By New Year's Eve.

Chapter 4 - Olivia

The biggest smile I have ever witnessed is now in front of me. My brother, Seb is smiling like that. That can only mean one thing. He talked to Mackenzie. I am glad for him. But at the same time, I feel a little twinge of jealousy. What I wouldn't give to have a crush, to understand what it feels like to have a crush?

I approached my brother cautiously since we don't really interact much in school. It's because we have our deal that these people here don't need to know how close we are as siblings. There are certain stereotypes the people in this school believe in. One of them being brothers and sisters, fight. They cannot behave in a civilized manner. And if they do there must be something wrong. Another one is you must date someone. It doesn't matter if you are gay or straight. But if you are not dating and you are single then people harass you just like Seb and I witness being done to Mackenzie. I am worried that would happen to me. My brother evaded that with the few dates he went on during his sophomore year. And everybody knew about the freshman who had a crush on the senior. That story made Seb famous but not in a cute way more like as a running joke.

"Seb." I called as I touched his shoulder. He seems to be in a daze. Wonder what happened with Mackenzie. Did he actually ask her? Did she accept? Oh my god! I thought she would accept after the harassment she received yesterday this would be her chance to get a free pass. Why didn't I think of that? No wonder Seb is in dreamland.

"Seb." I shook his shoulder yet again.

"Huh!" He turned to look at me. But his eyes just glazed over me. Okay what the hell? Then he shook his head and focused his eyes on me, with the multi-wattage smile plastered on his face. "Hey Liv."

"Hey Seb. So..."

"Oh uh...umm...home...later...sure...yeah...see...come...you...kn-Mac-yes-call-say-yes-ag-go." I just stared at my brother. What the hell did he just say?

"What?"

"Y'kn..." He produced a sound. Okay. I get it his brain is malfunctioning.

"Can you help me out with an assignment?" He nodded.

I led us to the library. I know no one will be there. I don't want to talk about his plan there though. But help him recoup so that his brain goes back to full functioning. I seriously don't know what he said. But from the double use of the word, 'yes' I think I can safely deduce Mackenzie agreed to my brother's crazy idea. I wonder what reason he gave her. I am sure it is not the truth, but I wonder how far away from the truth is it? I have only seen Mackenzie once or twice in the hallway in passing. She is gorgeous. And she is helpful and humble according to my brother. Wonder why she doesn't date? I mean she must have guys asking her out every other day.

The table at the farthest corner from the door was empty in the library. The rest of them had someone or the other sitting. One table just has books on it. Okay weird. Didn't realized it would be this busy here. No one even glanced at us as we went to the table. The librarian just lifted her head up and then looked back down. Probably reading some news article. Every time I see the woman, she seems like she aged like 10 more years. How is that even possible? Then again, I do not come to the library so often. I rarely borrow books. If I want a book or need it, I either buy it or borrow from Seb. I know it is bad to spend money like that but I just... I don't know this place creeps me out. Maybe it's the quietness of this place that freaks me out.

You know the saying that the silence can be deafening. Yeah, that's the case for me. I don't like silence much. If it is too silent thoughts barrage their way into my brain. Thoughts about my parents, about why they always work. Like do they not even care about us. What would they do if something happened to me? I know Seb would be hurt but will my parents care? I don't know why but these are the questions that haunt me from time to time. Then there are the questions regarding my absent love life. Seb had his first crush when he was ten. And I am fifteen now never having any crushes. I stopped thinking I would have a crush on a guy now, although most of my friends are persistent that I would like a guy eventually. Sometimes I do wonder if I should just lie and tell them 'yes I have a crush' or that 'I like someone.' But then they would ask the name, where the person goes to school at? And I would forget to keep track of the lies then I would slip, and all of this would be a waste.