Glass Houses Shouldn't Throw Stones

Chapter Eight

My legs rested on a coffee colored side table in Adelias' room. He and I laid feet to head, sprawled out uncomfortably. We were playing twenty questions.

"Do you like Penny?" He looked shocked, like I had set off a bomb. His cheeks flared red and I knew.

"Don't tell mom or dad." We aren't allowed to date. Ever.

"So tell me why you like her..."

"She's beautiful Ror."

"And? Besides looks?"

"Not just in looks." He sighed. "She fights through all this like she knows she's getting out. Like we're stuck in a tunnel and there's a light at the end in case our candle dies. When new kids come, she tells them her story. She's so modest. I don't know if she's intelligent but hell, she sure knows a lot of medical things." I listened attentively. "She wants to be a pediatric oncology doctor when she grows up. She wants to help people. She's going to Africa when she's better to build a well. Ror, what isn't she?"

It was in this moment that I realized my brother might be in love. I didn't tease him. I whispered, "You love her." It wasn't a question.

"Of course. Not like I love you." He gave me a signature smirk with his rotten teeth.

"Hey!" He burst. "Remember that time when the lights in the fridge were the only ones in the kitchen so we danced with them and closed them to make strobe lights?" We started giggling at the memory.

"Oh boy, that was so long ago." We laid in silence until Adelias thought I was asleep. I hadn't slept since I came on Friday. It was now Saturday evening.

"Adelias, I'll take care of Penny at school. I'm taking her shopping tomorrow."

"Can I come?"

"Won't I be a third wheel then? Bring someone, like Aaron."

Speak of the devil.

"Hey man." Aaron high fived Adelias.

"Ror you know Aaron right?" I say up and mumbled "sadly."

"Yeah we go back to Monday."

"Good for you." Adelias snorted. Aaron looked aghast, but who cares?

"So can I go?" Adelias asked me.

"I don't know. Penny has a tank I think. You can't carry that and I will carry her bags. Plus she wouldn't want you with her wig shopping."

"Wig? Why?"

"She's self conscious like every other girl who's been insulted before." I pointed the statement at Aaron, but Adelias clenched his fists.

"How could anyone insult such a pretty girl?"

"She's not your girlfriend." I pointed out.

"Hahah. You wish you were!" He smirked.

"Ew! I'm your sister!" I fell off the bed when I realized what I'd said.

"Just kidding Aaron, got you there." Adelias joked.

"Uh...what the hell Aurora?" Aaron stormed out. I murmured something to my older brother and followed Aaron.

"Why are you so unbelievable?!" He screamed outside the hospital. I panted as I dashed after this peculiar boy.

"Me? Oh yes I'm unbelievable!"

"You are god dang it!"

"How? I dare you."

"You throw yourself at all those guys in that picture!"

"That's my family!"

"You're a slut....you know that?"

"I'm such a slut. I've never had a first kiss and barely hug people."

"Is that why you lay with guys in hospital beds?"

"THAT'S MY GOD DAMN BROTHER!!!"

"Another lie you have told!" He bellowed.

"I don't need to explain anything to you."

"You do! If they are your family, then you lied about being his sister. You danced with that girl all night and lied to me about the hospital. I needed you."

"We don't always get the love we deserve, get over it. I barely know you."

"Ugh! You're so....infuriating! Get in the car." The last part was softer.

"Why? Am I another word now too?"

"No."

"What do you want from me?" I held my head in my hands.

"To know you like no one else does."

"Take me home to change first." I grunted.