Adeline
It's official, today is our last day of classes at this school that has welcomed us for the past four years. Finally, we will graduate, and the next time we set foot in a classroom, it will be as university students, whether in Seattle or elsewhere. I feel a slight pang in my heart at the thought of leaving this place where we have all grown and matured, where we have met, talked, and appreciated each other, never to be separated again.
As we arrive at the parking lot, we realize that these are our last moments here. It is carnival day for the future graduates, of which we are a part, and for this occasion the entire school is decorated with as many banners as colorful pom-poms. At the entrance to the school, the teachers hand out bundles of confetti and help to create a happy and warm atmosphere. The loudspeakers, usually used only for the ringing of the bell, are now used for music. Shouts of joy, loud conversations and laughter surround us as we walk through the doors and enter the school. All the lockers are decorated with signs, balloons and photos that remind us of the years spent in the institution. The screens, which usually announce the latest news about the class schedule, show movies made by students of the art option.
"This is crazy!" Tyler has positioned himself behind me, dressed as Peter Pan. He smiles from ear to ear, his eyes sparkling. I'm relieved to see that our discussion a few days ago hasn't changed the way we behave towards each other. He looks down at me and winks before continuing his contemplation.
I think we all find our inner child at the sight of these decorations. They have gone all out and I almost feel nostalgic. Throughout the morning, the teachers organize fun activities, and then we have our afternoon off. Still on the school grounds, many sports games are set up by the students and we can enjoy the summer sun. Sitting on the grass with the girls, we have a front row seat to the football game the boys are playing on the field in front of us.
"So how was your date with Tyler?" Holly asks me, struggling to get comfortable in her somewhat cumbersome fruit and vegetable costume.
"It was... explosive!"
"Explosive as in 'we hooked up and it was explosive'?" Holly jokes.
"No, more like 'we fought like rotten fish on the sidewalk after I left the restaurant like a thief.'"
"Wait, wait, wait," Esther interjects. "What did you do?"
My best friends look at me, thunderstruck and completely lost. I sigh and continue:
"He took me to a super romantic restaurant. It upset me, I don't know why. I had left with the idea that I would tell him that I wanted to remain friends, and... I got angry and walked out. He caught up with me and we talked!"
"But I don't understand," Esther continues. "I thought you wanted to give him a chance to explain himself? I thought you still liked him?"
"That's true," Holly adds. "But he acted like a jerk. You don't go out with a jerk twice."
I raise my hands, trying to calm the girls who are getting a little too excited.
"I realized I didn't want to be with him anymore, so I made things clear."
"You did the right thing," Holly congratulates me.
"But why?" Esther wonders. "You were able to talk about yourself, isn't that the most important thing?"
I lower my head and start fidgeting with the little skins on my fingers, extremely uncomfortable with what I'm about to confess. When we had ice cream with Tyler the other night, we talked a lot and ended up continuing our conversation in a more relaxed manner. He finally told me that he wouldn't have minded getting back together with me to make things right if I'd wanted to. And all of a sudden it hit me.
"I think I like someone else."
"How so?" Holly asks, raising an eyebrow and looking at me.
"I can't stop thinking about this mistake with Jayden," I begin, emphasizing the last word, "and I think I like him...a little."
"Is that a joke?" Esther replies in a sarcastic tone.
"I know!" I reply, trying to make my confession less absurd. "It's like he's my brother, but there's something about him that attracts me."
"He is your brother, for God's sake!"
"'They live under the same roof, but that doesn't make him a family member. Stop it, Esther!" Holly snaps and starts to pick some blades of grass near her. "Are you sure you like him? Maybe it's just that he's a little distant with you? Distant people often attract..."
"Distant? Don't you mean ungrateful, mean or even insufferable?"
My answer makes Holly laugh.
"And you still like him?" she adds jokingly.
"I know it's ridiculous. Maybe it's his 'I don't care' attitude that makes me want to go to him... Honestly, I don't know. I try not to ask myself too many questions. I feel guilty even imagining such things."
I look up at the girls. While Holly looks at me with tenderness, Esther seems bored, almost judging me. I know it's not the most natural thing in the world, but she's my best friend. Shouldn't she be supportive and understanding?
"Well," Holly continues, "it's not that bad. You're not in love with your stepbrother, it's just physical. You just have to find someone else."
"Stop saying stepbrother, it makes me sick," I reply, almost disgusted.
"Anything to get him out of your head," she winks at me before putting a finger to her chin and looking at all the groups gathered around us.
"High school might not be the best place, but what about Tyler's party this Saturday?"
I shrug with little conviction. What if what I feel for Jayden isn't just a phase? And what if I don't want it to be a phase?
***
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Despicable Desires
Romance"He is her despicable half-brother. And he drives her mad... For years, he has returned to the family home only on rare occasions, and that suits Ambre just fine. The less she sees of her obnoxious half-brother, the better off she is! So when she le...
