FORBIDDEN TIES {My brother's best friend}

Chapter 8

~~SELENA~~

Two weeks passed since that incident with Cyrus, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over me. He had distanced himself again, his gaze barely lingering on me at all, leaving me to wonder why he had even bothered in the first place.

Rolling my eyes in frustration at Reggie, who seemed to always have something to say about my choice of clothes, I muttered a curse under my breath before storming out of the room. Sometimes it felt like these boys didn't want me to breathe at all.

I knew today was going to be just as boring as usual, with only one class on my schedule. My parents had returned home from their trip and had mentioned having good news for us. It seemed a bit strange, but who doesn't want to hear good news? Maybe they were planning to ask my brothers to move out, which would honestly be the best news ever.

Exiting my car, I made my way towards the classroom, noticing that there weren't many people around. It was just going to be another ordinary day, it seemed.

As the professor concluded his lecture for the day, I gathered my belongings and prepared to leave. However, my movements halted abruptly when I noticed Eva approaching me.

"Not again," I murmured under my breath, scoffing at the sight of her.

"Hi," she said, her smile betraying a hint of nervousness.

"What?" I asked, my tone laced with annoyance as I regarded her.

She sighed, meeting my gaze with a solemn expression. "I'm really sorry, I swear," she began, her words sounding rehearsed.

"Good for you then," I replied curtly, attempting to walk away. But she moved to intercept me, her determination evident.

"I was stupid, and I admit it," she continued, her voice tinged with regret.

"Good for you," I repeated, my smile forced as I feigned indifference.

"Please, I really do need our friendship back," she pleaded, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I'm sorry for even liking your brother in the first place. I know you warned me that he just uses girls and dumps them, but I genuinely thought he liked me. I'm sorry for not telling you about it."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I missed her too, more than I cared to admit. But what she had done was unforgivable. She had been sleeping with my brother, Ezra, for months, and I had been completely oblivious until I stumbled upon their texts. It shattered me, knowing that Ezra had used her just like he did with his other flings, and then discarded her without a second thought.

I knew that I had feelings for Cyrus, and Ezra was his best friend. I also knew that nothing would ever happen between us, so it was just a crush.

"Not now, Eva," I said firmly, brushing past her as I made my way out of the classroom.

~~

My steps faltered as I exited the school building, my eyes drawn to Cyrus as he walked towards his car.

My heart pounded in my chest as I watched Cyrus climb into his car. I hesitated for a moment, debating whether to approach him, but I knew I had to seize the chance to talk to him. With a deep breath, I walked over to his car, my steps quickening with determination. When I reached his window, I tapped lightly, my hand trembling slightly. Cyrus glanced over and rolled down the window, his expression calm yet unreadable.

"Hey," I felt a surge of relief wash over me. At least he hadn't dismissed me outright. But as I stood there, searching for the right words, I couldn't shake the feeling of awkwardness that hung in the air between us.