Her face got red after she immediately figured out what I was hinting at. My little sister never went to school as I told her to, and she stayed far away, hiding and listening. Then she decides to send me an entire video of our convocations. I also failed to mention that I watched those in the bathroom earlier, so I was late for homeroom.

→ Fast Forward

For the rest of the day, Erica and I hardly talked because she was embarrassed and probably thinking about what I would say to her. Nothing interesting happened in school. Valarie seemed to be avoiding me more often, which is understandable. When the brother of his sister finds out she was the one that bullied his little sister—a story for another day, of course. On the other hand, Jasmine wants to say more to me, but Erica is next to me each time. I could feel her emotions; they made me feel like I'd done something terrible. Again, feelings I've never felt before. I just don't know how to handle them. So, what do I do? I shove them down and leave them alone.

After school, I met Andrea by my locker as usual. We talked a little bit with JD and Mike. We fast-walked in the crowded hallway, with her close to me as she could be. She probably is the shortest person in this school, and I have yet to see anyone her height. It might be because I'm tall; everyone seems tiny to me.

"Are you doing alright?"

"Why do you ask that, Andrea? Mom is going to wring my neck when I get home. I can feel it. I should have never lost my cool that night. I tried to be tough and all bad, and look where I am. I'd never felt so confused within my head before until she came. I just couldn't believe I got blindsided. I should have known."

"You mean you saw her and immediately started falling in love with her without knowing why. And when you figured out why you tried to get rid of her, the best you knew."

"Something like that, little sister. But what confuses me the most is what no one seems to be asking. Why now? Why after five years? Why so late in the year? And I never remember Erica being smart. I've heard of her name but never thought it would be the same one. They have the same last name, so I figured it was just a coincidence. I never thought about it all those years during high school or for the EETs."

"So, what are you saying?"

"I feel like Erica is Erica, but also not Erica. And each time I'm around her, I feel like someone different. I can't remember, and it's on the tip of my tongue, but I can't figure it out."

"There is much more to her story than we are being told. I'm sure my mom and dad will tell us something when we get home. Although at the same time, I feel things will get more confusing from here. You remember what I told you about what mom said to her about her dad?"

"You mean asking her if her dad put her up to it?"

"Yeah. We should probably start with Erica's father. Aaron, is she worth it?"

"I'm not sure, Andrea. I just met her yesterday or got acquainted with her again after, what, five years. Even now, it seems this story is moving quite slowly yet fast. Besides, we only have a few months of school till I go to college, and even then, I feel a lot will happen in those few short months."

"I see."

We walked until we got home, and I took a few good deep breaths to prepare myself for my mother's bickering. When Andrea and I got home, she told my sister to go to her room. And that she was going to be grounded for two weeks, and she had me stay downstairs.

"We need to have a chat, young man."

"Mom, I know what you're going to say, but first, Andrea didn't have anything to do with this. She doesn't deserve to be punished for anything."

"Sit and be quiet. Andrea is grounded because she doesn't know how to keep out of people's conversations. As for you, I'm still figuring out yours. Now, what was the reason you flipped out towards Erica?"

"I don't know."

"Yes, let's play the game of "I don't know."

"It's not a game. I just remembered Erica from five years ago, that's all. And how much of a leech she was."

"Five years isn't that long to forget someone. Grow up! Don't you ever call her that name again? Do you hear me?!"

"Yes, mother. At least not around you."

"Excuse me?! If you didn't have your head up your ass all the time, you would understand the situation."

"Then what is the situation? No one seems to be telling me anything. Yet I'm being treated like the bad guy."

"Have you given her a chance to talk to you?"

"I invited her to come over today, so isn't that giving her a chance?"

"I'm talking about the other night! Stop getting smart and making excuses with me. When she comes over, I want you both to have a long talk. Do you want answers from the past? Get your head out of your ass! She has those answers. And a lot of it involves her father. What you choose to tell her about yourself and the secrets you keep about our family is up to you. I know your feelings are complicated, but sweetie, that doesn't give us the right to mistreat people. No matter what they've done to us in the past. I'm not saying you must let it all go or deal with it. I'm just saying sometimes you need to consider why they acted the way they did. And I know you must be going through some things right now. Son, I know you very well. And it's all new to you, and you can't use the same methods for real-life situations."

"...."

My mother and I sat there quietly. I took everything that she said with heart. But soon after, I decided it might be best to go to my room. 

"Aaron, where are you going?"

"Well, nowhere since she's coming here. So, the obvious place is my room mother. Good day."

"Excuse me, is that the proper way you should talk to me?"

"No, I'm not sitting around for a pep talk or a correction of my actions. My actions are completely valid. Until I find more answers, I have a right to feel the way I do, and you know it." 

"...."

"I'm sorry. I'm heading upstairs, and Erica will likely text me that she's here."

"Alright."

 I got to my room and shut the door quietly. The last time I slammed it, I got grounded for a month. As I lay on my bed, there was one thing on my mind. Why should I even consider Erica's feelings? I'm the victim here; our family is. Leeches. And just what does her father have to do in all of this? Our fathers were old business partners, nothing more. She will always be a leech and nothing more. No, that whole family is the definition of a leech. Whatever she's going to tell me is most likely something to cover her ass. She always was good at coming up with excuses on the spot.

→ Erica - Earlier After School

Finally, the study hall has ended—my last period of the day with Mr. Nelson. Aaron was quickly out of the room. He looked like that one kid in class that had to be first for everything. It was quite a sight. I tried to hurry after him, but he was moving so quickly, almost as if to avoid running into someone. Most likely me. Although, I could hardly talk or look at him today in our classes. Lunch was the worst since we sat right across from each other. That's right; I still haven't found my table yet. Oh my god, why did Andrea, of all people, have to see us like that? She probably thought I was a pervert after feeling her brother up and down. But his abs and chest were just.

"Aaron, are you coming to practice today?"

"Yeah, captain, ya coming?"

It looks like JD and Mike are by his locker. Huh? It's Andrea; somehow, she pinpointed me out of everyone in the hallway. Why is she looking at me with those eyes like that? Huh? Why are you grabbing Aaron's arm? Is that her way of saying don't touch my things? More like don't touch my brother. Well, you'll see tonight.

"No, sorry, Mike and JD, I have to get home to do something before my mom gets home. Well, that's the plan at least."

"Come on. I know practice isn't mandatory anymore, but we still have one last competition."

"I know, but this is important. How about next Friday?"

"That works for us. JD, let's go; we don't want to miss our ride."

"Alright then, have a good weekend Aaron."

"Same to both of you."

"Come on, Andrea, let's go."

"Coming."

She-she just stuck her tongue at me! How rude. Does every sibling hate me in that family? You just wait till later. On the bright side, I don't have homework over the weekend. I should probably start walking home. I waited a few extra minutes for Aaron and Andrea to get ahead of me. We take the same route home until we get to that split way. I don't mind walking home alone; it's nothing that I'm not used to. Oh yeah, I'm supposed to go across town to pick up a book from my grandparents for my mom.

"Ugh, why do I constantly forget these things that are so...ah, I don't know!"

→ Erica - Later That Night - Present 

Finally, what felt forever. I made it home.

"Mom, I'm home."

"Your mother isn't here now, and she went out with some girlfriends."

"Huh, Dad? What are you doing here? I thought mom picked you up from the airport to take you to your hotel?"

"She did. Then I decided to come here for a bit."

"Why?"

"What do you mean why? To see you, of course."

"What makes you think I wanted to see you all this time?"

"Come on, sweetheart, it hasn't been that long."

"Dad, it's been three years since I saw you. What makes you think I'm excited or want to see you?"

"Come on, don't be like that. I'm taking time out of my schedule to see you. The least you could do is act excited."

"And you sound thrilled that you took time off. I'm leaving."

"Where are you going? Do you realize how late it is right now?"

"It doesn't concern you. And don't you think it's a little late to start trying to be a worried parent? When and if mom gets home, tell her I'm sleeping over at a friend's house, and I'm not sleeping under the same roof as you."

→ Aaron - Present 

Erica was supposed to be here hours ago, and it looks like she is a no-show, so it's time for some research and gushers. I must say being down in the dining room with dimmed lights on nights like these. Fantastic and thrilling, and it makes the gushers taste ten times better. Nothing could ruin this moment at all. Huh, someone just opened the front door. Did she just walk in without knocking or texting?

"Dad? Wait, Erica?"

"Aaron, your father is home."

"Hey."

"I can see that, dad. Don't state the obvious. And hey yourself, Erica."

"My son is so smart."

"Hey!"

 "Ha-ha. How were your trip and ride home?"

"Long, hard, and stinky. I had to sit by this crazy old lady on the plane. She kept taking the armrest and later fell asleep on me, and all I could smell was her breath."

"Here, let me help you unpack."

"Thanks. Erica, don't mind waiting in the dining room?"

"Not at all."

"So, this lady dad, was its halitosis or bad breath?"

My father and I get along well. And like me, he's brilliant. We are just chatting about his day while I help him unpack.

"Hey, isn't that the same thing? Don't try to pull a fast one on me, kid."

"Just checking, ha-ha."

Where's your mother?"

"She went in the shower about two minutes ago."

"You don't say."

Remember I said before they show a little too much love? Well, this is going to be a long night. At least for them.

"And Andrea?"

"Probably watching TV or computer games."

"You're right. Today is Friday. Did she have homework?"

"Just history, but I helped her."

"That's good to hear. Here I'll handle the rest. Why don't you go down to the game room with Erica?"

"Alright."

Strange, my dad didn't seem all surprised with Erica being here. I wonder if they were talking outside before they came in? If so, I wonder what was said? I also love how my parents are so calm about letting her in the house this late. Wait, why does she have her bag here? She's not thinking of sleeping over, is she?