Found (New Earth Saga)

Ch. 19

Thank goodness Trent and I had finally exited Issac's house. Trent had made things so awkward going all over protective brother mode.

"I-I nothing man. I was just helping her-"

"Right. Helping her out of her clothes?" Trent had spat.

"No- She took them off herself. Wait- not to do anything. We just met!"

"Yeah, like that would stop you-"

"Trent!" I'd practically chirped. "I got caught in the rain. That's all,"

I was now sat in Trent's hand that he held protectively to his chest.

"I'm really sorry about today," I said, breaking the silence as we walked. Luckily the rain had stopped, but the air had a cool mist that led me to think it might rain again later.

"What happened? And I want the real story. You can tell our parents whatever version you want, but we're siblings. You're supposed to tell me the real story,"

I felt a weight hit my heart from the way Trent spoke. It was strange how I couldn't even remember the me that had grown up with Trent, and yet, right now he did feel like my big brother. At least, this is what I imagined it must be like for siblings. Siblings have each other's back. SIblings can be friends and family in one, in a way that parents are not. Trent clearly wanted me to "let him in" so I took a deep breath and started explaining everything to him.

"Less fortunate? What the f#ck! What a Bi#ch!" Trent said when I'd gotten to the part where Candace referred to me as less fortunate. "I don't get what Jake sees in that chick. Or why he'd let her talk to you like that-"

"It's okay... I should have known better than to try and be friends. I've never had friends really, and that suited me just fine. So far friends are complicated,"

"No, you should have friends. And I'm honestly really annoyed that so far it's been both Parisa and Jacob who've given you a hard time. I'm officially becoming their brother soon, and this is how they treat you? Wow."

"I'm sorry,"

"You don't have anything to be sorry for,"

"Yeah but if everything hadn't of happened with me coming to live here, I wouldn't have caused all this. I'm not good at this- like knowing how to be in a family or have friends and stuff,"

Trent's finger curled around me ever so slightly, giving me a gentle squeeze. Maybe a hug?

"You being found is the best thing that's ever happened. H3ll you being adopted was the best thing ever too. You complete this family. We are so happy you're here. I don't ever want anyone to make you think it's not been great. I mean sure, there's a lot to unpack, and we all are getting to know each other, but this is what's meant to be,"

I wrapped my arms around one of Trent's fingers, giving it a hug. "Thanks Trent,"

He froze walking, looking down at his hand that I was hugging. "Thank you,"

When Trent continued walking once again I started to recognize our surroundings. We were almost back to the Reeds- to my house. I guess this was my house now. Is it okay for me to start referring to this place as my house?

"What?" Trent asked, looking down at me.

"Nothing... I just recognize where we are. That's kind of weird. I've done this part of the walk from this vantage enough to recognize where we are,"

"Almost home," Trent replied.

"I almost thought of it as home myself too. That surprised me,"

"When you think of home, you think of your uh, other house?" Trent asked.