My Girl ~ Alessia Russo

Shadows

The clamour of the restaurant enveloped Hailey like a thick fog, muffling the world around her as she tried to focus on her brother’s face. It was a familiar place, filled with the laughter and chatter of families and friends sharing meals, but tonight, it felt oppressive. Her heart raced, not just from the confrontation with their father but from the tension swirling between her and Alex. It was palpable, a raw nerve that seemed to thrum with unspoken emotions.

As she glanced at Robby, she could see him animatedly recounting some football match highlights, his laughter infectious. But Alex sat next to him, his demeanour a stark contrast. He was withdrawn, almost shrunken in his seat, the vibrant energy of their usual banter replaced by an awkward silence. The tension in the air made Hailey’s chest tight; something was definitely wrong.

Then she saw it—Robby reached out to clasp Alex's hand in a gesture of comfort, and Alex recoiled slightly as if stung by an electric shock. He quickly pulled his hand away, the movement sharp and filled with panic. It was a subtle gesture, but to Hailey, it spoke volumes. Her heart sank as she felt a mix of concern and frustration wash over her.

“Alex?” Robby’s voice was a mix of confusion and concern.

Hailey scoffed, unable to hold back her irritation. “You know, it’s pathetic, Alex. If you loved Robby, you wouldn’t pretend to be straight just because he’s here.” The words tumbled out sharper than she intended, her anger boiling over in the heat of the moment.

Alex averted his gaze, eyes fixated on the table, his features twisting into a mask of discomfort. He wouldn’t meet Robby’s eyes, and that only made Hailey’s frustration deepen. She recognized that look—the shame, the fear. It reminded her of their childhood, of the way Alex had always been careful to toe the line in front of their father, careful not to ruffle feathers.

“It’s not like that,” Alex muttered, his voice low, almost defeated.

Hailey leaned in, her voice steady but laced with disbelief. “Then what is it? Are you really going to act like you don’t care what anyone thinks? Because it’s pretty obvious that you do. It’s what Dad thinks that matters most to you.”

“I don’t care about anyone else!” Alex shot back, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “You think I care what some random people at school think? It’s what Dad thinks that matters! I’m not going to give him any more reason to hate me.” His words were tinged with a bitterness that made Hailey’s heart ache for him, but the anger within her was a fire that wouldn’t easily be quenched.

“Then why are you pretending?” she pressed, her voice rising slightly. “You think this is going to make him proud? You’re just playing into his hand, Alex. It’s pathetic.”

He shot her a glare, finally finding the courage to meet her eyes. “Look who’s talking! You’re not exactly winning any awards for your life choices, either. You hooked up with some random dude just because you were upset about Lucy and Kiera moving to Barcelona. And you got all bent out of shape when Alessia slept with someone else! And you didn’t even talk to her after that, even though it’s obvious she’d do anything for you and that bastard kid!”

His words hit her like a slap across the face. The heat rushed to her cheeks, embarrassment mixing with indignation. “That was harsh, she's your neice.” Robby interjected, his tone sharp as he shot a warning look at Alex.

Hailey could barely focus on Robby; her eyes were locked on Alex. “I can defend myself,” she snapped, the anger bubbling over. “You’re right about one thing—things haven’t been easy for me. But you know what? If you really feel that way, if you think I’m pathetic for being human, then maybe you should just get the fuck out of my life. I don’t need you. I’ve got enough on my plate without you adding to it.”