Trust Me To Hurt You

(2) Small Talk

~edited~

Zac Efron as Cody Monroe at the side

*

We arrived at their apartment complex. I've been here quite a few times before when me and my mom would visit him, and I always asked my brother if we could live here with him instead, but mom had work back in California and we both knew that Cody was busy at work no matter how much he wanted to spend time with me too.

"Still living with Cody, Bran?" I asked as I grabbed my duffel bag which had my laptop, camera and books. The two men went to carry my other luggage, which were two rollies and two backpacks, containing all my clothes, some important items I hold onto, and a bit of unused make up.

"Nah, moved out three years ago, since my brother had to move in." He walked with Cody ahead of me." I raised an eyebrow. "You have a brother?"

"Yeah, you don't remember, do you? Well, I suppose I did live at the other side of town, and he was with my mom."

"Ohhhhh" His parents divorced when he was thirteen, and so his mom got custody of his little brother, leaving him with his dad. "How's your mom?"

He looked back and gave me an awkward look, his lips set into a grim line. "Erm, she passed away..."

I frowned and looked down, tucking my hair under my ear. "Oh, s-sorry. ". I could not meet his eyes. 

"How about you? You doing okay?"

"Well, no." I couldn't keep the sadness out of my voice. Not when I was reminded of the recent tragedy.  "I've been coping though. I guess leaving home is a great way to do so." I smile, but it felt fake on my face, so I cleared my throat and looked away, letting the smile slip off my face.

In my peripheral vision, Brandon stared at me before he cleared his throat as well and turn his attention to opening the glass doors of the building.

Inside the complex, the familiar lobby looked grand as ever, despite its smallish size. We went into one of the three elevators, and up we went to the fifth floor.

 I smiled at the memory that flashed back to me. The first time I've been here.

I ran out to the hallway, and I jumped up as high as my twelve year old legs could manage. I was dancing to the newest song of Jesse McCartney that I downloaded in my mp3 just a few hours ago.

"I don’t want another pretty face. I don’t want just anyone to hold. I don’t want my love to go to waste. I want you and you’re beautiful soul. You’re the one I wanna chase, you’re the one I wanna hold. I won’t let another minute go to waste. I want you and you’re beautiful soul"

I looked at my mom’s weary but pretty face. She had dark circles under her eyes since she was a bit of jet lagged, but me being the energetic kid who was yet to go through puberty, teased her for being such a slow poke.

“Alright, alright Al, I’m coming.” She huffed, but with a smile. I went to Cody and Brandon’s apartment, and knocked on the smooth, mahogany door. It opened for me to see a very handsome Brandon Summers in boxer shorts, flaunting his abs. “Ugh, Brandon, put a shirt on.” I looked away, blushing.

He picked me up like I weighed nothing. “Hey there too, Allie.” I wrapped my arms around his neck as he welcomed my mom in. I scanned the room as they made small talk. Lots of boxes were scattered all over the place, but the furniture was already in, though not properly placed..

Cody came out of the bathroom with boxer shorts on too, but he had a band shirt on. “Hey Allie.” He said as he sat on his calves and opened his arms to give me a bear hug.

“Hey mom.” He greeted while I buried myself in his arms. He stood up after releasing me and gave her a hug and kiss.

I looked up at my mom, and giggled. Cody lifted her off her feet, since he towered over her for a good five inches. When she settled her down, she looked at him proudly. 

When we got into the apartment, scraps of boxes littered the floor no more. 

I sat on the couch, letting out a sigh of relief as I stretched my legs out on the couch. Cody and Brandon smiled at me. They understood that I was weary, so they let me rest. They headed towards the kitchen while I laid my head on the leather couch's arm rest.

I curled up into a ball, closing my eyes as my eyes burned from the memories.