Anything But That

Chapter 8

A million thoughts went through her head as she stared at her brother's... friend? Lover? Boyfriend?

"Hi Lydia." he said, with a slightly sad, but also hopeful smile on his face.

She frowned, biting her lip and turning away as the engine revved. What the hell was Jake playing at, sending Liam to pick her up?

"I don't bite, you know." his voice was sweet. He was trying to be nice.

"Why are you with my brother?" she asked, turning and staring at him. "He's a douchebag and he won't even admit he's gay. So why are you with him?"

He inhaled sharply. "Look, Lydia," he sighed, keeping his eyes on the road as he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Jake is... Jake is still figuring out who he is, and yes, it hurts that he doesn't like us being seen together, because every time I see him at school, flirting with some girl, it breaks my heart. I feel like I'm being replaced. But he hasn't decided what he wants, and I accept that choice, because that's what I was like too, when I first came out. I accept that that's the way he feels, and I'll wait forever if I have to, because I love him."

The blonde girl saw the sense in this, really, she did, but she was still angry. "You saw the way he reacted when I walked in on you. He was so... so horrible, acting like I wasn't even his sister. How is that okay?"

Again, Liam sighed, but his voice sounded less strained. "What he said to you was inexcusable. But, he's been holding onto a secret for as long as he has, I think it's fair to say he has a rather strong sense of paranoia, so the fact that there was a possibility that it could get out, no matter how small the chances? That terrified him. But I know that he loves you no matter what, and you shouldn't hold his insecurities against him. He'll make it up to you somehow."

Lydia leaned her head against the window, tracing patterns against the glass with her fingertips.

"I hope so."

***

As soon as she got home, she made her way to her bedroom, Liam's words ringing in her head. She leaned her head in her hands, mulling them over, when footsteps padded into her bedroom.

The blonde girl looked up, hoping it was Jake, but instead of a blue-eyed boy with hair the colour of cornsilk, the person that entered the room was her step-mother, dressed in a tight red dress that went down to mid-calf, and her dark hair styled into tight ringlets.

"Ames!" she said, forcing a smile onto her face.

"Hi, babe," the older woman replied, walking over to the bed and placing a hand on the shoulder of the girl she treated as her daughter, "How was dinner?"

"Oh, it was amazing." The younger of the two replied, momentarily forgetting about her brother and letting her earlier elation creep back into her voice.

Amelia raised an eyebrow. "I'm guessing it was eventful, then?"

Lydia laughed, smacking her playfully on the shoulder. "Not like that." she retorted, rolling her eyes. "I just mean that something big happened. For them. They're starting to get noticed for how talented they are, and I'm just really glad for them, you know? It means a lot to me, and they're so open to me, like, they're letting me in on this big secret. I'm a friend now, and it's just... really nice." she finished with a small smile.

"Aw, that's so great. I'm happy for you, and for them. Tell them I said good job, okay?" the brunette woman requested, placing a kiss on the blue-eyed girl's forehead. "Well, your father and I are going out for dinner. Feel free to order some takeout Chinese, and take care of yourself, yeah?"