After waking up from my nap, it was well past time for lunch, but that didn't matter. Benny was adamant about me eating three good meals a day, and as annoying as he was, I wanted to get better. I really did. It was nice to have so many people care about me getting better. Benny brought me in a grilled cheese sandwich.
"So, how are you feeling?" He asked me as he put the plate down in front of me, taking a seat on the couch next to me.
"Way better. I think I'm ready to go back tomorrow. I don't want to fall behind."
"Are you actually feeling better, or are you just sick of spending time with your big brother?" He wrapped his arm around me and started to give me a gentle, yet obnoxious noogie. I shoved him off of me.
"Wow, you're not going to go easy on me despite everything? I see how it is, Benny."
"Cece, this is going easy on you." He smirked. He did have a point. In fact, ever since the Riley stuff started he has been a whole lot nicer to me. I wonder how long that'll last. I'm sure he'll go back to being the same old Benny as soon as I get off my crutches.
"Oh, by the way, Payton is going to come over to give me my homework I missed and hang out for a little bit. And you can't say no because A) I'm injured and B) It's technically for school." I flashed him a toothy smile.
"Okay. I wouldn't say no anyway. I like Payton, he seems good for you. Is he staying for dinner?" He asked, surprising me immensely. I would never admit it in a billion years, but my brothers' approval meant a lot to me.
"Uh, I'm not sure, I'll ask."
---
After about an hour, the doorbell rang, signaling Payton's arrival. I'm sure I looked like a mess, but I didn't care. I was just so excited to see him. I sprang up and limped over to the door, careful not to put weight on my heel. I knew Benny would scold me, but oh well. I opened the door to reveal him standing on my front steps with my schoolwork in one hand and a small bouquet of flowers in the other. I wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug. After pulling away, I stood with all my weight on my right foot.
"Hey Cece, these are for you. I'm so sorry that you've had to deal with all of this." He presented the flowers to me.
"Thank you, they're beautiful! Come on in." I waved him in and began limping over to the couch. He swiftly followed, wrapping his arm around me to give me support as I walked. "Thanks."
"How have you been feeling?" He asked as he helped me sit down.
"I mean, all things considered pretty good. I'm bummed about cheer, I just want everything to go back to normal. But it won't. I'm worried I might be out for the season."
"God, that sucks. I'm sure it won't be all season, and even if it is, there's always next year. I know that sucks, but it's not the end." He squeezed my hand, and I gave him a kiss on the cheek, just as Benny walked in.
"Ew, no kissing, you're like 8." He groaned. I rolled my eyes
"I'm 14, Benny." I rested my head on Payton's shoulder as he put his arm around me.
"Payton are you staying for dinner?" Benny asked. "I'm making spaghetti."
"Sure, thanks." We decided to do dinner and a movie. They let me pick, and I seized this very rare opportunity to select Dirty Dancing, as it is one of my favorite movies but nobody ever lets me pick it because it's 'too sappy' or whatever. Maybe there is an upside to this whole Riley thing. Whatever Benny and Payton's opinions on the movie were, they kept it to themselves until the very last scene.
"This movie is dumb." Benny complained.
"Shhh.. This is the best part." I shushed him. I turned to Payton "You're lucky. If I could actually move right now, I would make you learn this whole dance."
"I would crush it, are you kidding?" He grinned back.
"I'm sure you would, babe." I laughed. After the movie ended, Payton decided he should go home before it got too late.
"Are you going to be in school tomorrow?" He asked me.
"I think so... Benny, can I?" I turned to my brother.
"Are you feeling up for it?" He replied, which made me think about it. I still had a bit of a headache, and it might feel a little bit scary to be back there, but at least Riley was suspended for a week. Better than nothing. And I hate missing school, and I really hate making Benny miss school because of me.
"Yeah. I'm ready." I smiled. I stood up to hug Payton goodbye. He left and I picked up the flowers. I began to limp into the kitchen to get a vase.
"Wait, I'll do it. You sit and rest." Benny nudged me into the couch, and I sat back down. After about 20 minutes, August came home. He was at a captain's meeting for football.
"Hey Cece, how you feeling?" He asked me, setting his backpack on the floor
"Fine I guess." Things haven't gotten any better between the two of us since everything went down. It's just been uncomfortable and awkward. I know he apologized, but I just can't forgive him. Not yet, anyway.
"Do you think you're going to go back tomorrow?" He asked, taking a seat next to me on the couch.
"Yeah." I reply, shifting slightly away from him. He must have noticed, because he let out an exasperated sigh.
"Cece. I'm sorry. I don't know how else to say it. I treated you horribly. Please, tell me what I can do to make it up to you. I'll do anything." August begged. I inhaled deeply before responding.
"It's not that simple. There's not like some switch to flip that will make it all okay again. That's not how this works. You hurt me, physically and emotionally. And you let somebody else do the same. And I get that Riley manipulated you, and I'm not even mad at you anymore. But you did some damage that is going to take a long time and a lot of effort to repair." I said, and August went silent for a moment, processing what I had said.
"Okay. I understand. And I love you so much." He leaned over and kissed my forehead before standing up and grabbing his backpack again.
"I love you too." I said to him as he walked up the stairs. Well, at least we're speaking again.
•••A/N•••
Wow, I am so sorry this took so long to get to you guys! I really am gonna try to update more regularly!
How'd you like this chapter? What do you think will happen next? Any ideas or suggestions?
Thank you for all of the votes and comments!!
Lots of love!
Sara
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Staying Afloat
Teen FictionCecilia, better known as Cece, has just turned 14 and is about to start her freshman year of high school. As if that wasn't enough of a challenge, she also has two obnoxious older brothers who love to mess with her and are also overprotective. She's...
