Ander

I'm on the basketball pitch. The one outside is easier to practice on. That and because girl's are using it for cheerleading practice. I'm bouncing my ball round the pitch, getting ready to score when someone trips me. I loose both my balance and the amazing shot.

“What the actual fuck?!." I'm ready to throw hands but quiet down when I see my brother, Archer.

“Is that how you talk to your brother huh? You're such a disrespectful brat." He does that stupid finger spin thing with the ball that seems to be getting all the girls attention. I roll my eyes. He's such an attention slut.

" You didn't have to trip me. What is it?“

" Dad is coming home this weekend. Mom wants us to be there for a little dinner party.“ Dad works at some oil drilling company off shore. He's almost never home, but when he is, mom cooks a feast and invites all her friends. Where she brags about her amazing and brilliant son, Archie. Archie's trophies, his wonderful girlfriend. Everything.

"I'll probably have some party on Saturday. Tell her I love her but I can't make it.“

" Can you stop being a party animal for one second? You'll have liver damage before you turn 28.“ Archie says almost looking concerned. He still looks at me like he did when we were kids. I hate it.

I snatch my ball back and continue bouncing it. "If you're here to talk about my drinking habits that actually don't concern you in any way, don't bother.“

“B-"

“Where's your girlfriend Archie, go disturb her. I'm busy here." My brother looks at me long and hard, nothing bitter in his gaze. He looks concerned like I'd drive my car off a cliff. It happened only once. And I apologized.

“Madeleine is attending a class right now. I'll tell her you said hi. I'm leaving."

“Go on."

He leaves like the conversation is over. We've been having this conversation since my sophomore year in highschool. Mom and dad had a huge problem. They were arguing so often I thought the were going to get a divorce. It was after my sister, Angie's death. I took my first sip of alcohol and I hadn't stopped since then.

I'm tired of running around and bouncing the ball so I lay on the ground. My eyes are closed as I try to steady my breathing but I can feel someone hovering over me. I don't need to know who it is. Her perfume tells it all.

“Are you done with your classes for the day?“

I feel Ria sit beside me. "Yeah. Professor Marcus is still as hot as ever. “ I turn to glare at my best friend and she looks at me defensively. "What? You know he's hot. Admitting it is your problem.“

Yes. Admitting it is my problem. Professor Marcus is one of the sexiest men to walk on the planet. He ages like wine as his olive skin just seems to keep glowing and glowing. I don't hide anything from Ria, but this, is to my grave. “I'll let you believe whatever you want.“

She removed her note from her bookbag to start a little study session. Ria is majoring in Human Kinetics and I'm doing Journalism, but she tries her very best to involve me in whatever she learnt that day. As long as she's happy, I am.

“Have you talked to your boyfriend since your little fight?“ She asks when she's tired of reading. My boyfriend and I had a huge fight that resulted in being kicked out. I had to seek refuge in Madeleine's off campus condo.

" Nope. I'm planning to go later this night though. There's a party and I'm one of the MVP'S, I can't miss it. “

Ria rolls her eyes like she's tired of me. Her green eyes reflect in the sunlight as she rolls them. It reminds me of the first time I met Ria. People refused to talk to her because of her red hair and bright green eyes, I approached her but instead of doing something cool, I tripped and fell on her. We've been friends since. "Is there any party you can actually miss? “

" What can we say sweetheart? I'm important.“ I stand up, very ready to go take a shower. "I'm leaving now. Do you have another class today? “

" Nah. Just some executives meeting. It concerns your basketball team this time around."

“For once, the student council has use. I'm heading to Madeleine's right now. Talk to you later. “

"Don't forget to apologize to him, “ she hollers. How can I ever forget to apologize to the love of my life. And the fact that I'm at fault is an added bonus.

My bike isn't parked far away from the field so I get to it with ease. My bike is another baby of mine. I've loved her since the first day I got her and we're still going strong. The only other person I've let touch my bike is my boyfriend. And I was semi pissed at him. Not fully because he looked so sexy on it. I get on and drive to Madeleine's.

Unfortunately, Archie is there in his girlfriend's house. I roll my eyes at him hoping he gets the message. He does because he doesn't say anything.

“Hey sis." Madeline is basically my sister in-law. Ander had introduced her to us since his second year of college, and he's in his final uear. He plans to propose to he once he's graduated and everything.

“Hi," she shines her pearly whites at me and I pretend to be lovestruck. It's our dynamic and it so pisses my brother off. Like it is now.

“Okay okay. I'll get out of you hair now. I need to shower and get dressed. I'm going out. “

I retreat into her guest bedroom that has been my zoar for the past few days and strip. My phone buzzes with messages but that's not something new. I only read and respond to the necessary ones. Like Kyle, asking me what time I'm going to arrive.

It's barely over 4 pm so I tell him I'll be there in an hour or so. I jump in the shower, making sure I use the bath wash, shampoo and cologne the love of my life likes. Maybe it'll earn me some bonus points

By the time I'm done being pretty, it's 6 pm. I run outside to wear my shoes and wish I could gauge out my eyeballs. Madeline and Ander have their tongues down each other's throats.

“Eww. Get a room."

Archie hurls a throw pillow at me. “Stop freeloading."

I catch the pillow, tossing it aside because and only because Madeleine doesn't like us fighting. “Well, I came to announce that I'm leaving your house. I'm going back to where I'm loved. “

"Awn, but I love you.“ My sis in-law says.

I nod placing both hands on my chest. "Of course I know that. But, some people aren't really appreciative of our mutual love. “ I blow her a kiss and Ander is officially pissed.

"Weren't you going to ruin your liver? Get out of here. “

I raise my hands in surrender. Just because Archie found the house and paid the rent doesn't mean he has any rights to it. “I'm only leaving because I'm late and the guys are going to kill me." A final goodbye and I'm flying out of Madeleine's house.

The venue is already packed as I get there. I get my first drink from the tray set by the door. That's the only drink of alcohol I remember. The remaining bottles or glasses or shots are a blur. Even how I got home I can't remember. I just hope I haven't crashed into something or killed a person.

Going back to the dorms, I don't go to my room, I go to my boyfriend's instead. I'm trying my best not to trip on anything to avoid waking up anybody. It's hard because it's like my feet are made of jelly. Finally, I get to his own room. I open the door very slowly. It's dark but I can make out his silhouette. I remove my shoes and shirt and climb into the bed with him. Throwing my hand over his torso. There I close my eyes.