Just Say It

Chapter 5~ Saying Goodbye, Then Hello

Everything will usually get worse before it gets better, but when it does get better... remember all who put you down and all who helped you up. Forgive but never forget.

~ Timothy Pina
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"Stacy? Are you awake?" A little voice spoke out amongst the darkness that surrounded the bedroom.

I had been asleep ( hints the term had ) until the soft voice of Clayton had awoke me.

"I am now." I grumbled as I buried my face in my pillow.

"I have a question." Clayton spoke again.

"Go ahead." There was a long silence that settled only the noise of our breathing was to be heard.

"Do you? Do you miss logan?"

Every muscle in my body tensed, just his name gave me chills.

Logan is our older brother. My father and him didn't get along well. They bickered and fought all of the time. Then one day after the biggest fight that my father and him had, my brother decided that he was done, that he had had enough. So by the next morning logan had packed up his things and left. He was 18 then and its been 2 years. My father hasn't forgiven himself for what he did to Logan. He never abused Logan or anything it was just, well, fighting that included Logan not wanting to do what my dad wanted him to do, and not disobeying either. But Logan had big plans for his future and my dad wanted him to do other things Every once in awhile my dad, he will bring him up at dinner or while we are sitting around the tv, and tell us that if logan ever came back that he would never fight with him again.

I loved logan with all of my heart. He was the older brother that every girl wants. The kind that is protective and hopes for the best. He wasn't into drugs or drinking, he didn't smoke and he certainly wasn't a jerk to girls and didn't sleep around with them.

"Yes." I whispered answering Clayton's question, " I miss him more than anything."

My throat grew tight as the words left my mouth. I could feel my eyes start to fill with tears.

The sound of Clayton's wooden bed frame creaked as he fidgeted in his bed.

"I do to."

The room grew quiet once again and i gave up on trying to hold the tears back. Tears rolled down my cheeks and my nose ran. I kept my breathing as quiet as I could keep it but it was no use.

Once again I heard Clayton's bed. But when I turned to look at Clayton laying down I was shocked to see his dark figure stand before me.

I rubbed my nose with my hand and sat up slowly pushing the hair that fell on my face back.

"What?" I asked him dropping my hand to rest in my lap.

"Can I sleep with you?" I could hear the sadness that lingered in Clayton's voice.

I smiled softly at him and scooted over to make room. Clayton climbed in bed with me and rested his head on my leg, his brown hair hung over his eyes.

I smiled at the sight of my little brother. He seemed so innocent and much younger in the darkness. I lifted my hand and grazed his face moving the hair out of his eyes.

"Night." I whispered into Clayton's ear and laid down myself.

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We all sat at the kitchen table. My mother, father, Clayton and I.

It was like our daily summer routine, my father read the paper, my mother drank her hard black coffee, Clayton ate his cereal and I drank my tea. Every morning ( not kidding ).

This morning was quiet. Not many birds chirped, the wind only slightly blew giving the trees no sound. But even being in the AC I could feel the heat come out of its hiding creeping its way through the cracks in the house. Today is going to be so hot.

As we sat in the comfortable silence, letting my mind wander. I continued to ponder my thoughts until I was startled by the sound of my phone going 'ping' letting me know that I have a text. I looked at the id expecting it to be Lauren, who is my bestest friend in the entire world, but to my surprise it is an unknown number.

The text read: hey want to hang out today?

I responded: Well it depends on who this is.

The person responded: its Blake

Me: haha im sorry but sure we can hang out for a little bit.

Blake: okay see you in 5 Stace

My heart had to have skipped a beat, I haven't been called Stace in forever. It was more of my middle school nickname but I grew out of it.

"Are you okay dear?" my mother questions from across the table.

"Oh umm, yes. Blake just wanted me to hang out with him today." I reassured her as I pushed myself from the table. "I'm going to get changed." My mother nodded her head before going back to her coffee.

I quickly ran up the stairs and towards my room.

Once I reached my room I threw open the closet door and pulled out a floral vintage sun dress, slipped on my brown gladiator sandals, pinned my hair back with two tiny braids, and applied a small amount of make-up.

I looked in the mirror to make sure I looked presentable.

With a satisfied nod I turned on my heals and headed down the steps.

"Ill be back!" I called back to the kitchen before heading out the front door.

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I decided not to ride my bike or drive to Blake's house so I simply walked. A breeze gently blew my hair and delicately laid on my skin.

I walked with my head down looking at my feet watching the pavement slowly move with every step I took.

"Hey!" I heard a deep and joyful voice call.

I looked up and saw the handsome boy only a few meters away. I smiled at him and traveled the rest of the distance between us.

"Hello." I smiled and moved some hair that had blown in my face.

"You look cute today." Blake stated.

"Cute?" I questioned as the corners of my lips started to turn up. Hey why not mess with him a little bit.

"I mean pretty, no, I mean. I - uhh - umm." Blake stuttered rubbing his hand through his brown hair, messing it up, and then scratching his neck making it red followed by a bright red blush to cover his cheeks. Wow I got all three signs of embarrassment with that comment. I couldn't help but laugh, it was such a sight.

Clearing his throat Blake spoke again, "So I have some things planned for us today. Is that alright?"

"Yes thats fine." I chuckled still laughing at Blake's attempt at a smooth compliment.

"Okay then, let's go!"

And with that we hopped into the ivy green jeep and headed down the road.

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