Sister Styles

{22} Fighting

I followed Harry from the foyer into the kitchen. He lit the place and my heart melted at the sight of the beautiful granite countertops and phenomenally carved mahogney cabinets.

"Would you like something to drink?" Harry offered, opening the fridge door. "There's beer, soda, water, tea, milk."

"I'll have a tea, two sugar, one milk," I sat up on one of the stools that was set up at the breakfast bar.

My brother nodded, moving about the extravagant kitchen to make me feel comfortable.

But I wasn't comfortable. I was still tense and angry about this situation. This situation that would've never happened if I didn't come along and cause this uneaseness in my brother. He was perfectly fine before I came. Then again, I also know this isn't all my fault. It takes two people to make a fight. This is Harry's fault too. If he didn't get angry and have me incognito in the first place, this would've never happened.

Harry turned around, setting the mug on the counter then popped open a beer taking a large swig of it. He's drinking? Really? At a time like this?

I just scoffed to myself, hoping he wouldn't notice. Thankfully, he didn't and I was relieved. It made me a little uncomfortable to see him drink from the can. I know what my ex was like drinking, I just don't want to know if Harry was similar.

"So what are you doing here?" He finally asked, his tone trying to remain calm and mature. I know the minute I open my mouth though, he's going to go ballistic.

I chose my words carefully. "I am pursuing my dream," I avoided eye contact, focusing on the ceramic mug in front of me. I tapped my fingernail against it, the small piercing sound of fragile delicacy.

"Pursuing your dream?" Harry huffed in response. I could feel his eyes penetrating into me deeply like knives. The familiar knot formed at the back of my throat. I tried swallowing hard against it but it just choked me a little and I actually coughed.

I didn't move any muscle in my body except my eyes, bringing them up to meet his. He looked at me like I was stupid. "What?" I questioned, trying to hold back the snarky attitude.

"You're so oblivious, Lilli," he mumbled to himself, I'm guessing he didn't want me to hear but I did anyways. "Do you know what the risks are of this now?"

I turned my eyes back to my mug, biting down on my lip to keep the tears from burning in my eyes. I didn't want to cry. Not now. I'm a strong girl, I can't show weakness.

"Of course I do, but-,"

"No, you clearly don't," Harry rudely interrupted, but I had just thought I might as well get his rage out before I spit mine back. "What, did you're stupid 'Pay Pay' tell you to do this? God, I never liked that kid."

My eyes darted up, locking on his, this time all my attention being brought to Harry. A rush of anger coarsed rapidly through my veins and I could feel my face getting hot. "What did you just say?" I looked at him, my eyes narrowing. Maybe I didn't hear him properly.

"Did you're stupid friend encourage you to come do this? I mean of course he did, he has never had the balls to tell you what you shouldn't do." He repeated, his words a little jumbled as he left out the nickname.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" My voice was whispered but the words were loud. "That 'stupid friend' was there for me for four years while the brother, who is blood related to me, left and didn't even care enough to pick up his phone! Also, Payton didn't even want me to come. In fact, he screwed up my audition by calling me in the middle of it. Don't you dare try to make him the bad guy here, Harry. The only bad guy here is you." I yelled.

Harry's anger reflected back at me but I continued speaking before he could say anything. "Payton was the one who was there at three in the morning when I would almost kill myself. He was the one who went out searching for hours and hours on end trying to find me when I ran away. He was there for me when you weren't, so how about instead of pinning him as the bad guy, you thank him for doing your job for you."

The tears were now streaming down my cheeks and it was hard to speak through the sobs. It felt good to finally get it out of my system, but it wasn't fixing anything. Harry looked sympathetic for about a minute then went expressionless. I left out the parts about what has exactly happened in those years. Harry doesn't deserve to know. It's been a living nightmare. I'm surprised I made it out alive.

Harry remained silent, pondering about what to say next. He avoided eye contact with me, fixing his eyes on the floor. So that's all he's got? He's not going to argue? No, because he knows I'm right.

All it took was that one thing he said though, that one small thing, to send images and memories flying throughout my brain of the past years. I couldn't stand to talk to him right now. I wanted to hit him. I wanted to scream at him more. But I could only do the one thing I do best.

I scoffed at his silent response, then marched out of the room. He didn't chase after me. He didn't call out after me. He didn't even care.

I stomped out of the house, slamming the door behind me. I started walking. I don't know where I was or how I'm going to get back to the hotel in this freezing weather, all I knew was that I didn't want to be here anymore. Maybe this was a bad idea. I shouldn't have ever come on this trip. Maybe I should just go home.