**OLIVER WEST**
The next few days dragged by in a blur. More tests, extra classes, the usual chaos of finals approaching. At least William had written down notes for all those weeks I’d been in the hospital. Kieran had taken to get my stitches removed yesterday, and physically, I was healing fine.
But ntally? I was a ss.
The studying part was hectic, even though Kieran had been fully supportive and helping out with the areas I found difficult which just happened to be every subject.
Today, I saw Xander in the hallway, and it felt even more awkward. Like I couldn’t even look at him properly, he was really my half-brother?
I’d avoided him and walked past as if I hadn’t spent so ti last night in the bathroom, scrolling through his social dia pages, for any sign of our father.
I hated that a little part of felt interested, I wanted to know why his other family was more worth it to stay with.
I couldn’t explain it, it wasn’t that I wanted him back with us or anything, perhaps, it was just curiosity. Or maybe resentnt.
"Hey, Oliver. How’s your head?" The voice sounded from behind and I flinched.
I thought I’d succeeded in ignoring him!!
I whirled around to see Xander, he was staring at with sothing resembling concern.
Ah! As if I needed his care, I just wanted him to stay the hell away from , it would be more comfortable for everyone this way!
"Better," I mumbled, having no choice because he was still staring at expectantly. "Still getting headaches sotis, but it’s all good."
" Even though you don’t seem to like , I’ve been worried about you." Xander crossed his arms, peering at closely "I don’t get it. Why do you dislike so much?"
The direct question caught off guard. My mouth opened and closed like a fish.
He was right.
Why did I dislike him?
Even before finding out we were related, I’d kept my distance. Maybe because Kieran didn’t like him, so I’d followed that lead? Or maybe because of his warning about Kieran, which had made wary?
"I don’t hate you," I said finally, and I ant it. "I just think it would be better if we stayed away from each other."
Xander nodded slowly, but sothing haunted flickered in his eyes.
"I was only looking out for you, you know. You didn’t have to show that... that day."
My eyebrows drew together. "Show you what?"
"Back at that costu party, I didn’t know who you were. I was just having a good ti. I asked Alex about you, looked you up online. That’s when I found out who you were." His voice dropped. "I wanted to know you because I was curious about the other family my father had."
The word ’father’ from his mouth felt wrong. Like he was claiming sothing that belonged to , even though I didn’t want it anymore.
"Every ti I tried to get to know you, possibly befriend you, your boyfriend got in the way."
"He’s a little possessive," I said defensively.
Xander stared at , then laughed. "A little?"
He studied my face with an expression that made want to squirm. "Looking at you, I don’t think you have the spine to show that."
"Show you what? What exactly do you want to say?" I was already growing impatient, what the heck was he beating around for?
"That day I ca for tutoring." He paused, rubbing the back of his neck. " Hell, I don’t want to rember it."
My confusion only deepened. "You ca for tutoring?"
Xander’s eyes mirrored my emotion, then sothing resembling understanding dawned in his eyes.
"Didn’t you text to co early? Which I did. I knew I was right, it couldn’t have been you."
My brain refused to process what he was saying, my palms felt sweaty from anxiety while I forced my mind not to think what those words ant.
It couldn’t be.
I never texted him... And that particular day, Kieran and I had been... Oh God!
NO WAY!!!
The hallway suddenly felt too small, too hot. My textbooks slipped from my sweaty palms and clattered to the floor.
Xander bent to help pick them up and then he looked at with sothing that might have been sympathy in his eyes. "I don’t think your boyfriend is just possessive, Oliver."
-
-
The day was almost over.
I hadn’t spoken to Kieran throughout the drive back ho from school.
I’d wanted to ask if he had actually texted Xander with my phone, but each ti I opened my mouth, the words refused to co out. They were completely stuck in my throat.
Because then what? Xander had already shown the evidence of the text ssage I supposedly sent to his phone, everything was clear, so why couldn’t I confront Kieran?
Did he intentionally make Xander co to see what we were doing? That was completely sick! My stomach lurch with nausea just thinking about it.
"You’ve been so quiet, are you okay?" The familiar voice jerked from my spiraling thoughts.
My heart sank to my stomach, the words were forming in my lips again, I inhaled deeply, eting Kieran’s gaze. I needed to confront this truth!
"Kieran."
"Hmm?"
I took a deep breath, eting his eyes. "Did you—"The words caught in my throat, like a cough that wouldn’t clear.
"—just ask if I’m okay? Well, I’m fine."
WHAT. THE. HELL.
My brain was screaming at my mouth to cooperate, but wrong words kept spilling out like my tongue had a mind of its own.
Kieran looked at , his lips twitching into a smile. "You looked so serious. I thought you were going to say sothing important."
"Anyway," he continued, wrapping his arms around my waist as I sat on the dresser, "I planned a little party at Sol’s place. We never got to celebrate our birthday after you got hurt, and you’ve been so stressed about school. Want to go?"
"Sounds fun."
The words ca out automatically, along with the world’s most idiotic smile. My internal voice was screaming.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?
I should be asking about pressing issues!
This was it, when we get back, I was going to demand answers for sure!
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