Socially Awkward!

Chapter three: Should've let my brother die

CHAPTER THREE: SHOULD'VE LET MY BROTHER DIE

When I first heard the screams, I thought it was my hallucination. Because who would be screaming on a lazy Sunday morning, I thought to myself. But as my senses kicked in, I realised it was my brother dearest screaming in at least three octaves high.

My brother could be kidnapped or dying out there.

But I was so comfortable in my slumber, snuggling in my duvet and feeling it's warmth that I was actually weighing the options. Save my brother or save my sleep.

I was leaning more towards the 'save my sleep' option but a rational part of me told me that letting my brother die would be a horrible, horrible thing to do.

I opened my eyes to see sunlight pouring through the crack of the window which my curtain had failed to cover. It made the room warmer and cozy and harder for me to get up.

So against my wish, I got out of my bed and marched outside, sleep still running in my system.

And when I went outside, I saw Andrew in his blue boxers sitting on the chair beside the island, his headphones on and jamming to his music. His ginger hair was a shorter version of mine, except it was all messy. He wasn't screaming for mercy, like I had imagined.

He was singing. On a Sunday morning, while normal people like me were trying to sleep. Why he did try to hit the high note, I could never understand.

"Oh my god, Drew." I yelled over his singing- screeching. "Shut it."

But of course he didn't, he just sang louder. So loud that it was a miracle our neighbours had not come with pitchforks and fire to kill us.

Yet.

I picked up one of the decorative pillow from the couch and threw it at his face.

"She shoots, she scores!" I yelled laughing as I saw shock written all over his face. "And the crowd goes wild!"

I fake cheered.

He took his headphones off. "What the hell, Ri?" he asked as he picked up the pillow and chucked it back at me.

"I could ask the same question." I said as I dodged the pillow and walked towards the cabinets, taking out the cereal box. "Why were you screeching like a cat at this ungodly hour?"

"Make me a bowl too." He pleaded, eyeing the cereal. "And first, it's eleven in the morning-"

"Like I said, ungodly hour." I reasoned, taking out two bowls and pouring cereal in it. "Can you get the milk?"

"No, and stop interrupting me." He said, and I glared at him. "And second, I was happy, that's why I was singing, not screeching."

"What, a girl finally glanced at you and didn't run away screaming?" I teased as I pushed him off his chair and made him go take the milk from the fridge.

"Oh, ha, ha." He drawled, as he opened the refrigerator door and taking out the jug. "You're so funny."

"Damn right I am." I said, a shit eating grin carved on my face.

He passed me the jug and I poured milk into the two bowls, sitting on a chair myself, passing him one bowl and taking the other. He shot me an unimpressed look and chose to ignore the truth.

"Why are you so happy then?" I asked, as I ate.

"I am getting a scholarship for Harvard for the next year!" he said, his whole face lighting up.

And I couldn't help the proud feeling surging inside me. He had been waiting for the letter to arrive for months, and it finally had.

"Congratulations!" I said, looking at him proudly. "My baby's all grown up." I gushed, reaching over and patting his head like a dog.

His facial expressions morphed into pure disgust and he recoiled. "First, ew. No, you don't say that to me, that makes it weird. And second, I am older than you."

"See? This is why you don't get any compliments." I stated. "All you had to say was 'thanks Riley!'"

"I do get them!" he protested. "Tons of them. From the ladies"

"Yeah? The old librarian told you that you were hot?" I grinned at him.

"No." he mumbled. "She told me I was sweet."

I couldn't help but dissolve into fit of laughter. He just rolled his eyes while I clutched my stomach.

"You're impossible." He said as he took his bowl and went out of the kitchen.

"Wait-come back!" I said, trying to suppress my laugh. "I am sorry!"

"No you're not." He yelled from the living room.

"No I am not." I agreed, still grinning and quickly ate the cereal before it got soggy. "Hey, where's mum and dad?"

"They are out!" he said, over the faint sounds of television. "It's errands day, remember?"

I ate the last bite and then put the bowl in the sink. The sun was at the top so it wasn't visible to me from the window, but I could still feel the warmth it was radiating.

I heard the doorbell ring but I didn't move. Andrew would surely get it.

But then I heard the doorbell ring again and I could feel the awkwardness and irritation of the person by the way they rung it.

I sighed mentally and ran to get the door. I glowered at Andrew as I opened the door.

It was Caiden.

His dirty blonde hair was still messy as it had been yesterday. He was wearing washed up jeans and his red hoodie but I notice they were a little dusty. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. It was a good look on him, minus the dust. His wound on cheek was now purplish red.

My glare quickly changed into bemusement and I gave him a soft smile. "Hey, Chase." I said, awkwardly.

I closed the door behind me, so now that I was standing on the porch and he was standing on the top stair.

"Here." He said just as awkwardly., handing me my bag.

"Oh, thanks." I said, glad that I got my bag back.

"No problem." He said. "Well, it kind of was. My mother made me walk two blocks."

I grinned. "Are you feeling better, though?"

"Yeah, I am." He said, smiling back. "Oh, wait. My mum told me to give you this. It was her way of saying thanks."

He handed me a muffin which I hadn't noticed before.

"A muffin." I said, looking at him weirdly. "Thank you, I guess."

"Well, it was a whole basket, but then I tripped on air and they all fell on the street. But I managed to save one." He said, scratching the back of his head, clearly embarrassed. "So, there you go."

I chortled. "Thanks. And try not to fall so much."

He raised his hands in surrender. "Hey, I don't go looking for embarrassment and pain. It comes looking for me."

"Yeah, you're a doofus." I said, taking a bite of the chocolate muffin. It was really good. "See you at school?"

"Unfortunately." He said, giving me a short smile. "Bye Anderson."

"Yeah, bye." I said as he walked down the stairs and walked out through the gate.

Eating my muffin, I turned the knob, an attempt to open the door but it wouldn't budge.

I groaned as I realised I had locked myself outside.

Caiden wasn't the only one who was a doofus, after all.

*~*

Okay, here's chapter 3. Just lemme know your opinions.

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