"It's okay, Alex. It was just a dream. None of it was real", I muttered reassuringly, trying to convince myself.
I had been plagued with various versions of this nightmare for three years. Some days, I'd relive seeing my mom's murder; on others, the monster who hunted her would come after me, stalking me like a predator seeking its prey.
Shaking the unwanted memories from my head, I got up out of bed, pushing the covers aside. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. The girl staring back at me was clearly sleep-deprived and had dark circles etched onto her skin. Her jade green eyes complimented her olive skin tone and were like vortexes of Eden, dark, penetrating, and full of mystery. Her wavy mahogany hair tumbled down her back endlessly and framed her delicate, heart-shaped face.
"Alex, get your lazy ass out of bed before I drag it out myself!"
Aiden's usual morning greeting interrupted my musings. Meet my brother, the ray of sunshine.
"I'm already up. Now stop bothering me so that I can get ready"
I trudged out of my room and into the bathroom, not ready to start the day.
"Remember, I'm giving you a ride to school. Don't drown in the bathtub or anything", Aiden yelled outside the door
Startled, I jumped. "Don't worry about it. I'll get Riley to take me. Now would you please leave me alone!" I said, stressing the last part.
Finally, silence ensued and I was left to continue my morning routine in peace. I quickly splashed some water on my face to get the drowsiness out of my eyes and brushed my teeth thoroughly. Opening the bathroom door, I was surprised to see my brother absent, finally having given me a moment of solitude to prepare myself for the oncoming day.
I walked into my room quietly and shuffled through my closet. After a few minutes of looking, I slipped on my favorite pair of jeans and my Sleeping With Sirens T-shirt.
As I was walking out, I heard my brother's voice, "So, How is the boyfriend these days?", my brother asked, his tone laced with genuine curiosity.
"He's fine, as always. Football season's about to start so he's excited to play quarterback again," I said while stuffing my head into my Columbia hoodie before Aiden berated me for not wearing weather-appropriate clothes.
"He's likeable enough. But if he ever does anything, anything at all to hurt you, I'll tear him to pieces", Aiden muttered, the threat not so clearly disguised in his tone.
"With your arms or your rhetoric?", I said, looking up at him, smirking.
"Both, always both. Anyway, with dad gone most of the time, it's my job to take over the role of protective overseer"
I scowled at his understatement. Dad wasn't just gone most of the time, he was dead to me.
"Oh, stop looking so put out. All I need know is a hand-revolver and a "Brothers Against Sisters Dating" T-shirt. Do you think they make those?", Aiden said, with a quasi-serious look and a slowly spreading smile.
"Oh, shut up!", I said, my good mood resurfacing.
Growing up, my brother and I were an unbreakable duo. He would never stop teasing me and at times like these, would take the protective big brother thing too far, to my chagrin. After mom had died and dad had fully devoted himself to work in order to 'drown away his miseries', Aiden had continued to be my personal sun.
Out of the two of us, Aiden was the more personable and better-looking one. He got my mom's genetic lottery, inheriting the honey-blonde hair and electric blue eyes which lit up the room when he was excited. His high cheek bones and well-defined jaw along with his musical talents made him "drool worthy", as voiced by the girls at my high school many times. What they ceased to remember was that he was a 21-year old college boy who had the maturity level of three year old. God help his future wife.
I shook off the thought as I heard a car pulling up in the driveway. Looking out the window, I saw my boyfriend's silver Honda Accord sitting out in the driveway. Hastily, I shoved last night's homework into my bag, along with my Calculus textbook and laptop. I slipped my phone into my back pocket and slung the bag over my shoulder, reaching for the doorknob.
"Why don't you ever eat breakfast? Here, take an apple with you. And make sure to eat it this time!", Aiden reprimanded.
"I will", I said reassuringly
"Have a good day at school! And stay out of trouble", Aiden said, ruffling my hair, as I walked out.
"Thanks, mom", I called out, a smile creeping up on my face.
I guess some things will never change.
