssa and Bastian sitting in a tree? – Finn joked after Aly closed the door
– No need
– That’s what you say now – Briar shook her head –. What was that about tomorrow anyways?
– Were you two spying?
– Hey, we just finished
– He asked me out tomorrow – she shrugged
– Absolutely not! – Terrence shrieked
– Why not? We’ll just buy ice cream and walk around the beach
– I don’t trust him, Briar and Finn have to go with you
– Are you kidding me? – Aly whined
– Nope – Terrence said popping the “p” –. I’m in charge so it’s my way or you stay here, sister
– I don’t have a problem – Finn shrugged
– Then it is decided – the elder brother said and Aly just heard his footsteps walking away meaning that was final
17
Bastian drove to Aly’s house feeling nervous and happy at the same time. He’ll get to touch her hand for a long while, that’s something.
He made the bell ring and Terrence received him again.
– Hey, is Aly ready?
– First, understand this – he crossed his arms –: The only way I’ll let you go out with my sister is if Briar and Finn join the fun, okay? So take it or leave it
“Briar and Finn huh? I knew he was up to something” Bastian thought
– I take it, the more the merrier, right? – He forced a smile
– Good – Terrence rolled his eyes and walked to the living room –. Bastian is here – he shouted –. You better behave, if you dare to hurt my sister you’ll end up with more than shines and bruises
– I’ll take good care of her
Aly, who heard everything just like her sister and Finn, loved that her brother protected her but sometimes she felt embarrassed because he tried too hard to scare people away if he didn’t like them.
“That little threat was completely out of place, I’ll let him know what I think later,” she thought as she walked guided by Briar.
– Enough bro, we’ll see you later
– Okay, don’t do anything I wouldn’t approve!
– So what’s the plan? – Briar opened the car trunk
– Is he serious? – Bastian asked watching her and Finn leaving their bags next to his
– You bet he is – Aly replied
– Just drive, okay? He must be looking by the window
– Let’s go then – Bastian shrugged and took Aly’s hand –. You look lovely – he looked down at her summer dress
– Thanks – she blushed and he smirked
– Always a pleasure – he opened the door to the passenger seat –. Careful with the head just get down a bit
Aly did what she was told with his hand to give her balance as she put a foot inside the car.
– Seat belt, Aly – Briar ordered
– Of course, of course – Aly made sure to put it on the right way –. Done
Bastian closed her door and walked to the driver’s seat.
“If this lad will screw my dates like this I’m not sure I’ll want him as my brother in law,” he thought as he started the engine.
– So what’s it going to be? I drop you two off at my house or…
– Hilarious – Briar interrupted –. No, we’re going where you two go
– Fine – he rolled his eyes –. To the bus station then – he started to drive –. It is weekend, never in a million years there will be a place to park near the beach – he explained just because
– Okay then you’re the boss
– But the bus isn’t hygienic! – Briar whined –. I barely managed to get out of a thing, I could get sick again!
– You’ll pay the parking lot then
– No problem – the girl of the blue eyes rolled her eyes as Bastian changed the course
* * *
“This didn’t go like I wanted but we can always lose Briar and Finn” Bastian smirked lightly as they parked.
– What’s the plan, walk or something cold first?
– Something cold – Aly replied as she hopped out of the car holding Bastian’s hand
– Here is when we separate, guys – he said turning to the other couple
– Let’s take separate ways in the beach – Finn suggested
The quartet headed to a café and Bastian read the options to Aly so she could pick, then they asked for frozen coffee and milkshakes.
Once they had their orders, Aly and Bastian stood up to walk out of the place.
– See you in four hours. Cheerio
The couples took different ways and Briar couldn’t help but feel scared because she didn’t want to leave Aly alone.
– We should follow them – she
was about to stand up but Finn stopped her
– I think we should let them be
– Why?
– Think about it; if he does something wrong Aly will never let him get closer again
– I don’t trust Bastian, that’s all
– Your brother made a good job pointing that out too
– Aly is special and I don’t think Bastian knows how to treat her, I don’t know why but I still think he’ll end up breaking her heart since he’s a player and I don’t want her to get hurt
– It doesn’t look like he defended himself from Anthony, does it?
– I think it was more a lascivious tactic to cause sympathy
– I know him since primary and I never saw him glancing at somebody the way he glances at Aly
– And I thought I knew Tobias, and look what he turned out to be
– Call me crazy but I think he’s trying to change
– I’ll believe it based on what Aly tells me when we get back home
Aly and Bastian were walking in the wet sand with his arm around her waist, she seemed to be looking to the front and he was enjoying himself as he was getting to touch more than her hand in order to guide her.
– When were you planning to tell me about your elder brother?
– Well, you never asked and I thought that Tobias may have told you
– He didn’t tell me until I saw Terrence in the classroom
– He probably forgot since the last time he saw my brother was in year 8 and we have never been unforgettable
– I’m not so sure about that
– Well – she blushed
– Tobias is contrite for what he did to Briar, do you think she’ll be, like, able to forgive him?
– It’s been a long while and some wounds are still open but I think she should close that dark and painful chapter of her life and move on, and now that she’s trying to be more than friends with Finn it’s pretty necessary, you know? – She expressed and Bastian was shocked
– Wow, I knew you two could be good friends with him but I never really pictured him with Briar
Dim-sighted Page 6