The Boys of Summer

2.

"Oh my God Charles you came!" My darling sister suddenly exclaimed in joy when she saw me coming through the door. Over my head I was thinking on how to react when she came near me. Its been so long since ive seen her again; and happy too. Goodness she was smiling fat brighter than the sun.

Raven's arms wrapped around me tightly; Burying her head on my shoulder. In return I chuckled with a smile on my face upon feeling her familiar touch. It was the only good feeling in the place.

"You look different! Raven you look gorgeous today." I said as we broke the hug off. "I cant begin on what to say!"

She demurely giggled as she tipped her floppy hat; Denoting that she was really ecstatic to have me around. "You dont need to say anything Charles. I missed you little brother." She said as she hit my shoulder. "Oh wow you've got some muscle there." She clicked her tongue. "Last time I remember you hated gyms."

I huffed. "Well I was still in that phase of teenage audacity and relentless urges." My mind suddenly wandered off to the past but I shook them off. "So where are the others?"

"They're at the back. Mom and dad went to town to fetch uncle Logan." She explained. I nodded as I showed her my suitcase. "Might as well put these at my room before making a grand entrance."

Her face fell a bit; a small tinge of pity seemed to manifest in her eyes. "Whats wrong?" I asked.

"Its just, do you still hate them?" She asked. It was evident of course since I came here that I truly still despised my own parents. The only people Ive ever talked about my feelings were Raven and my bestfriend Moira. There was a long pause before I responded.

"You still remember huh. Well thats a good thing to remember likewise." I brought my hand up to my hair; Smoothing it out with my fingers.

"Of course I still know. Were that close enough to read each others minds." A small glint caught my attention from Raven's side. As I had guessed, it was a ring; a wedding ring to be exact.

"Oh wait Raven whats that? Youre engaged?" I leaned closely to take a look. Proudly she lifted her fingers to me with a blush on her cheeks. From the looks of the silver adorned with intricate markings, it was an expensive one.

"Erik is his name. We met during a Bryan Ferry record releasing downtown and he's gorgeous." Her eyes seemed to then wander off to a daydreaming state. I felt speechless from the sudden surge of information. "Wow... what wait Bryan Ferry?"

"Yeah! He's the singer of that Slave to Love song you were listening to when you were still fooling around with Alex-"

She suddenly stopped; her mouth slightly agape. I swallowed hard when I remembered those days. I pressed my lips together tightly.

Raven shook her head. "Oh Im so sorry Charles...I forgot. I should've never mentioned him Im sorry."

I waved my hand; holding back the small urge to tear up. I hated when I heard Alex's name a lot; but of course my sister was an exception.

"Its okay you don't have to apologise." I smiled but Raven remorsefully shook her head. "Its okay I swear Rave."

"No its not. I think it should've been the most important thing to remember about you." She took my hand on hers and stroked it.

"I still know that you still can't grasp the idea that he's gone. Don't worry Charles I wont do it again I promise."

We stood there silently as we awkwardly tried not to stir up another bad or rather painful topic from the past. Realising that I wasn't the only one feeling the immense pain of lost, I felt relieved that Raven would feel sensitive about me.

I was so immersed in thought that I had not realised Raven glancing over to call somebody.

"Erik! You're back. Meet my little brother Charles; the one I talk about alot." Her voice broke me away from my state; causing me to perk my head up and glance at the same direction Raven was looking at.

There I was, staring in awe upon seeing the tall, slim, and rather handsome fellow standing and staring intently at both of us. He was clad in very short and revealing shorts, a loose button-up shirt, and white converse snickers.

My God if you could see the man yourself you would want to run your fingers over his entire body and kiss his perfectly structured neck. But the best thing about him was his perfect masculine face and steel eyes digging into your soul. Like a man burying the dead in a field of roses.

I felt myself become stoic as I nervously smiled at him. Raven in the other hand, saw the chance to introduce us both.

"Erik meet Charles, Charles meet my fiance Erik Lehnsherr." She said.

Erik then smirked when he glanced at me.