Chapter 28

The car ride was quiet at first.

I stared out the window, my fingers picking at the sleeve of my hoodie as the familiar streets blurred past. My jaw ached, and my hands still stung from the fight. But worse than that was the knot in my stomach, the heaviness sitting in my chest like a weight I couldn't shake.

Easton finally broke the silence. "Why did you punch him, Bunny?"

His voice wasn't angry. Just... concerned.

I swallowed hard and kept my gaze on the window. "Because he wouldn't stop." My voice was quieter than I wanted it to be.

"Wouldn't stop what?"

I let out a shaky breath. "Everything. He's been calling me names for months. Making fun of my body. Saying you and Elijah don't actually care about me. That you're just stuck with me."

I felt Easton's gaze flicker toward me, but I kept staring ahead.

"Adrian..." His voice was softer now.

"And I know—I know I shouldn't have hit him," I admitted, my fingers tightening around my hoodie sleeve. "But I just—I just wanted him to shut up. Just once. Just for a second."

My voice wavered, and to my absolute horror, I felt tears welling up. I clenched my jaw to keep them from spilling over.

Easton must have noticed because, as soon as we pulled into the driveway, he put the car in park but didn't move to get out. Instead, he reached over and gently tugged my arm, pulling me toward him.

Before I could protest, I found myself being pulled onto his lap.

I let out a shaky breath, pressing my face into his shoulder as his arms wrapped around me.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, my voice muffled against his hoodie.

"You don't have to be sorry," Easton murmured, rubbing slow circles into my back. "I just wish you had told me before it got this bad."

I sniffled. "Didn't want to bother you."

Easton pulled back slightly, just enough to look at me. "Bunny, you are never a bother. Ever." His voice was firm, like he needed me to believe it. "You are the most important person in my life. You should know that by now."

I bit the inside of my cheek, nodding.

"Come on," he said gently. "Let's go inside. I'll make hot chocolate."

I wiped my eyes quickly before climbing off his lap, and we both headed inside.

Easton kept his word.

A few minutes later, we were sitting at the kitchen table, both holding mugs of hot chocolate. The warmth felt nice against my hands. I took a sip, letting it soothe the lingering ache in my throat.

"I think you need to talk to Elijah when he gets home," Easton said after a moment. "He loves you, Adrian. And I know he was just nervous about us meeting Megan when he snapped at you."

I traced the rim of my mug with my finger, staring into the swirling chocolate. I knew Easton was right. But that didn't make it any easier.

"Yeah," I muttered. "I know."

"Good." Easton reached over, gently nudging my jaw. "This is gonna bruise, huh?"

"Probably," I muttered.

"Stay here. I'll get some ice."

I groaned. "I don't need—"

"Bunny."

I sighed, slumping in my chair as he disappeared into the kitchen.

When he came back, he pressed the ice pack against my jaw, and I winced.

"Hold it there," he instructed, sitting down again.

I did as he said but let out an exaggerated sigh. "So, uh... since I'm grounded... does that mean no phone?"

Easton raised an eyebrow. "What do you think?"

"I think that's incredibly unfair and cruel punishment."

He snorted. "Tough. No phone."

I groaned again. "Can I at least text the girls and Lucas first so they don't think I'm ignoring them?"

He hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. Five minutes. Then it's mine."

I took the deal, quickly texting Chloe, Sophia, and Lucas to let them know I was okay and that I could not text them for a few days before reluctantly handing my phone over.

Easton grinned. "Good choice."

I scowled. "I hate you."

"Love you too, Bunny."

After hot chocolate and some more quiet talking, I went up to my room with my book. It was nice to just sit there, reading peacefully for once. No school. No stress. Just the comfort of my blanket and a good story.

I had almost lost track of time when Easton knocked on my door.

"I have to go pick up the twins and Henry," he said, leaning against the frame. "Wanna come?"

I shook my head. "I'm fine."

Easton frowned. "Are you sure? I don't wanna leave you alone."

"I'll just read," I promised. "I won't cook or do anything stupid."

He still looked unsure, but after checking his watch, he sighed. "Alright. But if I find out you started some kind of kitchen fire—"

"I won't."

"—or built a secret underground tunnel—"

"I don't even have a shovel."

"—or adopted a raccoon—"

"That's oddly specific, and now I kinda want to."

Easton shook his head, muttering something about "chaos incarnate," before finally leaving.

When the boys got home, I was still curled up on my bed, flipping through my book.

It only took ten seconds for Miles and Alex to burst into my room.

"Why weren't you in the car?" Miles demanded, crossing his arms.

"Where were you?" Alex added.

I hesitated. "I got suspended."

Their eyes widened.

"What?" Alex asked. "Why?"

Henry appeared in the doorway, frowning. "Wait... you got suspended? What happened?"

I glanced toward Easton, who was standing behind them with his arms crossed. He didn't say anything, just watched.

"It's nothing," I muttered, looking down.

"Nothing? You got suspended, Adrian," Miles said, his voice sharp. "That's not nothing."

"Just tell us what happened," Alex pressed.

I sighed. There was no getting out of this.

"I... I got into a fight," I admitted.

Their faces went blank for a moment. Then Miles stepped forward. "With who?"

I hesitated.

"Adrian," Alex said, his voice softer now.

"Tom," I finally muttered.

Confusion flickered across Henry's face. "Who's Tom?"

Miles and Alex both frowned.

"And why did you fight him?" Alex asked.

I swallowed hard. "He was saying things. Bad things. And I just... I snapped."

Silence.

Then, all at once, the twins launched themselves at me, wrapping me in a tight hug.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Miles asked, his voice muffled against my shoulder.

"We could've handled it," Alex added.

I swallowed hard, gripping the fabric of Alex's hoodie. "I didn't want to make it a big deal."

"It was a big deal," Miles muttered.

Alex pulled back just enough to look at me. "Did you win?"

I let out a short, tired laugh. "Tom got it worse. Broken nose and a black eye. Thanks to Lucas."

Miles and Alex grinned.

"We have to thank him," Henry said.

"Agreed," Alex added.

"Violence is not the answer," Easton called from the hallway.

Alex rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah."

"Ice pack, Adrian," Easton reminded me.

I sighed, grabbing the ice pack and pressing it back to my jaw.

Miles poked his head in again. "You okay?"

I nodded, letting out a slow breath. "Yeah. I think so."

Downstairs, I could hear Easton moving around in the kitchen, pots clattering as he started dinner. The smell of sizzling sausages was already filling the house, making my stomach growl even though I wasn't really in the mood to eat.

I stayed curled up in bed, my book open in front of me, though I wasn't really reading. My thoughts kept drifting back to Tom, back to what had happened today, and most of all, back to Elijah.

I had been avoiding thinking about him.

But now that the adrenaline had worn off, guilt was creeping in. I knew I had been unfair to him. It wasn't his fault that I had been feeling overwhelmed about Megan. And it definitely wasn't his fault that I had lost my temper and gotten into a fight.

I sighed, shutting my book and rubbing at my eyes.

The sound of the front door opening made my heart pound.

A few seconds later, footsteps echoed up the stairs. My door creaked open, and there he was.

Elijah.

He was still in his work clothes, his hair slightly messy, his expression tense with worry. He barely hesitated before stepping forward and pulling me into a tight hug.

I clung to him without thinking, pressing my face into his shoulder.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled.

He squeezed me tighter. "Are you okay?"

I let out a shaky breath. "Not really."

Elijah sighed and pulled back just enough to look at me. His brown eyes were filled with concern. "Adrian, I got a call from the principal while I was at work. I wanted to be there, but I couldn't get away."

"I know."

"I hated that I couldn't come."

"Easton was there," I murmured.

Elijah's jaw tightened slightly. "I know. And I know he probably handled it well, but that's not the point. You're my little brother, Adrian. I should've been there for you."

I swallowed hard. "It's fine."

"It's not fine," he said. "You got suspended. And when I got that call, I felt sick. I was so scared, Adrian."

I lowered my head. "I didn't mean for it to happen."

"I know."

A beat of silence stretched between us.

Then I spoke, my voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to yell at you either."

Elijah's face softened. "I know that too." He hesitated before adding, "Was it really about Megan?"

I bit my lip and nodded. "I was just... scared, I guess. Scared things would change. And I didn't know how to say that without sounding stupid."

Elijah sighed, his expression full of understanding. "It's not stupid. And I should've reassured you better. Adrian, no one, nothing is going to change how much I love you."

My throat tightened. "I love you too."

He smiled, then pulled me in for another hug. This time, I held on a little longer, breathing him in.

"You're my little bunny," he murmured.

I let out a small laugh, my heart feeling a little lighter.

Just then, Easton's voice called up the stairs.

"Dinner's ready!"

Elijah pulled back, nudging me toward the door. "Come on. Let's go eat."

Downstairs, the smell of food was even stronger. The table was already set, plates filled with mashed potatoes, sausages, and gravy.

My heart warmed.

It has been one of my favorite meals since I was little. Every time we had it, I liked to mash up the potatoes and make a little 'gravy river' in the middle. It was stupid, but it was comforting.

"Thought you might want this tonight," Easton said as I sat down.

"Thanks." I gave him a small smile.

The other boys were already digging in, chatting about their day. Henry was going on about something funny that happened in class, while Miles and Alex argued over which video game they were going to play later.

As I ate, I let myself listen to the conversation, letting the warmth of home settle over me. Every now and then, Elijah would nudge my plate, silently making sure I was eating enough. I rolled my eyes but didn't complain.

After dinner, we all ended up in the living room.

Easton put on a movie something lighthearted and familiar. I wasn't really paying attention to what it was. I was just tired. The kind of tiredness that made my body feel heavy.

Without thinking, I leaned into Elijah's side, resting my head against his shoulder.

He didn't say anything, just wrapped an arm around me.

The sound of the movie played softly in the background, but I barely registered it.

I felt safe. Warm.

And before I knew it, I had drifted off to sleep.

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Word count: 1891

Hey Guys Thanks for reading this story so please be nice and kind. I am sorry if there are any spelling mistakes or bad grammar.

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*EMMA HETHRON*