What Defines Us?

Axel, The Distanced Brother

Axel, The Distanced Brother

I hear a motorcycle revving up outside and I silently pray that it's not Axel. And it seems that I pray in vain. I hear the front door open and close.

"Callie? I'm here." He shouts.

"No need to shout, Axel. I'm just in the living room." I say.

He walks into the living room and my mouth drops. He's always had the 'bad boy' image but he's taken it to the next level. I see tattoos all over his arms, and he's gotten his ears pierced. And his lip.

"What happened to you?" I ask.

"I look good, right?" I responds.

"You do look pretty decent." I say.

"So, who's your friend?" He asks me.

"Oh yeah. Axel, this is Brooke, my girlfriend. Brooke, this is Axel, my brother." I say.

"Woah, woah, woah. Girlfriend?" He asks.

"Yes girlfriend. If you don't approve, get out." I state.

"No, no. I totally approve. Mom told me about how she wanted you and Brooke to get together." He says, pulling me into a hug.

"You're hugging me. This has never happened before." I say, trying not to cry.

"Yeah, about that... I'm sorry. I was an asshole. Forgive me?" He states.

"Of course." I say smiling.

We eventually sit down and start talking about mom and dad. Then he asks me about school and I tell him how I have really high grades in all my classes.

"Wow. You're a geek." He states.

"She prefers the term 'intellectually gifted'." Brooke tells him.

"Still a geek." He says.

We all sit there and talk and laugh, and I thank God that I have my big brother now.

"Is it alright if I stay here tonight?" He asks me.

"Yeah, sure." I say.

"Just don't keep me up all night with your sex noises." He states.

"You wish." Brooke says.

I smile and wrap my arms around her.

"Sorry bro. No sex for us." I say as I kiss Brooke's cheek.

"Good. Now, I'm gonna cook." He says.

We all walk into the kitchen and watch Axel cook.