chapter thirty-six

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Iris

My brother stood beside me, his hands clutching his worn black journal. He takes it with him everywhere and it's one that he's had for as long as I could remember. I never got the chance to look at it 'cause the fucker always hid it so well.

My eyes flicker to my friends conversing with the three other members of Serein. Aaron doesn't speak much but nods every once in a while letting them know they've got his attention. He runs his fingers through his hair fucking as effortlessly as me stealing public place's toilet paper.

"A friend, huh?" My brother mocks in the most-knowing voice, physically making my eyes twitch.

"What?" I try my best to act indifferent knowing I'm anything but.

"This is Aaron Hendrix, and uhm... he's my friend." He mocks me in a high-pitched voice. Our conversation though is quiet enough that I know Aaron can't hear.

"And?" I brush him off.

"Are you sure you two are just friends?" He asks. "I mean come on Iris, it's obvious you're acting a little different."

"Different?" First Alexia, now Mateo is saying it.

"Well, when it comes to things like this." He discreetly nudges his head in Aaron's direction, "You used to be all 'I don't give a shit', you leave before a guy can leave you, and you don't do any sort of lovey-dovey stuff."

"I still am that way." I clarified. He nailed it on the head, I do that with guys I've hooked up with or used for just one-and-done experience.

"Right, but I saw you dancing with him out there." He smiles sweetly, "It was sort of cute actually. As long as he treats you well and you're happy, I support it."

Words are unable to come out of my mouth. I probably look like a fucking idiot. What are you even supposed to say to something like that? 'Thanks for the blessing!', we're literally not even together like that.

And secondly... secondly... my brain turns off and it seems like I'm out of ways to change this conversation.

"Okay, nice talk." Mateo nods, "If you ever need love advice, you know who to ring up." He gives me a condescending little pat on the head, one that reminds me of what our old neighbour Stella used to do.

She and Mateo were pretty close with each other, every day hanging out with one another. She was the same age as him and they attended the same school together.

Though sadly, she ended up moving away with her parents out of the blue and we never heard from them again.

Mateo never brings it up, nor talks about it much. Sometimes I wonder if he forgot about her even though they were close friends.

"Love advice from you?" A laugh bursts past my lips.

"I'll have you know I'm drowning in ladies," He smirks, Mateo is a lot of things but he isn't a liar, "Girls love musicians— especially those who can play the guitar and sing." He shrugs genuinely, but he can't deny the cocky little look he's got on his face.

I take at the moment, just my Brother and I like old times. Even though it's nothing like old times between us because so much has changed. Both being for better and for worse.

Without thinking I give my brother a quick hug, mainly because I missed the guy. At first, he doesn't say anything or hugs me back.

A surprised laugh erupts from him and then returns the gesture.

"Missed you, Dummy," I tell him, he's not going to be staying at our house, he's got to go straight to Santa Rosa after this for another show before their debut single.

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