Desolate - h.s. ✓

° twelve °

     When we got home, I headed straight for my bedroom. Honestly, I was pretty tired from the game, and I knew it was because I usually cheered a whole bunch for my brother. Which, seemed to help considering he wasn't angry with me anymore. At least, he hadn't been since Saturday. Changing into comfortable pajamas, I put on a record and sat on my bed. There was some homework that I had to finish, so I got that done as soon as I possibly could before there was a knock on my door.

"You can come in."

Ethan stood there in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. My brother shut the door behind him, sitting on my bed easily. I had recalled him saying that he wanted to talk to me, but I didn't think that he really meant it. Setting my things aside, I stared at my brother, not sure where this conversation would start or where it would lead.

"So, are you and Harry, like, talking?"

"Ew, no."

"Look, I don't care," Ethan shrugged. "Really. I think it would be cool if Harry was my brother-in-law or whatever. Well, I would until he started talking about his sex life. Ugh, yuck, gross, okay, change the subject."

"Why are you in here?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow, his eyes meeting mine swiftly. It was always strange looking at him, especially since he looked a lot like my father. Not that it should have been surprising, but it was simply odd to look at a boy who was my brother also appear to be someone that was simply a younger version of my father. Once I pushed the thoughts away, I watched as he looked to think over the words he wanted to say before truly speaking to me.

"I don't care if you date Harry. It's just ... well, he has a track record of breaking girls' hearts, or sleeping with a bunch of them, and I don't want that to be you."

"That won't happen."

"You never know."

"It won't. Harry and I hate each other. We do."

Ethan rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath. There was a part of me that didn't believe the words that came out of my mouth, but I just sighed. Honestly, I didn't know what I would do if something did happen between Harry and me. Of course, I never saw him as a brother, but it would still seem somewhat weird. Honestly, I didn't know how I felt about Harry. He could be kind some days, and then a complete asshole the next, and while he somewhat apologized for it today I still didn't know what to think.

"If he hurts you, I'll kick his ass."

"Thank you, E."

He nodded, saluting me briefly before getting up, and leaving my room. It was so strange thinking of Harry as someone that I didn't hate, and while I felt like a part of me really did dislike him, there was another part of me that wasn't entirely certain what I felt. I just hoped that whatever it was wouldn't end poorly.

- - -

The rest of the week, I went to school, did my homework, ran, and then usually went to sleep after a shower. My dad had appeared more caring toward my mother, which was a huge relief. Of course, not that there was anything wrong with them getting a divorce necessarily, but I didn't like the idea of having a split family. Finishing up my shower, I got out, drying off quickly. Lex had texted me about the party she wanted to go to, which I had completely forgotten about, but I didn't want to be the only friend in our group who didn't go. So, it was decided that we were all going to go. Lex was supposed to pick Ella and Blair up before she got me, giving me about another twenty minutes before they would be here.

Changing into a pair of black ripped jeans, I put on a top that was a lighter pink, as well as a light gray cardigan. It wasn't long before I was back in the bathroom, hurrying to fix my hair and do my makeup before my friends arrived. Ethan had been out of the house the whole day, and I figured he was probably going to be somewhere at the party. Rolling my eyes at the thought, I double checked that I looked okay, grabbing my bag from my room. My parents were not home, so I left a little note before leaving, locking up behind me. The ride to the party was filled with obnoxious singing, but the kind that was actually enjoyable to listen to. We giggled and talked about Lex's new man, or whatever he was because she still wasn't certain, before we finally got to the party. It already seemed rather crowded, which was insane, but I ignored the fact, getting out of the car.