Isabelle was a small town's pride and joy, living a life sheltered by popularity. She never knew what it was like to face the wrath that came with small town rumours. That was until someone walked into her life and turned it upside down.
I had spent most of the day yesterday hidden under the comforter in James' room in complete silence after waking up in his bed. Mum and Will had finally graced us with their presence towards the end of the evening. I was under no delusions that the main reason for them coming back was because of Alec's arrival tomorrow. In all honesty I was surprised that James' slight facial adjustment, courtesy of a few bruises, didn't cause a string of questions from the parents. James' acting skills became evident as he managed to persuade Mum and Will that his so called 'injuries' were from his rugby training that he had taken back up. Mum and Will believed every word that escaped his mouth surprisingly.
Alec was finally home today, and it felt like the house was finally how it should be. Mum and Will hadn't left him alone today, constantly fussing over him and attending to his every need. It was surprising how much busier the house was when he was in it. James hadn't left his side either, as soon as Alec managed to evade Mum and Will's never-ending attention they had hidden themselves away in James' room. I had only managed to give Alec a quick hug before he was whisked away by someone else. Then again, we had never been the closest, so it wasn't that surprising that I wasn't top priority on his list. So I decided to give them all some space by hiding away in my room.
I was led on my bed when I heard the knock on the door as Alec walked into my room. He placed himself down on my bed next to me as he said, "Sorry I didn't really get to speak to you earlier, you know what our parents are like."
Laughing slightly at this I replied, "That I do. It's good to have you back Alec." I wasn't lying, for some strange reason I had missed his company. Whether that was because Mum and Will had hardly been home since he had left, or if it was because I had been stuck alone with James. Either way his absence was missed.
"I've heard you have had quite some fun in my absence Isabelle." Alec retorted. He stared at me as if he was gauging my reaction.
Rolling my eyes as his not so subtle suggestion I retorted, "Glad James has been keeping you up-to-date." I wasn't surprised even in the slightest that James had been obviously telling Alec every juicy detail of what has been happening back at home. From the time that James had spent in our house it was clear that they had more of a sibling bond than me and Alec would ever have.
"You could say that. Look Isabelle, I need to talk to you about Tyler." He sighed before continuing, "I don't think James has told me everything that happened between the two of you, but I know for a fact that he wouldn't have told you some of it. I feel like you need the whole truth."
"I want to know Alec" I replied.
"What James said was true, we were close with Tyler, obviously not as close as you were. Tyler had always spoke about you to us before our parents got involved, and continued to do so after, even when our families merged. I'm sorry but I have to be honest. I never attempted to stop Tyler's 'tell all' games, I had never really liked you, and seeing as you were intruding in my life I took pleasure in hearing all your dark, vulnerable secrets. James didn't, he had spoken to me numerous times saying that I needed to speak to Tyler to get him to stop. When you were fifteen was when James took actions into his own hands. Tyler started talking about your Dad, beforehand it was mainly trivial things, but this was serious and the lines were starting to blur. James was the one that protected you, not me. I wish I had, I regret it every day. I misjudged you, and for that I'm sorry. If it wasn't for James intervening Tyler wouldn't have stopped. That's why I was so shocked at his behaviour towards you when he moved in, he was always so protective over you. I thought you needed to know, I can't have him painting me as the good guy when I wasn't, when I should have been. I'm so sorry."
How was I even meant to respond to that? Finding out that the guy that has shown the most hatred towards me was once the only one defending and looking out for me. I was confused, overwhelmed by the additional information and that it was true of Tyler's betrayal. The array of emotions slowly overcoming me.
"This is a lot to take in Alec but I forgive you. I can't blame you for resenting me for coming into your life, it was a huge change that affected all of us, and we all handled it differently. Thank you though, for telling me about James."
Alec got up of the bed giving me a half smirk as he replied, "He's not as bad as he may seem" as he walked out of my room, leaving me more confused than when he came in.
Author's note
Alec didn't come home empty handed did he?
What other secrets is James hiding?
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