Mind the Code: The Problem with Revenge

Never Trust A Closed Door

He and I were in his room, not talking. I took out my homework and worked on his desk, and he was passed out on his bed, stripped down to his boxers. My phone alarm went off eventually, and I had to wake him up.

"Alex." I nudged him.

He was dead asleep. "Wake up you idiot." I sighed, sitting on his bed and nudging him again.

I grabbed his face and hovered over him, staring at him until he woke up. It worked, and eventually his pretty eyes flew open and met mine. I watched in amusement as his face flushed under my hands. It was the first time I had ever witnessed him blush, and it was the cutest thing. I just had no idea why he had.

"Wh-what are you- what do you-"

"It's time to pick up DJ." I said.

He looked back at me for a second, and then blinked. "Right."

I pulled away as he sat up with a yawn, and he looked over at his desk. "You get off early and the first thing you do is homework?" He asked in a husky grumble.

I said nothing, instead watched from his door as he looked for clothes to wear. Finally he turned and gave me an annoyed look. "Why are you staring at me?" He demanded.

"Trying to see if it'll make you hurry up."

He flipped me off lazily and threw on jeans, and then a shirt.

In the elementary school parking lot, Alex's truck sat in a spot and I got ready to get out and get my little brother. I watched as his furrowed brows looked off into space. "What's with you?" I asked in confusion.

His vision focused back on me and he cleared his throat. "Nothing. Do you want me to go in with you?"

I shook my head, for some reason his suggestion making me smile.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, thanks."

"Did Mark ever go in with you?"

I felt myself stiffen, and hated how I immediately blushed at the memories that decided to attack me then. Yes, Mark had taken me plenty of times to go pick DJ up. And yes, he had come in with me. My brother of course, he loved it, and it made him adore Mark even more. Same for me.

"I'll be right back." I quickly said, rushing away into the school that was now letting out children. He didn't follow, and I hadn't expected him to. Some children waved familiarly at me, some blushed when I waved first, and when I finally got to DJ's class, he wasn't there. I felt as panic rose inside me, seeing his cubby was emptied as if he had already left. "Mrs. Cook?" I asked worriedly, and she jumped, looking over at me and furrowing a brow in confusion.

"Ava," She greeted kindly. "What's going on?"

"Where's DJ?" I immediately asked.

"Your mother came by."

I sighed in relief. Oh thank god. "She could've called." I muttered to myself, then looking up and thanking my brother's teacher. She welcomed me as I left, and I felt fury fume from my ears as I hopped in Alex's truck and slammed the door shut, seeing him jump. I breathed slowly, feeling the terrible day take it's toll on me.

He was silent for a second, and I felt him looking at me. "Where's your brother?" He finally asked, and I rubbed my head with closed eyes.

"My mother." I answered with a sigh.

I didn't look at him, and assumed he shrugged it off and started driving. I hadn't yet realized he was doing it aimlessly, not until we ended up in a custard drive through over in Dallas. He asked me what I wanted.