team effort - rafe cameron 3

seven

i spent the rest of the week at the restaurant with my parents and prepping for kayden's visit. it was friday night now and my dad had gone to pick him and his girlfriend up from the airport as i stayed home with my mom, she was downstairs making dinner and i was upstairs, getting their bedroom together.

i placed the last pillow on the bed before i walked out, going to my room to change into the dress my mom had chosen for me to wear. i didn't understand, dressing up nice for my brother and his girlfriend. of course, i didn't really care about what impression she got from me. my parents on the other hand, they were ready for kayden to marry this girl. which again, a stupid thing to care about. i fixed my brown curls over my chest and slipped on the brand new sandals my mom allowed me to wear in the house, but only for the night.

i walked down the stairs, seeing my mom grabbing plates from the cupboard.

"here," i said and hurried over, grabbing them from her. "i'll set the table."

"thank you so much sweetheart." she smiled and went back to the food. i placed a plate in front of each chair, doing the same with silverware and glasses. i sat the last glass down as the door flew open. i looked up, seeing my dad pulling their bags through the door.

"we're home!" he said and looked up, seeing me as his smile faded. i watched him, with the same, disappointed, disgusted look in his eyes. like he'd just assumed i'd have disappeared in the time he left to the time he got back. and as i much as i wish that had happened, or would happen, it didn't.

i watched my brother walk in through the door, a beautiful blonde girl with him. he looked up and smiled wide.

"there she is!" he said. "ainsley."

"hey," i smiled softly and hurried over. i hugged him and pulled back, looking to his girlfriend. "ainsley, this is jenna. jenna, this is my sister, ainsley."

"it's nice to meet you."

"you too," i nodded and let them move past me as i pushed the door shut. i took a deep breath before walking in, letting them all talk as i floated, helping my mom move the food to the table. we all sat down, my parents on either end of the table. kayden and jenna on one side, leaving me lonely on the other. the chair beside me filled with tense air.

i picked at my food, listening but not comprehending anything they were saying. i didn't care, i didn't want to be here, i wanted to be somewhere far away.

"so, ains." kayden said which made me look up. "you got any plans from here?"

"i don't really know yet," i shrugged. "mom suggested duke, it's close by."

"they do have a beautiful music program."

"i think this would be the time to change the degree." my dad added. "it'd be easier, doing it early on."

"well, i'm still really interested in music, so..." i shrugged, glaring at him.

"you won't be saying that when you're back on our doorstep."

"why are you so sure i'm going to fail?"

"why are you sitting at my dinner table right now?" he asked as the breath caught in my throat.

"if it's optional, then i'm gone." i pushed myself up, dropping my fork on the table.

"seriously?" i heard my mom ask my dad before calling my name, but i was already up the stairs.

i walked past my room and to the balcony as i felt my heart sink. i pushed the door shut gently, walking over to the edge as i felt a tear run down my face. i gripped the railing, just feeling stupid. god, why did i have to fuck up and get kicked out? why did i have to be so stupid? but why did he hate me so much? my mom was trying, she was trying to see me. i wiped my face and grabbed my phone from the pocket of the dress. i saw a message from rafe as i clicked on it, unlocking my phone and seeing a, "hey," text. i pressed the call button and placed it to my ear. it rang a few times before he answered. i heard laughing and talking in the back.