That Night

The Truth

POV Liam

Wednesday

     I woke up the next morning not feeling up to anything. I did not want to go to school today. Brynn didn't know what happened between Taylor and I yesterday and I didn't think she would take it well. I thought it was just best to keep her in the dark about that whole thing for now.

     "Morning Liam. Why aren't you dressed?" She grabbed some yogurt and granola and started making us some breakfast parfaits. She insists on doing this every Wednesday.

     "I'm not going to school today. Do you want to skip? We could do something fun today." Her face lit up and she started spouting off a whole bunch off stuff we could do.

     "We could go bowling, see a movie, go to the diner for lunch and order Chinese for dinner! Oooh we could buy some board games!! We need some if were going to have fun today! I was thinking Pictionary, Monopoly, Life. What do you think?" She looked so happy and it warmed my heart. I want the world for this girl.

     "Okay, how about for lunch and some games we invite your little boyfriend? I want to spend the day with you but I also want you to be happy." Her face fell and I didn't know what I had done.

     "Tyler broke up with me." I tried really hard to suppress my anger towards the kid and gave my little sister a hug. She wrapped her arms around my torso and started crying into my chest. We stayed like that until I she stopped crying. I decided it was safe to ask why.

     "Why did he break up with my gorgeous little sister?" I asked and she sniffed again.

     "He didn't like me that much I guess." I knew she was lying by the way her shoulders stiffened.

     "Brynn, sweetie. Don't lie to your big brother."

     "I don't want you getting mad at him."

     "What do you mean? What did you do to him. I could feel the anger rise up again until she started crying again.

     "He dumped me because..." I waited until she was ready to tell me. I didn't want her thinking I would get mad at her. "Because I wouldn't do it with him." I was ready to march over to that house and rip that kid to bits.

     "Please don't hurt him." She pulled away and looked up at this frightened expression on her face. It was the same one I saw when I found them kissing. It broke my heart then and it broke my heart now. I sunk back into her arms.

     "I'm sorry if I get mad a lot. I just love you so much. I want you to be safe."

     "I can handle myself you know."

     "I know you can but you're my little sister. I will protect you from anything. Even the little things like a middle school break-up. You're all I got and I will do anything I can not to lose you like I lost our parents." A tear slipped out of my cheek and more followed it. We cried together for a few minutes before I pulled back to wipe her cheeks.

     "Enough of the waterworks. I think it's time we have some fun." She laughed and then ran upstairs to get dressed. I pulled out my phone to call Brynn's school and the first name I saw was Taylor's. I couldn't bring myself to delete it so I ignored it and called the public school.

*****

     "Hurry up Liam, we'll be late!" Brynn called to me waving our ticket stubs in the air as I juggled our drinks and popcorn. We were going to see a 5 o'clock showing of Secret Life of Pets. Yeah, Brynn got to pick.

     "Well you wanted your own popcorn so maybe you could come carry your stuff. She wanted her own large popcorn, large drink and candy but made me carry it. Everything was hanging precariously in my arms and the popcorn was threatening to fall over. She saved it just before it fell from my grasp. She then unloaded her stuff and practically ran to the ticket guy. I knew that guy. Oh no.

     "Brynn, come here, don't go so far." I tried to keep my face blocked by the popcorn but it didn't work and he noticed me.

     "Hey Liam! How you doing loser?" The tool laughed at his own joke and Brynn looked about ready to fight. It was cute how her brow furrowed and she narrowed her eyes at the jerk.

     "Hi Justin." I said coldly. He looked like he was going to make a remark but Brynn wasn't letting him say anything.

     "Who do you think you're calling loser, loser?" Little Brynn fury was the cutest fury.

     "Is this your little girlfriend?" He said it to me but Brynn looked like she was about to explode. I guess it runs in the family.

     "I'm his sister. You do not mess with my brother. He's a better person than you will ever be. He is not some geeky loser. He knows how to treat people but you, you are a no-good tool with no sense of humanity. Chew on that scum." With that she stormed off and I let myself burst into laughter.

     "What are you laughing at?" He said in a fake tough voice.

     "You just got called out by a 12 year-old girl man. I'm laughing at you." I walked away before he could say anything more. Brynn was waiting for me and she was laughing too.

     When she turned I saw Taylor walk up to Justin. I stopped to look at her and I saw her kiss him. It tore my heart in two. She looked over at me I quickly turned around and followed Brynn who thankfully hadn't seen Taylor. I guess we know who she decided to pick. I tried not to let it bother me but I just couldn't help wondering why she didn't pick me.

*****

     Back at home Brynn and I played games and ate Chinese all night. She fell asleep on the couch during our Monopoly game. I left it on the table so we could continue it after school tomorrow. I picked her up and carried her into her bed.

     I lied awake in my bed. Looking at the clock it was close to midnight. I couldn't fall asleep I just kept thinking about Taylor kissing Justin. I bet she'll be back on the cheerleading squad now. I finally fell asleep with Taylor still on my mind.