Loving Ms. Winters

40: Alice's POV

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My brother had been found dead a few towns over, shot and left like nothing. All these years I had avoided visiting him out of fear but now I just wished I could've seen him one last time. Even after everything he was still my brother and I loved him unconditionally. I wanted to be able to tell him that, to laugh with him like we did as kids. I wanted to hold his hand and comfort him the way no one probably had since he went to prison. I looked at the photograph of us when we were children and smiled at the goofy grin on his young face. His hair was messy, covering his green eyes that back then were still filled with dreams and happiness. I closed my eyes, laying back and letting my head hit the pillow with the picture wrapped tightly in my arms. I hadn't cried until now, I had tried holding it all in but it was no use, murderer or not he was my brother.

~The Next Day~

I had woken up with the picture still tightly wrapped in my arms, my eyes red and puffy from crying so much. Makeup helped but didn't fix it completely no matter how hard I tried. I had settled on a simple button up and slacks for today not really feeling in the mood to dress up. I had made it to school just on time and had to push my way through the crowds of students to get to my room before first period. Just outside my door I spotted Blair who was wearing a tight pair of skinny jeans and a simple black tee shirt. She looked beautiful, her hair up in a messy bun and her make up lighter than usual.

"Goodmorning Ms. Winters." She smiled once I got closer

I smiled back "Goodmorning Miss Collins, you should get to class you don't want to be anymore late than you already are."

She nodded seeming irritated "Alright then."

She disappeared down the hall, not giving me a chance to say anything else. My classes went pretty well but the day itself seemed to drag on. When last period finally came around I felt myself growing excited for Blair to get here even if it was just to check her out during class. As the three minutes went by and when the late bell rang I got worried. Unable to do anything about it I started class, it seemed like hours before the last bell finally rang. I didn't waste anytime packing up my things and running straight out of the building.

Once in my car I dialed her number which went straight to voicemail and sighed before leaving a message "Hey, are you okay? I'm worried about you please give me a call back, I love you."

I hung up and threw my phone into the passenger seat before starting my car. I drove to her house and when I saw her car I nearly swerved into the curb because I wasn't paying attention to the road. I parked and ran up to her door knocking loudly until it swung open revealing Blair who was in the same outfit as earlier.

"Thank god." I breathed out feeling myself calm down the moment her face came into view

She gave me a look "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to make sure you were okay." I replied dumbfounded by her grumpy attitude

She shrugged "Well I'm fine so you can go."

"Blair," I sighed running my hand backwards through my hair "please don't shut me out."

She rolled her eyes "I'm not."

"Blair seriously," I stated looking down "I was having a bad night it wasn't anything to do with you."

"Okay," she sighed "come in."

She held the door open for me and I walked inside smelling cleaner in the air. Her apartment was spotless, it literally looked like she'd been cleaning all day.

"Wow, winter cleaning?" I joked as she sat on the couch in the living room

She shrugged "Something like that I guess."

I sat next to her and she avoided my gaze "Blair why didn't you come to class today?"

"I didn't go to any classes today." She stated causing my brows to knit together

"Why?" I questioned further

She rolled her eyes "I didn't feel like it, so what happened last night?"

"I'd rather tell you when you're not being so difficult." I stated growing irritated by her tone

She looked up at me, her eyes vulnerable "I'm sorry okay I just was worried that you were mad at me or that you were breaking up with me and I freaked out."

I nodded smiling slightly at her sudden change in mood and tone "I'm not breaking up with you and I can't stay mad at you for more than ten minutes so don't worry about that babe."

She nodded shifting on the couch slightly "I know and I'm sorry I was avoiding you, if you want to tell me what happened though I'm here."

"Thank you," I mumbled out trying to form the right words "my brother died."

"What?" She said her eyes going wide in surprise

I nodded slowly "He got shot, they don't know who did it."

"Are you okay?" She asked gently rubbing my back

I smiled slightly "I will be, can I stay here tonight?"

She smiled "Of course you can."

"Also there's one more thing." I said growing nervous to ask her

She cocked her head to the side running her fingers through my hair "What is it?"

"His funeral is this Saturday and I don't want to go alone," I paused looking at her "would you go with me?"

She nodded and pulled me into a hug "Of course I will baby I would do anything for you."

I hugged her back and we sat there for a few minutes just enjoying the warmth of each other before breaking the hug.

"I'm sorry I was being such a pain today." Blair sighed taking my hand in hers and intertwining our fingers

I smiled softly and squeezed her hand "You wouldn't be my girlfriend if you weren't a pain in the ass sometimes."

She shot me a glare "Hey that's mean."

"I'm a pain in the ass sometimes too." I shrugged causing her to giggle

She nodded, smirking "I'd have to agree with that one."

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