path of redemption

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ － ｆｏｕｒｔｅｅｎ.

-Zaid gonzales

As my back flexes with every pushup i do , my muscles tighten as the sweaty mixture drips down my body , and onto the floor.

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I clench my jaw as i do the last pushup. I use my strength and stand up. I groan as i feel how tired my muscles are. Each particle of my joints burning. Thats how i know i overdid it. I take my things and walk out of the gym room and to the kitchen for a snack. I walk in with the towel over my shoulder as my hair sticks to my forehead . I find lia sitting at the counter reading some new book. She reads the book with fascination making me smile a bit. I watch as she bites her lip as she tries to hold in a squeal. She doesnt acknowledge me as i lean on the doorframe of the kitchen , i fold my arms as i clear my throat.

"You done or should i leave you to your ...what do you call it , book boyfriends?" I question her as her head snaps up realizing i saw her little interaction . Her eyes widen as she clutches her book to her chest and screams "ahh , what the frick?! i swear to god dont do that" she breathes as she holds her heart dramatically making me roll my eyes. A faint blush coats her cheeks and ears.

I walk into the kitchen chuckling under my breath as i walk to the fridge . I examine the food in our fridge.

Theres lia failed attempts at making cupcakes.
Lias failed attempts at making pumpkin fritters.
Another one of her failed attempts at making her "atlas cookies".

The list goes on...

"You know ...ive got a good feeling about this new school. Who knows?i might even make some friends" my sister blabbers from behind me as i take in her words "yeah , thats great lia" i mumble as i grab an apple , and then move it to the side "I mean like , it couldn't be as bad as our old school right?" She questions as i hear her flip a page. I could practically hear her bite her fingernails. A habit when getting nervous.

I smile as i see the left over chicken quesadillas. Fuck yeah. I hear my sister talking in the background but i block out her words as i warm the food , i watch as the timer ticks ...every single second and then i hear a book being smacked down onto the table making me break out of my thoughts "...are you even listening to me? I swear i could've told you a guy touched my ass and then you'd be a full on john wick" she hissed.

I roll my eyes at her exaggeration. I dont turn into john wick. Oh please.

The timer ends as i take out my food and join her at the counter , i sit in the stool opposite her. I feel her glare piercing my skull as she tries to be imtimidating . I ignore her as i bite into the warm quesadilla. Fucking heaven sent . "You know you could've put a shirt on , no one wants to see all of that" she motions with her hands to my tattooed chest. I look down at my chest and and back at her.

I hold up my finger as i swallow "Lia i can guarantee you , if i went outside like this and onto the front porch. There'd be divorce papers flying at every house on this street" i say and wink at her which she grimaces at .

I bite into another one as she looks at me in disgust "Come on , don't scowl your face will stay so. Now tell me what you were blabbing on about...better not be one of those fucking book boyfriends." I mutter as i take the last bite "What was the last one you told me about ? Rhysen larsen?" I say as i wipe my hands.

She full on glares at me as she smashes her hands onto the counter "Dont you ever disrespect my book boyfriends like that again . And jesus its rhys larsen its not hard to forget and for what i was saying before was..." she says as she leans back in her seat moving her book onto her lap.

I make a gesture for her to go on . She sighs and slumps into her seat as she caves "I saw the pretty girl again yesterday...what if . You know? I can become friends with her?" my sister whispers as i blink at her.