Who Knew

The Truth Hurts

"I'm sorry, what?"

My ears must be playing tricks on me. I must've heard wrongly. For sure.

"Chris is Tyler's brother." I was stunned for a few seconds. I felt a lump in my throat all of a sudden. This can't be it.

"Wh-ere is he now?" My voice sounded croaky.

"He had passed away for quite some time, due to an accident. We were all really upset. Especially Tyler. Till now, I think he's still–"

"I'm sorry to hear about that. But i-it's getting late now. I s-should probably head home now. My parents are probably wondering where I am. Thank you for the meal. Have a great night, Mr and Mrs Miller,"I said while gripping the sides of the couch and stood up, smiling weakly before giving them a small nod.

It was a white lie. My parents weren't actually home. I did it to get out of here.

My knees felt weak and my head's hurting. I slowly walked out of the door and onto the streets.

"Come round again when you're free, okay?"

I didn't answered. I know it's rude but I wasn't in the right state of mind at the moment. Too much of things were on my mind right now.

"I'll send her out!" I heard the sound of the door closing.

Why did he lied to me? Why did he think it was okay to not tell me the truth? Why did he told me he was Chris? He should've told me the truth from the start. That Chris was his brother. Did he planned on not telling me forever? Isn't he afraid I would find out one day?

Things sort of made sensed to me. How he overreacted when I took 'his' dairy. He pretended that it was his. Just like how he pretended that he was Chris. He wanted to bury the truth. He lied to me since that day. He......

Tears started forming in my eyes. I was on the verge of crying. Next thing I knew, I was spun round and was faced with a guilty looking Tyler.

"I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you the truth much earlier. But I-I just couldn't bring myself to it......"

I held in the tears. I didn't want to show him how much of a whimp I was. I'm not someone who'll break down easily in from of him. Even though I've done it a few times. But not today. I broke free from his grasp and stepped back. My eyes were dead.

"I think we should have a break. I need some space. And so do you. It's best if we don't see each other that often from now."

With that, I walked in the direction to where my house was. But I was pulled into a back hug instead. He rested his head on my shoulder and wrapped his arms round me tightly.

"Please. Don't be like this. I was wrong. I'm sorry. Actually I...... Actually Chris–"

If he continued like this, I would really lose myself this time.

"Let me go,"I replied coldly as I loosened his arms and left him standing there. I just kept walking forward and never looked back once. Not even a glance back.

I went back into my room and shut the door behind me. This was the only time I'm grateful that I was alone. I sat on the bed and hugged my legs. I stared out the window without a hint of emotions. He was still standing there. I pulled down the blinds and was determined not to take another look, for real. My vision started to be clogged up with water. In which what it seemed to be tears.

I tried to fight it but eventually it came running down like an open tap. Soon enough, drenching my shirt. And it turned into silent sobbing. The only thing that was in my mind right now was 'Why?'.

I looked up and my eyes wandered over to the teddy bear that was sitting on the chair. As if someone decided to turn on the tap again, tears streamed down uncontrollably.

[Tyler's POV]
The moment she took off my hands from her, I felt my heart sank. She went in and I was left standing in the middle of the streets.

I'm lost. I've lost. I've lost her.

I've just lost the girl of my dreams. The look in her eyes, I couldn't shake it off of my head. It was foolish of me to let her go. I should've told her earlier. You can't wrap fire with paper. The truth will eventually be out. I've already predicted that one day, the fire would burn a hole in the paper sooner or later but never have it crossed my mind to be tonight.

It was hard for me too. I just......couldn't bring it up. It happened so quickly. It's my fault. If it wasn't for me, he would still be here. And all of this wouldn't happened.

I was afraid of telling her. I couldn't bear to hurt her small fragile heart. But I still did in the end. I'm such a jerk. If I didn't got close to her, things would be very much different. She wouldn't knew. She leads her own life and I lead mine. But my heart forbid me to. I fell in love with her.

When I first heard her name in school, I thought this was all of a coincidence. That's when I got into the same class with her that I've realised it wasn't. Her hair and her eyes gave her away.

Without knowing her, I've already heard tons of stories about her from my Brother. The adventures he had with her. How happy he was when he was over at her house. The little promise they made for each other. Not forgetting how much he used to compliment her too. He would tell me almost everything.

I didn't got to meet her in person but before we left, Chris requested to bid goodbye. My parents didn't allowed it caused we were running out of time for our flight. We took the cab headed for the airport. And as if heaven was on his side, the cab had to drive past her school. I could recall that actual scene.

Chris rested his head on the window as the cab took off. Of course, he was feeling down and upset. Nothing seemed to cheer him up. Just when her school came into sight, his face instantly lit up. He gripped my hand and dragged me to the window.

"There is she! The one playing as the princess!"

I must admit, she's really cute back then.

"Goodbye Winnie. Hope to see you again soon,"he said while waving as the cab drove past the school. He sunk back into his seat and sighed. Tears started welling up in his eyes.

"I'm sure you'll see her again soon. Don't worry,"I reassured him.

"I hope so......"

He looked back down in his seat with a sullen face again. I've never seen him this upset before. Most times when he came back from her house, he's always grinning from ear to ear. Sometimes, I wished the little me could do something more for him at that moment.

I signed.