Without Words

19- Choices

A/N: Italicized portions are flashbacks.

"You should have been in that car with him."

After that, I just didn't have the strength anymore. I wiped my tears then ran away. I heard their shouting as I moved farther but all I could think of is that I need to be out of here, away from all of them. The lies, pain, betrayal... they were all too much.

An hour later, I was in my studio. I have a key hidden under an inconspicuous rock and hid in my own fortress. It seemed like Caroline and Katelyn haven't been home yet and I wondered what could have happened back at the Monroe's.

I was absently tracing the lines of a drawing I sketched when I heard a soft knock at the door.

"I want to be alone, Katelyn."

"It's Matt."

My finger froze and I looked up at the door. What was he doing here and how did he know what here even was?

I stood up from my armchair and opened the door warily. My brother looks horrible and from the looks of it, I wasn't the only one who's been crying. I opened the door widely to let him enter.

The studio was halfway done but definitely better than it was from the first time I saw it. Dan took his work seriously. The walls and floors were cleaned, all newly cemented and polished. I'm a messy painter so no doubt, any hardwood or carpet installed was only going to be ruined. There was a small carpet by the corner however, where the study table is located as well as a small couch, armchair and coffee table. There were some unfinished shelves at the other corner that Dan wanted installed next month but we're still working on the layout of it.

"It's a little messy." I gestured at the scattered brushes, papers and canvasses covering the entire room. "Things have been busy and Professor Sybil keeps giving me a hard time."

He saw the large canvass at the center of the room. We had a destressing exercise after our exams. Katelyn, Tabi, Luca and I and even Dan (for the first two minutes) threw paint covered balloons over the canvass. I never really liked abstract but it was fun to do. I also promised Atomic Foxes two paintings so this could be my first one to give them.

"We had a bit of fun after the exams. Sorry." I hurriedly opened the windows to let the smell of paint diffuse. I remember Matt not liking its smell.

He surprised me by laughing. "I'm the biggest as*hole and worst brother in the planet and you're the one apologizing?"

I sighed in defeat, not thinking how our outburst have greatly affected Matt too. "Let's take a sit. I promise everything i clean."

We took a sit next to each other and curiosity got the best of me. "What happened after I left?"

Chuckling dryly, his head fell on his hand in exhaustion. "It was like a scene from a movie. Claudia quickly jumped on mom, accusing her of lying and destroying everyone's lives and how dare she take the letters addressed to her son. Devon managed to carry her inside, screaming and cursing. Then it was Violet's parents turn, accusing mom for her death. That if she somehow receive your letters then she might have talked to someone and not feel so alone. Dan and his friends managed to calm them down and escort them home. Then things started falling from the window above us and Claudia was at it again, Dan decided to help his dad. The others then left." Matt narrated then a small smile lit his face. "Your friends were the absolute worst. They managed to perform an impromptu skit talking about a lies, betrayal and well, an awful woman named Gemma. I think it was Emmet who applauded and gave them a standing ovation. Mom just huffed and left together with Andy and Sophie."