Wrapped

The Past?

Nine ~ Zack

        "Goodnight, Bella," I smiled at my coworker, "See you tomorrow."

        Bella waved and flashed a smile to me before exiting the studio.

        I grabbed a few papers from the front desk and yawned. I was exhausted, working all day and only having a ten minute break can really take away all your energy. I glanced at the clock, it was 6:30, finally it was time to go home.

        I grabbed my car keys and headed for the door. I pushed it open and exited, locking the studio behind me. Heading for my car, I noticed that it was getting a little darker outside. It looked nice, I enjoy night better than day.

        Slightly smiling to myself,  I opened my car door and got it. While strapping on the seat belt, I started the car up and began my way to home.

        I lived about 20 minutes away but it always seems like an hour. Traffic is always bad, even late at night. I stopped at a stoplight and fumbled around with my radio, finding nothing good enough to listen too.

        I sighed and drove on until I reached my destination, a giant, brick, apartment building. I parked into my usual spot and got out of my car. My apartment was on the bottom floor, so I was thankful that I didn't have to climb up many stairs just to relax.

        I walked around the corner for the building towards my apartment. When I made it to the door, I frowned.

        "Pierce!" I growled at my younger sibling sitting in front of the door, "What are you doing outside?"

        My voice was filling with anger, making Pierce jump a little when I yelled his name. "Sorry I lost my key, Mr. Grumpy Pants," He muttered and stood up from the door-step.

        I pulled out the house key and shook my head, "So why didn't you call?" I opened the door and let him go through first, "Well?"

        Pierce shrugged and began taking off his shoes, "You always get mad when I call you while you're working so I decided not to bug you." His voice was calm.

        I groaned and walked over to my couch, placing my papers onto the coffee table. "How long did you wait out there?"

        Pierce sat next to me, kicking his legs up and setting them on the small table. "Like an hour," He seemed to mumble.

        I looked at him and felt a small amount of anger rise up inside my chest, "You should have called me Pierce! Or at least stayed with me at the studio! Why can't you just think sometimes?"

        After my last sentence, all my anger and rage was gone and a pit of guilt stayed in my stomach. I never mean to be so harsh on him, but I can never help it. His past is what that forces me to be completely over-protective.

        Pierce glared at me and stood up, "Why does it matter so much? You need to calm down, Zack. It's only you that freaks out over everything. Dad would have never cared if I forgot my key, neither would mom, so why do you?" And with that, he left into the bedroom.

        I heard him slam the door and I sighed. I only care because he's my little brother and he has been through a lot. When I was 10 and he was 7, our mom died in a car accident.

* * * *
{Flashback}
        It was the end of my dance practice and my mom was picking me up from her way home from work. I loved it when she would pick me up, she always had interesting stories to tell me from her day. And she also seemed to be interested to talk about my day.

        "Mind if we stop by the store? I still need to pick up a cake for Pierce." She asked, her voice sounding sweet like always.

        I nodded. It was Pierce's 7th birthday. He was so excited that my mom got off early today to celebrate. Normally, she worked until 7, or even later.

        My mom made a turn and the nearest store was about ten minutes down the rode. I sat back and relaxed, until I heard her phone beeping.

        "Could you hand me my phone please?" She said glancing at me for a second. I nodded and reached inside her purse and pulled out her black flip-phone. I looked at the caller ID and it was my dad's number. I handed it to her and she smiled, answering it.

        "Hello?" She said and paused, "Hey Pierce! Happy birthday, kiddo," She said with a small laugh. Her laugh and smile were so perfect. She had pure white teeth and a laugh that was incredibly contagious.

        "Yes, I'm on my wa-" Her sentence was cut off by other cars honking and my own  screaming. The car swerved and stopped. I looked at my mom and she looked at me, "It's okay," She said in almost a whisper. I looked behind her and through her window, only to see a truck coming straight for us.

        "Mom!" I screamed and everything became a blur.

        The last thing I remember is policemen carrying me away from the ambulance my mother was in.

* * * *
{Present Day}
        Ever since that day, my dad changed. He married a women who was maybe 20 years younger than him and began to ignore Pierce and I. So I cared for Pierce. I walked him to and from school everyday, helped him with his homework, and just did anything he needed. When I became old enough, I moved out into a one bedroom apartment and had Pierce come live with me. I can't stand having him hurt.

        I stood up and walked to the bedroom, turning the door handle, I went in to find him laying face down on the bed.

        "I'm sorry for getting mad," I said calmly and leaned against the doorway.

        I heard him slightly mumbled something but I couldn't quit hear. "Fine, I'll leave you alone." I said and turned away.

        "No," Pierce said, "I just, don't like how every time you get home, we argue. I just want to talk about my day or something, I don't want to fight." He said, his voice sounding tired.

        I turned towards him and sighed, "I'm sorry, really I am. I just want you too be more careful about what you decide to do."

        He nodded and laid back down on the bed, "I'm gonna go to bed." He said while yawning.

        I grabbed the door handle and began shutting it, "Goodnight, Pierce." I said in a nice tone.

        "Oh, Zack?" He said before I shut the door completely, "Thanks for finally letting me do the duet with Nick."

        I smiled, "Well, you have been begging me for however long," I laughed, "You're welcome."