Over the Moon for You

Chapter 6

**AN: I know it's been awhile since I updated, but I'm not going to promise that I'll update more often. I'm taking 18 college credits this semester and I'm working about 20 hours a week right now, and I'm only 16, so I really don't have any time for writing right now. It would be unfair for me to promise to update when I won't, but I can promise that I'll finish it at some point. Shoutout to the three people still reading, and I understand if I don't get any readers until the book is done. I don't even read WIP books so I'm super not bothered. With that in mind, I'll just keep pushing it out bit by bit until I finish it!**

"Right on this street." I said, my eyes on my feet. Esperanza, my host from last night, took the turn silently, and I could feel her eyes on me. 

She had woken me this morning holding a glass of water and ibuprofen to ease my pounding head. I was thankful I had slept in my work clothes, as I had to be there in 15 minutes. 

"Are you sure you don't want me just to take you home? You look awful." She said, her voice laden in sympathy. I looked up and gave her a small smile. 

"I'll be fine." I promised her, trying to convince myself as much as her. I felt like death, but the last thing I needed was to be in the same building as Kjetil. Just thinking about him made my blood boil. 

"Is this it?" Esperanza asked when we pulled up to the building. It was plain and rundown, with the white paint peeling off of the walls in places and yellowing in others. Kabirah had said that it would look fabulous when we were done with it, but right now it didn't look like much.

"Yeah, I'll get out here." I opened the door of her van and stepped out. Before I shut the door, I leaned in. "Thank you so much for the ride."

"No problem; it's the least I could do to make up for my pig of a brother." She flashed me a kind smile and I felt my insides warm up just a bit. That feeling stayed with me as she drove away right until someone split my head open with a woodcutter. Or at least, that's what it felt like.

I managed to make my way into the office a minute early and immediately sat down, hoping that Kabirah would be late today so I would have some time to prepare. Lady luck gave me a big ole 'fuck you' though as Kabirah stepped in a moment later.

"Safara! You're ear-" They stopped midway though their sentence as their eyes fell on my hunched figure. 

"Oh my god, what happened?" Kabirah rushed over and took my hands in hers-shit I mean theirs- and inspected me worriedly. "You look awful!"

"Thanks." I chuckled, but quickly stopped at the look on her face.

"You were drinking last night." They stated neutrally. I bit my lip nervously. I knew that we had a pretty chill boss-employee relationship, but that didn't mean that it was okay for me to show up hungover. I just knew that I'd rather be here with them upset at me than at home with my brother. 

"What happened?" They asked softly. I stood up and pulled my hands away angrily.

"It's none of your business." I snapped. I was angry at myself, not them, but I was too ashamed to admit that. I was embarrassed that I had acted so childish instead of confronting my problems, and it pissed me off that Kabirah thought they could just will my problems away with a few nice words.

"You should go home." They said, also rising to their feet. I turned to look at them, and faltered a bit under their dark eyes. 

"But I-"

"I am asking you to go home. I can handle things today by myself, and you're obviously in no condition to work. I trust you'll come back tomorrow in a more appropriate state."

I hung my head, knowing they were right. Without a word I brushed past them and exited the building, not bothering to stop the door from slamming on my way out. 

I felt tears stinging my eyes as I started my walk home, and I pushed them away with the palm of my hand angrily. I had always had a fear of disappointing people, and now I had disappointed my first boss by being a fucking idiot. No matter how much I tried to hold them in, the tears managed to push their way through my eyes, and soon I was bawling in the middle of the sidewalk, throwing glares at anyone who was in my way. 

I stopped in front of our apartment, tears streaming down my face. Just get it over with. I told myself bitterly, and opened the door.

The apartment was empty. Not in a 'Kjetil is pretending not to be home' way, but in a much more literal sense. Pictures were off the walls, and his action figures were missing from their place on the living room shelf. As I stepped in, I noticed a note sitting on our coffee table.

Dear Sis,

I'm sorry for how I have been acting recently. I am sick, and I've decided to get help. Don't bother trying to call me, I'm not allowed to have my phone with me. I'll send money when I can for rent, but that probably won't be too often. I'm going to become the brother you deserve, Safara, I promise.

Kjetil

I broke.

Edited. Published 10/25/2019. 930 words.