Me With Him

chapter 28

So the boys are getting along great, and life seems perfect.
I'm in the eleventh grade Cason is a senior. He goes to college next year and will be leaving me alone to go study geologic stuff in Florida. I will be living by myself, but I think I'm going to have Brenna move in with me. It's been almost a month since I had any problems and school lets out in thirteen days. I'm so excited!
As I got ready for school I curled my hair and went down to breakfast in a white tee shirt and grey sweat pants. Cason was making bacon and waffles, something was wrong. Cason doesn't cook. Ever.
''What's up bro?" I furrowed my brow worried at him.
''We need to talk. Sit down.''
I sat and took my plate from him.
''Cason what's wrong? Honest, no chicken, no secrets.''
I took a bite of the yummy food.
''I'm going away this summer to study with some archeologists.'' He flinched as if he suddenly realized that this was a wrong time to have this conversation. I stood up and walked out. I was so confused, we were supposed to have this summer. I just ran and went straight to school. I put my books in my classroom and went to find Aron. I ran into Cason on the way.
''C.J.?''
''Just don't Cason. Please don't.''
He grabbed my arm when I tried to walk away. I was on top of him in five seconds flat. He might be bigger than me, but I fight way better than he ever has. Especially now with my new position, he instantly tried a flip but I caught his leg in mine and shifted my weight.
''Wrong move Cason.'' I hissed low, venom in every word.
Then I hear Josh,
''Man sibling fight'' he whistled
''It just got real in here.'' He finished his statement and I jumped up off of Cason. Since we had an audience now. I figured this could wait. I went to class just as the bell rang.
''So I heard it got real between you and Cason. I heard you guys were beating the hell out of eachother.'' Aron said as he sat beside me.
''Not what happened, I'll explain later. Just please don't mess with it okay?''
''Yeah, but you know Courtney will have a hay day with this right?"
"I'll deal with that when the time comes.''
''Alright, I love you.''
''I love you too. Thanks for understanding.''
I offered him a weak smile and he looked at me with eyes full of concern. Mrs. Rite looked pointedly at us before beginning her speech.
''Okay class, today we will be beginning the end of the year project. It will be an independent essay on the topic of your choice. The only criteria is your essay must be a minimum of 10 pages long. Of course you will be graded on the content, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. You may begin discussing topics amongst yourselves.''
I walked up to Mrs. Rite and whispered something about lady troubles and she let me leave class. I'm younger than most in my grade because Cason and I both started school a year early so teachers are generally pretty sympathetic and let us do whatever. Then again our school isn't the best. I mean they're a little under staffed and the teachers who will work here think we're worthless trash. I walked into the ladies room and guess who was standing there fixing her eyeliner? Courtney.
''Hey Lockergirl, so I wonder what children's services will think about Cason raising you and the amount you guys fight, don't you?''
''You try anything and I will kick your sorry self into next year.'' I whispered low, my voice dripping with venom. I wanted to kill her for the comment. I couldn't be held responsible for what happened to her if she actually called them.
''That a threat Lockergirl?''
''I don't make threats, I make promises. And besides didn't Cason beating the hell out of you teach you not to mess with my family?''
''Oh you don't know? He didn't beat me, his girlfriend did. Have you seen her lately? I didn't think so.'' She laughed. I swore and walked out. I would finish this when I could think clearly. I went back to class and tried to focus on my essay. My topic was going to be highschool. What's easier than writing what you're living? I started my first copy and before I knew it class was over and I had written 13 pages and wasn't done. I went to my next class and did the work, but my brain was somewhere else. Finally lunch bell rang. I went to lunch and Cason sat across from me. Reese cup and Aron were on either side of me. They were eyeing him wearily. I nodded his way.
''You know I heard something interesting from Courtney.''
''You trust Courtney now?''
''On this I do. Who did you hire? Did you not think I couldn't handle myself?''
''You looked so broken. I'm your brother, what was I supposed to do?''
''Where is she? Do you even know?'' My voice sounded calm but the storm inside was raging.
I got up and walked out. Brenna followed but Ariel knew better. I needed Brenna. I went into the bathroom and started sobbing quietly.
''Sweetie, I'm sure your brother was just trying to be smart.''
''B-Brenn, Cason could get into serious trouble. Nobody has seen Alicia.'' Brenna swore under her breath.
''Come on Case, we know Cason could never let anything happen to her. Lets go back to lunch and let Cason finish his story.''
''Yeah, you're probably right.''
We went to lunch and Cason finished his story.
''Alicia is at home with the flu. Where did you think I went after school every day?''
''I'm sorry Case.''
''Why do you always go and assume the worst of me?''
''When's the last time you were completely honest with me?''
''I have to protect you.''
''That is where you're wrong Cason. I can handle myself.''
''I doubt that.''
STOP TREATING ME LIKE A CHILD!''
''YOU ARE A CHILD!''
''YOU'RE ONLY A YEAR OLDER THAN ME!''
''YET I'VE PRACTICALLY RAISED YOU!''
''HARROLD RAISED ME! YOU WERE MY BIG BROTHER! WE DIDN'T COME IN PAIRS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE! YOU WERE LIKE MY TWIN! WE HAD EACHOTHERS BACKS! NOW WE'RE AT EACHOTHERS THROATS! YOU USED TO TREAT ME LIKE YOUR EQUAL! NOW YOU'RE SUDDENLY SO MUCH BETTER THAN ME WHAT HAPPENED? What happened to my partner? Cause I'd sure like him back.''
''Reality happened sis. Welcome to the real world.''
He got up and walked out.