Double Or Nothing // C.T.H

25 ~ Thomas

I freeze as Valerie's small hand reached up, using the pad of her thumb to caress my throbbing cheek, I hold back a flinch.

I was at a lost for words, not because I felt attracted to Valerie, I was just not used to these tender gestures.

I also had grown unaccustomed to the sharp glares that Calum could do so well, causing the moment of excitement turn to one of awkwardness.

"You should clean that up." Valerie says, removing her hand just as fast as she had placed it on my cheek, she must have noticed the change in atmosphere.

I nod my head, taking a step back from the window and turning to leave the room quickly.

My attitude falls as enter my room, my cloths clinging to my skin and black ink dripping onto the once white carpet.

I sigh, irritated at the small black stains, peeling off my cloths and changing into new ones.

Once I was finally dry and clean, I take out the obnoxious contact that was now turning my right eye bloodshot and placing my glasses back on the crook of my nose.

The door opened just as I fell back into my bed, and I close my eyes, hoping that it was anyone but my Dad.

The bed dips slightly. "Hey there, tiger." Mali says softly, placing her hand on my knee in the comforting way that only a older sister can do.

"Hey, Mali." I open my eyes, giving her a small smile.

"I heard you, earlier," she pauses, looking around the room. "That was very...brave." She says, her eyes finally landing on me.

I shrug. "I dunno. I didn't have a choice really. Calum would have gotten murdered and I didn't want him to ruin Valerie's life through the press." I sigh, I didn't feel brave at all. I felt trapped.

Who knows what he would have said about Valerie? He could make some pretty convincing lies...he could make sure she never got a good job or lose all her friends with his rumors.

It was a stupid gamble to say I had a witness, I wasn't thinking. I just wanted to prove him wrong for once, because no matter how much he forces me to get he best possible grades, it's always his way. He's always right in our house.

I didn't even think, I was just acting, the fire inside me was roaring violently. I could have gotten Calum into some serious trouble, and he's in not fit states to defend himself.

I shake my head at myself, whispering "it wasn't brave at all." In fact, it was probably close to selfishness.

"Thomas," Mali says sternly, grabbing my face softly and forcing my to look at her. "That was extremely brave, and it proves just how strong you are! I could never do that."

I roll my eyes, and watch as her face falls. I've never shown so much as a ounce of disrespect, I never roll my eyes.

"It wasn't strong, you...you don't understand." I say, tugging at my hair, a unreasonable frustration filter through me. This is just all to much.

She steps back, her eyes sparking with fresh, unshed tears, and the most hurt look I've ever seen.

"You" she say, her voice cracking. "You have no right to say that I- that I don't understand." Her voice shook with anger and betrayal. I couldn't form the words I wanted to say, all I could do was watch as my big sister, my rock, the one person I look up to in my family, crumble before my eyes.