Bent. Not Broken (On Hold)

Chapter 10

I was awoken the next morning by my mom shaking my shoulders. I slowly peel open my eyes to look at her. "What?"

"I had wanted to invite Remy and his family over for dinner this weekend, but forgot before he left. Could you invite him today?" My Mom asks me.

I stare up at her for a moment. Seriously? That's why she woke me up. "Yes. What time is it?"

"5:54"

"Six more minutes." I mumble and roll onto my side away from her.

"Just don't forget to ask him. And if this weekend won't work then ask for a day that will work." My Mom says before standing up and exiting my room.

"Yeah yeah," I mumble and weakly wave a hand over my shoulder. Six o'clock came with the annoying beeping of my alarm clock. Moaning and groaning I roll over and reach out to turn it off. Curse the man who invented alarm clocks and the man who decided school should start this early in the morning.

With every ounce of strength in me, I pull myself out of bed and shuffle into the bathroom to shower. I take a lot longer than normal to get ready, which mean by the time I get downstairs Remy has made himself comfortable on the couch. Or as comfortable as he can get with my brother staring at him.

"Trevor, please stop scaring him," I tell him as I lean against the doorway.

"I'm not." My twelve-year-old brother whines. "I'm just asking him some questions."

I cross my arms over my chest. "Mhm, Like What?"

"What kind of car I drive? Where I live? Do I like race cars?" Remy turns around to look at me and answers for my brother.

"Well all done interrogating him," I say as I step into the room. "We have to get to school."

Trevor sighs sadly. "Fine." He stands up and sulks into the kitchen.

"He's cool," Remy says to my surprise as he stands up.

"Really?" I question and lead the way to the front door.

"Yeah, I've always wanted a younger brother," Remy says. He walks past me and outside.

"No, you don't." I shake my head. "He can be a real pain."

"You know how you always want what you don't have?" Remy asks before getting into his car. "I think it's like that. I've never had a younger brother so I've always wanted one."

"Sounds about right." I agree and slide into the passenger seat. "Like How I've always wanted an older brother."

"Older siblings aren't always that fun," Remy tells me. "They can either pick on you non stop or be way overprotective."

"I'm guessing you have one?" I question and lean my arm on the center consul.

Remy nods his head. "Older sister. She's away at college."

"You two close?" I turn to look out the window and watch the cars and trees pass by.

"Yeah, as close as two opposites can be," Remy replies with a chuckle.

I nod my head and we fall into a peaceful silence for a few minutes. I stare out the window as I gather the courage to ask him what my mom told me to ask. "So um...my mom has invited you and your family over for dinner this Sunday," I say finally and turn to look at him.

"She has? I wasn't aware of that?" Remy asks, looking rather confused.

"I mean she told me to ask you to dinner." I clarify, mentally smacking myself. "She said this Sunday evening and if you can't make it then, then I was instructed to ask you when you could make it."

"In other words, I'm not getting out of this?" Remy asks as he reads between the lines.

I shake my head and give him a sympathetic look. "Nope."

Remy stays quiet for a moment. "I don't think we have anything going on this Sunday. Do we need to bring anything?"

"Just a side dish of your choosing," I say knowing that's what my mom would say. She always insisted on doing most of the cooking when we had company over.

Remy lets out a loud sigh? Louder then needed. "Fine. What time?"

"Five o'clock sharp." I point a finger at him. "And don't be late."

"Who was it that was late this morning?" Remy asks as he pulls into the school parking lot. "Oh right, that was you."

I stick my tongue out at him before hopping out of the car. "It takes time to look this good. Maybe you should try it."

"Excuse me?" Remy scoffs. "I always look amazing."

I skip over to him. "Hmm." I reach up a hand and ruffle up his hair. "No, you like you just rolled out of bed."

Remy glares at home as he attempts to fix his hair. "You are..."

"I'm What?" I ask teasingly and arch an eyebrow at him. It was strange seeing him at a loss for words.

"You're so annoying sometimes." He finishes with a grumble.

"Well lucky you don't have to drive me home," I say as I spin in my heels.

"I don't?" Remy asks as he follows me. He soon falls into step next to me.

"Nope," I say and shake my head. "I'm going to the mall with Sammy."

"Who?"

Of course, Remy didn't know who Sammy was. "She's a friend who finally has a break from homework," I inform him.

Remy fakes a gasp. "What? My little Nat has a friend?"

I look over at him to find him wiping away a fake tear. "Jealous? Boy who eats lunch alone in the library?"

Remy reaches over and puts his hand over my mouth. "Shh, Can't have people finding out about that."

I lick his hand and he instantly pulls his arm back. "Ew." He says as he wipes his hand on my shoulder.

I quickly jump away from him. "How old are you Collins?"

Remy rolls his eyes at me. "Really? The whole last name thing is so cliche."

Before I can give him a snarky comment he turns down the hall and walks away. He waves at me over his shoulder. I find myself watching him until he disappears around a corner.