Broken

Chapter Twenty-Five

Skyler Rae

It's been two weeks since the accident. Emma has been coming over for a while, and it hurts me to see her in this stage. A stage of hurt and frustration. Emma is currently sitting next to me on the couch, on her phone.

"I have a question for you." She announces as he turns her phone off.

"Ask away my friend." I smile.

"What would you do if one of your friends liked your brother?" She asked bluntly. I bursted out laughing. Someone liking my brother, that's funny.

"I would tell them: 'Why?'" I laughed.

"I'm being serious. Let's say Joelle thinks Brooks is hot."

"I know she does, and I think he is ugly." I laugh more.

"What would you do if the two dated?" She asked.

"Be disgusted. He is my brother. Why would she date him. Plus he is going to college soon and I think he is going to Chicago." I shrug.

"Chicago?" Emma sounds surprise. Why does it matter to her?

"Yeah. He loves the city and all. Honestly I want to go there too for college." I beam. It's true.m, ever since eighth grade I've always wanted to go to Chicago. Plus I love the Blackhawks.

Emma shuffles next to me. She still has her blue cast on. Just as I was going to say something my phone buzzed.

Payton
Hey

Skyler
Hi

Payton
I was going to go on a run, you want to come with?

Skyler
I'd love too. Let me just tell Emma. When do you want to go?

Payton
Whenever works for you, but I was thinking in ten minutes I'd walk over and we can go.

Skyler
Ok

I smiled down to my phone.

"What are you smiling about?" Emma asked. I glance up at her.

"Nothing." I lie.

"I know you smile a lot, but this is not just any ordinary smile. Skyler, don't lie to me." She demands.

"Fine, Payton invited be to go-." I paused. I couldn't bring myself to tell her that I'm going for a run.

"Are you two dating yet?" She asked and my cheeks reddened.

"No, but he wants to go.." I paused, thinking about what to say.

"To go for a run? You can say it. And you can go. I'll wait here for you to come back." She smiled,even though I knew it was fake I wanted to believe her.

"You sure. Dumbass is upstairs." I raise an eyebrow.

"I'll be fine. Promise." She smiled. God I lover smile. It makes me want to smile. I thanked her then ran upstairs and changed into black shorts and a yellow tank top. I ran back downstairs and sat with Emma till Payton was here.

"So you'd be mad if one of your friends were dating Brooks?" She asked bluntly.

"Yes, very." I raised an eyebrow at her. She seemed hurt, but I didn't say anything. The doorbell then rung. I bounced up.

"Bye." I chirped then ran to the door. I opened the door and there he was. He is wearing a white Nike shirt and black Nike shorts.

"Hi." He smiled with his dimples.

"Hi." I smiled back.

"Ready to go?" He asked and I nodded. We started out walking a block.

"So how is Emma doing?" Payton asked.

"She's doing well. She was asking hella weird questions though." We both start picking up our speed.

"What questions?"

"About Brooks, and if she would be mad if one of my friends would date him." I huff.

"Would you?"

"Of course I would. That's my brother and best friend. The thought of them doing something like that is nasty. Plus Brooks doesn't date. He plays." I rolled my eyes.

"That's true. But what if you liked one of his friends, or they liked you. Like, really liked him. What would you do if you couldn't be with him because of your brother?" He said, sounding shy. More shy than usual.

"I'd want to be with him." I said, stopping. We've made it three blocks.

"Exactly. You shouldn't be mad if your best friend liked your sibling." It started sounding like something else, than what we were talking about.

"We aren't talking about Brooks, are we?" I raised an eyebrow.

"We are not. I'm talking about you and I." He mumbled.

"What about us?" I tilted my head a little.

"Skyler, I really thought I made it so clear. Maybe not, but he truth is that..." he trailed off.

"What?"

"I don't know." He sighed. "Let's just run to the park." I nodded and we ran in silence. Once we got the park, which was two miles away, we both sat down on a bench.

"So, Marcus is having a party on Friday. I know it's only Wednesday , but would want to go? You can bring Emma and Joelle. That is if Emma wants to go." Payton fiddled with his hands.

"I'd love too. I know Joelle would too. Emma, She has been off as always." I shrugged. Parties are awesome. Specially Marcus' parties.

"Ok. I don't think Brooks is going. He told me yesterday he is done with the whole drinking thing. I think he is changing." Brooks used to love going to parties and getting drunk off his ass.

"Ok, well I think we should head back now then. What time does the party start?" I asked. He nodded and we started running back to my house. Payton and I entered my house. He was going to go see how Brooks was doing. I walked into my living room to find Emma sprawled our on the  couch where I last left her.

"Emma, You ok?"

"Just angry I guess. I wanted to get up and make pizza but my crutches were too far." She whined. I looked around and found the crutches right next to her at arms length.

"Dork. Anyway there is a party on Friday, you want to go?" I asked, sitting next to her.

"No, but I'll help you get ready for it." She shrugged.

"You should just live here at this point." I laughed.