Down the Rabbit Hole

Chapter 7: Guess Who's Back

I sighed and silently cursed him before I pushed Caleb off of me and stood up. I fixed my tussled clothes and stretched.

"Cyrus is back? I thought he was away at college still?" I asked. I couldn't help the little glint of excitement I felt. Cyrus was Caleb's older brother. Cyrus looked a lot like Caleb, just an older version. He had the same dark brown hair, only his eyes were crystal blue. He was just a lot more built than Caleb. And he was taller than Caleb, a good six foot ten in the air. He was two grades above us: a sophomore in college. He went to University of Texas in Austin to play football.

"He came back for my premiere next weekend," Caleb explained. I looked at him curiously and he shrugged. "He's never been to one," he clarified. Caleb straightened his clothes before he scooped my waist closer to him. He ducked his head down and kissed me deeply. As he pulled away, I only blinked at him as I was taken by surprise.

"W-we should go greet your brother," I said softly. He only chuckled before he let go. We walked downstairs to find Cyrus setting his bags down and looking around. He whistled.

"I guess fame really does pay off," he joked. His eyes landed on Caleb before a devious smirk crossed his face. He charged at Caleb and tacked him on to the carpet. Caleb grunted as his back hit the floor and he slapped Cyrus's back.

"Get off of me Russ," Caleb breathed. Cyrus laughed before he walked over to me calmly and picked me up in a bear hug. He spun me in a few circles before he kissed my cheek and set me down.

"Hay-bale!" he smiled at me. I scrunched up my nose at his nickname for me.

"Russ," I smiled back. Caleb and I had a nickname for him too. In fact, the people in this house thrived on nicknames.

"I really hate that you know," he said. I laughed and shrugged. Cyrus picked me up again and I wrapped my arms and legs around him as I squeezed him in a hug.

"I missed you," I sighed. Cyrus chuckled and hugged me back.

"I missed you too," he smiled. Cyrus and I were great friends too when he was here. I actually had a crush on him at one point. He set me down and Caleb's arms immediately slid around my waist as his chest touched against my back. I glanced at his face and saw a hint of... what was that?

Jealousy? Caleb was jealous of his brother?

"What are you doing here here, Hay-bale?" he asked.

"She's staying with us for a while. Long story..." Caleb said, looking at his brother. That reminded me...

"Crap!" I said as I snaked out of Caleb's arms. I looked at him seriously. "I forgot about dance. It starts in... an hour," I said, checking the time. Caleb was about to say something when Cyrus interrupted him.

"I'll take you. We need to catch up anyway," Cyrus offered. Caleb's expression went blank as he looked back to his brother. Cyrus wasn't even paying attention. His back was turned to us as he picked up his bags."I'm just going to take my bags to my... room. Wait, where am I sleeping?" he asked. I bit my lip lightly. I had the biggest guest room upstairs. There was one other open room. There were about a million other rooms in this gigantic house, but they all had a purpose: game room, movie room, lounge room, music room, etc. As far as actual room to sleep in went, there was Caleb's mom's room, his room, and the guest room.

"My room," I blurted before I could stop myself. Both of their eyes shot to mine in shock. "I can move to the movie room or something," I shrugged. Cyrus shook his head.

"I'll take the movie room," he said, declining my offer. Caleb showed him up to the room as I went to go get dressed. I rummaged through my bag before I picked out a pair of neon blue hot shorts and a black sports bra. I let a loose hanging white crop top on top of it before I grabbed my Pointe bag. I slipped on leg warmers --I know, I know, but it's a dancer thing-- and dance slippers. I walked back downstairs to find Cyrus and Caleb deep in conversation. They looked to me as I reached the last step.