Our Fading Stars

4. Escaping

Pete's favorites songlist
Track 3: Scorpions-Wind of Change

Tiana's POV

"Tiana! Wait up!" a voice that was beginning to become familiar called from behind me.

I twirled around to see Nate grinning widely and waving his hand high. Next to him, Parker nodded to me as Ben looked away to avoid eye contact. I couldn't believe I had endured a day at school without having to go home crying. And I had done it all alone, without Ben here to help me.

I was angry at Ben; he was my younger brother, but he still had the responsibility of taking care of me. He was the only one in the school other than Emma who knew about my breakdowns. And what did he do all day? Ignore me.

Nate ran up to me and put an arm around my shoulders. Nate was friendly and approachable, and I didn't feel any romantic emotion toward him. He was just like my young four-year-old cousin who liked to play with my hair. Annoyingly friendly.

The four of us walked out of the school, and debated on how we should go home.

"Wanna walk?" Nate grabbed my hand and tugged me down the sidewalk.

Being dragged I took a few steps forward but abruptly stopped in my tracks. Refusing to move, I only felt Nate tugging on my hand in confusion.

"What's wrong?" He dipped down his head to look at my face, which was curtained with my ugly hair.

I didn't dare lift my head because I knew that the ice cream shop was just there if I took a few steps forward. I let go of his hand and tried to turn away.

"Just look down," Ben whispered into my ear as he pulled me into his side, surprising me. "I'll lead you along the way."

"I know the way myself," I said as I pushed him away from me, mad that he was helping after all this time.

"How did you get here in the morning?"

By heart.

"Emma," I lied.

"Damn, don't lie, T. Your lies don't work on me." I could see him glaring from the corner of my eyes. He knew me too well, even though I had never told him anything.

"Why do you care?" I snapped.

"Because I DO, Tiana! I f*cking DO!" Ben yelled in my face. I jumped back in astonishment. It was the first time he had yelled in years, and I was definitely not expecting it in this situation.

"No need to yell, dude," Nate snapped.

"Or curse," Parker nodded in agreement.

"Tiana," Ben said, inching over to me and tried to hold my arm.

The anger shot through me in an instant. Why was I the one to be yelled at when he was the one who was responsible for my anger? I pushed him off of me. "Well I certainly don't need a yelling brother who doesn't help me out when I need him the most," I spat and stormed off.

It seemed that Ben was dazed because he didn't follow me as I stomped away.

I stopped in my tracks and sighed. I didn't have the right to be angry at him. Ben had given me a shot and tried to help me come to school numerous times before. He was tired of me giving up when he had tried his best. It was understandable that he didn't want to help me anymore. He had given up on me too.

I walked on, only looking forward. The walk home was long and boring, no one by my side. I desperately missed Nate's jokes and flirty attitude now. I should have just followed him when he had offered me his hand.