Between the Pages

Chapter - 1

A/N: the first chapter is here!!!!
This chapter is a bit short, sorry :((
I'll upload longer chapters ahead for sure.

T/W: mention of self harm

Happy Reading cupcakes 🧁

Sydney's POV

I walk up the stairs almost about to pass out, that's when I noticed my brother at the top of the staircase holding out his hand for me. He's the best. I try to reach for his hand when I suddenly notice a small cut on his arm. I rush towards him extremely worried.
"What is this, Noah?". I ask.
"Nothing, sis. Just got hurt during practice." He replied.
Bold of him to think that reply is gonna shush me. That cut, is definitely not one from football practice.
"Noah?". He knows very well that I'm not gonna let this slide.

It has been just me and my brother since a quite long time. That's okay, though. We are always there for each other. Our parents? Well..our mother died when I was 12 and Noah was 7 and our drunkard father left us to ourselves an year later.

"Syd, I won't do it again. I'm sorry". Noah said nudging my shoulder while I was deep in thought. The last he cut himself was years ago. What made him do this again? And why was I so careless to not notice it?
Noah has been sensitive since childhood. He's always insecure about everything. But self-harm? Again? I failed as an elder sister. Didn't I?

"We need to have a talk". I tell him. He nods right away. I make dinner first though I have literally zero appetite but Noah needs to eat. I make him his favourite pancakes. Then, I head upstairs to our shared room.
Since it's just the two of us in the house, we prefer having dinner in our room with Netflix ofcourse. Except today, I seriously need to talk to him about his self harm.

As I was overthinking, Noah entered the room. He seemed to be on a call. I let him finish his conversation while I get comfortable on the sofa. After a few minutes, he hangs up his phone. He looks in my eyes, scared? "Noah, you know I'm not going to harm you, right?". I ask worriedly.
"I know, Syd."

Then, we have this whole conversation about how I think he should consider going to therapy as this is not at all healthy for him. He's not really sure about it and asks for time to think. I agree, obviously. Then I give him a short hug as he scrunches his nose up in disgust. Yes, he hates hugs. I love them though. Typical siblings haha.

We finished eating soon and planned on heading to bed early as I have my first day at work tomorrow and Noah has to go to college after his too long of a spring break.

We moved to Nyc soon after Noah finished high school. Recently, I applied to work at a publishing house as an assistant in the editorial department. And, I GOT ACCEPTED.

Now, it might not seem as such a big deal but for me it's like a dream come true. I have been a literary enthusiast since as long as I can remember.

I decide my outfit for tomorrow and head to sleep since it's a big day for me tomorrow.