Ripped Away

Chapter 4

I just kind of stood there, staring at my little brother. I wanted to say no, he hadn't seen me kissing a boy. But I couldn't lie to him. He was such a smart kid. He would never fall for it.

"You can't tell mom." I said, feeling like that was the first thing he'd do.

"Why would I do that to you?" he asked.

"Because you always snitch for everything."

"Well yeah. But this isn't something small like breaking a window. This is big."

"I know." I sighed, sitting down next to him.

"So, is that your boyfriend?" he asked, seeming fine with the possibility.

"I'm not really sure. Maybe."

"As long as you're happy." he shrugged, "But mom is going to break your neck."

"I have to tell her, don't I?" I groaned, sliding down in my seat.

"It would probably be a good idea." Bryce said. "Then you'd be able to bring him around here. You wouldn't have to hide it."

"Not if she kills me."

"Do you want me to help? She probably won't attack you with holy water if I'm at least in the room." he offered, laughing a little at how silly it sounded.

The possibility though, was very real.

I thought about it for a second. I thought about what Richie said at lunch today. He was right. I shouldn't have to announce my sexuality.

"I think I'm just going to bring him here." I said to Bryce. "She won't kill me if she's shocked."

"Can I meet him first?" Bryce asked. "If she kills you both I would at least like to know who you died over."

I pushed him a little, laughing at how he acted like we were really going to die.

"Go put some pants on and I'll go get him."

Bryce got up and ran to his room. I picked up a pillow and screamed into it for a minute. My life was quickly falling apart, but coming together at the same time.

I left the house and went back down to Richie's street. I saw his Jeep parked in a driveway, so I knocked on that front door. A minute or so later, he opened the door.

"Hey, Pretty." he smiled, taking his phone away from his ear and hanging up.

"You could have finished your conversation." I told him, feeling a little bit bad for the person on the other end.

"It was just my friend Salvy. He won't care." he said, "What's up?"

"My brother is home. He was watching us through the window." I said, watching his smile fade.

"Oh, shit."

"But he took it surprisingly well. Said he was fine with it as long as I was happy. He just wants to meet you now."

"Aw, that's cute." he laughed. "You mean now?"

"Yeah."

"Okay." he said, then turned around and called out into the house. "Grandma, I'm going out! Call if you need me!"

He shut the door and stepped out onto the front step with me. He kissed me on the cheek as he walked by, grabbing my hand and pulling me along. He basically led me to my own house. It was cute; how eager he seemed to meet my little brother. But I stopped him before we went inside.

"I have to warn you," I said, "In every room apart from mine and Bryce's, there are nothing but religious decorations. I mean, crosses, mangers, paintings of Jesus, everything. Just don't be scared."

He looked like he didn't believe me. But when we walked inside I watched his eyes go wide. I really wasn't kidding when I said my mom was obsessed with her religion.

"Bryce!" I called up the stairs.

Seconds later, he was standing at the top of the stairs. He walked down slowly, scanning Richie with his eyes. When he got the bottom step he grabbed the sleeve of my sweater and pulled me towards him. He stood on his toes a little and whispered in my ear.

"He looks okay. But is he nice? Does he treat you good?" he asked.

"Yes, he's very nice." I whispered back, smiling to keep my laughter back.

Bryce stood up and nodded, then stuck his right hand out to Richie. They shook hands, and Bryce continued to speak.

"Welcome to the family."

We all laughed at that. I was still in shock over how well my brother had taken this. Now Richie just had to win over my mom.

"Well, I'm going to the basement to play video games." Bryce told us. "You kids have fun."

He tried to wink at me, but ended up just scrunching his face up. We waited for him to walk away before speaking again.

"Your brother is adorable." Richie smiled. "And he looks just like a little version of you with glasses."

"Please don't be trying to get with my little brother." I said, obviously joking.

I turned around and started walking up the stairs, Richie following. I went into my bedroom, and shut the door after Richie came in.

"Don't be freaked out. I spend all my time up here. I don't like to have Jesus staring at me from every angle."

"Don't worry, I get it." he said, shuttering at the thought of it.

He sat down on the end of my bed, then looked up at me.

"Hey, what's your last name?" he asked.

"Parker." I laughed, realizing that I didn't know his either.

"Mine is York." he said, "Now that we know all of each other's basic information, I say it's about time we get married."

I laid back on the bed and put my arms over my face. I was laughing, but I was also turning the color of a tomato.

"You are quite honestly the cutest thing I have ever seen."

"That's sweet." I sighed, a little sad because it wasn't true.

"Hey." he said, coming down to my level. "You know you're gorgeous don't you? You're not one of those people who thinks they're ugly but is really a total babe."

"I don't think I'm that bad." I shrugged. "Just, not the cutest thing you've ever seen."

"Well I'm entitled to my opinion." he said. "And I think you're perfect."

I smiled slightly and turned my head to look at him. His face was two inches away from mine.

"When is your mom going to be home?" he asked quietly.

"Six o'clock."

"That gives us," he said, looking up at the clock on my wall, "Two hours and three minutes."