Reclaiming Her Heart

THEN

PAST...

Mia's POV

"Where are we going anyway?" I asked as my brother fastened my seatbelt for me in the backseat of his car.

I had only agreed to follow my brother when I found out Dylan was coming with us. Even though he's way older than me, I couldn't help but want to be around him all the time.

He's a part of our family now– because he mostly sleeps and eats here but I'm not complaining anymore. I used to be annoyed with him for getting so much attention and care from my family, but now I don't mind seeing him every day.

He was being bullied by school and street kids till my brother saved him one time and decided to be his friend while teaching him self-defence. He didn't know who his parents were because he was put in foster care at a young age, but I overheard him telling Michael that he doesn't care about his biological parents, so he doesn't have a reason to find them.

One time, my parents asked if they could adopt him but he said no. Michael told me it's because he feels like a burden but I didn't understand why he felt that way.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Dylan turned to smile at me. "When we get there, you'll know. But remember, it's our little secret, okay?" He winked at me.

I smiled and looked down at my hands. I liked it when he looked and talked to me; it felt nice to be noticed by him.

I didn't like seeing him with other girls but Dylan was super good-looking. He had the most beautiful blue eyes I'd ever seen, he was tall and athletic, good at playing basketball, funny and kind too. He's like a dream come true, so I could understand why girls were always around trying to get him.

Too bad they don't know he's mine.

Dylan doesn't know it yet either but he's mine. I just have to grow a bit more and then we can be together for good.

Girls were also always around my brother. I don't like to admit it to his face, but Michael is good-looking too. I found out by accident that he already had a girlfriend named Maddie, but he was always with another girl named Emily, who I thought was his girlfriend. Maybe boys can have more than one girlfriend, but I won't be sharing my Dylan with anyone.

I was playing Subway Surfers on Dylan's phone when a text message popped up and distracted me. I was used to that but I frowned when I noticed it was a girl's name in the notification.

"Dylan, a girl named Talia just texted you." I opened the message to read the text to him. "Hi D, been thinking about you. Wanna come over again to eat my c**t?"

Michael coughed while I saw Dylan's eyes widen in shock through the rearview mirror.

"What's a c**t? And why did you eat hers?"

He stretched his hand and snatched the phone out of my hands before I could react.

"That's none of your business kid." He said before he texted her back.

Did he tell her he was going to eat her c**t again?

"Dylan, are you going to eat whatever that is again? If it's a type of food, I can get Mum to make it for you!"

He laughed and Michael joined. I hated it when they started laughing out of nowhere like they shared some kind of joke with their minds.

"Mia, like D said, it's none of your business. And you retard!" Michael used his right hand to punch him in the side.

"I told you to switch off your notifications whenever you give that kid your phone."

"I keep forgetting, dude, and I didn't think Talia would text me."

"Oh really? Why didn't I know about you two anyway? When did you start talking?

"I wouldn't say we started talking; things just happened, if you know what I mean."

"I don't know what you mean," I mumbled from the back.

A few minutes later, my brother stopped at a gas station to fill the tank of his car, then I used the opportunity to finally ask.

"Is Talia your girlfriend?"

Dylan laughed and looked back at me. "What if she is? Do you think it's a bad thing?"

"No. Michael has two girlfriends already so having one isn't bad."

"Are you okay Mia? I feel like you're upset about something." He said petting my head the way I liked.

"Can I get your phone back to continue my game, I promise I won't read your texts again."

"I don't have a problem giving it to you, kid, but your brother would not let me do that again for now."

"Why? Is it because that girl asked you to eat her c**t? I don't know what that is, but I'll make it so you won't need to go to her, and you can eat mine all you want."

"Mia!" He gasped. "Don't say this around other people okay? They could get the wrong idea."

"Wrong idea about what?!" I pouted.

"Just don't say it," He said while ruffling my hair.

"Well, okay. When we get to where we're going, can I use your phone then?"

"Yes, you can."

"You promise?"

"I promise"

"Will you buy me candy too?" I asked with puppy dog eyes.

"How can I say no to that cute face? Okay, I will, but you have to hide them, Mia. You know you're not supposed to take candy."

"Thank you!" I smiled. "So...are you still going to see her?"

"Why do you want to know?" He smiled.

"I just want to." I folded my arms and looked away. I didn't want him to go, but how could I stop him? He never answered if she was his girlfriend, he changed the subject like he always did when he wanted to avoid answering it. What if she was his girlfriend? What if he wanted to spend the rest of his life with only her? What if she's his favourite girl now?

As if he read my mind, Dylan said, "You're still my favourite girl Mia. You always will be. So don't worry if you think you won't see me again because of her. I'll always be around for my favourite girl."

I smiled, feeling better instantly. I always wished to the stars at night, telling them to let me be Dylan's favourite girl forever, and I hoped that wish would come true.