Write-A-Thon 2025

Everything I write for Nano this year

Bride to Be Chapter 24

THE LAST FEW MONTHS had flown by. Anna was finally returning to the office after her eight-week maternity leave, having given birth to a precious little girl, Kaci. Her return was a significant moment for the team, and Megan, also pregnant, was due to give birth any day now. To celebrate these milestones, Megan had set up an impromptu welcome-back party in the big cafeteria in the new office space.

Calvin stood in the doorway to the bright cafeteria, watching Lisa climb the ladder to hang the Welcome Back sign for Anna at the back wall. Long, rectangular tables covered with pink flowers lined the serving tables, and each smaller dining table had a pink-and-white bouquet as a centerpiece. The room screamed girl. Megan held the edge of the sign, her baby bump growing by the day. As he observed the pair, profound thoughts of marriage and kids filled his mind, causing the corner of his mouth to quirk upward. He'd been contemplating these thoughts for months, and after meeting baby Kaci, he had a sudden realization. There would never be a perfect moment in their busy worlds to pop the question, not in the grand style he had convinced himself the proposal needed to be. It was time to stop waiting for the ideal moment and move forward.

Calvin's steps were purposeful as he approached the women, his determination radiating with every stride. He was on a mission, a mission to make Lisa feel as valued and vital as she truly was. His life had been a monotonous cycle since his breakup with Jules, a relationship that had left him feeling unfulfilled and stagnant. Then Lisa Green walked in, injecting a much-needed spark. But it wasn't enough. Only one thing could turn his good fortune into perfection--her. Lisa needed to know his intentions without a doubt. And what he desired most was to spend his life with her. With every purposeful step, his heartbeat quickened to a thunderous rhythm that drowned out all other sounds.

Lisa hung the last corner of the sign and descended the steps, her movements quick as she reached the gray tiled floor and looked up to admire her work, crossing her arms over her chest. He knew that move well. Calvin smiled and slowed his pace, only a few feet separating them now.

He could feel the anticipation building, like a crescendo in a symphony. If he counted to three, he knew Lisa would relax her stance and be satisfied with her work, and then he would be standing right behind her, ready to make his move.

"Looks good," Megan said.

"Yes," Calvin began, "it does."

Lisa spun around, a smile on her pink lips, and those soft brown eyes he loved sparkled with happiness. Her joy was infectious, and Calvin couldn't help but feel a surge of love for her.

"So, does Anna have any idea, or were you two able to hide it?" Calvin asked, the curiosity in his voice unable to disguise.

Megan laughed. "If she knows, don't look at me. I didn't mention it."

"Ah, yes, but that doesn't mean Corey didn't," Lisa said, shaking her head.

Calvin had heard stories about the closeness between Corey and Anna, a friendship that went back to childhood. At any party or gathering he'd ever attended in Endurance, the two friends would always manage to wind up in a corner and be thick as thieves, usually plotting something. Their bond was so strong that it often made others feel like outsiders, but Calvin admired their connection.

"If he told her, he kept that to himself," Megan said, though the softness in her voice and less convincing tone hinted that her husband might have confessed to the party the second he'd been informed.

Other employees filed into the cafeteria, gathering in small groups and chatting as they awaited Anna's arrival. A quiet hum filled the room. They had only moved into this office space two weeks ago, and the satisfaction of seeing his plans coming to fruition sent a warmth of pride washing over him. The new office space was a symbol of growth and change, and he hoped to build a future with Lisa there. There were just two pieces of the puzzle of his life to put into place, and with any luck, one of them would happen today. One piece was his proposal to Lisa, and the other was asking her to move into his house as soon as construction was finished. There was no way he would move out of Lisa's house, to his, without her.

Piper and Abby Brady came through the door from the cafeteria to the adjoining kitchen, carrying trays of food. It really was a brilliant idea, thanks to Lisa, that they added the small kitchen to the place. It made perfect sense, given all the events the company held each year, aside from the launch parties.

"Here we go," Lisa said, moving toward the pair and relieving Abby of her load.

Calvin followed behind Lisa and Megan, but moved to the doorway as the four women set up the long table with Abby's catering. He checked his watch and knew Anna would be pulling up soon, probably with Nolan in tow. Nolan was as overprotective about his wife as a man could be. Calvin smiled, knowing there was a time not long ago that he would've thought Nolan was over the top, but since his relationship with Lisa had come into play, he understood how precious having an equal partner in life truly was.

From his vantage point, Calvin could see most of the front parking lot, due to the enormous glass windows and two doors that aligned most of the front of the building. Nolan was a wise builder who saw the potential in the original layout and did his best to preserve some of its design elements as a testament to this building's history. Calvin spotted Anna's silver SUV pulling into the parking lot, with Nolan's truck right behind her.

"They're here," he called over his shoulder, excited to go and greet them at the door. If he pulled Nolan aside for a moment, his friend could create a diversion so Calvin could propose. There was no better time than the present. As he moved past the cafeteria and small meeting room, past the reception area, he could hear the distinct tapping of Lisa's heels on the classic gray-and-white ceramic tile.

Lisa caught up and grabbed his hand. "I know she's been here before, saw her office and everything, but somehow today feels like a homecoming."

Calvin wrapped his fingers around her soft hand and squeezed. "I love that thought. That we've built this place together, and celebrate one another. I always hoped Grayburg would have that family atmosphere."

And then it hit him like a lightning bolt straight from the skies above. He stopped walking, turned to face her, and tugged her hand. Just like that, in the entryway of Grayburg Corporation, Calvin pulled her into his arms and looked down into the sweet face of the woman he loved and admired more than anyone else in the world.

"Lisa, I know it's been a whirlwind. Things might seem like they've happened so fast, but the truth is, everything we've shared has led up to this moment."

"Cal?" she whispered, all breathy and filled with passion.

He wanted to kiss her, but knew if he didn't ask her now, the moment would disappear.

"I love you, Lisa. Will you marry me?"

He watched as tears filled her eyes. The sound of the entrance doors opening crept into the space between them, surrounding them, pulling the energy from the room, as if time had stopped. And he waited. From the corner of his eye, he could see Nolan and Anna standing still just inside the building, but he couldn't look in their direction.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Lisa nodded.

"Yes?" he asked, needing clarity, wishing she'd say the words he longed to hear.

Lisa nodded again and laughed. "Yes, Cal. Yes, I'll marry you."

He pulled her tighter before his mouth claimed hers, hard, demanding, exciting. Her arms looped around his torso, her fingernails digging into his back before the cheering erupted and he pulled back.

"I knew it!" Anna said, hugging Lisa as Nolan stepped forward.

"Congratulations. I see there is a lot to celebrate today," Nolan said, clapping Calvin on the shoulder.

He turned and noticed that most of the employees who were in the cafeteria had emerged into the hallway.


WC: 1433



TONI - CHAPTER 1 - Wishes and Dreams - REWRITE


I lived in a world of delusion of my own making. Isn't that how it is for children who grow up in a loving home? It was for me until the day my peaceful world came crashing down all around me. I had to grow up quickly and soon realized I'd been lied to my entire life. A part of me blames my parents for not coming clean when they should have, but the other part of me —the part that knows I walked around with blinders on, that I chose to believe all the things my parents told me —is just as much to blame. It has taken me decades to make peace with the lies and anger, the betrayal and hurt. And yet, on some days, when I think I've conquered it, something lurking in the shadows, like the fear of abandonment or the feeling of not belonging, engulfs my life again, reminding me of it all. But I've learned to stand tall in the face of these reminders, a testament to my resilience.
This is my journey.
My name is Toni.


My favorite place, where I would spend most of my spare time, where I would daydream my typical teenage dreams into fruition —my wishes and wants for the future —was the park at the end of my street. It was a typical setting in suburbia, complete with my elementary school, two playgrounds, the community swimming pool, a baseball diamond, soccer and football fields. If I were at the park, my older brother Bryce wouldn't be far behind me. It's where most of the neighborhood kids hung out after school and during summer break.

My brother Bryce was a good guy, and I enjoyed his company, a fact that often puzzled our peers. What struck me as odd, however, was the lack of physical resemblance between us. While Bryce and our parents shared blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, I was the odd one out, with darker skin, brown eyes, and hair. I was a stark contrast to the three of them. Whenever I questioned this, my mother's response was always the same: I took after her sister, a sister I had never met, nor seen a picture of. This mystery of my identity and my place in the family was a puzzle I couldn't help but try to solve.

Lying on the grass, looking up at the beautiful blue sky, I couldn't help but wonder what this year of high school would bring. It was time I branched out, stopped being such a loner and homebody. I yearned for friends other than Bryce; I knew that, but I hadn't had a best friend in five years, since my friend Cindy moved away. The ache for companionship was a constant companion, a silent but ever-present reminder of my solitude.

"Are you ready?" Bryce asked, standing over me, blocking the sun, the corner of his mouth quirked in a goofy smile. His hair needed a cut, the light wind making his bangs float over his forehead like whisps of dandelion cotton.

"Yeah," I said, sitting up. "Dad should be home soon, and you know how Mom is about being late for dinner. I stood up and followed Bryce to the fence surrounding the school grounds and to the wide opening.

Before reaching the house, we were met with music and laughter, growing louder as we approached the front steps. Bryce and I exchanged glances before opening the screen door and heading inside to find our parents dancing, kissing, and giggling like teenagers. The big coffee table was moved aside so they could take over the entire living room with their happy antics.

"Well, look who finally made it home. Our two little dreamers," Dad said, noticing the two of us standing just inside the doorway.

"What's up?" Bryce asked, moving further into the room.

"Remember, we were waiting for news of your father's raise?" She said, excitement thick in her voice. She rushed over and threw her arms around me. "It's bigger than we expected!"

"Tonight," dad started, "we celebrate." We're going to dinner tonight to celebrate."

My mother held me so tight against her that I struggled to breathe.

"Both of you, hurry upstairs and get dressed so we can celebrate in style," she said.

She turned away, rushing back to my father and flung herself into his arms. It surely was strange how a little extra money seemed to turn my mother from being content with her life to almost childlike, as if she'd won some big prize.



I changed into a summer dress, even though September had already begun, and sat at my vanity table, brushing my hair when my father knocked on the door and entered carrying a small, velvet purple box. I turned the stool to face him, my eyes glued to that box, wondering what could be hidden beneath the soft velvet.

"What's that?" The longer I stared at it, the quicker my heart pounded with anticipation.

"Give me your hand," he said, and then set the box in my palm. "I know you've wanted to get your ears pierced for a long time."

It seemed like I'd been battling for this moment since I was five years old, begging my parents to let me pierce my ears for every birthday, Christmas, and any chance I could get. I ran the tip of my finger over the soft material, took a deep breath, pulled the top back to reveal what lay beneath, and gasped.

I stared down at a pair of sparkling diamond heart-shaped earrings. "Oh, Dad, you shouldn't have, but I'm so glad you did. They're beautiful."

Tears welled in my eyes as I stared down at the jewels, excited to go to the mall on the weekend, get my ears pierced and wear these beauties to school. No more listening to snide remarks about being poor, or behind the times. Nope. This year, with a little luck, I would change people's perceptions about me.

I stood and hugged my dad. "Thank you so much. I love them."

"I'm glad, sweetheart. Better get a move on, we're going to the Hyatt and your mother hates being late for anything," he said, a broad grin on his round face.

***
We all dressed in our best clothes, hopped into the car, and headed downtown to the restaurant that was known for circling the city. I never understood exactly what that meant until tonight. The restaurant sat atop the city's largest hotel. While the center of the round pillar was stationary, the seating revolved at a very slow pace, slow enough that you didn't realize you were actually moving while you dined. Large, darkened glass ran from floor to ceiling, offering the best view of the entire city.

I watched other families while our parents discussed taking a vacation next summer, and couples out on romantic dates, imagining myself here in the future with a man I could love like my mother loved my father. I always saw my parents as role models, strong and united, tied by an extraordinary love that I could attain one day, too. They made it all seem so easy. I couldn't help but aspire to have the same kind of romantic love someday.

Their happiness as they interacted was contagious, so I couldn't help but smile. After dinner, we all went to the dance floor; Bryce danced with our mother, and I danced with our father. The soft melody catapulted me to the future: falling in love for the first time, kissing, and spending time with someone special.

When the second slow song began, my father and Bryce switched partners. Dancing with my brother felt strange, as it usually did when we were this physically close. I could never quite put my finger on it, but Bryce had a habit of looking at me like a girl instead of his sister. I always brushed that notion aside, thinking I was reading too much into it because not once had he said or done anything that warranted that, but I could never squelch the nagging in my gut that something was going on with him.

He held me close to his hard frame, so close that I could feel the pounding of his heart. The second the song ended, I stepped back and headed to the table, needing to get those eerie thoughts out of my mind. All I wanted to focus on for the rest of the night was our parents' happiness and the possibilities of what this new school year would bring with dad's promotion.

***
The night before school started, I stood at my bedroom window, looking up at all of the stars that glinted against the inky darkness of the night. Wishing on stars had become a ritual for me. I knew I was asking for silly things, things that didn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, but they were things I earned for. Friends, a boyfriend, typical teenage wants.

But on this night, Bryce was listening in. "I can't believe you still do that. Do you honestly believe that wishing on stars will make your dreams come true?"

Blood raced through me as I turned from the window and glared at him. I hated being overheard, especially about private things, though it didn't escape my mind that I'd left the door wide open.

"Nosy much?" I muttered. "How long have you been standing there?"

“Of all the things in this world you could wish for, you pick a boyfriend and popularity? Really, Toni, next time, ask for something useful.” Bryce laughed and shook his head.

Annoyance shot through me as he stood in the doorway with that smug smile I'd always hated.

I marched to my bed, anger growing as he continued to smile and stare at me. “Bryce Michael Colby! How dare you make fun of me?” Reaching for the pillow, I grabbed it and launched it at him, like it were a missile and I could actually irritate him back.

Undeterred, Bryce made silly faces, teasing me like we were five years old. “Thanks. Now I’ll have an extra pillow tonight.” He tucked it under his arm and grinned, his blue eyes dancing with delight.

When I stepped forward to retrieve my pillow, Bryce backed out of the room, and the chase began. Bryce shot down the staircase of the bungalow, with me at his heels. We raced down the hall, through the living room, around the corner, through the dining room and kitchen, and out the back door. He bolted out the screen door, and I held my hands out to prevent it from slamming, pushing it back open.

Bryce, with his long legs and trim runner's build, raced across the yard before slowing enough to taunt me. When I caught up to him at the corner of the yard and launched myself into his back like a speeding train, it sent us both tumbling to the ground, with me landing on top of him, the way we had so many times as kids. Then the torture began. True to form, Bryce couldn't hold back from tickling me, knowing that it usually set me off into a fit of hysterical laughter. His fingers poked at my sides, dug into my flesh as I squirmed and tried to escape, laughing so hard tears filled my eyes. Losing the upper hand, I fell backward onto the grass, and we changed positions.

“Mercy!" I cried, struggling as Bryce pinned me to the ground.

The playfulness of the moment drained from his face. He leaned closer to me. “Do you think you’re faster than I am?”

It never failed. Any time Bryce got the upper hand over me, he always went into this stupid manta of male dominance, like he had to prove himself.

“Answer me right now, Toni!”

His grip tightened on my wrists, and I wanted to cry, but refused to give him that satisfaction. My mind raced. I needed to get out of the situation, and then the most brilliant idea occurred to me. I smiled and looked up at him. "Oh, wise and great, Bryce, you are faster, stronger, and sweating all over me.”

His jaw dropped in shock, his hold loosened, and he sat back on his heels. It was exactly what I needed to escape. I scrambled to my feet and raced back to the house, straight up to my room, completely forgetting my pillow in the process.

Twenty minutes later, Bryce came into my room and tossed the pillow at me, before turning and heading back to the door.

“Mad?” I asked. I loved my brother and hated it when we fought. We always knew how to inflict the most pain during our little spats, and it never made me feel good doing it, but it happened.

“No, but you sure know how to embarrass a guy.”

I smiled, “You know I was joking. We're family, it's expected.”

A slight smile tugged the corner of his mouth, and just as quickly, his face turned sober, and Bryce looked at me, those bright cornflower blue eyes turning a stormy gray. A trickle of ice slithered down my spine. I knew that look. Predictions that never favored us always followed that intense look.

“I can't shake this feeling," he said, barely above a whisper.

"Don't. Everyone's so happy," I said.

"I know you hate hearing it." He shook his head. "I hate saying it, but something terrible is going to happen. I just know it."

I never understood where these random predictions came from. But I'd heard them often enough, and witnessed them coming true enough to know I should heed the warning, though this time I didn't want to. The energy around the house was so light and happy that I couldn't foresee anything changing it.

"I don't know. Dad's promotion, Mom's happy, school starts tomorrow. I can't imagine something bad happening right now.”

Like the lost little boy I remembered, Bryce shrugged and remained quiet.

My mind whirled, caught between wanting him to elaborate and give me answers or telling him to leave and never speak about this again.

I could never forget the rare tornado that sent our world into a frenzy when we were in elementary school. Bryce knew a storm was coming, a storm so intense that the forecasters missed it. It had been a warm day, the sky a fantastic shade of clear blue as far as you could see. Hours later, everything changed. The sky darkened to an eerie, inky black and green before the sirens began to wail. We rushed to the basement for shelter when the pounding rain hit, huddling together, with Bryce mumbling —told you — every few lightning strikes, reminding me that I didn't believe him. I don't recall ever doubting him again, until now. It wasn't that I didn't think these premonitions, it was that I didn't want to.


"Listen, not every prediction has come true. Maybe this one won't either."

"One can always hope," he said.

I didn't know if he was trying to convince himself or me, but it didn't matter. I just knew that I wanted to forget about it entirely and move on.

“I suppose it wouldn't hurt if I wished on a few stars of my own.” With that, he turned and left my room. I moved to the doorway, peeked down the hall, hoping my parents hadn't overheard this conversation, then closed the door and went to bed.

***

The first week of school was smooth. I loved my classes, teachers, and best of all, I'd made a new friend, Marie Jonson, who'd just moved into the neighborhood. Marie grew up in Maine, and her family relocated to Michigan for her father's work. We hit it off in English class right away, both of us excited about reading a book about teens from the nineteen sixties, where wealth was a big division. The one thing I found refreshing was that Marie hadn't been here long enough to get an earful from the rumor mill.

Saturday afternoon arrived, and I anxiously waited on the porch for Marie to come so we could hang out. It was turning out to be a nice day, with the sun's warmth and no clouds in the sky. Michigan weather could be so unpredictable.

I noticed a car creeping down the street at a slow pace, and knew it had to be her. I jumped up off the porch and stood on the walkway as Marie and her mother pulled up to the curb, then raced to the street to greet them.

"Hi," I said as Marie got out of the car.

“Mom, this is Toni. Toni, my mom,” Marie said. She wore pink polka-dot shorts with a white T-shirt, her hair pulled into a neat ponytail.

She closed the door, and I leaned down to the window. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Jonson.”

“Call and let me know when you’re ready to come home.” She smiled at her daughter, then turned to me. “Marie’s talked about you non-stop since the first day of school. You girls have fun.”

“We will,” Marie assured her and rolled her eyes at me.

We stood together on the grass waiting for her to drive off. When the car turned the corner, I turned to Marie. “What do you want to do?”

“Well, I haven't had much chance to see the town, and I really don’t know anything about this place. How about giving me a crash course today?”

“Exactly what I had in mind.”

We walked to Main Street, talking about the first week of school, and then stopped at the local Pizzeria and arcade. It was challenging to find a better place for teenagers to hang out. But this place was specifically made for our age group. Most of the kids from school hung out at the Pizzeria, the record store across the street, or the strip mall with a movie theater.

Marie and I found an empty booth toward the front of the restaurant and sat. I noticed Bryce playing pinball and video games with a group of boys at the back. He glanced in our direction when we walked in, waved, and went back to his friends.

“Who’s the guy?” Marie asked.

“Bryce.”

"Dreamy," she said, looking over her shoulder at him.

"Really? He's my brother."

Marie turned to face me and started laughing. “Really, he’s cute.” She stared in Bryce’s direction for a bit, and then turned toward me, her eyes narrowing. “I don’t see the resemblance.”

“Me either.”

We each ordered a slice of pizza and soda. A group of popular girls crowded around a table toward the back of the restaurant, closer to the arcade area. Their laughter and voices filled the entire restaurant. For once, they didn't bother to take the time to make faces or snide remarks toward me. I had to admit I didn't mind being invisible to them today. I couldn't help watching them, the way they carried themselves, how close they all seemed.

Marie followed my gaze, sighed, and turned back to me. “Everyone here is so unfriendly. You’re the only one who dared to talk to me.” The twinge of sadness in her soft voice was unmistakable.

“Give them a chance. I’m sure it won’t take long,” I said, gazing over at the other girls. Sitting around laughing and talking was something so foreign to me, and I couldn’t help the jealous pang that emerged in my stomach.

Once the food was delivered to our table, we ate quickly. "Let's head back to my house," I suggested.

"Sounds like a plan," Marie said.

We headed outside.

“Hey!” Bryce called, rushing towards us. “Wait up."

We stopped walking and waited for him to catch up. "Why didn’t you stay?”

“Marie, this is my brother, Bryce.”

Bryce smiled, reached out and shook her hand. “Hi.”

I couldn't believe it, but Marie turned three shades of pink when she took his hand and smiled. “Hi.”




WC: 3422


Chapter 2
Unspeakable Things


Getting into the routine of school, a best friend, and homework had kept me away from my favorite place. I needed a break from all of it and headed down the street to the park, heading for the swings near the swimming pool at the west edge of the field, hoping to relax and let peaceful solitude in. I sat on the swing and pushed my feet against the ground, building a fluid momentum, aiming my feet at the sky, swinging higher and higher until the sounds of commotion behind me caught my attention. I planted my feet in the gravel, bringing the swing to a halt, and sat to listen.

Multiple voices were yelling as I turned toward a group of kids gathered near the kindergarten playground, set apart from the rest of the schoolyard. Jumping off the swing, I rushed to see what was happening.
As I approached, I saw two boys lunging at one another, fists flying, as other kids crowded around them, chanting and egging them on.

"Bryce," I whispered, seeing my brother take a fist to his stomach and double over. My heart skidded against my ribs, and my feet cemented to the ground, making it difficult to move. I felt a surge of anger and helplessness, wishing I could do something to stop the violence. Bryce was not just my brother; he was my best friend, my confidant, and seeing him in pain was unbearable. The sight of his bloodied face and the sound of his pained breaths tore at my heart, filling me with a mix of fury and sorrow.

The neighborhood bully, Gavin Roberts, sneered at Bryce. "Is that all ya got?" he taunted. Gavin's muscular build, weight, and height gave him an obvious advantage over Bryce.

Gavin noticed I was there, and his hatred-filled glare sent chills down my spine. Most kids despised him, but no one had ever stood up to him. Fear kept them in check, which made it easier for Gavin to take advantage of everyone.


Stepping closer, my heart pounding, I just wanted it to stop. "What's going on here?" I shouted, trying to muster as much courage as possible. I knew if my voice were shaking, it would just be one more thing Gavin could tease me about. But I pushed through the fear, determined to stand up for my brother. My voice rang out, clear and strong.

When Bryce turned in my direction, Gavin took the opportunity to clock him in the nose. Seeing the bright red blood coming from his nose, I wished I had kept my mouth shut. But Bryce didn't take that punch lying down. He lunged forward, throwing Gavin off balance and onto the ground. One punch led to two, and then another, as Bryce swore and continued wailing at Gavin, refusing to be intimidated.

Finally, three other boys stepped in and pulled Bryce off Gavin. I rushed forward, tending to my brother, seeing the damage the fight caused to his face, wiping blood away with the pad of my thumbs. My heart ached for him, for the pain he was enduring, and for the unfairness of it all.

"Look at them!" Gavin shouted.

I knew what was coming before he said another word. More nasty remarks and more taunting would follow us as the accusations flew about our relationship.

"Do they act like brother and sister?" Gavin asked. "Just look at the way she's touching him. It's disgusting. Do you kiss her, too, Bryce?" Gavin asked.

Everyone stared at us, waiting for a response, a rebuke, something.

That was all it took to set Bryce off again. He lunged for Gavin, and all I could do was grab his arm to intervene, and I knew he'd be mad at me for doing so later. I was torn between my loyalty to Bryce and my desire to avoid further conflict. But in that moment, I couldn't stand by and watch my brother suffer. My loyalty to him was unwavering, a testament to the depth of our bond.

"If anyone is disgusting, it's you, Gavin," I screamed. "Let's go," I said, pulling on Bryce's arm, practically dragging him away from the crowd.

Kids stepped aside, widening the circle so we could pass. Neither of us spoke as we headed to the opening in the fence to head home. I had a million questions as to why they were fighting in the first place, but I managed to keep quiet for a few extra minutes.

"Mom and dad are going to be pissed," I said.

"I know," he said, pinching his nose to stop the bleeding. "I don't know what to tell them. They will only worry anyway."

"Worry?"

Bryce stopped, shook his head, and sighed. "You heard what he said. What he thinks. Hell, everyone heard him. All because I don't have a girlfriend, those idiots think that we...." His voice trailed off, and he looked down the street, avoiding me altogether.

My stomach churned, and bile surged up my throat. I couldn't understand how any of these kids who knew us would believe the story Gavin was telling. Bryce started walking again, taking his shirt off and wiping away all traces of blood. I followed behind, my mind reeling. The thought of these hurtful rumors spreading and tarnishing our reputation was like a weight on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't figure out what we had ever done to give the other kids the impression that something was going on between us. He was my brother, and yes, I loved him, but I did not have romantic feelings for him. And then a completely random idea occurred to me.

"Well, there's always Marie. If it's a girlfriend who would make all these rumors go away, ask her out. She thinks you're cute."

Bryce spun around and raised an eyebrow. "You can't be serious?"

"Why not?"

"Because it's weird, you're setting me up. I can get my own girlfriend, you know."
****

"What in the world happened to you?" Mother inquired, staring directly at Bryce's swollen and bloody face, before taking him by the elbow and leading him to the kitchen.

By now, his nose was red and swollen, along with an eye that was beginning to swell. I waited for the yelling to begin, the rapid questions to start, but Mom just got busy with a washcloth and water, grabbed an ice pack from the freezer, and went about taking care of Bryce.


The second our dad got home, he escorted Bryce into his office, closing the door behind them. I had a feeling Mom had called and given him a heads-up.

I went to my room, grabbed my backpack, and laid out my homework on the desk, trying to do anything I could to distract myself from what might be happening. When I heard footsteps on the stairs, I knew it was most likely Bryce, and dropped my pencil and turned to the door to wait.

He didn't look good standing in my doorway. It wasn't just the bruising, swelling, and scratches. Something was definitely off with him. He kept his focus from my face, as if he were already hiding something.

"What's wrong?" I didn't think he got into trouble, though I could be wrong. Our father always understood. He didn't punish us, ground us, or send us to our rooms.

He stood in the doorway, looked down the hall, then stepped into my room, closing the door softly behind him.

"Don't be mad, but I had to tell dad what Gavin said about us," he said, his voice low.

"No, of course not." I got up from my desk and walked over to him.

He shrugged before turning away. Nothing could annoy me more than Bryce turning away from me.

"Are you going to talk to me, or do you want me to leave you alone?"

"It's true," he admitted.

I was already lost in the conversation. "What's true?" Bryce refused to meet my eyes, so I reached out and touched his shoulder, but he stepped away like my hand was somehow scalding. His confession left me in a whirlwind of confusion and uncertainty, my mind struggling to make sense of his words and their implications.

"Bryce?" My heart picked up its already rapid pace, and I waited, wondering, wishing he'd say something.

"Never mind." He put his hand on the doorknob, about to leave.

I knew the only way I'd get any answers was to prevent him from leaving. I moved forward, slipped under his arm, and planted my back into the door. "Tell me."

"I do like you," he whispered.

I closed my eyes. His words danced between us, sending a pang of shock down my spine. He was mistaken? Or was it me? Did I mishear what he was saying? My mind spun trying to make sense of this, wondering why he would confess these kinds of feelings for me.

"You'll never understand," he declared, pushing me aside and bolting out of the room.

The sister in me wanted to give chase, talk this out like we'd done so many times over the years when things became difficult, but I knew I couldn't, so I closed my bedroom door and kept my distance.

In the span of a few hours, my happy homelife had been upended, and I had no idea how to fix any of this. Yet, a glimmer of hope remained, a hope that somehow, we could find a way to mend the rifts that had formed.

***
As the next few weeks went by, Bryce and I hardly spoke. We spent all of our free time avoiding one another. Dinner was the only time we sat together, and our usual family dinners, full of laughter and chatter, grew quiet. I soon realized there wasn't just a rift between me and my brother; something was happening between our parents as well, though I had no clue what it could be. This growing concern about our family dynamics filled me with a sense of foreboding and curiosity.

Marie and I grew closer, and I knew I couldn't share any of this with her. I barely understood it myself. The one good thing was that Marie was really interested in Bryce. I was happy about that, hoping that the two of them would get together, and Bryce would realize that his feelings for me were not romantic. That he'd gotten everything mixed up. It could be true, and I had to believe that it was.

The homecoming dance was fast approaching, and I hoped Bryce would ask Marie to go with him. All I had to do was drop a few hints, praying he'd pay attention. I decided I'd approach him tonight after dinner.

I did my homework in a rush, wanting to get this conversation off the ground, then headed down the hall to Bryce's room. I knocked, but he didn't answer. When I hit a second time, I swear I heard a noise. I pressed my ear to the door to listen, but heard nothing. I reached for the doorknob, turned, and realized that Bryce had locked the door.

"Bryce? Are you in there?" There was no reply.

I waited, but was only met with silence. Did my parents need to know that Bryce was holed up in his room, hiding? I headed downstairs, my mind racing with questions, and passed my father's office.

"Toni, would you come in here, please?" he asked.


WC: 1933