How To Stay Afloat (BxB)

Chapter 8: Everyone loves my brother

After about an hour of gaming on my own my dear brother walks in. I pull off my headset.

When I spot him I sigh loudly and pause the game.

He looks around. "Nice room." He says and I just nod. I watch him stand in front of my mirror, flexing his arms.

How am I supposed not to roll my eyes?

"Do you wanna hang out and do something?" He asks me while he looks at his reflection.

"I'm busy." I say and turn back to the game.

"Come on, you can show me the city." He suggests and yanks my headphones off my head.

I turn around angrily, but he just smiles. And his smile is so innocent that I instantly feel bad for being so angry. Maybe spending time with him alone could be nice.

"Okay." I agree. "Let me just change."

I search for a nicer, warmer sweater than the one I'm wearing. Austin's sweater has been washed. It is nice and it is warm. Austin is an asshole.

I put it on. Austin's never getting it back.

Caleb is already ready to go when I come downstairs.

"Nice sweater." He says. I should really look up the band 'Ten years after'.

I put on my favourite black jeans jacket since the blue one is in Carla's hands now.

My mom comes over. She eyes my outfit. "Isn't that Austin's pullover?" She asks me. Why does she always remember that fact?

I feel a blush creeping up. Stop blushing, Sammy!

"Yeah no. I'm keeping it a bit longer." I explain.

"Sam, let's go." My brother yells and then we're on our way. Caleb drives. He's a far better driver than I am, the opposite to be exact, confident, fast and calm.

After driving for only about five minutes he parks by the coffeeshop I always go to with my friends. I don't know why he picked this one.

I order a tea and Caleb gets a large black coffee.

"How's school?" He asks me after we order.

I shrug. "Different."

"How so?" He wants to know.

I just shrug.

I don't wanna be here.

"Is Carla a close friend?" He asks me.

Oh god. Of course. He wants to talk about her. Fuck. No. I knew it. It's gonna be a disaster.

I fold my arms. "Yes, she is." I say.

He nods. "A friend or more than a friend?" He asks. Fuck no. He can't be interested in her.

"She's my best friend here. I care about her a lot." I say.

He narrows his eyes for a moment, thinking about saying something, but then just nods.

"What?" I ask him annoyed.

"Nothing. I'm just happy you already found friends. It took me forever to find friends at university." He says.

It's a lie. He's always been popular. I remember seeing him with new people every time I saw him after he started studying.

"Right." I say, looking at the time on my phone. 5 pm.

We get our ordered beverages and the server smiles excessively at Caleb. She put her number on the bill. Seriously? He's not that good looking. Why is everyone so obsessed with him? Am I the ugly son? I've never had anyone just come up abd flirt with me. He sets his cup onto the bill, ignoring the message for him.