Just a "Dream".

Chapter 24

"Karl Fields" I utter his name as I take a deep breath before continuing.

"I and Natasha were not always like this, we were like how sisters are normally. We had our share of fights and arguments but at the end of the day we still loved each other.

That was until Karl came into picture. My sister got obsessed with that guy. Karl was like this burning flame and she was the firefly. Anything Karl said or did, my sister was tied by it. He had her wrapped around his finger. He was good-looking, had a rugged style, was mysterious and that's practically the dream guy of every teenage girl right?" I let out a dry laugh as I throw my hands up in the air.

"And I was the one she told everything to. The places they used to hang out, the fun they had and how amazing Karl is. I was happy for her infact a little envious too that she gets to have so much fun. Once I even asked that if I could join them on one of their outings but Natasha straight away rejected the idea." a small smile slips on my lips as I imagine that scene in my mind.

"I thought Karl & Natasha were meant to be forever. It was very easy for my 13 year old self to believe that it would be possible. I even imagined Natasha and Karl getting married & and coming over for events like Christmas, Thanksgivings, Birthdays etc. Me, Mum, Dad, Natasha & Karl as one big happy family" I shake my head as I kick a stone on the pavement.

All this while, Niall is walking beside me. Apart from a few "hmm"s to show that he's listening, he hasn't said anything else.

"But then one day I saw Karl along with 2 more guys thrashing some guy. They were talking about some money which the guy had which actually belong to Karl. It didn't take long for my mind to register that Karl was some sort of a gangster.

That night I related the incident to my sister and her reaction caught me off guard. Instead of believing me she right away called me a liar. She told that I was jealous and that Karl would never hurt anyone. Then finally one day she proposed to mum & dad that she's getting married to Karl. That was the final straw I couldn't let my sister marry that gangster I had to do something so I blurted out what I had seen, about Karl fighting in the alley" I look around as I realize that we're almost home.

In about ten minutes I'll be standing in my driveway. But I don't wanna go home now.

"Come this way" Niall says reading my expression as he takes a right.

I follow him and within a few minutes we find ourselves standing in a public park.

"So then what happened?" Niall questions for the first time since I started talking about my past. We are seated on 2 swings side by side.

"My parents were furious after learning everything. We both were grounded, well I was, for supporting my sister & helping her sneak out of the house after curfew. Everything was in control and right when we thought that Natasha will not do anything stupid, she did. She ran away with Karl Fields, they got married I suppose but we didn't see her for more than a year" I trail off.

"And then she & Jace returned as Karl did not stick around.." Niall completes for me as I blow air from my mouth and simply nod.

"After that me and Natasha were never the same. She hated me, still does and I always felt guilty about getting her in that situation..But I never got to tell this to anyone.. And after our parents passed away, we just drifted further away.." I feel the tears sting as I look up at the sky in an attempt to keep them from falling.

A lone tear slips from my eye as I raise my hand quickly to wipe it hoping that Niall did not notice. The silence of the night encompasses us as I stay quiet unable to speak anymore. It's pleasant and cool and the breeze blowing causes the leaves of the trees to ruffle.

"I was always jealous of my brother.." Niall mutters all of a sudden.

"He was always the achiever I was more like the underdog. He was the pretty boy, he got all the girls, was charming and good at everything from studies to sports to even art & theatre.." he continues.

I stay silent as I continue to listen to him without questioning.

"...We had many fights and arguments. Then when I moved away to live by myself I never contacted him. Not once. Neither did he.. And now I realize that I was stupid to be jealous of my own brother.. I never noticed what talents and strengths I had as I was busy self sympathizing and disliking my brother. It was not his fault, we were just different from each other and each of us were individually unique. And yes I did make friends and got along with people pretty well. It was all just in my mind that people liked my brother better than me but see what it's cost me. I'm at a point in life right now where I can't even contact him.."

"Why can't you contact him?" I scrunch my brows in confusion as I look at him.

"He's not Jared Horan my brother anymore babe. He's the Jared Horan , one of the most sought after singers of this time. If I contact him now what's he gonna think? That obviously I'm doing so only to get to the money & fame via him" Niall looks at me pitifully as if I'm a little kid who won't be able to understand the complexity of the situation.

"Yes he's rich and famous and all that but he's your brother Niall. Maybe he also wants to contact you but he's always wondering what you might think if he contacts you now? You should contact him I feel.." I insist.

"You're too sweet Veronica but that's not possible now.." Niall shakes his head as he chooses not to explain anymore.

"Anyway my point was that cherish the people in your life. You never know when you might lose them. And then you can't get back with them because there's this void. This gap which goes on increasing and at one point you feel like you two don't even live in the same world. To think that you two shared the same homes, shared the good times is like a dream, it's like it never happened. And in the end it's just like you two become strangers.." Niall pauses abruptly as his voice becomes heavy.

"It's not your fault Veronica. You just did what you thought was the right thing to do at that

time. Natasha probably hates the fact that you and your parents were actually right about her boyfriend but I'm sure she doesn't hate you. You really should sort things out with your sister Veronica. She's the only family you have left" his final words leave me stunned as whip my head at him.

He's looking at me with so much seriousness that I haven't seen before on his face. That's when I realize that what he said is actually true.

"Ok...I'll..I'll talk to Natasha.." I nod as I lock eyes with him.

"But.. provided you talk to Jared.." I finish off.

A surprised expression covers Niall's face for a split second before it's gone and he's back in his calm composure.

"Alright.. and when I talk to Jared I'll make sure you're there as well" he grins back at me.
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