Just a Girl

“I’m hungry!” Zeke complained from beside me. It had been about two hours since the incident, and we still had about two hours to go.

My stomach grumbled in agreement. “Me too.” Mindy said.

“Should I stop at a Burger King® or something?” Andrew asked.

“Yes please.” I pleaded.

“Fine…” He sighed, taking a sharp left. We traveled for a few minutes before he made a right, and turned into Burger King®. He parked and we all unbuckled ourselves, well, I tried to unbuckled my self, but my unsteady hands fumbled with the button and I couldn’t push it in hard enough the release the buckle. A hand came into view and quickly pressed on my finger until the buckle was released from the lock. I looked up to see who helped me and was engulfed in Zeke’s cool blue eyes.

“Thanks.” I mumbled, turning to the door and opening it. This time I carefully stepped on the running board and got down to the ground without injuring myself. I started walking toward the restaurant with my friends, it felt good to stretch my legs after being in a car for 4 hours straight.

Zeke caught up to me and matched his pace to mine, although his steps were more steady and rhythmic. Mine were clumsy and off-beat.

“I’m going to have to keep a close eye on you.” Zeke re-iterated.

“Why?” I asked.

“Why?” He mocked, chuckling softly. “You can barely even walk without tripping over your own feet.” He explained.

“Not true.” I defended. “I have made it all the way from the car without injuring myself.” As soon as I said that, I lifted my foot up so I could walk on the sidewalk entrance to the building, but I didn’t lift it high enough. My foot caught on the edge and I started falling forward before a strong pair of arms wrapped around my waist, saving me from the impact of the hard, icy side walk.

I knew exactly who saved me, and to be honest, I wish he would have just let me hit the ground. That way he wouldn’t have something to hold over my head.

“Told you so.” He said, holding the door open for me and walking in behind me. I blushed, being embarrassed that he had, in fact, told me so. I quickly got over the embarrassment and my emotions changed to anger at how pompous he was being.

“Yeah, yeah.” I said. “I’m getting…” I trailed off when I saw the cashier. My brother.

I caught his gaze and he caught mine. When realization hit, horror struck his face.

I was so confused. I thought he lived in Portland! Did he lie? He was going to explain whether he wanted to or not. He disappeared from my life to be a skater, not a poorly paid restaurant worker. I mean, if you work at a restaurant, then that’s good for you, but my brother had a different career choice.

Andrew noticed our stare off and was giving me a look of his own, a curious one.

I walked up to the counter to order, but Josh quickly took his apron off, going into the back, then emerging from behind the counter going to the door. I went after him and grabbed his wrist, making him turn and face me.

“What’s going on?” I demanded.

“Nothing.” He replied easily. “Not let me go.” He yanked his wrist from my grasp.

“You need to explain! Why aren’t you in Portland, living out your dream of skating?” I asked.

“None of your business!” He said.

“You’ve been lying all this time?” I asked in disbelief. “Every time I talked to you on the phone you told me about your latest adventure in Oregon, with all your crazy fan girls, and how all the little boys look up to you.”

“Just drop it.” He said turning to leave again, but I gripped his writ with both hands this time.

“You know, I used to look up to you.” I continued, ignoring his command. “When we were little I wanted to be just like you. I was proud when your dream supposedly came true. But I don’t like liars. I guess I was wrong to want to be like you.” I said releasing his wrist and turning my back to him. I walked back to my worried friends and went on as if nothing had happened even though they were shooting m nervous glances.

When we got our food, we sat down to eat. The reality of the situation finally sunk in and a numbness spread through my body. I felt a warm tear escape my eye and I wiped it away.

“What happened?” Zeke asked.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” I responded, on the edge of full blown crying. “I’m not hungry anymore. I’m going back to the van.”

“Talk to me.” Zeke pleaded.

“I really don’t even want to think about it. We can talk later.” I said quietly, standing up and walking out the door to the van. I pulled open the door and shut it behind me. I laid down in the back seat, letting myself fall apart.

My own brother lied to me for god who knows how long, and then doesn’t have the guts to explain what happened. I was wrong about him all these years.

Zeke’s POV

I watched as Cara walked away looking so fragile. What could have happened that was so bad she didn’t want to talk about it? Who was that guy she was talking to? So many questions left unanswered. I couldn’t leave her in the car by herself when she wasn’t in a good mental state.

“I’m gonna go make sure she’s okay.” I told Andrew and Mindy. “But you guys stay and eat.” I added.

They nodded and I turned away, walking to the door. I carefully made my way to the van and opened the door, stepping in. Cara was crumpled up in a ball on the seat, crying her eyes out. It was hard to see her like that.

I reached out and touched her back, trying to comfort her. She turned to face me with a tear-streaked face.

“Are you going to be okay?” I whispered.

“I don’t know.” She admitted.

“Do you want to talk about it now?” I asked.

She shook her head ‘no.’

“I’m here when you do.” I told her.

She shook her head, another tear cascading down her cheek. Without thinking, I grabbed her and pulled her into my arms, cradling her fragile body to my chest. She didn’t protest, she just curled into me.

Soon she stopped crying and just gripped my shirt tightly in her shaky fists. I smoothed her soft dirty blond hair and he fists became less and less tight.

I couldn’t help but think about how much she needed my comfort, like the night at the hospital. She was so worried about Andrew, I got to comfort her. We were in the same position as then, except now she was sideways.

I also couldn’t help but think about how she was still wearing my sweatshirt.

My eyelids started getting heavy and I ,too, drifted off to sleep, feeling so comfortable with Cara in my arms.

Andrew’s POV

Mindy and I ate awkwardly, worrying about Kylie. Although Mindy and I had agreed to let Zeke go alone. He requested for us to keep eating, so we didn’t dare follow.

When we finished though, we eagerly emptied our tray into the trash and exited the building into the cold winter air. My hand automatically grasped Mindy’s and I held it until we parted to get into the van.

I opened my door and noticed both of them were sleeping peacefully, intertwined with each other. I heard Mindy quietly “Aw!” from beside me.

I shot her a smile and turned my engine on, hoping I wouldn’t wake up my sleeping friends.