Princeton. NJ. 1988.
Eriks POV:
"The fuck is with your car, E."
I turn, alert at his words. Becoming even worse as I see his eyes scan the back of my car. Fuck.
Quickly, I push him. "I'll clean it, just ignore it."
"How much clothes do you wear? Do you have a second body I don't know about?" He teases as he tosses my duffel bag in the back seat – amongst the hefty piles of clothes scattered everywhere.
Some of the underwear being blood ridden.
The door shuts with a harrowing sound but I'm comforted by the arm of Andy, wrapping around my shoulder. I circle round and welcome his embrace. Andy. Childhood memories flood my mind of our late evening movie nights and whispered secrets. Painful secrets. Everything made softer and brighter from his aura.
"Safe travels, please call me if you need anything." The younger states, making his fingers brush against my neck in a heartfelt gesture.
"You too Andy." The following comes in a hushed, sincere tone. "I missed you so much."
His smile is wide as we release each other. "I missed you so much, I hope to see you when I have some time off school in January." He replies.
After whispered promises, I watch him step away with a heavy heart. I'm obsessed with the idea of moving closer to Andy one day.
"Come here Mr. Messy Car." Lyle expresses, arms forcibly dragging me into his embrace. A warm, familiar swell appears. Tightening itself around my throat, around my whole being.
The painful sensation of knowing that we're departing. Again. For how long? I don't know. My saviour – stolen by the confinements of Princeton. Stolen by our age gap which forces us to always enter such different stages in our lives.
"Call home when you get to Portland, I'll answer." His words whisper against my hair before he places a kiss amongst the curls.
"Make sure she gets home safely okay? She gets nervous in airports so make sure you check on her before and after departure. She likes t–"
He cuts me off. "To sit farthest from the window because heights make her sick. I know. You explained all of this to me last night." He reminds, chuckling at my anxiety.
I just can't bare the thought of her dealing with her nerves by herself, can't deal with her body itching with a spider-like anxiety.
"Thank you."
"Remember to stop overnight somewhere once you get tired, it's a big drive E. Seriously."
"I will." A feeling of dread pools in my stomach as the vision of his face comes back in sight. Being away from your shadow is so hard on me. I need your guidance, your light.
Unexpectedly, he reaches his mouth closer to my ear. His voice, ever-so-quietly whispers. "Please continue eating and looking after yourself, you've made so much progress this week."
Lyle. My saviour. My morning sun. All I want is for you to be proud of me.
The words that so desperately want to spill from my mouth, are halted by complete silence. It's gut-wrenching. What do I say? Thank you for letting me stay here, getting me away from that house, for looking after me and caring about me and for being my older brother. The words fail me, so subsequently, I end up settling.
"I love you, Lyle."
"I love you too, I really do." His hand ruffles in my hair. "Till next time little brother."
YOU ARE READING
All Too Well - Erik Menendez
General FictionTwo people. Two differing life stories. Two differing families. When Whisper first meets Erik Menendez, she could never imagine just how different his life was to hers, especially when he's holding a secret he really, really, can't tell her. Can he...
