Stolen Hearts

IX. Sweet Sorrows and Reconnections

HEYYYY!!! So I'm still procrastinating.  But I finished my French Final early and got time to edit this, so enjoy!!

"H-home?"  Did he just say home?  Did I just hear Landon say that I get to go home? 

"Did I fucking stutter, bella?" He's smirking at me, still halfway between the door.

"But why?" I narrow my eyes, I don't trust his motives.

"Why you don't wanna go home?  Besides you're part of my gang.  You tell anyone and I'll kill you.  So it's safe to let you go home.  Actually I can't believe it took that long for you to snoop around."  

"Wait...you, you wanted me to see that guy?"  

Landon snorts, "Obviously, bella.  I'm surprised you didn't figure it out.  I wasn't that subtle.  Besides I always get what I want, and if I hadn't wanted you to see us, then you wouldn't have."  

Rage rises, and sputtering, I reply, "You tricked me!  You wanted me to join your gang! Y-you control freak!  Who gave you the fucking right?!" 

Landon rolls his eyes, "Bella, I was pretty sure you didn't want to spend your life with me, and I'm absolutely sure I don't want to waste my life looking after you, add that to the fact that I don't kill without reason, and this was the only option.  You had to see something confidential, so you'd have to join, and then you're out of my hair.   So you're welcome.  Now you have two minutes to get in the car."  He strides out of the room, and shuts the door behind him.   

***

We're turning the block close to my house, when Landon speaks. 

"You better behave, bella.  I just got rid of you, don't screw that up.  Just don't say anything.  We went over your excuse, okay?  So just stay out of trouble.  And keep that tattoo hidden, it'll get you anything you want, but will also make you a target. "  

He pauses and pulls something out of his pocket. Shoving my phone at me, he continues, "It's been upgraded.  My number is there under Ace.  It's encrypted, and has a few new features.  If you ever get in trouble, Don's number is there under Axel.  Text us both with 'Math test tom.' for emergencies.  We'll find you.  Siri has also been updated.  Just yell Math test tomorrow and we'll immediately be notified.  "

Still fuming I tersely nod, and Landon glances at me.  He stops the car in front of the gate, and I'm out of the car, when he speaks again, "And, bella?" 

I turn to him, and his grey eyes stare me down,"Parting is such a sweet sorrow.Try not to miss me too much."

He winks, and I slam the door, before stomping up the path.  The nerve!  As I enter the code, as I walk up the house, I can feel his eyes on my back, and the second the gate closes and hear the car take off, relief floods through me.  Now all I have to do is deal with Conner.

***

"So. You're telling us.  That this was all.  Some prank?"  At every pause, Conner's eyes narrow and his brow goes higher. 

I wave my hand in front of my nose and squish my face, "Damn Conner, take a step back, I can smell your disbelief."  

Conner sighs, and presses his hand to the side of his temple,  and dryly adds, "I think you need a bath, because you reek of lies."

"Whatever, I don't have to deal with your bullshit.  I've told you what happened!  You were totally overreacting, so Seb and I decided to play a prank on you.  So I was 'kidnapped'.  Chill a little dude."

"Oh my fucking god-"

"Hey!  Don't use the Lord's name in vain!"

Glaring, Conner continues, "Alicia!  What the fuck, do you think I'm an idiot?  Overreacting?  I found out that our dad was raping you for 5 years!  What the fuck did you think I would do?  Skip in a circle and throw some fucking daisies around?  Do you think i'm dumb?!  Obviously something happened that you don't want me to know!  And I'm telling you, you tell me now, or don't expect any help when you screw shit up again!"

He takes a breath to continue, but I cut in, "Excuse me?  You Grade-A Douche!  If it isn't clear then let me make it crystal.  Our.  Dad. Raped. Me. For. Several. Years.  When you found out, did you expect me to start crying and shit?  NO!  I'm not gonna sit around like a bitch!  I just got my life back, and I'm gonna take advantage of it!  I didn't screw any shit up!  MOM LEFT BECAUSE OF DAD.  DAD RAPED ME BECAUSE OF MOM!  HOW BLIND CAN YOU BE?" My eyes are filled with tears, and my voice has risen to a hysterical shriek. 

Conner tries to stop me, but I just raise my voice over his, "IT WAS NEVER MY FAULT.  I DON'T KNOW HOW YOUR DUMB ASS 12 YEAR OLD BRAIN THOUGHT IT WAS MY FAULT MOM LEFT, I DON'T KNOW HOW STUPID A PERSON CAN BE TO THINK THAT RAPE IS THE VICTIMS FAULT!  YOU MAY BE FAILING IN SCHOOL, BUT YOU'RE EXCEEDING IN BEING A DUMB ASS! AND I'M SORRY IF FINDING DAD RAPING ME RUINED YOUR PERFECT LIFE, MAYBE WE CAN JUST PRETEND YOU NEVER CAUGHT HIM?" My voice fades as my anger is replaced with disappointment.  I'm speaking in a quiet, whisper that I have to strain to hear, "Isn't that what you want?  My pain for your happiness?  Then take it, you shitty brother."

"No, you-"

I try to brush past him and up the stairs, but Conner grabs me by the arm and pulls me into a hug.  His chin rests on top of my head and his voice is muffled by my hair.  The first drop hits my neck, and I jerk in surprise, but Conner hugs me harder.  His body is shaking with sobs, and for a few minutes he just holds me.  

I try to speak, but he composes himself, and continues, "No.  My turn."

I nod, and Conner begins to talk in a hushed, teary whisper, "Al.  No.  I-I was so wrong.  Malaya, s-she told me that you knew about Mr. Hunt and Mom.  I believed her, this was Mal, sh-she was my superhero, you know.  In my eyes she couldn't lie or do any wrong.  I was so wrong, Al, I believed her over you, and you didn't know anything about it.  When I found out I was wrong, I didn't believe it then either.  I was so cocky, so arrogant that I didn't want to admit I was wrong.  I needed someone to blame, and I chose you.  It took me a year to realize what a dumb ass I was being.  But by then you had Logan, and I-i thought you didn't need me anymore.  I talked to Seb, I confronted Mal, but  I thought I had lost you.  You looked so happy, and I beat myself up for losing you, but I couldn't bring myself to hurt you again.  It's no excuse, but I convinced myself that the best thing would be to leave you alone.  I had already hurt you, I didn't want to do it again, no matter how much it hurt me to see you had replaced me."  

Conner is staring into space, his thick arms still wrapped around me and tears still dripping down his face.

"Al I was so wrong.  That day when I caught Dad, I-I was so angry.  I wanted to kill him, but if anyone deserved the honor, it was you. But when I saw you, I was so mad, but at me.  It was my fault you didn't trust me enough to help you.  It was MY fault that it lasted so long.  You lost so much because of me.  I took it out on you, and by the time I dragged Dad behind bars, y-you were gone.  Please, Al, don't leave me.  Hate me, yell at me, hurt me, but don't leave me.  I was such a bitch to you to, and I've hurt you so much, instead of protecting you like I should've.  I'm your brother and I failed you.  I'm so sorry Al, I can't tell you how much I regret these past years.  I've always been the stupidest White, but every year I became more aware of it.  But now that I have you, I'm not letting you go.  Please-"

Conner finally faces me, and stops when he sees the tears running down my face.  

"No Al, don't cry. I failed you, you never did anything wrong.  Please just say something"

I just hug him back, and we just sit there, sobbing, and hugging each other.

"BITCHES!  Logan is here!  ALICIA! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! YOU ARE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE YOUNG LADY!"  

I finally let go of Conner to roll my eyes at Logan, and I don't need any telepathic abilities to tell Conner did the same.  Apparently thinking the same thing, Conner glances at me at the same time as I turn to him, and grins.  

 For the first time in years, I feel a familiar spark in my mind.  

Hope you guys liked it, don't forget to Vote and Comment!  Thanks!

And if you were wondering I totally bombed my Algebra and American History finals, in a bad way.  :((

But it's okay!  B/c who needs History anyways, amirite? ;(