Blue Flower

Chapter 15

-Chester-

“Want me to tell you how we are connected?” Andrew said as we walked down on our way home. I was bringing my bike along with me, my hand on the left grip, and the other free hand was rested on the seat. I matched it with our slow walking pace.

“Yeah. Sure.” he said.

I was intrigued by the two of them. With the way their stares clashed, there was something unsaid between the two of them.

Andrew took it as a cue to start telling me his story.

“Ten years ago, when I was seven years old, and Michael was a high school student, then. He was adopted by my dad. Michael had no family of his own, and I don't know why. He was welcomed in our family with open arms before I was born. And I grew up with him.

We were more than brothers. I loved and admired him as a person, and he took me in as if I was his own son. Then one day, I came home from school. Dad and Michael had an argument, and you know, I was a little kid that time. The reason was unknown to me. The next thing I knew, Dad kicked him out of our house. I tried to ask why, but the answer never came. Michael looked at me one last time, while I broke out into tears. And when he walked out of the door, I knew it was over.”

As I stared at him while telling me his story, I saw a tear on the corner of his eye, almost wanting to fall, but remained clinging on its place. Andrew wiped it, and shot me a puppy look again.

It caused my heart to pour out sympathy to him.

We continued to walk on our way home, not saying anything to each other.

Michael's eyebrows creased out of analyzing my poem. He put the hard copy down and looked at me.

“So, your poem is about love?” he asked me.

I nodded. I was sitting at the chair in front of his table, feeling the cold air conditioning unit freeze my whole body. I couldn't believe I would be able to meet him. He was one of America's bestselling novelists, and I had a copy of two of his blockbuster books.

“Whoa, that's nice.” he said, staring intently at the poem. He submerged himself into deep thinking, and it lead us into minutes of silence.

“Uhm, excuse me, can I ask you something?”

“Yeah. What is it?”

“Is Andrew your brother?”

He eyed me carefully, his stare sending me the message:”Don't you ever dare ask that question again!”

I froze on my seat.

He cleared his throat and eyed me more careful than ever.

“Correction, ADOPTED BROTHER.” he emphasized.

I creased my eyebrows in confusion. I was about to ask him about the unsettled feud they have.

“Watch out!” Andrew screamed as he grabbed my arm away from the speeding motorcycle. It had gone meters past us. I looked at his hand, tightly grasping my arm to cuddle me in safety. My heart had gone totally wild inside my chest, breaking my ribs with every forceful beating. His skin on my skin...his hand in my arm. Doesn't that feel right?

In that moment, I felt like lying down on the whitest and softest clouds.