Kiss The Stars

Chapter 25 Give Your Heart a Break

Chapter 25 ~ Give Your Heart a Break

“Sis?!” I saw my brother’s head pop in thru the slightly open door. I peeked at him from the comfort of my blanket. I don't want him to see my tear-stained face. I managed to catch up on sleep. The tears helped. 

"Mom said you have not eaten lunch." He covered the distance between my bedroom door and my bed in just a few steps. I wonder why I did not inherit those long legs. Life is so unfair.

"Hey!" He prodded again as he took my blanket away. I covered my face with a pillow instead. "Elle Belly, get up! It is a glorious day!" He took my pillow away this time.

"Ugh! Austin, go away!" I turned and laid on my stomach. The sunlight seeping through the shades that my brother opened hurt my eyes. I refuse to get up. This is not a glorious day. This is a lousy day. 

"Hey, Belly! You made it to the news." He announced and playfully slapped my butt.

I sat up abruptly, not because of the slap but because I made it to the news. Shit! 

"I...I did?!" I asked nervously. My sleepiness completely gone. If everyone knows what I did, will they press charges?

He looked at me funny and started howling with laughter. "Gotcha!" 

"Grrr! Austin! Get out!" I pushed him off my bed. He is playing on my paranoia.

"You're coming with me. I don't want you to be skin and bones. Come on...and stop crying!" He dragged me out of bed. "I will haul you donwstairs if you don't move your lazy butt!" He warned.

I am twenty years old, grounded and hauled upside down?! No way! "Alright, I'll go with you. Just let me wash my face and brush my teeth." I grumbled.

He let me go. "Five minutes!" He shot an imaginary basketball through my open window.

I managed to squeeze a shower in ten minutes which is a small victory. By that time, Austin is furiously knocking on the bathroom door, demanding that I get out.

~*~

I did not realize I am hungry until I got a whiff of my mom's cooking. I only managed to get a few spoonfuls of omelette this morning. I did not have any appetite then.

"Any news, mom?" I asked as she laid a plate in front of me.

"Well, Phoebe issued a public apology." She said with a shrug of her shoulder and settled on a seat opposite mine.

"Like I said, glorious day!" Austin said playfully. "The high and mighty Phoebe issuing a grovelling apology." He smirked. "Un-fucking-believable."

"Austin, mind your language..." Mom admonished him. 

He shrugged it off. "She deserves it. She humiliated Brianna in front of everyone, made up stories about Izzy..." He rattled of Phoebe's infractions against his friends. "Honestly, she had it coming. Took you so long..." He nudged me in the rib.

I can only grimace. Phoebe has made a lot of adversaries. Why did it have to be me who has to take her down? Then, I remembered what Blair said. I am the only one who knows her weakness. I am the only one who stands a chance against her.

"How is Aunt Penny?" I asked again in between chews. 

Dad has settled on his usual spot. "She will live." He answered my question nonchalantly. "Don't worry Belly, you are not going to jail." He continued with a grin. My mom's shoulders are shaking with laughter. She told Dad!