Oh Brother

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 39

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Continues..

Dee, Cheryl, and I were lying down on Dee’s bed. Pink was surrounding us and silence was all we heard. My heart was thumping because I had invited them to meet up just to tell them about Christian. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

“Are we just going to sit here in silence?” Dee asked. “I love you guys, but I have a project due tomorrow.”

I laughed. “Sorry. It’s just… Weird.”

“Weird how?” Cheryl asked.

“I’m dating Christian.” I smiled at the confession. “Who would’ve thought that would happen.”

Dee sat up quickly and Cheryl followed her. The both of them quickly looked at me with their eyes wide and their jaws dropped. I laughed at their expressions, expecting nothing less from them.

“When, where, how, what!” Dee exclaimed. “Finally!”

“Finally,” Cheryl agreed, smiling as well. “So, how did it happen?”

“We were fighting, as usual.” I grinned, feeling unexplainably happy. “I was obsessed with the whole idea of incest, and he wasn’t. That led to him convincing me that as long as we’re happy, it’s okay.”

“Aw.” Dee grinned. “When was this?”

“A month ago?”

“And you only decided to tell us now?” Cheryl asked, raising an eyebrow.

“It’s complicated.” I shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Cheryl frowned. “But we’re best friends. We-”

“Hush Cheryl,” Dee cut in. “I’m so happy for you Autumn. Finally. You guys are the cutest things ever.”

My face heated up as I smiled. “Thanks, I’m happy.”

Cheryl looked at me with gentle eyes for the first time. She usually looked calculating and wise, so this was new to me.

“I’m happy for you too,” Cheryl said, smiling warmly. “I’m glad you guys are together.”

My eyes softened. “Thank you.”

As my two best friends smiled at me, I felt incredible. So happy that nothing could bring me down. With Christian and I dating in secret and my two best friends at my side, I felt like life was changing for the better.

“What does your mom and Stephen think of this?” Cheryl suddenly asked.

At that, my happy mood deflated. They had no idea. Christian and I made sure of that. But even though I knew they could never find out, dating Christian was harder. We had to go on dates only when our parents were out, avoid each other at home, and even pretend to hate each other when my mom was around. It was surprisingly a lot of work.

“They don’t know about us,” I replied, looking at Cheryl who didn’t look surprised. “I don’t think I can tell them.”

“You don’t think they’ll accept you guys as a couple?” Dee asked, frowning.

I shook my head. “Stephen, maybe. But my mom, never.”

Dee’s frown grew larger. “But you guys aren’t even siblings.”

“But that’s what people see us as.” I shrugged. “We’re keeping it a secret because of that.”

“You guys are so cute,” Dee then whined. “Why does this have to happen to you?”

Cheryl sighed. “It’s stupid that people are so judgmental.”

“Yeah, but what can you do.” I sighed as well. “And I kind of understand them since if we were actual siblings, I’d be judging myself too. Incest is an annoying word, but in reality I would be creeped out if siblings were dating.”

“But you guys aren’t related by blood,” Dee said. “I don’t know. It makes me sad that you guys have to be secretive.”

It made me sad too. I wanted nothing more than to be able to go on dates in public. To show of Christian, my incredible boyfriend, to the peers at school. But because our parents were married, that was impossible. I just knew it, even though I tried to ignore others’ opinions.

“Yeah,” I said. “But… I’m hoping with him graduating in a month everything will be better. With him probably going to a university far away, it might be easier to date.”

Cheryl frowned. “But won’t it be lonely at home?”

“Yeah,” I admitted. “But it’s for the best. Being home with him is hard enough when you have to pretend you’re not attracted to him.”

“Oh yeah.” Dee suddenly smirked suggestively. “Living with your boyfriend must also be a blessing as well as a curse.”

My face heated up and Cheryl narrowed her eyes at Dee. I didn’t know why I felt so embarrassed, but I looked away from Dee.

“She just said she can’t be attracted to him at home,” Cheryl said. “What are you thinking?”

“Autumn,” Dee said, giggling. “Why won’t you look at me?”

My face felt hot, but I looked back at Dee. Her eyes were wide and Cheryl looked slightly curious too as she stared at me. Smiling to myself, I knew I was about to disappoint them.

“No, we usually avoid each other at home,” I said, grinning at Dee’s disappointed face. “My mom already called us out on incest, so we’re taking precautions.”

“Enough about incest!” Dee groaned. “I hate that word. Let’s never bring it up again.

“Fine by me.”

Cheryl nodded in agreement and I smiled, satisfied with that. Incest. I really hated the word and everything it had done to my life.

“Are you happy with the way things are going?” Cheryl suddenly asked.

“For sure.” I nodded. “It’s scary knowing things can get messed up at any time, but I feel like God is on my side for once. I don’t know what will happen, but I’m trying to be hopeful.”

“I like seeing you like this,” Dee suddenly said, smiling warmly. “You really brightened up after meeting Christian.”

“Yeah,” Cheryl agreed. “Hope is a nice look on you.

My insides melted at my friends compliments. I was happy. So happy with Christian and them at my side. A part of me knew there’d be a storm that would ruin what I had, but another part of me decided to let things be good. Christian and I had been together for a month now, and we were going strong. As long as we were good, I had a good feeling that everything else would stay good too.

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I hummed happily as I stirred the ravioli I was making. It was almost ready and I couldn’t wait to serve it to Christian and I. With it being a surprise, I found myself grinning as the delicious smell wafted over me.

Everything was good. We were happy, my friends were happy, and that was as much as I could ever ask for. Even if my relationship had to be a secret and my mom hated me, I was satisfied with my life for once. So satisfied, that I was making my dad’s favourite – ravioli.

Seeing that the ravioli was almost ready, I turned the heat down on the stove. Going to the nearest cabinet, I opened it and searched for two plates. But to my shock, there was only one available plate. I frowned, glancing at the sink that was filled with dishes. It seemed like my mom had forgotten to do them.

Sighing, I wondered what to do. Washing the dishes was the simple answer, but I wasn’t in the mood to do a chore my mom was supposed to do. I didn’t want to help her in any way, so there was no way I’d do that. But now, I didn’t know what to do.

Staring at the cabinet, I wondered if there was another plate I could use. One of the new ones or one of the old ones. There seemed to be no old ones though, and the new ones were still in packaging. Disappointment began to fill me as I realized I probably had to wash the dishes, but then I spotted a single plate. A plate I had forgotten about – my mom’s favourite plate.

My eyes widened as I stared at it and its beautiful, clear, glass glory. It was her favourite plate that had a significance that left me touched. Her grandma had given it to her for her wedding, saying that it was blessed by a priest. My mom used it on the day of her wedding, and never again because of its value. It was something she truly cherished too.

As I stared at the plate, I thought about pretending it wasn’t there. I thought about washing the dishes, but that was when my mind reminded me that my mom was a horrible person. My brain told me that I was an idiot if I was going to help her instead of using her dish, just because it had such a sentimental value to her. After everything she did to me, it would be stupid of me.

Reaching for the plate, I thought about what a good person would do. She would wash the dishes, knowing that a single plate meant the world to the person who hated her. I smirked, realizing it was too bad that I wasn’t a good person.

I grabbed the plate and held it in front of me, admiring it. It was beautiful in its own pure, shining way. I would definitely let Christian use it. He deserved such an honour.

Too busy staring at it, I didn’t hear the front door shut. I didn’t hear footsteps coming my way. That was why I was completely thrown off guard when I heard the shriek. With my surprise, the glass plate then slipped out of my hands and tumbled to the ground, shattering at impact. I gasped and before I could do anything, I was yanked away from the plate.

“What have you done!” My mom screamed, crouching down to where the glass shards remained.

With my eyes still wide, I froze. I couldn’t process what happened. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I had destroyed my mom’s prize possession, and she had seen it. I was done for.

“Autumn!” she screamed. “What is wrong with you!”

Watching her touch a shard, I suddenly felt guilty. She looked miserable and lost as she stared at the shard that was now on her palm. It was like she lost something that meant the world to her, and maybe she had. I had to take my blame.

“I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “I didn’t mean to break it.”

“I don’t care,” she snapped, dropping the shard and getting up.

She turned to face me with her hands clenched into fists. Anger was radiating off of her and I internally braced myself for her incoming wrath. Unlike before, I felt like I would deserve this. With guilt clenching at my heart, I would allow her wrath.

“Why in the world did you touch my plate! The one my dead grandma gave me!” she shouted.

I looked down. I didn’t want to talk back.

“Answer me!” she snapped at that.

I looked back up and mumbled, “There weren’t any other plates.”

“And that gave you the right to touch my plate?” She stepped closer to me. “You stupid child. There are dishes in the sink. Are you too lazy to wash them yourself?”