Chapter 36: 36. Luis' POV

“It's okay,” she stood up and wrapped her arms around me in the next second.

I shouldn't feel so weak. I shouldn't be crying in my little sister's arms, yet her composure greatly contrasted how I felt, and I naturally had a breakdown.

“I'm acting so childish in front of you,” I sniffled after I’d calmed down a little.

“Oh, it's okay. You'll always be a child to me,” Clarissa said, and even though I knew she was being mean, I chuckled.

“Are you good now?” She looked into my eyes and stretched my lower eyelids.

“Hmm,” I nodded. “Yes.”

“That's good. You looked depressed, and I just couldn't bear to see you like that. Tell me, if you were bullied, I'll deal with whoever dares to bully my brother,” she said, standing with her hands akimbo.

But how could I bear to tell her that the whole school was acting against me?

“It's nothing, it's just—”

“Hmm hmm,” she shook her head, and I frowned slightly. “It's okay if you're not ready to open up. But lying? No lying between family.”

“Oh,” I realized I’d almost told a lie.

“Thank you, Clarissa,” I smiled.

“Hmm. Just let me know when you're ready. Don't forget, Mom and I will always be here for you. You helped me a lot, you know,” she said and sat back on the bed.

This time, I closed the door and did the same.

“Okay, so tell me about school,” I said, trying to be as vague as I could.

“It was the most perfect day of my school life. Who knew school could be so much fun?” she bounced on the bed and turned to me.

I’d tried to avoid sensitive words, but here she was throwing them at my face.

“Oh? Tell me about it,” I implored.

“I got detention twice and made two of my classmates faint.”

“What?” She looked too happy for someone who did all that.

“So, the teacher watched them try to bully me, but when I started to roast them and made them cry, she gave me detention.”

“Wait, you roasted your bullies?” I asked.

“Yes, I smoked them like barbecue. They were so shocked. I'm sure they will never consider bullying me again in their entire life.”

“Ohh, th...that's good,” I cleared my throat and said.

“Of course. It was you who made me realize I have a talent in bullying. Reverse bullying on my ex-bullies was so much fun! You should try it too,” she said, but I had started to get dizzy from how often she used the word bully.

“Yeah, thank you,” I closed my eyes and massaged my temples.

“You should try it. If someone calls you fat, tell them they are thinner than spaghetti sticks, and if someone says you look like a monkey, run away from them and tell them they smell like cow dung,” she said and slapped her mouth gently.

“I got detention for calling my classmate cow dung. It's a bad word,” she whispered.

“Ohhh,” at that point, I just wanted to laugh, but she looked so engrossed in her storytelling.

“You sound really proud,” I said.

“Of course. It was you who taught me to use my charm on my bullies and put them in their place. You're the best big brother ever. Anyone related to you is lucky to have you,” she said and squeezed me in a side hug.

Squeezing my heart in the process. Not because she had more strength, but because of her words.

They reminded me of her.

“You know, I used to have a younger sister too,” I said solemnly as I remembered her bright smile when we played together.

“Oh. Dad told me about her. I'm sorry,” Clarissa got up to pat my hair into a bed nest.

It made me feel nostalgic.

“Oh, it's okay. I am glad to have you too, and I'll make sure that mistake never repeats itself.” I said and pulled her into a hug, then ruffled her hair to make an even messier bed nest.

“Of course, and I will also protect you. Don't be scared, alright?”

“Yes, thank you,” I smiled as she turned around and left.

“You rest. I'll come wake you up when it's time for dinner,” she closed the door behind her, and I stood up to lock it when I heard, “Oh my god, I sounded so cringe, like a grandma,” before her running footsteps went down the stairs and then the sound of their argument about who should make dinner.

I smiled and entered the shower for a cold bath.

I smiled as I jumped back on my bed, feeling more relaxed and happy.

Glad that I opened my heart to them during the holiday.