**DISCLAIMER** I just want to say that before I start, this story is purely FICTION. I edited details of both Ahren and Joel's lives to fit my story better, that includes making it so that Casey and Ahren have never met in this storyline. The year is 2014. I did search for the correct names of Joel's parents but could not find anything, so I named them as I saw fit. I do not own anything except for the story, that in itself is of my own mind, and the story cover that I made myself.
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It is said that you should always expect the unexpected, but to me that phrase contradicts itself. Expecting what's unexpected would automatically make the unexpected expected. Nevertheless, I did not expect to discover I was not an only child, like I'd thought the entirety of my 17 years. It had been just a simple Facebook message, the notification pinging loud enough to get my attention. I didn't recognize the user's profile picture, it was too small to really see much, but curiosity got the best of me and I tapped the little chat bubble. The name was what I noticed first, the black type blurring underneath my extreme scrutiny. Joel Birch. Another message pinged and my attention refocused.
"Hello. I'm not sure exactly how to say this, but I'm your brother."
"You there?"
I just stared at the words again, unsure if this was a dream or not. But I felt my fingers touching the keys, typing out a reply.
"Yeah, I'm here, sorry. Just hard to take in is all."
"So you believe me? That was easy, haha. :P" My brows raised slightly.
"Should I not?"
"I am just surprised is all. To be honest, I'm not really sure what to say."
"Me neither. Maybe tell me how exactly we're related?"
"Oh, right. My dad is Dave Birch, my mother is Anna." I hold my breath as my eyes scan the words.
"So it looks like we're half siblings then," I type back once I can exhale normally. "My mom's name is Sara. Looks like our dad has a thing for women with short names, huh? lol."
"Looks like it! Haha, I never noticed that until you pointed it out. You're funny." I try to picture his laugh and end up with something like my dad's, but younger. Speaking of.
"Are you my older half brother?"
"Older brother, turd. And yup, dad said you're turning eighteen soon. I'm twenty six."
"God, you're old! lol :P" The bouncing dots show up for a while, and I'm worried for a moment that I hurt my newfound sibling's feelings, but his message pops up soon after.
"Ha ha ha, so funny baby sister." His attempt at a jab makes me laugh, and we trade playful insults until well into the night, until I can't hold my eyes open any longer. Once I shut my laptop I fall back into my pillows and sleep with a peace I've never known before.
YOU ARE READING
Keeping Us Apart
FanficWhen Hudson moves in with her brother Joel, she expects it to be an adjustment. But what she doesn't expect will have her questioning every fiber of her being and above all, put her in places she never dreamed of.
