𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐩

𝟓 || 𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞

Estelle

I yawn, my eyes glued to the birds flying all around me, it looks like they're having fun. The birds have always loved this place, just like me. I'm not sure what it is, it just feels like home. The birds sort of look like they are dancing to the music flowing through my headphones. I wish I could be that free.

I try to focus on the patterns the birds are drawing in the deep blue sky, but my mind just won't stay on the birds. No, it keeps wandering to Aldric. The same question repeating over and over, mixing in with the loud bass. How does he know about this place? I let out a deep sigh, my head suddenly hurting from thinking too hard.

I wonder how often he comes here. I mean, since I have never seen him here, like ever, maybe rarely. But then again, he is always traveling across the map for concerts, so I guess there isn't much time for him to.

I shut my eyes and enjoy the cool gust of wind hitting my face; a memory suddenly flashes in my mind. An old one, when life was truly enjoyable.

_

''Liam give me my barbie back!'' I stomp loudly on the ground, frowning. I feel my face heat up with anger. But Liam does no such thing, he only holds it up higher where I can't reach it and laughs as if he is enjoying this. ''Oh come on sis! You can reach it!'' He sarcastically rolls his eyes while laughing even harder, his eyes now watery.

''It's not funny Liam, give it back!'' I shout in my angriest voice, in an attempt to get my barbie back. He tries to hold his laugh in as he looks back at my face. Then he bursts out laughing once more.

"You look exactly like a tomato right now!" He spits out, barely able to talk, still trying to contain his spontaneous laughter.

My face feels so hot, as I glare at Liam's stupid face. I glance up at my barbie and watch as it almost slips out of his hand, since he is literally shaking with laughter.

My anger suddenly vanishes and is replaced by sudden sadness. A thought passes through my mind. What if my barbie breaks?

I feel my eyes start to tear up, and I bite down on my bottom lip to avoid the tears about to spill from my eyes. Liam looks at me with a slight confused look on his face and realizes what I'm thinking. His brown doe eyes immediately soften and he quickly places the barbie on the table next to us. ''I'm sorry Estelle, I didn't mean to make you cry.'' His voice a faint whisper, as soft as his heart.

He takes a small step towards me and pulls me into a bear hug. I nuzzle my head in his chest while I try to control the tears.

My tears are long gone as he doesn't let go of me and slowly rubs my back.

Liam's the best brother ever.

_

I miss my brother.

I miss the way he would hug me after teasing me, I miss the way he would hold me close as I cried whenever mom would drink thinking about dad, I miss the time he stood up for me whenever someone hurt me. I really miss him.

But he's gone. I lost the older brother that would protect me with his life a long time ago.

Now, he's replaced with his messed-up counterpart. Now, he's the one who hurts me. Mentally. Every single day.

This new version of him is mean and immature, he doesn't care about anyone's feelings but his. And it's all because of his stupid friends. The same people that used to laugh at us crying about dad. The same people that used to bully me because of my clothes. They are all rude, immature and don't care about anyone. I still have no clue why Liam became friends with them.