Choosing Star

Chapter Four

Tyler's pic^^
For the past two weeks I have been a complete mess. My aunt's death had taken a serious toll on me. The week she died, I really didn't attend school, simply because I didn't have the energy.  My dad was against the idea but thanks to Ella he finally understood. In that week, all I did was stay in my room and cry, sleep and then cry some more. Ella and the twins were there to cheer me up, Sasha and Kayla always came to visit after school and Dave sometimes.
The second week was not any better, I started going to school though I would skip most of my classes especially those I didn't like. I spent my time in the library reading novels, at least those were an escape from reality. To some I might have been over dramatic but I'm just not that strong. It's okay to  break down right? I don't handle pain so well.
For the past two weeks I have been wallowing in self pity but I know it's time to move on. This pain will take a while to go but I can't continue like this. I know my aunt would want me to move on, my mum would want that too.

This Sunday is just like last Sunday, me wondering what I would be talking about with my aunt during our call. I'm guessing that's how all the other Sundays are going to be.
I'm currently sitting in the couch reading a novel with music playing in the background to dismiss the silence. My dad and Ella are in the UK setting some issues concerning my aunt's possessions. Why I couldn't go there, I don't know. I didn't even attend her funeral. I mean I was her only family or so I thought until I found out I had an Uncle whose existence I didn't even know about. I'm glad I didn't know him because basing on what I was told, he is bad news.
Kayleigh and Kayden are at a friends for the day.

My phone vibrates and I look at it to see a text from Kayla.

Kay❤: Char we seriously need need to talk, come early to school. Love you 😍

I have literally shut out my friends in the last week, I never really hangout with them because I didn't want to pretend I was happy. I miss them so much, I really should get my shit together  and become strong.
I don't reply to Kayla's text because I don't know what to say,  I have so much to say but I would rather do it in person. I close my eyes thinking about nothing and everything.

I felt the seat next to me dip and a hand was placed on my shoulder. I know the smell of that Cologne so well. I open my eyes to see Tyler looking at me with sad eyes, is that pity I see?
"Hey," he says in a low voice. " I know you may not be in the mood for company right now but I can talk to you please? " he asks nervously. I look at him dumbfounded. " Ummm, are you okay? " I ask him confusion all over my face. He raises an eyebrow in confusion. " Why are you taking to me though? In a humanly way I mean, like being NICE."  I ask him frankly putting emphasis on the nice. Tyler being nice is unheard of except to his friends and family, well except me.

"Look, I know I have been nothing but a jerk to you these past close to two months now," he started. " When my dad first told us that we had a sister who was literally my age,  I didn't take the news well. We kind of thought it was a lie but a DNA test result was sent and we confirmed. To my shock, my mum wasn't even mad about it. Instead she felt bad about what you were going through. She had known about the affair between dad and your mum therefore it didn't come as much of a shock to her. The twins loved you by just by hearing about you. All they used to mention in this house was your name. It irritated me. That's when I decided I would make your life here hell. When you arrived that last month of Summer, I ignored your existence and was rude to you a couple of times but you didn't react to my attitude, instead you ignored me too and went about with your own business. You fitted right in both at home and school, everyone seemed to like you. Dave couldn't shut up about you. Soon I realized my jerk ways weren't paying off. I wanted to create a bond between us, besides you are family after all but my pride stopped me from approaching you." He sighed before continuing. "Star I'm sorry for being a jerk, for being mean to you, for not treating you like family. I don't expect you to forgive me but I hope you will one day. I hope we an create that sibling bond and even become friends. "
I sit there processing all he had said, I'm really shocked by his change of attitude. I mean Tyler Winters just apologized for being a jerk to me.
"Do you, no, did you really hate me? " I ask.
"No I didn't hate you, I couldn't bring myself to hate you even if I wanted to, it's just hard to hate you " he replies with a small smile. "Oh okay, " that's all I could say. We fell into an awkward silence. Him waiting for my reply, me not knowing what to say.
"You don't have to say anything right now " Tyler says breaking the silence.
However much I don't want to pour my heart out right now, I would rather get this done with.

"It's okay, we can get this over with since we already started, " I tell him and he nods. "You know I actually used to wonder what I did for you to dislike me that much but when I concluded I wasn't guilty of anything, I decided to ignore you. I was hurt because I expected us to bond like siblings do, you know ? You were so nice to your friends, always laughing with them but you couldn't even give me a small smile. It hurt to live under the same room with someone who wants nothing to do with you. And then I got tired of being hurt and let go, hoping one day you'll come around. " I lift my gaze to meet his only to find him already looking at me. He was so serious like his life depended on my words. " You know I told my aunt about your jerk ways and do you know what she would always tell me, " give him time, he'll come around ", I guess she was right after all, you finally came around. " I tell him and we both laugh. These are times I wish my aunt was here,  then I would tell her she was right again. I really miss her. I shrug off the feeling of sadness, I decided I would move on so I might as well start now.
" I'm really sorry about your aunt. " Tyler says as though he knew what I was thinking about.
"It's okay, it's been two weeks now, I have to move on. " I tell him with a shrug. " It's okay to spend a long time mourning, no one will judge you " he comments.
" I know, I just don't want to live the rest of my life being sad over things I can't change. I mean crying won't bring them back to life. " " Hey, I forgive you by the way, though it may take a while getting used to this siblings- friends thing between us. " I tell him honestly. I know I have forgiven him so easily but I'm just not good at holding grudges. Tyler is still my brother after all so we might as well sort out our issues. This new found relationship was worth a shot.
"Thank you so much Star, this means alot, " he says while grinning before enveloping me in a hug. I was too stunned to hug back immediately, he is too full of surprises today. I hugged him back nevertheless.
I might have lost the family I had known my whole life but I have another family right here.
I spent the rest of the day with Tyler, talking about everything and nothing, getting to know each other, watching movies and so much more. He is actually really fun to talk to and very interesting, just like Ella.
I learnt he is mean at school because he has a bad boy reputation to keep and that he really doesn't enjoy girls being all over him but that was one of the perks of being the school's most popular boy. We sat there enjoying the company of each other and for the first time in two weeks I was truly happy.