A New Dawn

Chapter 51 - Idris

Briar's family takes the news about as well as I thought they would. That is to say, they completely freak out and tackle her in hugs. They all help her do more research to make sure it isn't a scam. So far, it seems like it's not. Things are really looking good for Briar. As for me...

I'm standing across the street from my parents' house, loosening and tightening my grip on my skateboard. I'm 95% sure my parents aren't home but Roman is. And if that other 5% happens to be the case... The worst my parents can do is ridicule me for coming back to talk to Roman and not to apologize to them.

Briar offered to come with me for moral support, but I told her it'd be better if I went to talk to him on my own. Makes it more meaningful. Besides, she has a talent agent to say yes to. That's more important than coming to watch me be awkward with my brother.

I take a deep breath and cross the street. It feels like I'm walking through water, my feet dragging against the pavement. I don't think I'll ever make it to the door, but I'm there all too quickly at the same time. Before I know it, my finger hovers over the doorbell. I shut my eyes and press it before I can change my mind. I take a step back and count the seconds in my head. A moment later, the door opens, revealing Roman. He freezes when he sees me, his eyes widening for a fraction of a second. Just as quickly, his eyebrows furrow like he remembers Nanay and Tatay are mad at me and he should be, too.

"What are you doing here?" he asks.

"I wanted to talk to you," I say, carefully enunciating each word.

Roman shifts. "About what?"

"What do you think?" He narrows his eyes again. Right. Probably not a good idea to be snarky... "Can we just talk, please?"

Roman studies me. His hand tightens on the doorknob, and I almost think he's about to slam the door in my face. At the last second, his expression softens and he steps back to let me walk into the house. The moment he does, it hits me that I haven't been back since the night my parents kicked me out. I have to force myself to step past the threshold, ignoring how much my heart is racing and how sweaty my palms become. I take deep breaths as I slip off my shoes and walk into the living room. I sit on one end of the couch. Roman sits on the other, looking at me expectantly.

A moment of silence passes before I blurt, "Are you scared of Nanay and Tatay?"

Roman blinks. Once the question registers, he makes a face at me. "Why would I be scared of Nanay and Tatay?"

My heart is still thudding against my chest, and the rhythm forces the words out now that I brought up the subject. "Because you don't argue with them. And you said it makes your life a lot easier to not argue with them and just do whatever they say."

Roman sits back, resting his arm on the back of the couch. "That's me being smart. Not scared."

"So none of that is because you're scared to talk back to them?"

Roman glances around the room like he's trying to find an answer he's willing to share. I guess he doesn't find that answer because he deflects: "What's this about, Idris?"

I grip my skateboard. "I just want to know if you're happy with Nanay and Tatay. Like are you okay with the way they talk to you and treat you?" I hold up a hand when he opens his mouth. "Before you brush me off, actually think about it. I'm not trying to be dumb or act like I don't know anything about anything. And even if I don't know anything about anything, I'm trying to know something about this. So think about it and give me a genuine answer." I take a deep breath. "Please."

Roman shuts his mouth. His expression goes blank as he takes me in. I count the seconds as he thinks over his answer. It's so quiet, I swear I can hear him breathing from three feet away. The silence coupled with his unwavering gaze starts to feel uncomfortable, but I bite my tongue. Counting and listening and waiting.