My Best Friend's Brother

Chapter 15

I was up all night replaying what happened at the movies in my head. The way Nate's hand moved so slowly up my thigh, how he left my skin hot after he touched it.

Does he enjoy playing me? He's ready hurt me once, why does he want to do it again?

I woke up to the smell of... Bacon? My mom hasn't cooked breakfast since Colton was home.

Colton is my older brother who went into the marines after high school. He had a drinking problem and got into some bad situations as a kid. I didn't see him much when he was in high school, seeing as he was 6 years older than me. He wanted to start over and so he went into the marines. It's been a little over a year since he's been home. Him and my mom would cook everything together, and Colton surprisingly was the better chef.

But it smells like she's gone full out. Bacon, some pancakes, eggs? What's the occasion?

I put on some shorts and tied my hair up in a bun. I went downstairs and the smell of food got stronger.

"Mom?" No answer. "Dad?" Still no answer.

I walked into the kitchen and saw a feast on the table, more than enough for 3 people.

I rounded the corner and saw a tall muscular figure at the stove.

"Colton?" The man turned around and sure enough, it was my older brother.

"Hey Elena." He had a big goofy grin on his face and I ran and jumped on him for a hug.

"I haven't seen you in forever C!" I felt hot tears stream down my cheek as I hugged my brother for dear life. He wrapped his arms around me and gave me a squeeze.

"Good to see you too El." He put me down and I wiped my tears away as I laughed a little.

"You weren't supposed to be home until Christmas! What are you doing here?"

"I'm here for 2 weeks. Mom didn't tell you?" He put the remainder of the eggs onto a plate.

"No. I'm so happy you're home." I can't seem to get my smile to lessen. I'm just so happy.

"You've gotten a little light on me El, what happened?" I knew that was coming.

"Um, I kind of, well, stopped..."

"You stopped eating." I met his gaze and I felt ashamed.

"How did you know?"

"You look pale, your eyes are sunken, and you weigh almost nothing. Why?"

"It's nothing."

"It's obviously not nothing if it got to you. You are my tough no nonsense little sister." I looked down at our kitchen table, not being able to look at my brother. I didn't want to disappoint him.

"I'm sorry." That's all I could say.

"Sorry? Elena, this isn't your fault. Something or someone hurt you so badly that you did this to yourself. Please tell me El. Are you being bullied?"

I shook my head.

"Are you and Natalie in a fight?"

I shook my head again.

"Was it a boy?"

I didn't move. I only looked up at him through my tear lined eyes.

"Oh Elena. Who do I have to kill? Is it that Nate kid that you've been in love with since birth?" I couldn't help but let out a pathetic laugh.

"No, no. Nate, he's a whole different story." I wiped my tears and Colton looked at me in confusion.

"What do you mean?"