"That is no way to treat a lady."
Another voice said from behind me, I turned to see it was the strange Aaron's identical twin, Baron. I had totally forgotten about his presence here in the house. After I had quietly left the boys to their issues, I had climbed up my room and remained there until this moment. Up close, I could really see every feature of his face. They were so identical you could almost never know who was who until they introduced themselves.
"And what would you know about treating a lady?"
Aaron asked. Anger was heavy in his words.
"It might not be much but at least I know you never raise your voice at a woman. Never make her cry."
"I have told you, mind your business." Aaron seethed.
"And let you keep bullying her? No."
"I am not bullying her."
"Then what have you been doing since I walked into the house?"
"It's none of your business."
"That's what you say to defend your oppression."
"What is your problem?"
"I have none. Except one though, you."
"Stay out of my path, I'm warning you Baron."
"I told you Aaron, I can not do that. Our paths are crossed already and there's nothing you can do about it."
"You think?"
"I know."
Their rage was not helping my situation right now. I had not come here for them to end up clashing for my sake. I had come to talk to Aaron and the others but unfortunately none had been willing to listen to me. They all have decided not to talk to me. It hurt me. I was broken. My plan had failed, I had been unsuccessful trying to convince them of my innocence. I was tired and tears would not stop rolling and in that moment of sibling rivalry that was causing me heart burn, I rasped and the sob escaped. The hall echoing with my sad, intense cry.
"Hey, it's fine now." A hand pulled me closer to them and the voice consoled too. "Shh, stop crying." I was engulfed in a comforting hug, my head resting against a rock solid chest.
I heard a low, angry growl but I did not bother to turn. But someone laughed and it was the person who had drew me into a hug. It was Baron.
"Stop being pathetic, Aaron." To me, Baron said. "Let's go back to your room and stay away from bullies."
Another angry growl rumbled from Aaron. Before I could turn to see his face, Baron was already pulling me away from the scene. Things had not gone the way I'd planned at all. My effort to apologize and make them see reason, to make them believe me had been futile and it only hurt the more.
"You don't need the tears. You'll be fine, you just need to be strong."
Amidst tears, I blurted. "I didn't do it."
"Let's get to your room first"
I was still crying but not as loudly as before. My temples throbbed and I was sniffling back snot, preventing it from running out.
Soon we had gotten to my room and he led me inside as though it was his own room but I did not care. I could be led away or have a stranger come claim the room as theirs and not care. I was in a mire. The boys were not talking to me, school was going to be brutal for me. The shame and fear of walking down those corridors alone.
"Here we are." Baron gently led me to my bed and went out.
Not bothering to ask him where or why he was leaving, I went to the bathroom to clean my nose and wipe snot from. I was already lying on the med wetting my pillow as memories of what had gone down in school hit me. Why me? Who had set me up? And no one had believed me, not even my supposed bestie, Katelyn. It was obvious she was not on my side.
"Get up Katelyn. No trying to be down and dumpy." He brought a hot cup of chocolate and place it on the bed close to me. I sat up to see that there were also bars of chocolate. They were many.
"Where did you manufacture these from?" My gaze wandered from each chocolate wrapper to a mini box to another wrapper and mini box.
"I heard chocolate were comfort food and could help you relax."
Despite my sad state, I managed a smile of gratitude. "Thank you."
"It's okay. You're part of the family now. A Salvatore."
My smile wavered, my lips trembled. An eager tear dropped, followed by another and another. Soon, I was crying silently. He came over to where I was, made himself comfortable and adjusted my position so I was lying on his chest. It felt so good to have someone by my side. One person who at least didn't look at me with burning, accusing eyes or snarled at me angrily.
"Now drink up before it gets cold." He offered me the steaming mug.
I had no appetite to stomach anything but rejecting it would be outrightly rude and also seem like an act of ungratefulness. Reluctantly, I took it and took a ginger sip of the drink. It was nice and I took another sip. "It's very nice."
He beamed with pride at my compliment. I was sitting cross legged on the bed, moving away from him to avoid pouring the hot liquid on his body accidentally. "You think? I made it myself."
"Your first time?" I asked, taking another sip.
"Yes. I'm not a fan of hot chocolate and chocolate bars. When I'm feeling as you're feeling, I just down the harsher stuff."
"You mean drink alcohol."
"Exactly."
"Because it makes you manly?"
His white teeth was in full view. "I'm a man. Manliness should be my thing." He flexed his muscles, that erupted laughter from me.
He said some funny things and made me laugh. "Now, you've made me spill my drink." I accused him with smiles on my face.
"I'm glad you're laughing." His concerned gaze lingered on my face.
Suddenly feeling shy, I lowered my lashes and cradled my mug tighter. "Thank you."