The Problem With Musicians

Chapter 18

I stopped, as Taylor and Nikki kept walking.

They had not noticed him, since they had never met him before and he was only two years older than me, so he could have just been another student. I stared at my brother, who I had not talked to since he had been admitted into therapy for his wound and rehab for his drug abuse.

I never expected him to come to this school. I honestly did not even think he knew where I went to school. Yet there he was, in the flesh. I watched my two best friends go up the stairs, obviously thinking I was trailing behind, when really I turned and marched towards my brother, determined to find out why he was there.

 He noticed me approaching and stepped forward, to meet me halfway. I allowed him to greet me with a hug, but not for long. "Hey lil monster, whatcha up to?" Jason asked me, casually slinging his arm around my shoulder and walking down a hallway. I shrugged out of his arm "Nothing, practicing for the Winter concert. Why are you here exactly?"

He shrugged "Just wanted to see my little sis. Am I not allowed to do that?" I shook my head, turning on him. "Bull shit. Why are you here? Do not lie to me. I am our mother's daughter. I know a lie before it even slips out of your mouth." Jason took a step back, holding up his hands.

He sighed "Okay. I knew, if I stayed any longer at home, I would somehow fall back in with 'that' crowd again. I needed to get away. I knew you had the concert, so why not come see you dance? You're always so secretive about it at home." I cocked my hip, shooting daggers at him. "You know why I refuse to dance at home."

Jason lowered his hands into a way that was supposed to show that he did not want to fight. "Sorry Mel," I groaned, he never understood my nickname Wish, "still, it doesn't change anything. I know that I'm at least going to stay around here for  your Winter Concert, then I'll leave. Deal?" His eyes were pleading with me, and I knew he was serious about our mom and the problems he would face at home.

I sighed in defeat a minute later "Fine, but you cannot come to the school like this. We have weekends that we can go into town, maybe I'll meet up with you on one of those." He nodded, a smile spreading across his face. I felt a small smile tug at my lips as well, all because of my brother, willing to visit me.

I bade him goodnight a few minutes later, and finally started making my way up to the dorm room. I knew I most likely would not meet anyone because lights out was in five minutes. I strolled the hallways, not too worried about being caught and yelled at. I was right, I made it to the dorm with two minutes to spare.

"Wish! Where did you go?" Nikki asked theatrically. I giggled "Nik, if you're gonna keep talking like that, you might as well change to the theater." She rolled her eyes "Yeah yeah whatever. Seriously! Where did you go?" I walked past her, not answering yet, and changed into pyjamas. I noticed Taylor sitting on her bed, gaping at some paper.

I knew Nikki was getting frustrated at me, but I couldn't help it. When I came out of the bathroom a moment later, they were both sitting on Taylor's bed and staring at the paper. I didn't think much of it, just crawled into my bed and got comfortable.

I was just about to be wrapped in sleeps warm embrace, until Nikki whispered shouted "Melissa! Don't you dare think that you'll be going to sleep before telling us where you were! You were right behind us, and then we looked like idiots walking in the hall talking to the non-existent you!" I opened my eyes and peeked over to her bed, finding her sitting there with a flashlight almost directly trained on me.

I sat up, looking back at her "Why is this so important? I mean, Taylor really doesn't seem to care." I furrowed my eyebrows and looked over at the designer, wondering why she was so quiet. In the dark, I could see her outline, still looking at that paper. I'll have to ask tomorrow, I'm too tired to read it tonight.