The Ride of a Lifetime

12. Someone Like You

Once, Max invited some mates over from his basketball team. They were messing about in the living room like normal boys. Making too much noise and being too rowdy.

I had been cooking up some dinner to surprise my mum when she got home.

The knife I'd been holding jabbed my finger because all of a sudden an echoing crash sounded through the entire house.

I'd dropped the vegetable, ignored the blood oozing from my skin and dashed out to find the vase on the table between the couches knocked over.

But that wasn't what made me give Max the silent treatment for an entire week. It was the fact that my Chemistry report which had taken me a good month to complete laid soaked on the table.

All the boys had laughed at me, told me it was just some school project.

But they didn't realise the burns both Jayden and I had earned from all the lab work. The hours, days, we had literally thrown at the work. It wasn't an individual task. She had trusted me to write it up and the file had been deleted because of some technology bullshit.

Safe to say I was fully justified when Max's friend's nose was bleeding from my punch.

So when Javis and I slowly descended the stairs and entered the living room, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from my older brother.

My mother and him were already seated on the couches, spooning something from their bowls.

I approached them wearily, Javis following silently.

"Get some from the fridge. The sauce is in the bowl on the kitchen table."

She'd made some caramel cremes.

I made two portions and sat down on the couch opposite them. Max seems to give Javis a double take before settling back on the dessert.

"So, how long has this been going on?" I stiffened, a wash of relief mixed with fear downed on me at Max's teasing voice.

Fury pokes at me at Javis' smirk.

"We're not a thing." I say with emphasis.

My mum seems to experience the same awkwardness, avoiding my eye. My words weren't exactly convincing considering the scene she had narrowly missed.

"Max and I are going to Jayden's birthday dinner tomorrow. Is that okay?" I gauged my mum's changing expression. Her stiffened persona instantly turned stern but relaxed.

"Of course, what time will you be home? I assume Max will be driving to and fro?"

I was about to reply when Max leans forward. "I won't be able to. Jayden wants me there to help her set up."

"Oh, well-"

Javis places a hand on my forearm. "I'll take Luna. Don't fret." I'd say he was borderline commanding if it weren't for the reassuring smile that followed.

Retracting my arm self consciously, I glance back and forth as my mother and brother seem to do their mental calculations.

Being the youngest has its goods and bads.

"I'll come in to pick her up, and give you a visit once I drop her off, too." Javis adds, still calm with warmth.

I suddenly felt a lot smaller, as if I was in the presence of three adults. "It doesn't sound horrible." 

Javis eyes me with a humour glint. Forgiven already? Too soon, but, with reason, yes.

"No, it shouldn't be. Just don't distract your driver, Luna."

I glared at Max's comment, looking at my mum wearily, but found she had already gone to put the dishes in the sink.

"Yes, just don't be out too late. You kids know the drill." Her motherly composure has been reset and the tension seems to fade.

"Anyway, isn't it getting a bit late?" I turn to Javis. He returns a smirk when I move from the couch.

"I'll get going. Thanks for returning that thing I needed."

Internally, I rolled my eyes. Externally, I send a wide, innocent grin. "You should go before I take it back."

Steering him towards the front door, I heard Max climbing the stairs. His respect for privacy has never been more admirable.

Halfway down the concrete path, he turns around. Those piercing eyes threw a million apologies into my face. "Again, my sister will be thrilled to meet you."

The way he had framed those words. The emphasis that there'd be no other like me that his sister would rather see. 

As he slipped into his car with a lingering gaze, I realised there'd be no other like him, either.

And that I frickin forgot to ask for his number.