The Play

4

Damian

Dad cheated on Sarah. I tried to convince myself otherwise, that I was crazy— seeing things— but then, Dad leaned over and kissed her.

The car jerked, snapping me out of my thoughts. Both Gabriel and Kris let out a line of insults.

"Are you okay?" Skylar asked.

"Are you worried?"

His words from the other day pooled through my mind,

If you ignore problems, they won't go away— they'll just get worse.

I knew he was right but it was easier said than done. On one hand, I confront Dad and tell Skylar. On the other, I stay at Skylar's side. It was selfish.

What connection do we have besides being step-brothers?

Skylar doesn't like me, let alone enjoy my company— what if he's happy he doesn't have to deal with me anymore?

"We're here! Hurry!" Kris interrupted my internal monologue. "We only have so much time!"

"That happens when you buy your boyfriend's gift the night before his birthday." Gabriel turned off the car and Skylar and I slid out of the backseat.

"I'm scared, I really want Tyler to love it," Kris said.

"He loves you." Skylar grinned.

I resisted the urge to gag while Gabriel warned us about crazy drivers, ushering us inside the mall. The entire place was buzzing, laughter and conversations blurred into each other. The smell of mall food hung in the air.

It was a mystery how just a quick chat from Gabriel had convinced Teresa enough to let us drive two hours to the mall. I took a mental note to ask him about that later.

They cracked up about something that happened during school. I was quickly realizing I was the third, well, fourth, wheel.

Why did I even come?

Because Dad could be home, I reminded myself. Or worse, Sarah.

We cut through groups of people slowly— mostly because Kris couldn't help himself to every free sample offered and Gabriel's worst fear happened to be an escalator.

"Hot Topic!" Kris pointed to the store.

I cringed inwardly, remembering my short lived, emo phase from sixth grade. My cheeks heated up when Skylar smirked at me, probably thinking the same thing.

Kris headed to the back of the store and all of us stopped at the row of t-shirts on the wall. There were various choice to choose from, all the way from weird cartoons to Harry Potter to other shirts with celebrity faces printed on the front.

"Tyler likes Transformers?" Gabriel held out a shirt.

"Transformers?" Kris gasped, snatching it from him. "This is Voltron Legendary Defender!"

"That robot-thing does look like a Transformer," I agreed with Gabriel.

Kris pouted, turning back to the shelves. "Voltron's the first show Tyler and I watched together as a couple."

My nose crinkled at his nerdy relationship talk. The others didn't seem to care, helping Kris pick out more clothes. Gabriel suggested the shabby dressing room once everyone had their arms full.

"There's only two stalls," The female clerk handed us the key. "But here you go."

"Thank you." Kris squeaked making the employee's raccoon-eye twitch.

Gabriel unlocked the door. "Go on."

"Why would I try them on?" Kris frowned.

"Not you, dummy." Gabriel nodded his head to Skylar. "Him."

"You want me to model for you guys?" Skylar raised an eyebrow. "I can't say I blame you though..."

Gabriel and I both rolled our eyes while Kris blushed and glared at my step-brother.

"Get in there!" Kris pushed him in the dressing room but Skylar decided it would be fun to lean all of his weight on Kris. "Agh! You're crushing me!"

My heart clenched at their closeness.

Am I bothered by this?

"I'll rip your unborn child out of your butt socket!" Kris threatened weakly.

Nope. Definitely not.

"Okay." Skylar stood up, turning around to glance at us one last time. "No looking, Damian."

"Trust me, I rather choke."

"Kinky— ow!"

My phone buzzed in my pocket and my skin crawled when Dad's caller ID popped up.

"Hold on." I stepped away from them. "Hello?"

"Hey, are you at Teresa's?"

I walked alongside the wall, heart racing as I croaked out a firm yes. The silence afterwards ate me alive, urging me to confess.

"Skylar picked you up when we were supposed to get lunch the other day." Dad finally spoke. I nearly sighed before I caught myself.

"Sorry, Dad." I crossed my arms. "I should've called you."

"It's fine, I know you didn't mean to. Well, are you still there? I can pick you up—"

"No!"

"Damian?" Dad's voice was laced with concern.

I ignored the weird stares and swallowed the lump in my throat. "I-I mean..."

Skylar popped his head out of the dressing room and my panic skyrocketed. "I have to go. Bye!"

"Damian, wai—" I hung up.

Skylar began walking towards me and I took in his bare chest, blushing lamely when he noticed.

"Who was that? I heard you yell."

"Aunt Teresa," I lied quickly. "Don't ask."

He nodded, leaning against the wall. "So?"

"So what?"

He stepped in front of me, tilting his head down to grin in my face. "You're looking at me."

I opened my mouth to snap at him when Gabriel and Kris grabbed Skylar. My stomach dropped when Kris wrapped his arms around Skylar's naked torso, pulling him back inside.

What the hell? There's no way I'm...

"Jealous?"

I froze, slowly looking over my shoulder to see my ex smiling at me.

Maybe I should have stayed home after all.