Mirelle and More

Chapter two - Graduation Party

On a beautiful Friday morning, one week before the long-awaited summer vacation, I got up. My thoughts were still not entirely clear, and the whole situation with Nick was weighing on my mind. He had hurt me deeply. My stepbrother Josh had been trying to comfort me for the past few days, even though he never liked Nick, but nothing was helping. It probably just takes time to get over your first big love. "Hey Miri, feeling any better?" my brother greeted me as I stumbled out of my room, still half asleep. "Not really, Josh. But thanks for asking," I replied.

"Now, don't let it get you down. You're coming to the school's graduation party tonight, and that's when you'll finally forget about him."

"First of all, what are you doing at my high school, and second, it's not as easy as you make it sound!"

"I'm speaking from experience, trust me," my stepbrother advised, "and to answer your other question, me and my buddies are still welcome guests at school parties, even though we graduated a year ago."

"I don't know..."

"No, there's no room for 'I don't know.' You're coming, and that's the end of the discussion. I'll drive you there, so you have no reason to decline because you don't know how to get there and back."

"Alright, now please let me brush my teeth in peace, Josh!"

I brushed my teeth, got ready for school, and hopped into Vanessa's car, who drove my little sister and me to school. When we arrived, I met my best friend, Faye. We've been in the same class since the beginning of high school, and we're inseparable.

"Have you decided whether you're coming to the party tonight?" Faye asked me.

"Yes, Josh persuaded me this morning. I didn't have much of a choice," I replied.

"Josh? Is he coming too?"

"Yes, he's coming with his friends."

"Oh, it's going to be quite an eventful evening then. And all the girls from our grade will surely be excited if your brother is there."

Yes, my brother Josh and all the girls. It's safe to say he was quite the ladies' man during his high school days, and he still is. I can definitely understand why the girls are drawn to him. Josh is tall, muscular, has a handsome face with dark blonde hair, has tattoos all over his body, and drives a nice car that our parents gifted him for his birthday. I can't deny that I find him somewhat attractive as well, but he is my brother, after all. So, I would never admit that in public.

"I hope he keeps himself in check this time and doesn't kiss every other girl who adores him. It was so embarrassing the last time."

"Yeah, Miri," said Faye, "I can totally understand that."

The school day passed quickly, and in the late afternoon, I came home. My dad had cooked dinner for everyone, and we all sat down to eat together. I find it heartwarming when the whole family gathers around the table and spends time together. After dinner, I went to my room and lay down on my bed because I just wanted some peace and quiet. Not half an hour later, Josh entered my room without knocking.

"What's this, Josh? Ever heard of knocking?"

"I'm your brother, and I can come into your room whenever I want. And what could happen? What could I catch you doing, you single girl?" he laughed.

"You're such a jerk, seriously. Why are you acting this way now?"

"Come on, Miri, can't you take a joke anymore?"

Josh rushed over and jumped onto my bed with full force, extending his arms as if to hug me.

"Come here, little sis. Sorry, that wasn't meant to be mean. I just wanted to cheer you up."