Clashing Cliques

Lauren's POV

As we sat there watching the movie, I noticed Joe get up halfway though SCREAM. I watched him walk out the door, curious about where he's going. No one else seemed to notice him leaving but me. They were too absorbed into the movie.

I tried to put my focus back into the movie, but I was distracted thinking about where my brother could've gone. I didn't know what he was up to or if he was planning something or not.

I wish he would stop stalking Jess and just go back to the Joe we used to know, instead of the stranger he is now.

After the movie ended, Nick stood up to take it out of the DVD player. "That was actually pretty good. And pretty funny."

"Yeah." Jess said, smiling at her older brother.

"It was great to me as well. Definitely worth it." I agreed with the two siblings, even though I got distracted halfway through it and couldn't focus anymore on it. I have no idea what happened after the halfway point.

"Ready for the next movie?" Jess perked up beside me as Nick pulled out Drop Dead Fred. It was a classic, but a good one. I smiled and nodded at him. He placed the movie into the DVD player and sat back down.

This is when he realized someone was missing. He scrunched his eyebrows in worry and confusion. "When did Joe leave?" He asked.

"Midway through SCREAM. I don't know where he went though. He kind of just got up and left." Nick nodded and turned his attention back to the movie.

After knowing the truth, I'm honestly glad he isn't in here. I so wanna blab to Nick, but I'm scared for his safety. Deep down I think he will figure it out, law school and all.

I don't wanna show it, but this is hurting me a lot knowing my own flesh and blood is capable of this. I need to be brave for her though.

I just wish this was all a sick nightmare and I could wake up, but I can't. It's real and I need to accept this for how it is. My brother, Jess's stalker, wants to hurt us all to get her, even me.

I don't think he realizes how messed up this is, but I also don't think he really cares who he is affecting as long as he gets his way. He was like this with toys as a child, but with Jess? That's a little insane. I won't let him get her though.

Even if it kills me.