Goodbye, Hello.

3 years ago

Tears ran down my face as we reached the moment I had been dreading for weeks. This was it- I had to say goodbye. The next time I see Max could be months, if ever. My older brother, my incredible, kind, smart older brother was joining the army. He constantly tries to tell me that he is doing this for all the right reasons, that he wants to save the world, help people and be a generally good guy. What he doesn't understand is that he already is good- hell, he's the best.

Yet he's breaking my heart. 

'Come on Lex, I should be the crying one. By the time I'm back, the house is going to be wrecked with the raves you'll be having!' He laughed as he wiped a tear from my face. Max laughed for a good reason. I'm known for many things: running through town dressed as a chicken while a rabid dog chased me, kicking my teacher in the groin, putting a condom over my head during Sex Education...Generally normal teenage things. But being social and throwing parties- Social gatherings where people have fun- Pah. I spit on normal enjoyment. I'd rather sit at home gorging on crème eggs and watching Disney movies than go out and be cool.

'Hilarious. Besides, Dad will be around- no fun shall be had.' Max's eyes darkened at my words.

'I doubt my disappearance will shorten his stays at the pub. I don't believe he'll be watching you like a hawk as he blunders around looking for more beer.'

'Good point.' I couldn't say anything longer; my throat caught and I let out a sob. Max dropped his bag, gave me a bear hug then punched my arm and told me to shut up. He is going to make a great Dad someday.

The taxi veered round the corner and Max chewed his lips nervously. The wind picked up speed as I could feel my unevenly cut hair flaying around in all directions. It's pretty annoying when it keeps flicking me in the face and blinding me. Yet this is not the time for hair. I hit my brother in the stomach to get his attention, like the good little sister that I am.

'Swear that you will come home.'

'I wholeheartedly swear on all that is good and holy that I shall return home to annoy you for the rest of your days.' Max jokily saluted and chanted the sacred oath I've taught him to say every 10 minutes.

'Promise?' 

'Yep' He said distractedly, popping the 'p'.

The taxi man got out and nodded at me politely as he grabbed Max's suitcase and loaded into the car- which was fairly polite of him considering it weighs about 200 pounds and its 4am. Max gave me one final grin and grabbed the door handle, pulling it open. I wasn't ready for this. I had tried so hard to feel proud of him, to respect him for what he's doing. But it's so damn hard. I'm 14 years old. I have lost my mother, basically lost my father, and now he's going too. Leaving me all alone to face the monsters that plague life day by day and 'Be more solo than Han Solo' as he put it- I hate him. Yet I love him more than anything.

Tears threaten to fall once more as Max shuts the Taxi door, though he quickly rolls down the window and beckons me to high five him- a request that I cannot deny.

'Goodbye, Lex.'

I struggle to speak as the Taxi engine started.

'Goodbye.'

The Taxi veered away with a certain older brother in it, and the moment it was out of sight, I sat on the floor and sobbed. 

***

I forced myself to go to school that same morning, purely because I had an English exam which I had been studying for for 3 weeks. It was just sucky that it had to be the day Max went off to the army. It's not like I would do anything else but sit at home and watch Doctor Who all day while crying and scoffing as many cupcakes down my throat as possible.

I cursed myself for not choosing that option.

'Did you just swear at me?' A voice came from an unknown source as I stared at the inside of my locker.

Please don't be a teacher.

'No I- Oh, OW you son of a freaking bitch!' I wacked my head on the top of my locker as I began to reply to the undoubtedly masculine voice and it hurt like hell. I rubbed my head thoroughly whilst squinting upwards (I have a bottom locker) to see the owner of the mysterious voice.

Sadly, it was a rather attractive young gentleman who was sniggering at me as I saw stars swirl around me.

'It's not often I have girls fall at my feet and swear uncontrollably at me you know.' He smirked at me as I began to gather my bearings and sense that I looked like a (Beware of my English wonder) complete a total twat.

'I presume those two cases are eventually linked a lot of the time.' I stood up and shook off my dizziness to stare my opponent right his... Damn does this boy have green eyes.

'You are correct in thinking this Madam. Now, since you swore so vigorously at me, tell me your name.'

Ha. Like I planned to give some stranger my name- I did not need this sudden confrontation with him nor lies of my vulgarity today of all days. Green eyes noticed my obvious hesitation.

'If you tell me yours I'll tell you mine!'

'What are you, eight? I don't want or need to know your name.'

'Fourteen, actually. Pretty please tell me?' Oh my God, he's giving me the worst puppy dog eyes in human history.

'No.'

He stuck his tounge out at me.

'Yes.'

'No.'

'Yes!'

'Ugh, if it stops this childish squabbling, then fine! It's Alexandra, OK!' I shuddered as I mentioned my full name. 'If you and I ever have the misfortune to meet again, call me Alex.' Will looked suprised for a moment, and a very brief moment of recognition flashed through his eyes- my imagination most likely. I can't read eyes, and they are so not the windows to the freaking soul. 

'You could not be more posh.'

Yes you fool, I do that on purpose. In year three, I was picked on for being poor, so I act rich, (to the point of being called my full name that is.) Now he insults me for being posh- I can't freaking win.

'I'm Will. I hate the name Alex, it's too boyish.'

That's the point, idiot. (Yes, I'm being harsh, but I've had a crap day. Besides, he insulted my name.)

'I'll call you... Lexi. No, no wait. Lex. I'll call you Lex.' I felt myself tense when he called me that. Only Max could call me that.

'Lex is a boy's name too though?' Please let that derail him.

'Nah, just because Lex Luthor was a guy, doesn't mean you are.'

Gee, great, just what I need. And what kind of logic is that- why doesn't he just call me Alex with that reasoning? Fourteen year old girls, namely me, don't need this stuff with boys for another two years or so. I'll just see him then- assuming he hasn't moved schools (Oh no for me) like most other new people at this school do within a month. I don't go to some terrible, drug dealing crack den of a school or anything, just this place is commonly referred to as a stepping stone for parents who need a place to quickly shove their kids into temporarily when they have nowhere else. Others, like me, are stuck for life. Or 7 years- but same thing.

'OK then, great chatting to you buddy, but I gots to goooo.'

I turned away from Will hastily and sauntered of into a hopefully different direction to him. It's a relief that I did, as Rebecca Underhill walked out and gave him one of her 'Gimme some sugar' looks. Rebecca is the school bitch and queen slut, a champion for the fact that she's my age. If she wants Will, you don't talk to Will.

'Wait, Lex!'

Oh shit.

'I forgot to say, Hello!' This boy was clearly younger than he looks. Three, perhaps? I sigh, throw my hands up in the air, (Like I just don't care) unwilling to turn around a look into Rebecca's likely burning, demonic eyes and I yell: 

'HELLO!'

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A/N Thanks for taking the time to read this! New chapters will be up soon :)