Playing the players

Chapter 5

“Oh my god, Justin.” I yell happily as I turn around and throw myself at my grinning brother. I am so happy to see him, I can’t even describe it. He squeezes me tightly with a laugh, then pushes me away slightly to look at me.

“I thought I would come and surprise you. Hi guys and Amy.” He says and waves to everyone after letting me go, but he keeps one of his arms around my shoulder while I am still hugging him.

“Hi Justin, it’s good to see you, how are you?” Amy asks and the guys say ‘hi’ too. I can’t stop smiling and to be honest, I got a bit emotional seeing and hugging him and my tears threatened to fall for a moment there, but I managed to hold them back.

“I am good thank you, we just got here and I made my way to her right away.” He says with a broad smile as he glances at me, love is obliviously there in his eyes.

“I have only one lecture left for today , but we can go somewhere now if you want.” I tell him, hoping he will agree, but he shakes his head.

“No, Kyra. You need to attend it and I will come back to pick you up when you are done.” He says strictly and I pout my lips.

“Okay then.” I tell him with a fake sadness and he chuckles at my expression.

“You know your puppy face is not working on me anymore.” He says with a smile and I can’t help but smile back at him. I still remember when we were younger he always helped me in anything I wanted because he just couldn’t resist my big, doe eyes.

“Fine… but don’t be late.” I tell him, giving up soon.

“I won’t. I will come back in an hour. Anyway, I have something to take care of, so I will leave now.” He says.

“Okay , see you later.” I tell him with a smile and he walks away after saying goodbye to everyone and I sit back down with a smile on my face. I am excited because he will be here for a whole week and we can spend some time with each other finally.

“I guess he is your other victim, right? Now I am certain that you are a big sl*t.” Jace says indifferently and my smile drops from my face as I look at him. I don’t know why, but his words are starting to get to me. Maybe because of the emotional rollercoaster I was in the last few minutes, but I feel the knot forming in my throat and my eyes are getting glassy. Amy gasps and Logan and Nick are just listening quietly with a confused expression on their faces. None of them know that I have a brother.

“What the hell is your problem already? Do you really like to insult people that much?” Amy asks him angrily, but I don’t stick around for them to see my tears so I stand up while they are arguing.

“Only the people who deserve it. I actually hold my tongue most of the time..” Jace answers with a shrug like he doesn’t even care and continues eating.

“Where are you going?” Amy asks with a worried expression on her face.

“I lost my appetite, see you later.” I tell her without looking at any of them and walk away fast, but I can still hear her saying

“He was her brother , you idiot.” I didn’t turn around, but I wanted to see his reaction when he realised he was wrong and most importantly, he was an a*sh*le again for no reason. Then again, I don’t think he even cares.

Justin has brown hair and brown eyes just like my mom and I look like my dad with his dark blonde hair and blue eyes. I am not surprised Jace didn’t think about Justin being my brother, because we don’t look alike at all.

When I am out of the cafeteria, I slow my steps down because I still have time till my lecture starts. I walk in the empty corridor and think about my brother being here, instead of that sh*tface so I won’t start crying. Maybe my period is coming soon. That’s the only explanation for my mood swings.

“Kyra.” Oh.. no. I don’t want him to see that his words got to me, why can't he leave me alone already. “Kyra wait.” He says and turns me around by my shoulder when I don’t stop.

“So you know my name , huh?” I tell Jace with a humourless chuckle. “What do you want?” I ask and fold my arms in the front of my chest defensively.

“Actually…” he starts, but I cut him off.

“No.. don’t say anything. I guess Logan and Nick made you come to apologise to me again, right? I will pretend you did, just leave me alone already.” I tell him and I turn to walk away but he grabs my hand to stop me.

“No, listen. I really want to apologise this time, but only for this time because it was really uncalled for. I didn’t know he was your brother and I got a bit angry because of Nick. I am sorry, okay?” He says and he seems sincere. I look at his hand, which is still holding mine and he lets it go and I let out a sigh.

“It’s fine, but I know you will come to me in the future to apologise for the rest of the insults your threw at me as well so be careful with your words from now on.” I tell him and he raises his eyebrows with a smirk.

“I don’t think so, but keep dreaming.” He says and turns to walk away.

“A*sh*le.” I say and start walking again.

“I heard that.” He yells.

“Good.” I yell back without turning back. I know this guy since yesterday, but he managed to get on my nerves more times than anyone in my whole life.

I head out of the school excitedly when the professor lets me go finally. I asked him a question before and he wanted to explain it to me so he kept me there for five more minutes.

I look around to find Justin but I don’t see him anywhere. Then I spot Amy, Logan, Nick and Jace talking to him in the parking lot. I mentally groan when I realise that they will be around a lot if things turn serious between Amy and Logan. ‘I sacrifice a lot for this friendship.’ I think to myself with a sigh as I walk towards them.

“There she is.” My brother says and comes to hug me tightly. “God, I missed you so much.” He says as he squeezes me.

“I missed you too, little bro.” I tell him with a teasing smile and he just smiles at me while he shakes his head in amusement.

“Wait, are you the older one?” Logan asks and I nod my head.

“Yeah, he is two years younger.” I tell them with a wide smile and catch Jace looking at me strangely, but he looks away as soon as our eyes meet.

“Oh.. I thought he is older than you.” Logan says.

“Everyone say that, because I am tall...” Justin says proudly while he smiles at me. “..but I am telling you guys, she is the best older sister I could ever ask for.” He says and hugs me again. Jace scoffs but Justin didn’t hear it luckily. I see Nick nudges him on the side to warn him to behave.

“And you are the best brother.” I tell Justin with a smile.

“What do you want to do today, sis? Shopping or a movie? We can eat somewhere too.” He says excitedly.

“Let’s eat something first and then we can see a movie.” I tell him with a smile.

“Cool, do you guys want to join us?” He asks Amy and the guys and my body tense up. I don’t want to spend the afternoon with Jace and his insults, I don’t think I can endure them without crying after today.

“Yes, why not.” Amy says as she looks at Logan who nods his head while he smiles back at her with adoration. They are seriously cute.

“I can’t, I need to work on my essay, but you guys have fun.” Nick says and I hope Jace won’t come either if his cousin is not coming, but since Logan is his best friend…

“Jace? Are you coming?” Logan asks.

“I don’t know… I don’t want to be the fifth wheel.” Jace says timidly and I just stare at him. What’s wrong with him? Where is that arrogant and confident jerk now? He almost looks shy, he looks adorable now… kind of…

“Don’t talk nonsense, come with us, it will be fun.” Justin says. I swear, he is too kind for his own good. I was just like him before , but I needed to grow up too fast and see how people really are around me. I needed to learn on the hard way that I should only count on myself.

Jace looks at me like he waits for me to brush him off and I let out a sigh.

“Come on.” I tell him with a nod of my head, I hope he will behave and he won’t get on my nerves again. He looks surprised for a moment, but then I see a small smile on his face.

“Let’s go then, we can go with my car.” Justin says and opens the door for me from the passenger side to get in and we say goodbye to Nick before driving away.

“Let’s eat at Bob’s Place.” I tell them and Amy and Logan nods happily. Jace just moved here so he doesn’t know that restaurant along with Justin. It’s not a fancy one and you can get fast food too.

“Point me to the right directions then.” Justin says and starts driving as I instruct him.