my brother's best friend

•8•

j

it's been several weeks since i last talked to kelsey, and it's been pretty lonely.

i've tried texting, calling, and facetiming her...but she just avoids it all. i don't understand, what did i do wrong?

i licked my lips as i paced back in forth in my room, not knowing what to do.

"dude just go over to her house, she's not gonna ignore you if you're at her house—"

"i should've asked her." i breathed as i bit my lip angrily. "i knew something was bothering her but i didn't fucking ask...god fuck!"

khalil and za both exchanged looks, both sighing before looking back at me.

"look." khalil stood up. "za was right, just go to her house and check up on her. go clear things up man."

i cleared my throat and stood up, quickly fixing my hair as i glanced at them.

"i think i love her." i gulped as the expressions on their faces changed rapidly.

"woah, no way." khalil raised a brow.

"you for real?" za crossed his arms in confusion.

"i—i don't know maybe." i sighed. "i'll hit you guys up later." i grabbed my keys and phone as i sprinted downstairs and towards the door.

"justin where are you going—" pattie shouted from the kitchen making me freeze and turn around.

she stood there with her arms crossed, her eyebrows raised for an answer.

"jackson's place. i'll be back soon mom." i twisted my lips as i shut the door and sprinted towards my car.

once i started my car i drove silently, my stomach twisting in fear of what i was about to see. what if she doesn't let me in? what if she's like sick? god for all i could know she could be dying.

i swallowed hard and shook all these thoughts off and concentrated on the road.

once i reached her house i quickly got out and slammed the door, jogging towards the front door as quick as i could.

once i knocked on the door several times, i waited impatiently, my heart racing by the second.

once the door slowly opened, my heart tore once i saw who was on the other side.

her eyes. they were bright red. her face. it was pale. her cheeks. they were all wet from tears.

"oh god kels—" i whispered as i stepped towards her and placed my hands on her cheeks.

she avoided all eye contact with me making my heart break. i lifted her chin up with my finger and forced her to look at me.

"what's wrong? please talk to me i wanna help you—"

"you can't." she croaked so quietly i hardly understood.

i caressed her face softly with my fingers and continued to look into her eyes, confused.

"why? i'm sure i can. i'd do anything to see that sweet smile of yours—"

"justin, stop." her voice cracked making my heart sink even more. "nothing's gonna help."

"i'm sure there's something that can be done." i bit my lip. "just tell me what's been bothering you. is it jackson? because i will beat—"

"no." she sighed as she looked back at the ground.

"come on kelsey." i breathed. "i care about you, just please tell me what's on your mind...i'm getting really worried—"

"fuck justin i'm in love with you!" she shouted as she looked up at me, her eyes immediately widening after she blurted it out.

her lip began to quiver and her eyes watered as she peeled off my hands from her face, and placed a hand over her mouth in disbelief.

"hey hey don't cry." i wrapped my arms around her weak body as she cried silently into my chest.

she's in love with me? i felt my heart flutter as those words repeated in my head. i couldn't believe she's felt this way, how could i be so dumb...

"you don't understand." she cried. "i—it's been years. a little crush turned into something bigger and—it drove me crazy."

i sighed and squeezed her tighter while i rubbed her back.

"p—please don't hate me." she whimpered. "i don't wanna lose you—"

i quickly pulled away and stared at her like she was crazy.

"are you kidding? i could never hate you." i chuckled. "you're so important to me—"

"but you don't love me." she blurted, making my stomach churn.

i licked my lips and grabbed her delicate hands, squeezing them tight.

"kelsey i—"

"oh god." she let go and backed away. "this is my nightmare. i—i'm sorry."

"no don't apologize." i walked towards her. "i'm  so glad you told me—"

"but you like me as a friend." she bit her lip as another tear slid down her cheek.

i swallowed hard and scratched the back of my neck awkwardly.

"but lately actually i—"

"please go." she whispered. "i've embarrassed myself enough."

"but—"

"justin." she stopped me and continued to back away from me. "i need a break."

i bit my lip and backed away towards the front door. she watched me sadly until i shut the door and groaned to myself softly.

"im in love with you too, though." i sighed as i placed my hand on the door.