The Gallagher twins

~• 10 •~

Aidan

I was feeling weird, feeling like doing nothing. I had cancelled live that Saturday. I wasn't even tiredness, I just didn't feel like it.

I'd been playing guitar for a while, staring at a corner of the room. I was thinking about Astrid. I remembered her hair and her cheeks that were always pink.

I loved her. She was so pretty, so absent-minded. I thought about her day and night, imagined her longing for me as much as I longed for her.

I felt suffocated by something, but I didn't know what. Maybe I was the problem.

My parents were away. They had gone to my aunt's house and I didn't want to go, which was not unusual coming from me that day. After analyzing my behavior, I noticed the absence of my siblings.

It was already a little late. I was more concerned about ___, who so far had given no indication of being a troublemaker. As for Ryan, he was still early.

Not much had happened when Ryan rang the doorbell. He came with ___ in his arms. She looked cute. A little haggard, but cute.

—Don't ask. Just get something, she passed out. She's drunk.

I wanted to roll my eyes, but the urgency of the moment wouldn't let me. I quickly went to get a first aid kit I had in my room. I kept it in case there was an emergency.

Ryan had moved she up to her room. He was sitting on a small couch while ___ was still unconscious on her bed.

My brother watched her quiet and silent. He didn't move. His gaze went straight to her. For a second, a shiver ran through me.

—What happened to her? —I asked, seriously.

—I don't know. I just saw her and brought her here.

—I hope it's not your stupid stuff, Ryan. Remember she's your stepsister —I looked at him, because with him you can't be sure of anything.

—You're already going with your old lady scoldings. Besides, how do you think I could have done anything to her?

—Rather, how could it not have occurred to me? —my tone of voice was a bit sarcastic, but I was angry—. First, making out with the waitress, and now what? To make out with ___?

He drew his eyebrows together and tensed his jaw. It was too obvious he was furious. This made me realize how different we are. When he gets angry he's scary, I even give laughter.

—When did I become a rapist, that I did not notice?

At the time, I deduced that I was red. I squeezed my knuckles so hard they hurt.

—And at what point would you notice, if you just spend them thinking about who to fuck?

In the blink of an eye he was already on top of me, tugging hard on my shirt. I knew he wouldn't do anything to me; he can pretend whatever he pleases, but Ryan is a coward. He tries to intimidate you, but he won't go past that limit.

I laughed in his face, mocking him. I pushed his hands away. It was notorious that he had drunk and that gave me the upper hand.

—Next time don't pretend and hit me for real.

[...]

The night before, after Ryan's attempted beating, my mom and stepdad arrived. I told them what little I knew. ___'s dad got cranky and my mom calmed him down. In those two days all everyone did was get mad and angry.

I woke up with all the desire to have a crazy person come out of my window and shoot me. I didn't even want to see Ryan out of the corner of my eye. Just imagining him made me want to roll my eyes and punch the wall.

—Son, Aidan, help me.

We went to check on ___. She was so still that for a moment she looked like a corpse. How could she sleep like that, so stiff? It was scary. I stared at her, focused on her the whole time.

—Have mercy on me, Lord —she mumbled, but it sounded more like a moan. Certainly, I misunderstood it. Then she bellowed—. Sorry about the scream, I just didn't see you.

—It's all right. Are you feeling all right?

—So-so. I feel hammering in my head.

—And you have a fever, too —I touched her neck gently.

—I'll get a towel and pills.

As soon as my mother walked through the door, she took the opportunity to inquire. I answered clearly and briefly, not wanting to overwhelm her with so much text. But even though my tone was cold, I couldn't take my eyes off her. If I had said she was pretty, I was wrong, she was beautiful! She was gorgeous. Seeing her lips was an addiction for me. Simply sublime.

I let her take her pills and rest, but I swear I didn't want to leave that room. I was stunned. I took a shower to clear my mind, but it made me overthink more. I had mental scenarios. So much so that I felt like his hair smelled like my shampoo.

Damn it, Aidan Gallagher, what's wrong with you?