Best Friend's Brother: Chapter One

Well... Fudge

"Oh my God, Alexa!" I pulled her inside and hugged her to warm her with my body heat as Matt ran to grab a blanket off the couch. Alexa's sobs racked her body as she collapsed into the ground, taking me with her. Matt wrapped the blanket around her as I pulled her closer to me, letting her cry.

Alexa sobbed incoherent words as I gently rocked her back and forth to try to calm her down enough to speak. I heard Melody calling from the top of the stairs and making her way down, letting me know that she was awake.

"Matt!" I heard Melody yell.

"Hi, pumpkin!" Matt picked her up, giving her a bear hug.

Alexa started crying harder as she heard the small scene. I looked at Matt, and he understood to take Melody into another room. I continued to hold and comfort Alexa as she tried to calm down. I quietly started singing her a comforting lullaby Nana would sing me when I was sad, gently rocking her back and forth. Her sobs ceased after a few minutes, and I wiped the tears from her face as well as the snot on a corner of the blanket.

"Are you able to stand?" I gently asked, and Alexa nodded. I helped her stand up and brought her to the couch to sit down, "Alexa, what's wrong? I know we're not exactly friends, but I care about your well being. You can talk to me, I won't tell anyone anything you tell me, okay?"

Alexa nodded and took a deep breath, "I made a mistake, I feel so used, so unwanted." 

I rubbed her back as more tears filled her eyes, "He... I'm... She..."

"Alexa, honey," I gently said, "It's okay, you're safe here. You don't have to worry. Do you want some water?"

Alexa slowly nodded, "I'll be right back, okay?"

I stood up and quickly walked to the kitchen getting her a glass of water, Harry gave me a confused look, "I'll explain after she does," I vaguely stated and raced back to the living room. I handed Alexa the glass and sat next to her. She drank the water like it was the only water she will ever get again.

"You can have more water when you finish that one, don't worry," I kindly smiled at Alexa as she finished her water quickly.

She set the glass down on the coffee table, "He lied to me. He told me he loved me and would be there no matter what happened."

"Who is 'He'?" I asked and turned to her.

"His name is Eric," I froze hearing his name, "I've been talking to him for months. He got out of jail early because his mom bailed him out almost a year ago. He asked me out a few weeks ago before anything happened with Nathaniel. He said he had fallen in love with me and I had fallen for him too. I was so stupid to think he would love me. I was mad for letting him in.

"Everyone knows I jump around and in and out, but I felt like I could settle down with him and have a real relationship with him. I felt like I truly loved him, so I gave myself to him. I was so in the moment I forgot to even look for protection. I've been feeling sick in the mornings lately, so I got a test today," Alexa paused, tears filling her eyes as she quietly whispered, "It came back positive...

"I went to my mom, sobbing, regretting everything. She yelled and swore at me, calling me names like slut and whore and eventually kicking me out of the house, hopefully just for the time being... I'm terrified, Jessica. I know you hate me, I know we're not even close to being friends, I know I've caused invisible scars, and I'm so, so, so sorry. I may not have been when I made them, but on the walk over here, I had time to reflect, and I'm so sorry, for everything," Alexa sobbed, "Please, forgive me."

Alexa looked so broken and vulnerable, I pulled her into another hug, "It will take a bit for the recent scars to heal, but I forgive you for the past."

"Thank you," Alexa continued to cry.

I had a small internal battle before speaking to Alexa, "You can stay with us."

Alexa looked up at me with uncertainty clouding her eyes, "A-Are you sure?"

"Yeah, you can stay with us. It may be a little uncomfortable since there's five of us in a three-bedroom house, but we can make it work," I smiled, and Alexa offered to sleep on the couch, "No, you can have my bed."

"I can't just come in here and take your bed! That would be so rude of me... and I know I've been rude in the past, but I want to turn a new leaf with our relationship," Alexa gave me a sincere smile, "I want us to be friends. I want to really have a friend who cares and someone that I'll truly care about in return."

"We'll work on that, but for now, you're taking my bed."

|||

My eyes snapped open and could've torn holes in the clock above the tv. 2:33 a.m. Something feels wrong...

I sat up off the warm spot on the couch and felt an arm slide off my waist. I stood up and stretched turning around to see Matt still asleep on the couch. His left arm propped up on the arm of the couch holding his head as he leaned on his hand. His right arm had retreated to his lap after I had gotten up.  His lips were parted as soft snores came from them. I walked into the kitchen to get a drink of water, concerned that there was a light coming from the kitchen. As I got closer I realized that the door to the fridge was open, rushing over to it I heard shuffling come from behind me.

I snapped my head around to look for where the noise came from seeing the shadow of a person as my eyes were trying to adjust to the dark. "What are you doing up?" Harry asked stepping into the light and rubbing his left eye.

"I was getting water; what are you doing up?" I countered.

"I thought I heard someone rustling around down here, but I guess whatever it was is gone, or it was just you the whole time," Harry shrugged dropping his hand away from his face. We started walking out of the kitchen when I heard Harry trip over something; I turned to help him up but only meeting the hard chest of someone who I know isn't Harry.

I looked up knowing I wouldn't be able to see who it was, but once I heard his voice, I knew exactly who it was, "Howdy, darlin'. Did ya miss me?"