Everything I Didn't Say

t w e n t y - t h r e e

Gif to the side is of Xavier ->

TWENTY-THREE

A KNOCK RESOUNDED throughout our house.

Xavier and I both lifted our heads in boredom and observed each other. Then, at the same time, we both said "you get it."

I shook my head. "No. I got the door yesterday."

"No, I did!"

"That's a lie. I got it for the postman, when he brought your new college books."

"It's your turn."

"Fine!" I huffed and got to my feet, throwing down the book I was reading. I exited the sitting room and made my way out into the hallway glumly. I knew whoever was knocking on the door wasn't for me. Nobody – specifically a certain blonde boy – hadn't been to see me in two weeks.

I wrenched open the door and was struck by horror at the girl standing on the porch steps. For a moment I stared blankly at her in confusion, wondering whether she was here to sell something. But then realisation kicked in and I blinked.

"Bethany."

She looked surprised but quickly masked it with a curt nod. "Isla" she responded as if we were civil friends who had already been formally introduced. "Is your brother home?"

Today, she was wearing a mink pink coat with matching gloves and brown boots. Her signature brown hair was curling down past her collar.

"What are you doing here?" I wondered.

She folded her arms almost impatiently. "I'm here to see your brother – so ... is he home or what?"

I just looked at her before identically crossing my arms across my chest. I felt like a mother bear protecting her cub from a dangerous predator (wearing a horrible coat). "I think you should leave" I said.

She started a little, rearing her head up high – much higher than me. Peering down her nose incredulously, she asked "what?"

Without backing down from my post, I repeated "I think you should leave."

"What?"

"Let me rephrase it to something your thick brain might understand: my brother doesn't want to see you."

She quirked an unamused eyebrow, obviously not taking me very seriously. I took this as an opportunity to rake my eyes over her physique. I'd give her this, for someone who'd given birth not too long ago she still looked amazingly good.

"Maybe if you call your brother-" she began in a condescending tone.

"Maybe if you get the hell off our porch, I won't call the cops" I responded evenly.

"You wouldn't dare" she scoffed, tossing her hair over her shoulders.

"Try me. I want to do much more. Including punching you right in the mouth" I shot back.

She halted in what she was about to retort and seemed taken aback. "Your brother didn't mention that you were a stubborn little bitch" she muttered.

"Yeah, well, I've had a change of heart these past few weeks" I replied without skipping a beat.

We glared at each other in silence before she broke her gaze first in a bored roll of her eyes. Obviously, she was used to arguing with people. "Look, be a good girl and go and get Xavier for me."

"Where's Summer today?" I asked.

"That is none of your business" she raised her voice and snapped. "Now go and get your fucking brother before-"