Unbreakable

Chapter 23

I laid in my bed with empty thoughts. My brain is blank from spacing out. I ignored my alarm for the fifth time. My door opened, and Joel came in carrying a tray of my favorite tea, honey chamomile and a few cookies. He sat it on my nightstand.

If it were any other day I'd be happy that he was bothering me. But I felt confused and closed up. I wasn't happy after yesterday, and I didn't know if anything would make me feel better.

He sat down on my bed and felt my forehead, "How are you feeling?"

"Sick."

"You're not sick, I can tell you're faking. What's up Tess? What's bothering you?"

I looked away, I didn't want to tell him.

"You can tell me."

"Carters alive...." I mumbled avoiding his stare

"What was that? I couldn't hear you."

"Carter's alive." I said a little louder

"Can you speak up a little more your-"

"Carter' alive!" I shouted, "I saw him yesterday."

His face hardened, "Are you sure?"

"Yes Alla is a witness."

"That motherfucker." He spat, "Sorry, I didn't mean to curse." He apologized

"I broke. And now I don't feel okay. I'm confused and emotional."

"I'm gonna kill him." He declared standing up

"Please don't okay? It's not worth the trouble."

"Oh it is. He hurt you time after time and this is the last straw. I'm calling your boyfriend for backup."

"Don't, please? Don't involve Ryder."

"Wait he doesn't know, does he?"

I shook my head slowly, "No he doesn't, he'd kill Carter."

"Well then we'd be on the same page then."

The doorbell rang, "I'll be back." Joel told me

He left the room and left my door open so I was able to hear everything. I heard, "Asshole!" Before I heard someone being tackled, I jumped up and rushed out of the room

I found Joel on top of Carter, they were resting on the ground. "Stop!" I shouted, I pulled Joel's arm, "Get off of him!" Then Joe started throwing punches, "Joel stop!" I finally managed to pull Joel off of him, "Seriously!?"

"He deserved it." Joel pointed out

Carter stood up and wiped his bloody nose, "You know you could go to jail for hitting a minor."

"Minor my ass, I know you're 18. It's legal."

Was it?

"Why are you here?" My brother snapped

Carter looked at me, "I wanna talk."

I crossed my arms, "Okay, talk."

Joel touched my arm, "Do you need me here?'
I shook my head, "I got."

"Holler if you need me."

I turned back to Carter, "Well? Talk."

"I know you're mad that I faked my death. But trust me when I say this it was just a joke. It was something that I wanted to do to make you feel bad and piss you off. And clearly it worked." He chuckled

I pushed him, "Get out of here, you fucking asshole! I hate you!"

He laughed and backed away, "You always have." With that I watched him walk away and I never saw him again after that.