STRICTLY BETWEEN SIBLINGS

AIDEN'S POV I had just returned from a late-night study session at my neighborhood coffee shop where I was attempting to finish off projects in preparation for my impending tests. When I did decide to go home, it was far later than midnight. My car was in the shop for maintenance, so I had to walk despite the storm building outside. The study session went longer than I had anticipated. I needed it though— my work at school had been crappy lately and it was beginning to set a bad precedent, both to my professors and my family. Unlike my brother Ryder, I was the star child with good grades, better behavior and a surety for the future. I had a lot riding on this, and I couldn't afford to fail. I didn't want to disappoint my family. My brother, however, did not care. He was involved in anything that could disgrace our family. Although, I felt my devotion to my studies, (which had become more intense than ever,) was telling on my relationship with Sky, as communication had become strained and we always seemed to be apart— I still believed we were fine. I knew we were fine. We had been dating for four years and we had been able to weather many storms together. This was merely just a phase. If we weren't, she would have said so. I was unprepared for the heavy rain that began to fall as soon as I stepped outside. I was surprised by how rapidly the weather changed, but I had no alternative but to enter the storm. I walked in the rain, with my hands stuffed deep into my pockets and my hood drawn low over my face, my rucksack slung over my shoulders. The thunderclap in the distance was muffled by the howling wind. Every step I took felt a little heavier than the previous step. After a long night of studying, my head was racing with formulas and theories. Despite the rain seeping through my clothes and making me feel extremely cold, I persisted in my quest to get inside my cozy and warm home. It was difficult to see ahead because of the howling wind and the rain. Through the faint streetlights, I could just make out the two figures standing on my porch as I got closer to my house. Based on her posture, one of them appeared to be my girlfriend Sky. I envisioned her waiting for me when I got back, and I grinned. From my point of view, the other figure was too dark to make out. I picked up the speed, ready to get out of the rain. But then, I froze. My eyes grew wide as I saw something I never thought I would. And there she was, Skylar, my brother Ryder beside her, her face glowing in the porch light. They were sharing a really passionate kiss. Time slowed as the world appeared to spin. My mind was racing, a frenzied swirl of hurt and disbelief. What was going on here? The weight of betrayal made my chest tighten and make me feel suffocated. I wanted to scream, to face them in that moment. But, something stopped me. Rather, I withdrew myself into a corner, silent and unnoticed. My heart pounded on my chest, every pounding serving as an agonizing reminder of the broken trust that lay at my feet. I observed them for what seemed like an endless amount of time, with each second leaving a scar on my memory. At last, the storm started to lessen, with the rain decreasing to a light drizzle. I was still having trouble making sense of the unimaginable, my thoughts reeling. I was unable to look away from the scene I was seeing in front of me or move. Reaching for my phone, my palm shook as my fingers stumbled to call her number, hoping for an answer, any logical explanation. Pulling away from Ryder, Skylar flashed him a cute smile. She was still looking affectionately at my brother when she answered the phone, as if I had disturbed them. Sky's voice called out, "Hey, Aiden," over the sound of rain on the roof. "Hey, babe, where are you?" Despite the agony erupting inside of me, I tried to seem casual as I asked. "Oh, where else? I'm in bed, waiting for you," she sweetly answered. I clenched my jaw, disbelief flooding every fiber of my being. "Why aren't you asleep?” “How can I? You aren't here yet and there’s a storm outside. Or don't you know? I'm scared! I can't stand the sound of the thunderstorm. When will you be coming back?” I closed my eyes briefly. This was insane. “Okay, I'll be there soon," I said, forcing the words out. I opened my eyes, my gaze never leaving the scene before me. As the call ended, Ryder's laughter cut through the sound of the raging storm. “You deserve an award for your acting skills!” He laughed again and the wind carried the sound to my ears. I gritted my teeth harder. I really wanted to punch him in the face. She said something but I couldn't hear her from where I stood, so I moved closer to the side of the house, in the dark. I could see them clearly and hear them better but they could not see me. With a sarcastic tone, Ryder said, "Looks like he's in for a surprise." It seemed as if several daggers were being thrust into me. She whispered, hardly heard over the dying thunder, "You should leave before anyone sees us.” Ryder still held her tightly. “Who? Aiden? I'm sure his lame ass still has his nose buried in a book by this time.” His voice mocked. She smacked him lightly, “Stop that…” but she smiled. My mouth dropped open. I couldn't believe this. They were dissing me without shame. She was cheating on me without a care in the world… with my nutjob of a brother! Of all people! “Don’t talk about my boyfriend like that.” “Well, not for long…” He pulled her to him tighter. “You'll be leaving that crazy son of a b***h that thinks he can change the world with one book at a time very soon. I'm sure of that. "He's not like that! You have no right to talk about him that way. He is a good guy," Sky chided, her tone surprisingly gentle despite the situation. “He's my brother so I can tell you that he's a real son of b***h. I can call him whatever the hell I want to call him.” She sighed but said nothing. Did she buy the idea? Was she really planning on leaving me? “You have to go.” Sky said pushing him. He moved in for another kiss but she pushed him again. Ryder bowed his head and nodded, his expression unreadable. "Yeah, probably for the best," he replied, his tone tinged with annoyance. My fists squeezed at my sides, and my nails bit into the palms of my hands. I wanted to yell, to demand answers. But the words died in my throat, stifled by the sharp ache in my chest. I averted my gaze because I could take no more of them. As I stood there, the storm continued to rage, reflecting the chaos in my emotions. I stood there frozen in place, my thoughts a jumbled mess of hurt and rage as Ry vanished into the night. How I could have been so blind, so unaware of their betrayal, was beyond me. I remained in the same spot for hours on end, mired in my feelings. Finally, I started walking back to where I had come from. I started thinking about my girlfriend, Skylar, as I was walking. Waves of hurt and disbelief crashed over me when I saw the image of her with my own brother in my mind again. My personal agony was so intense that I hardly saw the storm that was brewing around me. Every wind rush felt like a painful reminder of the betrayal I would soon confront back home, like a smack in the face. Nevertheless, even with the agony searing through my body. ~~~ Dawn broke, giving a warm golden hue across the horizon. All around me, the world came to life, but I was still stuck in my own personal hell. I eventually hauled myself back to my house, back to Sky. I wanted to let go of the images ingrained in my mind. But, wishing would not be able to turn back the hands of time. Weary from the night, I entered our tiny apartment and there she was, Sky, sleeping soundly on the bed and lost in her dreams. I couldn't help but pause as her chest rose and fell with each breath. She was beautiful. Her long lashes played on her rosy cheeks and she looked so innocent. The realization from last night was still with me. The emotion of betrayal lingered in the air like a sour taste, the image of Sky and my brother. But I couldn't stop the love I felt towards her. She had bewitched me and I had chosen to be bewitched. It looked like she was also doing the same to my hothead of a brother. I was plagued by questions that tore through my mind like a tempest: Why did she betray me? How could she do this to us? Sky woke up from her sleep and opened her eyes to look at me as I stood there struggling with my feelings. I forced a grin to cover up everything that was going on inside. I said, "Hey, sleepyhead," without letting my inner struggle show in my voice. Sky rubbed her eyes and noticed me, her expression softening. She whispered, "Hey, Aiden," her voice still heavy with sleep. "I waited for you. How was your night?" "It was okay," I said in a tone that appeared to be regular. "Just the usual grind." She gave me a nod and shifted to sit up in bed, her eyes still fixed on me. "Is everything all right?" she asked, her expression showing concern. I paused, but I couldn't bring myself to address her yet. Not when the cut was still fresh from betrayal and hurt. I lied, the words feeling harsh on my tongue, "Yeah, everything's fine. Just tired, I guess." Sky looked at me for a some time, her brow furrowing in worry, but then she appeared to put her concerns aside. "Well, I'll prepare breakfast," she stated in a kind voice. "Why don't you wash up while I finish up in the kitchen?" Thankful for the break, I forced another smile. I answered, "Sure thing," and turned to go to the restroom. Standing beneath the warm spray of the shower, I thought back to yesterday night's events. It replayed itself like a broken record in my head. Scenes of Sky laughing, her smiling, our times together flickered across my mind, all stained by the betrayal that now tarnished our relationship. But in the middle of the pain, a steely resolution started to grow within of me. I could not allow Sky and Ryder, in particular, to escape the consequences of their actions. Once I was dressed and collected, I went back to the kitchen and saw that Sky had already placed plates and cutlery on the table. When I walked in, she looked up, her face lit up with a loving smile. "Breakfast is served milord," she curtsied, imitating our favorite character in the TV show we loved, gesturing to the steaming dishes laid out before us. I didn't smile. This caused her smile to sag. I sat down and forced myself to ignore the flurry of emotions that threatened to overtake me and concentrate on the food in front of me. The only sound during our meal was the clinking of cutlery against plates. But Sky reached across the table to find my hand as the meal came to an end. "Aiden," she uttered in a soft, quiet voice. "What's wrong?. Please talk to me." I saw the sincerity and the glimmer of vulnerability there as I gazed into her eyes. And for a split second, still bit the corners of my mind. How is it really possible for me to love her after this? Given that she wasn't being entirely truthful with me, could I still stay with her? But I would pretend for now. Act as though nothing was out of the ordinary and that our relationship's flaws could be covered up with pleasantries and false assurances. The tension that existed between us as we cleared the table together was also palpable, serving as a silent reminder of the fracture that had caused us to fall apart.