Lakeside

[12] The SD Card

"What?" I ask in disbelief. I think I must be hearing things. There's no way he could have said what he did,

"You heard me. I choose Brenna." He says again, and I move my palm to my chest and feel my heart beating out of control. My mouth opens to say something, but I don't know what to say. I can feel Brenna's gaze on me.

"Hayden, we're family. You can't just ignore that." I feel my face heat up, and my breath is heavy. I don't know what else to say.

"I know, Brielle. But you are in the wrong. I'm not going to risk my relationship with Brenna for some stupid, immature fight I had with my younger sister."

"Choosing between us doesn't classify this as stupid. Do you even know what you're doing? Things aren't just going to be dandy and fine after this, no matter who you choose." I tell him.

"I've already chosen, and yes, I realize that. Brenna means everything to me, and it's much more than just a fling, what you have with Ash. She is my main priority." Hayden stands firm with his arms crossed and his eyebrows furrowed.

"You're going to choose your two-year girlfriend over your own family? Are you serious?" I hope what I'm saying will change his mind, though I know deep down it won't. I just want to try.

"Yes. She means more to me."

His words shoot at me. They are bullets. I feel my eyes sting, and I have nothing left to say to him. But I say one more thing anyways, even though I really don't think it through.

"I came here to make amends. Instead of that you have decided to put a barrier between our blood. Tell me once again who you choose." Surprisingly, I say this without my voice breaking.

"I choose Brenna." He says again, and even after the third time he's said it, the words sting.

"Then I guess I don't have a brother anymore." my voice breaks, and the tears start to flow as I watch him standing expressionless, and his barbie doll smirk at me right next to him.

I back away from them, climbing up the ladder and going through the hatch. I lock the hatch after me, and I make sure to move away from it before I let sobs escape my mouth in case they could hear me. I try to silence the sobs as best as I can. I lean up against the wall and tip my head back. I hold my gut, feeling that any second I'll puke.

I need help, I think. The first face to show up in my mind was Ash, and I stopped doing things for a second. I moved to the window and saw him cleaning his room. I could stay in here and drown myself in thoughts, or I could get help. And be happy.

I want to be happy.

So I took careful but quick steps on the plank, holding my arms out for balance. Looking down, I can see Hayden walking out of the cabin alongside Brenna. I look up quickly and knock on Ash's window. He snaps his head to me as he's folding clothes, and I think my tear-stained cheeks was what caused him to drop the shirt he was folding. He looked at me with concern and quickly came over to open the window.

"Hey there." He greets with open arms, and I crawl through his window to be caught in his arms, putting all my weight on him. I buried my face in his chest and let a sob out. He strokes the back of my head gently, and snakes his arm around my lower back, securing me in his grip. "What happened?"

"He... He chose her." That was all I could force out. My face creased and shriveled, and I could barely speak. "Brenna." I clarify. "I'm sorry. I let you down. I can't make up with him, I just can't." I whisper out the last few words, and he shushes me.

"Don't apologize, baby girl. You don't have to, just let me hold you alright?"

"Mhm." I agree, nodding my head in his chest. I feel too sad to consider what he just called me. But, nonetheless, I feel a little better already. I take a few shaky breaths before I feel that I have the courage to speak again, but he beats me to it.