Complicated

Chapter 17

I hate Wednesdays, everybody seems to hate Monday's the most, for me? Well, I hate Wednesdays. I hate it because it's the day in between the end of the week and beginning. It has no meaning!

"Bella! Hurry up! We're gonna be late!" Devon yells up to me. He's been in a pissy mood since last night when he found Gavin and I on the porch.

"Coming!" I shout back just as loud.

"Can't you guys just...not yell?" Mom sighs from the doorway. I turn around on my chair from doing my make up.

"Nope, plus he's being mean and treat people how you want to be treated, right?" I shrug, if Devon wants me to be treating him nicely than I should get some in return. Respect goes both ways.

"You know he's just trying to protect you."

"I don't need protection, though. I know what I'm doing, I wish he would realize I'm not his five year old sister anymore," I sigh irritated. Devon thinks I'm still a little girl, in his eyes I am, but to me I more than that. I've been able to grow up and develop to be my own person, I can take care of myself.

"To him you'll always be his baby sister. You know this. Why do you constantly argue and resent against it?" Mom looks genuinely confused. She doesn't get it because her dad died when she was young and she grew up with three sisters. She would understand if she were ever in my position, but that's the thing...she's not and she never has been.

"Because mom," I sigh exasperated. "I don't need him like he thinks I do. He doesn't understand that I'm sixteen and I can take care of myself. I've learned a lot in my sixteen years of living and I know what I'm doing."

"That's where your wrong, Bella, he wants what's best for you. It doesn't matter if your fifty of sixty, you'll always be his little sister. You have to find some mechanism and get used to it." With that I'm left alone with guilt. Something in the back of my mind is telling me that I shouldn't feel guilt, that boys are just naturally over protective and stupid. Then there's another part of me that says I should feel guilty for pushing Devon away when all he's ever wanted is to keep me safe and out of harms way.

Sighing, I stand up and grab my bag and phone off the charger before heading downstairs. Devon's sitting at the dining table shoving Honey Nut Cheerios in his mouth with a deep scowl on his face, his body stiff and tense. Taking a deep breath I grab myself a bowl and pour cereal and milk into it, taking a seat right next to Devon.

I glance at him and he stopped mid chew to look at me out of the corner of his eyes. I smile out of amusement, though he goes back to shoving his face with food.

We eat silently, awkwardly and uncomfortably silent. So silent that I start humming to fill the void. The song 'Geronimo' came to mind and I started ferociously humming to myself while shoving spoon fills of cereal into my mouth.

"Would you shut up?!" Devon's voice booms, making my voice die away. I stare wide eyed at him while his shoulders shake and his breathing is ragged. "God your so fucking annoying!"

"I-I-" I've never seen Devon this mad and frankly, it's scaring the living day lights out of me. I can't find the words to speak and his face is scrunched up in anger and displeasure.

"You what?! Jesus, Bella! Can't you just spit it out?! You know what? Actually, no, I don't want you to tell me. Get your own fucking ride to school, I'm sure Gavin would be up for the responsibility." What the hell just happened? Devon throws his bowl into the sink and starts walking towards the front door. My brain finally catches up with my feet and I'm throwing my bowl in the sink and rushing past Devon to stand in front of the door. Blocking it.