Worlds Collided |g.d.|

Chapter Twenty Four

-Jana pov-

The hair rose on my arms, it's been a long time since I've heard his voice. I ignored Grayson, I could explain everything later. "No, actually, I don't want to see you. Not like this."

He laughed manically. "But we always had so much fun!"

Again, I wished Grayson wasn't there. "I-I don't do that stuff anymore." I sighed, hating the decision he had put me in. "You can stay the night, but I have one condition."

My brother threw his head back agasint my door. "Give it to me."

"No drugs, no drinking. Not at my place." I grabbed his bicep to pull him up. "If I catch you doing anything you're out."

"Fine, whatever..." He waved me off. "I don't have any shit so don't worry."

I used my free hand to unlock and push open my door, pushing my brother inside. "Go clean up. I'll be right in." He nodded, stumbling in. As I turned to face Grayson. "I'm so sorry, I didn't want to you see this."

"Jana, who is that? Is he safe? Should I stay?" Grayson spat out his questions, concern written all over his face.

"He is my, uh, brother. Justin." I swallowed, crossing my arms.

"I didn't know you had a brother...but he's..." Gray waved his hands around, searching for the right word.

I nodded, embarrassed this was even happening. "Yeah, yup. He's high and probably drunk. But I can handle it. I have before."

Grayson rubbed at his temple. "I'm so lost Jana, really, this is a lot."

I took a step backwards. "I understand, and again I'm sorry. But can we have a raincheck on his conversation? I need to be with him."

Grayson looked annoyed but he nodded. "Yeah, okay. I'll see you later then." He just waved goodbye, turning sharply on his heel to practically run down the stairs.

I wnated to cry but there was no point. So I went inside my apartment, shutting the door behind me. Justin laid out on my couch, wiggling his fingers before his face.

"Why the hell did you think it was a good idea to show up here?" I threw my purse onto the island, kicking off my shoes.

"Mom and Dad kicked me out."

"That's not my problem." I went into the kitchen, I guess I have to make dinner now.

"I had no where else to go."

"Did you ever think you could maybe get clean?" I slammed my palms against the countertop. "And get a job to support yourself? I mean, come on Justin, I'm two years younger than you and have my own place and a good job."

"But not a boyfriend apparently," Justin muttered.

"What did you say?" I whirled around from staring into the fridge.

Justin laughed, looking at me with his red eyes. "That guy was pissed, what ever you may have had is over now!"

"Shut up." I shook my head, I hate how he acts when he's high. He's mean, he's not my brother. "Now stay quiet while I make us something to eat and then you can sleep in the locked bathroom so you don't steal my shit."

"Ah, you know I wouldn't do that to you!"

"Yes you would, because you have," I mumbled under my breath, setting to work on making some pasta.

He did stay quiet, turning on the TV to occupy himself. I didn't mind the chatter from the TV, anything was better than talking to him. Didn't take me long to make two dishes and I brought them over to the couch, handing a plate to Justin.

"Thanks." He licked his lips before he dug in, eating like he hadn't in days.

I ate more slowly, trying to pay attention to the screen in front of me but my mind wandered to everything surrouding my brother. My mom and dad. My childhood and teen life. It was all shit. That's why I left. That's why I don't want any connection. Why I don't want him here. But at the same time he's family. And it would hurt more to turn him away.

We didn't talk, and once we both finished our dinner I took both plates into the kitchen and cleaned up. I finshed quickly and went back over, turning the TV off. "Time for bed."

"Ah, come on."

I rolled my eyes. "Let's go."

He followed me into the bathroom and I found him an unused toothbrush to use. We both cleaned our teeth side by side, oddly nostalgic. I left the room to grab an extra pillow and a couple of blankets, going back to the bathroom.

"It's a title floor so it won't be too comfortable but I've bet you've slept worse places," I grumbled, throwing the items onto the floor.

Justin shrugged. "Yeah, whatever."

I nodded. "Night."

"Goodnight Jana." I left the bathroom, closing the door as he spoke up again, "Thank you."

"Don't worry about it I guess." I shut the door, going over to my table to grab a chair. I then pushed the chair underneath the door handle so that Justin was stuck inside.

Last time I helped him he went through my stuff and stole anything valuable. I don't think I'll trust him again for a long time. I stretched out, satisfied with my work before I went to bed myself. But I tossed and turned for a long time, a thought nagging at me. So, I decided to call Grayson but it just went to voicemail.

I rubbed at my eyes, wanting to hang up but the voicemail had already begun. "Um, hey, It's me...I want to apologize again for tonight. And also for not being honest with you, and I guess just being a shit girlfriend sometimes." I winced at my word choice. "I didn't mean girlfriend, I meant..." I drifted off, I was getting off track. "I promise I'll explain everything. Okay, yeah that's it, goodnight."

I hung up, somehow feeling worse now than I did before I left the voicemail. But I laid back down in bed, hugging my extra pillow to my chest. And then I let the tears come.