Miss Incomplete | ✓

60 | He Loves Me Not

The worst time to leave for a senior gateway was now, more than ever. I didn't feel safe leaving my brother in the house with my mother for four days, alone, while my father is in and out of hallucination. Bidding to her, listening to her. It was like a spell—black magic—something. I saw the shit she put his past, why couldn't he?

"I love you," I kiss my brother on the forehead as I pack my suitcase into my car. Everyone is supposed to meet up at the school to go onto the bus this morning—it was going to be quite a drive to our destination. "Don't do anything stupid, don't talk to her or even look at her, and remember to eat your vegetables."

"You sound like a mother,"

"A better mother than she was," I shot my eyes towards the house, where our mother stayed in front of the doorway, arms resting against her chest. Kenji chuckles and nods, agreeing.

"Ugh, I can't believe you're gone three days."

"Four actually; three nights." I corrected and Kenji rolled his eyes.

"Same difference."

"Yeah; like Ken to Kenji."

"Oh shut up and leave already," my brother pushes me towards the car and I laugh, twisting around creatively as I pull him into a hug. He didn't fight it off, returning the love with his arms wrapped around my body. I smile, holding the moment before the need to pull away. I look to my brother and he gives me a warm smile, "I love you, Rei."

"And I love you too, buddy," I rough up his hair as he shoves me away, forcing him to back up. I laugh, slamming the door close as I walk over to the driver's door and headed inside, giving my brother one last wave before I left.

—

"Dibs on seats with Rose!" Graham blurt, rushing onto the charter bus once he finished packing in his bag. He had this large duffle bag that's supposedly fitted all his clothes—and expecting the fact that Graham carries his card around with him everywhere, he might be bringing home more than he brought.

Iris sends me a look, giving me an exasperated expression. "He only said that because I brought food on the bus ride and I packed my laptop for movies."

I chuckle, "I can't believe Graham got on first—we came here first."

"Did you see him? He practically shoved himself tot the front to put his bag before running. I swear, I'm never mentioning to him again that I'm bring ruffles on a trip." Iris rolls her eyes; a strand of long curvy black hair fall in her face. She had placed her hair in a messy bun today, and though it was difficult through her curls, she managed—a bit.

"It's cool. I invited Gabe to hang with us and since you guys aren't as comfortable with him, I thought it would be awkward," I explain, gesturing to Gabriel over talking to some guys.

"Is it going to be apart of our group now? The trio changed to the quadruplets?" I laugh at her title.

"Better name than that, but I don't know, maybe." I shrug, "he's cool. If he stays, that's cool, but if he finds friends that suit him better—that's cool with me."

Iris nods, eyes wandering over to Gabriel for a moment before wandering back on me. "Is this, an attempt to move on from Julian?" She asks, quietly as her voice lowered. I shook my head.

"I'm not that. I don't want to use anybody, but I don't know, it's nice. Y'know, having someone that doesn't know that I'm this whole person, this Miss Incomplete and just to be given a fresh start with them."

"So, are you no longer in love with Julian or is this just...?"

"I..." I paused, collecting my words, "it's something, okay? I'll tell you when I get my feelings sorted."