Moving Forward

Chapter Twelve

I stood outside the door nervously. This is the classroom Zach said he isolates himself. If Zach isn't wrong, he should be in here to study or catch up on his homework without anybody to bother him. Not even Kaleb.

Somehow I feel uneasy. We haven't properly spoken to each other since the night he didn't return right away. Especially since the night I was kicked out. What if he doesn't care for me anymore? We were both raised to hate homosexuals so if I treated our cousins like that, then there is no doubt he might treat me the same way. I felt something rise to my throat. Even if I never really showed it, I really loved my brother. Just like he loved me. So please, please don't push me away, Kupkake. Kade.

Taking a confident breath, I pushed open the door. Slowly as to not cause any disturbance. Once the door was open at an angle, I poked my head in. My eyes immediately locked with the lone male's sitting toward the middle of all the desks. The rest of my body moved after a second and I closed the door behind me without breaking our gaze. Seeing as he made no signs of speaking, I brought a hesitant smile to my face.

"Hey, Kade," I said softly. He continued to stare at me. He seemed just like I last remembered him. Black hair, blue eyes, olive skin, slightly sunken cheeks, and a huge orange hoodie over his torso. The only difference was a lip-ring on his bottom lip as well as a choker of some sort that covered nearly all of his neck.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, he responded. "Hi."

That was it. After he said that, he turned back to his notebook filled with beautiful handwriting everyone had to be jealous of. I almost chuckled at a memory of when we were in middle school we had an argument about his handwriting. I thought it was so unfair for a boy to have his handwriting while mine was not as pretty.

"If you aren't looking for something in this classroom then please leave." I was startled by his solemn voice. I'd heard it a few times in the lunchroom but I never paid attention to how it sounded til now. Probably because we're by ourselves. I shook my head.

"I... My friends and I are organizing a family reunion sometime soon. I just wanted to know if you wanted to co--"

"I will have to decline due to it not being organized by my parents." I flinched at those words. His parents, not mine, huh?

"Well, you see, I'm not talking about those still in the family. I'm talking about--"

"If it is not anyone from my family then why should I attend?"

I stared dumbfounded at my brother. He has changed so much. I don't care I was banished. The Kupkake I know wouldn't speak this way. Or maybe he always has and I never knew. Anyways, this wasn't the point I was trying to get in the first place. Why did I invite him? That wasn't part of my plan. I broke out of my trance and walked down the aisle and sat in the chair in front of his desk. I noticed him clenched his pencil harder. Already a bad sign.

"Kade, what's wrong?" He briefly lifted his head before looking back at his work. "Please be honest with me. Has something happened?"

"Nothing has happened," he mumbled angrily. "I am trying to finish my work, so please leave."

"No, I am not leaving! Tell me what's wrong. I'm begging you to come clean with me, your sister."

"You are not my little sister." My heart squeezed at those words. I don't know what I was expecting. Sadly, I hung my head and removed my hands from the edge of his desk. Looks like my plan is a failure.

"I see. Sorry for bothering you." I stood up and gave him one last hopeful look. Kade never looked up. Honestly, what was I expecting? For him to forgive me and open up to me? Did I seriously think my plan would go that smoothly? I really am too naive, aren't I?