Betrayed By Love

Chapter Three

"Finally! I never thought you'd show at this rate." A tiny smirk appeared before she continued her act. "I wasn't sure how I was going to plan all this by myself." She whined as she feigned agitation.

"Lex, I'm right on time, and I have already told you I don't need to go all out. I just want to have fun with you all this weekend. That's all — maybe... maybe some alcohol too."

"That's my girl! Fine, let's go tell my parents all we require is food and alcohol." She laughed as she called her Belgian back to her.

"Are we inviting anyone?"

"Aaron, at least, you know my parents. They don't let me have fun if Aaron doesn't tag along."

"Is he not going to go to college? What 22-year-old is okay with having to stay home to act as a guard? He should be out partying, finding a job. Something other than hovering over you." Lexi complained as we walked up the steps to her house.

"He chose to do online college, he felt bad thinking about leaving me here to deal with our parents alone. He's been my protector my whole life, constantly keeping our parents from being too harsh with me. I know my parents tell him to constantly hover, but the least I can do is let him come to my graduation party. He's the only family that cares to celebrate me. Why would I push him away?"

"You're right. I'm sorry, Mira. I just wish your parents treated you better. You deserve to be happy more than anyone else. You're always putting others ahead of you. I can't stand it. Focus on you from now on. That's all I want, please?"

My plan to leave coming to mind. That's an easy promise. "I can do that. I promise Lexi." She smiled her radiant smile, which drew in anyone lucky enough to see. "Let's go, your favorite cookies are waiting. Mom made sure to make enough for us to enjoy over the weekend."

Mouth salivating at the thought: "I'm so ready for that warm chocolate goodness. Move faster Lex!"

"Mom! We're here!" Leading us towards the kitchen. "She'll appear soon, let's go eat some of those cookies while they're still warm."

The smell of brown sugar and warm chocolate is a smell I always want to fill my home with. It's so comforting, I can't help but feel at ease when this smell surrounds me.

"How was your day, girls?" Addy sauntered into the room. Her mom was a beautiful woman. Red hair, bright blue eyes, porcelain skin. She hit copy and paste when she gave birth to Lexi. Their youngest, Jax, is a mix of both parents. His mom's red hair, nose, and his dad's green eyes and lips.

"Good, even better now. Thank you for the cookies, Addy."

"You're welcome, Mira. How was your day, Lexi love?" She walked over and gave Lexi a side hug while waiting for a response.

"It was boring as usual. But we have the list ready for the weekend."

"Really? Already? Well, alright then. Let me see." Lexi handed the slip of paper to her mom with a grin as big as the Cheshire cat.

"Food and Alcohol." Addy blankly stared at the paper for a few seconds before giggling. "Oh, I remember being your age. Fine, I don't want to be the 'unfun' mom. You both deserve to have fun however you want, just this one weekend."

"Thank You!" We said in unison, unable to contain our excitement.

"Invite whoever y'all want. Have fun and be safe. Your dad and I are going to take Jax to do something he wants to do over the weekend. I presume Aaron will also be here?" She looked in my direction.

"Yes, ma'am, he will be."

"Good, he can keep an eye on things."

"We'll go get- Oh! What kind of food would y'all like?"

"Easy stuff, finger foods, those pinwheel things, some pineapple juice, Mountain Dew, Coca-Cola, vodka, rum-"

"Okay, okay. I'm not going to remember all of that. Text it to me. We're heading out." Addy left the kitchen quickly after.

"Oh, sorry, Mom." Lexi laughed as she pulled her phone out. Realizing I had never told Aaron about the party, I quickly made my exit to call him. "I'm going to let Aaron know when to show up, just one sec."

"How do you like being the oldest? Aaron definitely seems to enjoy it." Asking as I rejoined Lexi in the kitchen. A few seconds of silence passed before I looked up to see Lexi deep in thought. Sadness graced her usually happy face.

"Are you okay? Did something happen?" speaking softly, hoping my question wouldn't upset her more.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I just haven't thought about it in a while, is all."

"Thought about what?"

A sad smile appeared before she continued. "I wasn't always the oldest sibling. I had an older brother named Seth. He died — well, disappeared, I should say, since we never found a body. It'll be 6 years, a week after his 21st birthday in June. I miss him all the time. I wouldn't be able to get through my days if I constantly thought about him, so I try to stuff it into the very back of my mind."

"Lex.. I'm so sorry, I never should've asked." Guilt ate away at the thought of causing my best friend pain.

"It's okay. I like being able to tell people about him. About how great a person he was. He was so much like you, Mira. Always putting people before himself, no matter the cost. It's honestly part of the reason I love spending every moment I can with you. I feel like I got a part of him back when I'm with you." Tears fell down her face as she admitted it, like it were something to be ashamed of.

"Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me that Lexi. I'll always cherish you and the friendship we have. I'm happy to be able to help fill even a tiny bit of your aching heart." I looked her in the eyes, hoping she'd see that I meant every word.

"I love you Mira."

"I love you too, Lexi."

"Would you like to talk about him some more? What happened the day he disappeared?"

"We can talk about that some other time. For now, let's just go get ready for the party. I'm putting out a public invitation. Everyone's welcomed, tonight." Her usual Cheshire smile was back like it had never left.