My Brothers Rival

The Call

I haven’t heard from Dean Stark since the night I caught him with that trashy girl. The memory still stings, a sharp reminder of betrayal that I thought I had buried beneath layers of indifference. Nine weeks had passed since that fateful night, and I had convinced myself that I was better off without him. But now, as I sat in the passenger seat of Leo’s car, the phone buzzed incessantly in my pocket, a persistent reminder of the unresolved tension that lingered between us.

“Are you really not going to answer your phone?” Leo asked, glancing at me with a mix of concern and curiosity. His dark hair fell into his eyes as he turned back to the road, the engine humming steadily beneath us. “Whoever it is really wants to talk to you, since they won’t stop calling.”

I shrugged, trying to play it cool, but my heart raced at the thought of Dean on the other end of that line. “It’s probably just a wrong number,” I lied, forcing a casual tone that didn’t quite match the turmoil inside me. I could feel the weight of the phone pressing against my thigh, a tangible reminder of the unresolved feelings I had tried so hard to suppress.

Leo raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “You know, ignoring it won’t make it go away. It’s just going to keep ringing until you pick it up.”

“Maybe I don’t want to talk to whoever it is,” I replied, my voice sharper than I intended. I could see the concern etched on Leo’s face, but I didn’t want to burden him with my drama. He had enough on his plate, what with being one my brother’s best friend and my new protector, since James decided to enroll me in his school.

“Look, I get it. You’re still upset about Dean,” Leo said, his tone softening. “But you can’t just shut everyone out. You’re starting a new chapter here, and it’s time to let go of the past.”

I turned to look out the window, watching the familiar streets of our small town blur by. The trees were beginning to change, their leaves turning shades of orange and gold, a stark contrast to the gray cloud that had settled over my heart since that night. I had thought I was ready to move on, but the thought of Dean reaching out after all this time made me question everything.

“Maybe he’s just calling to apologize,” Leo suggested, his voice breaking through my thoughts. “Or maybe he wants to explain himself.”

“Explain himself?” I scoffed, the bitterness rising in my throat. “What could he possibly say that would make it okay? I saw him with her, Leo. He didn’t even try to deny it.”

“People make mistakes,” Leo said, his voice steady. “You know that better than anyone. Maybe he’s been trying to figure out how to reach out without making things worse.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “It’s been nine weeks. If he really wanted to talk to me, he would have done it sooner. He’s had plenty of time to think about it.”

Leo pulled into the school parking lot, the building looming ahead like a fortress. I could see students milling about, laughing and chatting, their carefree energy a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me. “You’re right,” he said, turning off the engine. “But maybe he’s just scared. You know how guys can be.”

“Scared?” I echoed, incredulous. “He’s the one who made the choice to be with someone else. I’m the one who should be scared, Leo. Scared of getting hurt again.”

“Then don’t answer,” he said, his voice firm. “But don’t let him control your emotions either. You’re stronger than that.”

I nodded, though I wasn’t sure I believed him. As I reached for the door handle, the phone buzzed again, and I hesitated. The screen lit up with Dean’s name, and my heart dropped. “What if he’s really sorry?” I whispered, more to myself than to Leo.

“Then you can decide what to do with that,” he replied, his eyes steady on mine. “But you can’t let him dictate your happiness. You have to take control.”

With a deep breath, I stepped out of the car, the cool air hitting my face like a splash of cold water. I could hear the distant chatter of students, the sound of laughter mingling with the rustle of leaves. It was a new beginning, a chance to start fresh, and yet the weight of Dean’s call hung over me like a dark cloud.

“Hey,” Leo said, catching my arm before I could walk away. “Just remember, you’re not alone in this. I’m here for you, okay?”

I managed a small smile, grateful for his support. “Thanks, Leo. I appreciate it.”

As I walked toward the entrance, I could feel the phone vibrating in my pocket, a constant reminder of the unresolved feelings I had tried to bury. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the day ahead. I was determined to make this new school my own, to carve out a space where I could be free from the shadows of my past.

But as I stepped through the doors, the phone buzzed again, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that Dean Stark was still very much a part of my story. I had a choice to make, and the weight of that decision loomed over me like a storm cloud, threatening to break at any moment. Would I answer the call and face the past, or would I let it go and embrace the future? Whatever I decide can wait until after I get through my first day at a real school, with other people. I don't have to deal with this right now, he has waited nine weeks, he can wait a few more hours, or maybe days.