I headed home a few minutes after my conversation with Bev and left Emily to get a ride by herself. Serves her right. Anyway, Tate was surprised when I came home at 10 p.m. and asked if I was so drunk that they made me leave. I laughed and told him “no” in a bitter voice. He was very confused and that’s when I snapped.
“How the hell could you have known about Bev and the fact that I knew her and Isen for such a long time and that I forgot about them completely after they left?! And how in the hell could you not tell me? I’m your damn brother, couldn’t have comforted me when I was sobbing, told me about them after I forgot? I can only imagine how confused Beverly was when I ‘first’ met her,” I said with a scoff. I was done. I could not believe he kept this from me and acted like he had never met Beverly in his entire life. He’s seen that picture frame in the hallway and never mentioned it. Never mentioned who it was that made me so happy.
“I-I...don’t know what you wanted me to tell you. It’s not like you’d completely believe that Beverly and her cousin were close friends with you before they moved,” he said in a small voice. “And it’s not like you asked me to, either.”
“What the hell, what were you thinking? I have wondered about that damn photo for too long and you’ve seen me look at it, but you’ve never thought to mention who it even was. Let me guess, ‘I wouldn’t remember who he was and when you told me, I’d think you were crazy’, right? Well, let’s get this straight, whatever you may try to hide, it will eventually come out and show itself. Just like this.”
“How was I supposed to tell you? You were heartbroken, destroyed, you were sobbing every hour of the day. When you finally stopped, it was like a switch was flicked. You forgot them. That’s how devastated you were, I didn’t want to ruin it! You were happier when you forgot them, I didn’t want to see you like that again,” he explains.
I sigh and move closer towards my brother. He looks confused at first but then smiles and pulls me in for a hug. I hold him tight. ”I’m sorry,” he says in a sincere voice. I snuggle my head into the crook of his neck and reply.
“No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten upset like that. You just wanted me to be happy and you did what you had to do. It’s not your fault I forgot, and I’m sorry I snapped at you for it.” He giggled and patted my head, ruffling up my hair. I looked him straight in the eyes and said, “I love you, lil’ bro.”
Knock, knock. We looked at each other and Tate nodded towards the door. I groaned and went to see who it was.
To say I was surprised would be an understatement. Especially when it was Isen standing at the door. With roses.
“Bad time?” he asks in a adorably cute voice. I open my mouth but nothing comes out an end up inviting him inside. He chuckles and places the roses in a vase. “So, Charles, how are you?’’ he asks in a completely normal voice. “Oh, those are for you. Sorry for...you know...that,” he blushes. I chuckle at his behavior and reply.
“It’s fine. Really, it’s not that big a deal. So, why the flowers?” I ask, pointing at the roses he bought. He rubs the back of his neck nervously and begins to explain.
“Well, it’s pretty obvious I like you, so, I got you flowers.” He took one of the roses and placed it in my hands, cupping them in the process. My heart beats quicker with every word he uttered. “Will you go on a date with me?” Isen asked with a shaky voice. I opened my mouth to reply but he cut me off. “It’s fine if you don’t want to. I mean, you don’t even remember me, right? I’ll just leave, then.” When he said that last part, I took his face in my hands and said,
“I’d be glad to go on a date with you, Isen,” I tell him directly. He moves his hands to my waist and pulls me close. His head is buried in the crook of my neck and he hugs me even tighter.
“Thank you, Charles. For giving me a chance even if you don’t remember.” I giggled and we stood hugging each other for quite a while until Tate awkwardly cleared his throat and pointed at the clock. 11:36, it read. Isen said his goodbyes and gave me his number so I could tell him when I’m free. It was nerve-wracking when he planted a kiss on my cheek before he left and I slid down against the door after I shut it. My face was burning with embarrassment and the days after were easy, I’ll tell you that.
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