Chapter Twenty Five: The Brother

Aesha’s POV

“Elsha! Wake up!” a loud voice echoed throughout my hotel room. I groaned and rolled over, facing the wall.

James came to my bed, shaking me to wake up, “Wake up!”

I groaned again, “What is it, James?”

He jumped up and down, clapping his hands like a child on Christmas morning. Gawd, could he be more annoying?!

I glanced at the clock beside my bed and realized it’s already quarter past ten. I sat up, rubbing my eyes, “It’s my birthday!” he exclaimed.

Oh, right.

Oh, damn.

Oh, freaking damn.

I don’t have a freaking gift!!!!! What the hell am I supposed to give him?!

“Happy birthday, Jamie.” I greeted.

“So where’s my gift?!” he asked enthusiastically.

I cursed in my mind. I forgot my own brother’s birthday!

“Not yet, Jamie.” I answered, annoyed.

“So,” he said, “Mom sad we’re going out for dinner tonight. A French dinner. And after that, I’m getting my gifts for my birthday from all of my relatives!”

I chuckled, “Okay, just let me take a shower and we can go explore more of Paris.”

He nodded and went out of my room.

I sighed and swung my legs at the edge of the bed. Sometimes I’m so stupid I forget things. One of them is my own brother’s birthday.

 As I stood up and went showering, I thought about the possible gifts I can give to him. 

Some kind of non-melting snowflake or ice figurine? A winter wonderland session, maybe? Or anything that involves my powers?

I decided to just think of something later. I’m sure something will pop up in my mind soon.

I put on a plain white t-shirt with an apricot colored top along with jeans and sneakers. I went out of the hotel room to go look for James. I found Mom not long after, in the restaurant area, where there was a buffet.

“Good morning, Aesha. You can choose any breakfast you want,” she greeted me with a smile. But I didn’t walk away yet.

“Hey, Mom,” I said. “Yes, Icy?” she asked, taking a sip of her cappuccino.

“What are you getting for James’ birthday?”

A smirk played on her lips, “You forgot to buy him a gift, did you?”

I nodded sheepishly. She sighed and shook her head, “I’m getting him that new Iphone he wished for.”

I gulped. I could either give him something ice and snow-related or something really expensive.

“I guess I need to squeeze ideas out of my brain,” I said. Mom chuckled, “Just go eat your breakfast, dear.”

I rushed towards the buffet. Fortunately, there was my favorite breakfast: not-so-hot flapjacks with maple and chocolate syrup drizzled on it along with ice cold coco. I went towards James, who was sitting in a nearby table, pigging out on his eggs and bacon.

“Hey, birthday boy,” I said, taking a seat. He flashed me a cocky grin and finished off his breakfast.

“So what do you want to do today?” James asked whilst I ate on my pancakes.

“Just hang around Paris…I guess?” I suggested. He nodded and let me eat my food in silence.

What the freaking damn hell am I going to give him?!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cole’s POV

I.

Am.

Back.

Home.

In.

San Francisco.

Yep, I just got back a few days ago, and it’s the second week of April already. Soon, it’ll be summer, the best season in the whole year.

“Still avoiding him, eh?” I teased Kennedy as she walked inside the house, soaked in the rain.

“Not. A. Word.” She said through her gritted teeth. I smirked and began flipping through the TV channels.

“Whoa, what happened to you?” Cylene emerged from the kitchen. She grabbed a towel and draped it on Kennedy.

“His family and mine went outing today. I separated myself from the group on purpose, but the idiot chased after me. I didn’t want to come home so I just went here.” She explained.

I took a deep breath. It’s been the same for months. Brent would try to get along with Kennedy, but she avoids him. How the heck can these two love birds recognize thir love for each other now? Plus, their love story’s a little similar to Aesha and mine…

Aesha…

I’ve never really told anyone about her and when I saw her in Las Vegas. I still felt guilty about making her run away and hurting her so what, I’m going to make it worse by ruining her life?

It isn’t the right time to tell them…yet.

Kennedy flopped beside me after she took a shower. “I can’t believe you ran all the way here while it’s raining,” I said.

She raised both her eyebrows, “Well believe it. Plus, I’m never doing that again.”

“Avoiding the guy of your dreams?”

She rolled her eyes, “Run in the rain, you moron.”

I chuckled and leaned back on the couch, “You should really admit your feelings to him. You can’t just hide forever and hurt yourself doing that. He may be a big jerk before, but you should give him a chance. I’m sure he’ll be willing to do anything just to make you forgive him or to make you happy.”

She stared at me flatly, and that’s why I knew I said something so deep. I smirked at my greatness.

Cylene came up towards us and sat beside Kennedy, “You know, Ken, as idiotic my brother can get, he’s right. You can’t hide forever. You’ll lose nothing if you tell him what you really feel.”

My sister and I looked at her, expecting her to say something. After what seemed like forever, she said, “I’ll lose everything, guys. He’ll look at me differently. He said so himself that he’ll never like a nerd like me.”

My tongue was itching to tell her that Brent didn’t mean to say that. And, didn’t she notice that we did make him jealous?

“He’s everything to me,” she continued, “I don’t know if he’ll still want to beg on his knees when I tell him the truth. I’d prefer to have him chasing after me like that instead of losing him forever.”

Cylene snorted, “I know you’re braver than that Kennedy. Just toughen up and-“

But I cut her off, “Cylene, I understand her. I was in love before, and I know how it feels to be a coward whenever you’re in love. I was once afraid I’d lose Aesha if I told her how I really felt.”

Kennedy turned to me and gave me a grateful smile, “Thanks, and I hope you get Aesha back.”

And then the door burst open.

There on the doorway, stood Brent, panting and soaked in the rain like Kennedy once was. I took that as my cue of grabbing my sister’s hand and dragging her to the kitchen. They have to talk themselves.

I leaned my back on the kitchen wall to eavesdrop on them.

“I was worried sick of you!” Brent shouted. Kennedy crossed her arms, “Just stop following me. Mind your own business.”

“Ken, I ran from Jini up to here in the rain to look for you, and you’re just telling me to mind my own damn business?” He asked. Kennedy looked up at him and glared.

“I don’t want to argue with you,” she muttered.

“Seriously, Ken. What the hell do I have to do to make you notice me?! Every single day, I chase after you, I run after you. All I wanted you is to talk to me. I don’t want to see you mad at me!” Brent shouted.

Tears were already streaming down Kennedy’s face, but she didn’t say anything. Brent turned to leave. But Kennedy stopped him before he can even leave. She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her head on his chest.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. Brent immediately wrapped his arms around her, placing his chin on her head.

“How about I take you home,” he whispered in her ear. She nodded and they went out of the door.

If I can’t do anything to save their love life, how am I going to fix mine?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aesha’s POV

I looked at James skeptically, “Who’s this?”

He smiled at me and put an arm around the black haired guy beside him, “This is Gabby. He’s my childhood friend and I told him to meet me up here to give me my gift.”

“I’m Aesha Carley,” I told Gabby. He smirked at me and took out a box from his bag, “Here you go Jamie, your birthday present.”

James took it eagerly and opened the wrapper. His eyes widened once he sw what was inside the box.

“What is it?” I asked, curious.

“It’s the videogame! Dude, where did you get this?! This game wouldn’t be until a few months!” James said.

Gabby shrugged, “My dad owns the videogame’s company, remember?”

They started chitchatting after that. Then someone caught my eye…A brunette passing by this restaurant.

Hallelujah! I thought of the perfect gift ever! I freaking know, it’s risky, but  I know James would love this gift.

“Hey, James, I just need to go do something. I’ll be back quickly,” I turned to his friend, “Nice meeting you, Gabby.”

They both nodded their heads and I quickly stood up from my seat and rushed after the girl.

I finally caught up with her, “Shaelon, hey.”

She squealed and hugged me, “Aesha, Sean told me about you, but I can’t believe you’re actually here!” She pulled away, “I’m really really sorry about being mean to you.”

I smiled, “It’s okay, Shae. But I actually want to talk to you about something.”

“What is it?”

I took a deep breath. Okay, Aesha. Overprotective sister mode: Off. “It’s about James.”

She blinked, “H-how do you know about James?”

I chuckled, “He’s my stepbrother from my mother’s side.”

“Oh,”

Wasn’t it a little weird that my stepbrother and stepsister like each other?

“So,” I put an arm around her, “It’s his birthday today, and I need you to help me with my gift to him.”

Her brows furrowed, “How?”

I took a random napkin and scribbled an address and time there, “Go to this address at this time and don’t worry about bringing him a gift. Sean can come along if he wants to. Just be there and I’ll talk to you about it.”

She nodded, “I’ll be there, don’t worry.”

I beamed at her, “I’m sure he’ll be really happy to see you.” That caused her to blush.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Aesha,” James said, taking a bite of his food. I looked up from my plate. Mom and Dad took us to a fancy restaurant and the food’s amazingly delicious. When we get home, mom told us to expect a big pile of gifts in the living room.

“Yes?” I asked.

“Can you be the first one to give me my gift?” he asked, hopeful.

I smirked, “Sure.” I winked at Mom, who had one eyebrow raised.

The dinner went by with a few conversations. My phone buzzed in my pocket and that was my cue.

“Hey, James, we should go outside.” I said. His brows knitted together, “Why?”

“I’m going to give you my gift,” I answered.

“And why does it have to be outside?”

I rolled my eyes, “Stop asking questions and just follow me.” I took his hand and told him to close his eyes. He obeyed.

I slowly guided him to outside where his surprise was waiting, “Open your eyes.”

His eyes opened to see Shaelon, sitting on the edge of the fountain, with a beautiful red dress on and a smile etched on her face.

“W-wha….?” He stuttered.

I smiled at him, “I got you a…girlfriend?”

He pulled me into a bone-crushing hug, “Thank you, thank you, thank you. She is the best gift ever.”

I pulled away, “Now go, don’t keep your girl waiting.” He went towards Shaelon and they walked away.

If only my and Cole’s love story was this sweet…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Awww…Brennedy/Kent forever! And also Jaelon!!!!!

A question for you, and PLEASE ANSWER THIS: I've finished already the remaining chapters. do I have to publish them without finishing anything from my other book (the consequence is, if all the chaps are published, you have to wait until I write something in the other book), or should I probably publish one chapter if I finish a chapter in the other book (you won't have to wait long)?

PLEASE TELL ME WHAT  I SHOULD  DO.

 -Vireen