Swapped

Chapter 25: Don't Comfort Me!

My heart was rising as I thought about what to do. 'I'm really not in the mood to see anyone after the incident at school, it had a bigger effect on me than I want to admit' I think as the knocking continues

'Maybe if I don't respond the person will just leave?' My thought proves wrong when I hear my door slowly opening. The person slowly makes their way towards my bed sitting on the edge of it with their back facing me as I lay face buried in my pillow.

"How long are you going to keep this up?" I hear the voice say witch i identify as Hunter. We sit in silence as he waits for an answer I'm not gonna give.

"Aria, stop pretending to be asleep I know you're not" I hear him say with a tiny bit of irritation in it. I slowly sit up from bed hanging my legs on the edge beside him.

As my head hangs low all that is in sight is my hanging feet and the presence of my brother beside me. I sigh as I make up my mind to try one more time and convince him I'm fine.

"jeez, can't a girl get some sleep around here" I whine playfully while pulling my head up to the ceiling smiling. I glance at Hunter wondering why he isn't giving me a reaction which leaves me frustrated.

"Stop" Is all he says with a serious tone, not even looking at me.

"Dude, what are you talking about i was just-"

"You're not fooling anyone!!" He yells interrupting me in the process. I flinch at his sudden outburst not having the energy to continue the act.

"Sorry, i didn't mean to yell" he apologises as he turns to finally look at me.

"It's ok" I say, not even caring to make a smiling face anymore as I look down at my feet again.

"I understand that you don't trust me or the others enough for you to open up to us but, i want you to know that we're all here for you if you need us so if you're sad or hurt just say s-" He stops as he looks at my face. As I heard his words, my heart felt the pushed down emotions once again flooding back up.

I couldn't hold it back this time. My old life, the new family and school. Everything was too much for me and I felt so alone and empty after I got separated from the people I once called family. I knew I was gonna regret it later but I just couldn't stop.

I feel my salty teardrops fall without stopping making it like a river. My lip was slightly shivering and I felt embarrassed.

I heard Hunter stopped talking which means he probably noticed. I stressfully try wiping the tears away but it's no use.

I felt hands grabbing my arms stopping me from continuing to wipe the tears. I look up in confusion and see him with a small smile playing on his lips. Anger and embarrassment grabs a hold of me as I see him.

'Is he making fun of me?' 'Was this his plan all along?' i think.

"Let go of me!" I cry out as I try turning my head to hide the shame of my tears but with no luck. His grip is impossible to get out of even though it seems like he isn't even trying.

"Stop hiding your sadness!" Hunter yells, making me stop trying to resist. "w-what?" I ask with tears still flowing like an endless sea.

"Your act is what made me angry, Aria. You're my little sister, you're supposed to rely on me yet you ignored it and tried to cover it up" He says, making me realize why he was so upset.

"Don't wipe your tears away. Don't hide your face. You need to release your pain or it won't go away" He said as he released his grip from my arms making them slowly fall to my lap.

He sat next to me waiting for a move. He probably wanted to wait until I asked for help or come to him for comfort without him having to force it upon me.

And just like that, I did something I never thought I would. I turned to him practically jumping in his arms as I could not take the pain alone any longer.

I heard him chuckle happily as he's arms covered me in his warm embrace making me feel more safe than I've ever felt. He patted my hair with one of his hands as I cried in his chest. I was sobbing quietly, still trying not to make noise.

I didn't see his face but I bet he's smiling.