Winter Break -- VERY SLOWLY EDITING

Chapter 20

Jake sat on the edge of my bed. We didn't talk. I just laid my head on his shoulder and cried. That seemed to be the only thing I was good at lately, crying. Well that and shutting out the one I love. It seriously must take something seriously wrong with you to push away the one you love. The one who loves you. That must be what's wrong with me, I must be seriously mentally ill, "that must be it." I didn't mean to say the words out loud but it was just like word vomit. Once it came out I couldn't stop it. "I must be mentally ill if I push away and shut out the one bright thing in my life." I looked up at my brother. He looked disappointed, whether it be from him not being the bright thing in my life your because of what just came out of my mouth. He grabbed me tightly by the shoulder but not enough to hurt me. He looked me in the eyes and he started crying. My older brother who is always so composed finally cracked and he pulled me into a hug where we both sat holding each other and crying. We could've lasted like that for several more hours, and we probably would have until there was a knock on the door downstairs. " I got it." Jake stood up and wiped his tears before walking out of my bedroom.
I layed on my bed empty. So many thoughts rushing through my head, negative and positive. The negatively crushing on my soul and the positive lifting my spirit. Although in the end I just felt weird. I felt numb. My body was tingling but I felt hollow. I walked over to my window seat and sat down staring up at the stars. It was already dark and jess wasn't back yet. I was starting to get worried so I pulled out my phone and called her.
All in all she was okay she just ended up having to wait a few minutes for her mom to get home. As I hang up some guy walked into my room. I didn't personally know him but I had seen him in a couple of pictures with my brother. He was on the football team with him. Then I realized who it was.
Kyle Amber's. Technically Ashley's cousin but her parents adopted him so now they are siblings. I dropped my phone in shock. I wanted to yell but all that came out was a whisper, "What do you want from me?" I could feel the tears pooling again but I refused to let them fall. It's one thing to cry in front of Tessa or Jake, but showing weakness in front of Kyle was like committing a mortal sin. I rubbed my eyes and scooted as close to the wall as possible. Kyle kept advancing though. Eventually I couldn't look to the wall for support anymore, Kyle was towering over me and the wall would not give purchase to my pushing. I wanted to cry so much but I couldn't. Instead Kyle grinned. Not a regular peace-going all is happy grin. It was a spine chilling grin. The kind an animal would make if it was possible. I covered my head waiting for the blow or something from the gigantic man before me. But nothing came. I opened my eyes and I saw the back of Jakes sweatshirt. The black and gold of his favorite Nike sweatshirt starring back into my face. "I already said you weren't allowed inside Kyle, get out. Now." For a moment neither of the two giants let up. When they did though it was Kyle who jerked out of Jakes grasp. He gave me one sinister look before he left, slamming the front door behind him. After a minute of very much appreciated silence, Jake sat at the other end of my window seat. Silent.
"Thanks Jake." I continued to look down at my white converse. "Why are you thanking me?"
"Because you stopped him Jakie." He looked up at me just briefly before looking out the window again.
"You shouldn't need to thank me. I'm your older brother, I'm supposed to protect you. Why don't you understand that Mel?" He finally looked me in the eyes. He looked desperate for me to grasp on to the last thing he said. I leaned in and hugged him. Right then Tessa walked in. "Man you've been in here the whole time?" Jake shook his head and left.
"So why was Jake in here?"
"It's a long story." And for the first time we both laughed.