High Hopes

Twelve - Push Ups

Picture above is Mike (Alyssa's brother)

"Well they are on vacation." I avoided eye contact with him. I really did not expect him to be here, let alone being a friend of Garrett's.

"And you are staying with the Gordon's?" Mike asked again, boring his eyes into the side of my skull.

"Where else?" I simply answered, still looking off into the distance.

"Excuse us." Mike got up and grabbed my arm. I tried to pull it away but he was obviously a lot stronger. I reluctantly followed him to the lobby area.

"What are you doing staying with them? I don't trust Gabe or Garrett with you." Mike frowned at me.

"Wow you're acting like an actual brother for once." I crossed my arms.

"What are you talking about Alyssa?" Mike raised his voice.

"Well you haven't even been here when I needed you the most! I'm sure your school would understand why you weren't there for a while. You have the best grades Mike. Why couldn't you have been here?" Tears started to well up behind my eyes and I tried my best to keep them from coming out.

"I was just having a hard time processing everything. Look, since I'm here now, we can stay at aunt and uncle's house."

"Why are you concerned?"

"Gabe and Garrett are the type to mess around with girls. I just don't want anything to happen with you."

I turned my head away and mumbled,"It already has."

Mike's face was clenched and he looked ready to murder someone. He took a deep breath and asked,"What exactly and who?"

I sighed and rubbed a hand over my face. Should I tell him the truth? Screw it, he'll be gone in a few days anyways. "I made out with Gabe and it got a little heated. Same thing with Garrett."

Mike shook his head and rubbed his temples. "I should've been here for you. Is there anything else you are supposed to tell me?"

"Well..." I played with my fingers and looked down."I kind of went to a club and got drunk."

"Alyssa!" Mike yelled.

I rolled my eyes. "Stop it's not any worse than you and your high school days."

"That's it. I'm staying here until semester starts up again."

"And how long will that be?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Two months."

Gabe appeared by my side and I turned to face him. Mike glared at him and I could sense that Gabe knew something was up.

"Are you guys coming back to the table?" He asked.

"Yeah." I nodded and followed him to the table. Mike came behind me and returned to his original seat.

''''''''''''''''

The lunch was pretty boring after that. Mrs. Gordon asked Mike about school and chatted a bit more with Garrett. She asked about our relationship, assuming we weren't siblings. I laughed loudly and informed her about Mike being my brother. It seemed as though Garrett and Gabe both slouched back down after being tense. Now I have to go to practice. I missed the first one due to me having a concussion so now I have to practice with Gabe's football team again. Great.

Mike rode back with us to their house. Apparently Garrett and Mike are like best friends. I had no idea. I assume that Garrett is also a girl magnet so that's probably why. That's right. Mike is the definition of chick magnet. You can't go anywhere without girls staring at him.