I woke at midnight and heard someone sobbing. When I looked, it was Brother Alex. He stood up; I pretended to be asleep.
"I'm sorry, Kate. I love you," he said, and kissed my forehead. Then he left the room.
I sat up and started crying. The whole time I was hurting, it wasn't because he hated me it was because he loved me. Why did love have to hurt? Don't I deserve the kind of sisterly love every girl gets from her brother? I cried until I fell back asleep without realizing it.
The next morning I took a shower and changed into my usual shorts and a top. Downstairs I found my sister and brother sitting together, talking. I approached and they stopped.
"What were you guys talking about?" I asked.
"Nothing," Ashi answered.
"Okay," I said, and went outside. I sat in the chairs and opened my phone. I hadn't used Instagram in a long time. As I scrolled, I saw Kevin's posts pictures of the two of us together. In the comments people were spreading rumors that we were dating. Someone even wrote, "I'm Katvin shipper," so corny. Then I saw a comment from a weird guy who always commented on my posts: Kate my love: you took my love and I will make you pay.
I froze. What if he really did something to Kevin? I opened my contacts and called him.
"Hello baby," he answered.
"Eww, excuse me," I said. "If you call me that one more time I'll break 206 of your bones." He laughed, "Sorry, baby."
I boiled it. "You son of a bitch I'll make sure you never see the sun again," I hissed, and hung up.
Back inside, I saw Alex his face carrying a happiness I couldn't express. I went and sat beside him. As I reached out he stood up, so I grabbed his hand. He looked at me for a moment; I felt weak, like he might hit me again. Instead he pushed my hand away and walked off. I controlled my tears and ran upstairs.
On the third floor I curled on the couch and cried like a child. Then I heard footsteps; I crouched under the dining table. It was Kevin. He sat on the couch scrolling his phone. I'd been crouched too long; my head thumped against the table edge. "Oh shit," I muttered. Kevin looked up.
I tried to move but my head hurt. He stood, dragged a chair, and reached for me. When I tried to take his hand the table bumped my head again harder this time. He gently pulled another chair, scooped me up in a bridal carry, and laid me on the couch. My heart beat faster with every step he took.
He opened the mini-fridge, took out an ice pack, and pressed it to my head. "Have you been crying?" he asked.
"No. Why would I cry?" I lied, looking away. He grabbed my chin and turned my face toward him. I smacked his arm. "Eww, stupid. Stop it," I said and stood up.
I didn't have plans, so I decided to go shopping. I changed into a denim skirt and a white shirt I didn't want to dress like a boy today. I grabbed Brother's car keys.
"Where are you going?" Kalix asked.
"For shopping."
"Be careful," he said. "Wait can you transfer some money to my account?"
"Just take my card," he said, and I snatched it. I hopped in the car. Kevin appeared at the door. "Do I need protection?" he asked.
"For what?"
"You're driving. I hope I don't die."
"What an asshole you are," I said.
"Thank you," he replied, and I started the engine.