I'm not broken (RoyalChaos)

Chapter 6 - Kisses and chaos

(TRIGGER WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS A SCENE IN WHICH SELFHARM OCCURS)

Chilled's perspective

I stood in front of the front door of my family's house. I didn't really consider it mine anymore cause I almost always slept over at other people's places. Even if I was at a party and had to sleep on the floor inbetween empty cups and passed out people, it was still better than going home to my homophobic, sexist and racist family. The only person who I could fully trust was my older sister, Kate. I exhaled loudly as I unlocked the door and walked in. It was quiet and I thought about leaving again, but soon footsteps were heard and my sister smiled as she saw me standing there.

"Anthony!", she exclaimed happily, "Don't worry, everyone's out at the moment. What brings you back home? No parties to attend? Your friends busy?". She chuckled and came closer to give me a big hug. "I've missed you, little brother".

I rubbed her back as she hugged me tightly and closed my eyes for a moment. Kate was the only reason I came back every once in a while. I didn't want to completely abandon her. My parents only allowed me to stay away so often because I was 21 and also because I pretended to have a girlfriend at whom's place I stayed over all the time. "I had a fight with one of my best friends", I murmured and Kate let go to look at me while I spoke, "It's quite the long story though...".

We walked over into the living room and sat down on the couch. I told her everything. How I had feelings for Steven, how we played that dirty game of truth or dare, how we fought after he had kissed me and how I had gotten drunk and went to his place last night. I was actually surprised how well I remembered that last part. It was like I hadn't been drunk at all. I remembered ringing his door bell for ages until he finally opened it up for me. I remembered drinking his alcohol and then pressing him up against the wall to make out with him. I remembered him pushing me off and helping me go to bed. That next morning I had woken up before him and, as ashamed as I was, I had left in a hurry to avoid any awkward conversations. Kate listened to all my rambling and when I was done she gave me another hug. She didn't let go for a long time.

"My poor little brother", she whispered, "I don't care if you're gay, you know that. I don't care at all and I want you to be happy with Steven, but I know that's gonna be hard. For now your lie about you having a girlfriend worked out well but mom and dad told me they want to meet her". That's when she let go and held my hands with a worried look on her face. "You have to either find someone to play that role or you're gonna have to tell them you broke up with her. But that would mean you don't have an excuse for staying away all the time. I want to help you Anthony, really. I could ask a friend of mine if she'd play your girlfriend for a night if you want me to do that?"

I shook my head. "That would be too obvious", I muttered, "Mom and dad know all your friends. Don't worry, I'll find someone. You're the best Kate, do you know that? Some day I'll be able to tell mom and dad the truth and it won't matter anymore cause I'll be out of college by then and they won't have to pay for me anymore and... It's just killing me that I can't be who I am".

Kate nodded and frowned. "It's killing me to see you suffer like that, little brother". Right that moment the door was opened and I heard my parents' voices.

"Kate honey? Who's there with you?", my mother yelled as she closed the front door.

"You know we wanted to be alone tonight, why'd you bring a friend over?", my father added and they both walked into the living room.

"It's just me", I murmured as they stared at me surprised. "I wanted to come over to say Hi and stuff".

My mother smiled and came over to give me a hug. "And I thought my little boy had moved in with his girlfriend by now", she laughed and let go again, "Speaking of your girlfriend, when do we get to meet that lovely lady? I was thinking you could invite her over for dinner tomorrow evening, wouldn't that be great?".