Just Another Secret.

Chapter 98

Keisha

"Jrake?"

"Don't talk to me."

"No. Can I just know why you and your sis clash so hard?" I grab his hand.

He glares at me. "You wouldn't understand—"

"Try me."

"I am watched upon like a stupid hawk. I can't even wake up in peace because by the time my alarm goes off he's already there. I get JJ ready in the morning. I feed, bathe and dress him before he's taken to daycare. All because he was scared once by her? It's so stupid. He's a baby. He's scared of the vacuum cleaner.

"Amia gets to leave whenever she wants with whoever she wants. She can bring anyone here and no one would care. I can't even bring over one of my friends without a full investigation. You think I wanted our parties together? It was never cool because she hated me more over something I couldn't control. She was always alone. I asked Mom and Dad if she could come with us last year and they said no because she had exams. I wanted her to have this room but I'm supposed to share this room with JJ when he's older. She doesn't try to understand me. So why should I understand her?

"She pushes Mom and Dad away when she acts out. And when she acts out I'm the one who is at the receiving end. I get the scolds. I get the lectures. I have a curfew. I can't have my phone after six on school days. They place it in my room before I wake up. My phone is constantly checked. I googled what pads were two years ago and I was grounded for a month. I was just curious because Amia would never tell me and there would be a lot in storage under the sink.

"They treat me like a baby. They always will. Do you see this room. It's baby blue with legos everywhere. I hate the colour blue. It's so bright too. I'm also not that into legos. They just give the time I need to be alone. Amia's room is cool. It's a crazy dark purple. She gets to have her hobbies on full display. I'm into tech. I have more tech awards than I know what to do with. And yet the first thing people think when they walk in here is Lego. Your parents are only on her side because she's a girl and she reminds them of you! And since they didn't have you they subtly had you through her!"

I nod. "I get it. Truly. I grew up with an older brother okay. I used to feel the way she felt towards you with him. I thought my parents loved him more. That they didn't care for me. Which was absolutely true in some ways—"

"You are not helping," he deadpans.

I chuckle. "Jrake, have you tried to tell your parents this?"

"No..."

"Exactly. You are helping her case. You know she leaves and don't even bring attention to it. Don't you get worried?"

He avoids my gaze and nods. "She's never been gone for that long before... I was the one who picked up JJ."

"How?"

"My Dad's bike has a baby seat. He always said he would get out more but never does. So to save myself from an earful I got him after school."

"So there's a simple common denominator—"

"You like to build up stuff don't you? Just get to the point, Keisha."

I sigh. "Jrake, even though there is no tone in your voice. That still sounds rude and disrespectful."

"I'll work on it."