Oh Brother

Hidden pain

The next morning

"Bailey... Bailey. Wake up!"

I snap awake as my eyes adjust.

Ethan stands over me snapping his fingers.

"Mm go away." I mumble turning over in bed.

"What's the time?" I ask.

"7:00. Get up before I kick your ass." He sneers.

"Fine. Get OuT." I yell, pulling the covers off me.

I get out of bed as I grab my phone. I look up at Ethan who still hasn't left.

"What?"

He rolls his eyes

"English essay, fuckwit." He says impatiently.

I grab a USB from my bed side table. I throw it at Ethan.

"Thanks Billy. You're safe for now." He smirks.

He slaps the side of my face before walking out of my room.

Music starts blasting from the twins room. I storm out as I walk down the hall to there room. As I push the door open Grayson is right in front of me.

"Can I help you?" He frowns.
He folds his arms as he leans against the door frame.

"Can you turn it down?" I groan.

He scoffs as he slams the door in my face.

Dickhead

"Guess not." I mumble to myself.

I quickly get ready as I head downstairs.

Mom comes around the corner as she grabs her keys.

"Don't forget Aunty Kate is coming over for dinner tonight." She says.

Ethan jumps down the stairs, he has a look on his face like he's up to no good.

"Will Lucas and Alex be coming as well?" He asks with a smirk on his face as he glances at me.

My whole body stops waiting for moms response.

Say no please say no.

"Yes, of course."

I shut my eyes as I let out a groan.
I open my eyes too see Ethan with a huge grin plastered on his face looking back at me.

"That will be so much fun, right Bailey?" He chuckles

He smirks knowing exactly what he's doing. He stares at me, giving me a look that could pierce through my skull.

Ethan knows I hate Leo.

"Yes it will be good fun getting to see each other again!" Mom chirps oblivious to Ethan trying to scare me.

I swallow trying to act calm.

"C-cool." I say casually.

Grayson joins us as he jogs down the stairs, looking at his phone.

I clear my throat,

"I think I'm just gonna walk to school today, so I'm gonna go now by mom." I say, heading towards the door.

"Are you sure honey? Your brothers were just about to leave." Mom says.

"Yeah I'm fine I'll just wal-."

I snap around as a hand grabs my arm.

Ethan looks down at me with his usual look.

A stare filled with Hatred, confusion and intimidation all at the same time.

I wait for him to make some snarky comment. Something along the lines of him threatening me but doing in a way that mom won't notice. The usual.

"You sure...Billy?." He says, suprising me.

I pull my hand away.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

He pushes my head and Walks away.

I open the door as I quickly jump outside.

I walk past Brandon's house, he's usually at school by now anyway. This time I hear yelling. Lots of yelling. Something smashes. I stop in my tracks. Before I have time to have a second thought Brandon stomps out the door.

Tears file down his face as he wipes them away quickly. He doesn't notice me at first . But as soon as he does he starts crying even more. I run to him as I wrap my arms around him.

"What's going on?" I ask.

"Everything... everything is going to shit." He sobs.

I pull him closer. As I look over his face I see something in him. Ethan. A similar look I had seen in Ethan I was staring at right now in front of me. Pain that's hidden with anger.

"Brandon!" A voice yells from inside.

He shuts his eyes.

"I gotta go I'm sorry." He says, as he steps backwards

"Brandon!" The voice yells again.

"I'm coming!" He yells.

I walk to school. Confused. My thoughts are interrupted as my phone dings.

Brandon
I love you.

I smile as I reply. As I send the text a horn of passing car snaps me back into reality.

I tuck my phone into my pocket.

I hope Brandon's okay.