Chapter 02: Brother's Birthday

The sound of my phone ringing loudly this early in the morning woke up the hell out of me! 

I took my phone from the bedside table and looked at the screen with sleepy eyes. It's mom’s caller ID appearing on my phone screen. I don’t want to answer it but I know that she won’t stop until I do. 

"Hello," I answered using my uninterested sleepy voice. 

"Hi baby, good morning!" She said those words in her most cheerful voice and it’s making me irritated even more. 

"What's with the sudden phone call?" 

Yes, I know I’m rude but then, I have my reasons. 

"Come over today. We will celebrate your brother's birthday!" 

I literally hitched my breath when I heard what she just said. I immediately looked at the calendar on my bedside table. 

Shit, it’s Hellios’ birthday! I lost track of the fucking date! 

"Okay. I will be there later." I answered casually, not letting her notice that I actually forgot my brother’s birthday.  

"Be here at six o'clock in the evening, alright? Don't be late!" 

"Okay...” I put down the phone while exhaling loudly. I massaged my temple, stressing as how in the world I forgot about it. I have never, even once forgot it, until today. I’m such a useless sister. 

I looked at the clock. It's already seven in the morning and my class starts at eight. I actually fell asleep last night while thinking about my situation. I shook my head before standing up to take a quick shower then I fixed my stuff in a hurry. The last thing I want to happen is to be late for class especially when we’re having a test today. 

I have no time to cook so I guess I'll just eat in the cafeteria later. I grabbed my stuff and went out of my condo unit. 

Hellios Salazar, my brother who's three years younger than me. Well, it's not really obvious that I'm older because of his towering height. We were once inseparable but because of me, our relationship got ruined too. 

Did I already mention how bad my image is? Aside from the spreading rumors that I'm crazy, I am also famous for my bad attitude. Even before I got caught up in my current situation, I have always been kind of rude to other people. I was only sweet towards Colleen and my family. 

As much as I want to deny it, my name is a total opposite of my personality. Even the teachers hate my attitude but they still can’t kick me out of school because of the fact that my family is somewhat influential. And I’m not really a war freak. I’m just so sick of bitches always talking behind my back like they know everything about my life. People nowadays are really judgmental. 

Toxic society really sucks. They believe the things they see without knowing the real story behind it. It actually makes us stupid in many ways. Worse is, it’s already normal for people to think that way. 

On the way to the university, I bumped into some group of students who were whispering loudly while looking at me. That made me roll my eyes. Am I that beautiful for them not to take their eyes off? I smiled at that thought. I entertain myself with my own humor sometimes just to make things a bit lighter for me to handle.  

When I arrived in the classroom, I took a seat at my favorite spot which is by the window and at the back of the room. I can always look outside the window whenever I'm bored. By the way, me and Colleen are not classmates because we're in different courses. She's taking Business Management while I'm taking Psychology. Very ironic, I know. But this course is fun. It’s just that the people around me are not. 

I clicked my tongue loud enough for everyone in the class to hear when I overheard my name from the group of girls sitting in front. That was enough to shut them up. I mean, don’t they have anything better to do? Do they have to talk about me all the fucking time? 

I don’t know how long was it but it feels like forever before the professor entered the classroom and finally, the class started. 

----------------------- 

I'm on my way home. By home, I meant where my family is. Even if I'm distancing myself from them, I still need to be there on my brother's birthday. 

I'm now outside our gate. I looked at my wrist watch and saw that it’s 5:50 in the afternoon. I'm not late, then. I took a deep breath before walking inside. 

"Hey, sis!" Hell ran towards me and gave me a tight hug. 

"I miss you," he said sweetly so I kissed his cheek and hugged him tighter. 

"I know you do. Happy birthday, by the way." He kissed me back on my cheek. I was the first to let go from the hug and I hit him lightly on his chest. We giggled in unison. 

"Heavenly!" 

I saw my mom wearing an apron as she walked towards me with a bright smile plastered on her face. She hugged me and kissed me on my cheek. 

"Hey, mom," I casually responded, giving her a faint smile. “I see you guys are doing well.”  

I was again the first one to let go from the hug. She looked like she really missed me. Well, it’s been like two or three months since I last visited. And this morning was our first phone call. 

"Of course, we are! How about you? Are you okay?" 

"I sure am." Obviously that was sarcastic but they did not notice it so who cares. I sat down the couch while looking around for my father but I can’t see him. "Where's Dad?" 

"Oh, he's upstairs. He'll come down soon." I just nodded. Mom excused herself to go back to the kitchen because she’s still cooking. 

I smiled when Hellios playfully sat on the couch beside me. When I still lived here, we would always play around whenever we get the chance. He also likes to cuddle with me. Yes, we are that close. 

"You’re still ugly." 

I gave him a deadpan look. Just when I was actually complimenting him in my mind, he’ll insult me? 

"I don’t care if it’s your birthday. Don’t fucking start with me,” I warned. 

He just laughed it off and pinched my right cheek amusingly. I glared at him. His actions sometimes irritate me because he acts like I’m younger than him. 

I slapped his hand away from my cheek and rolled my eyes at him. My sulking state was soon replaced by warmth when he put his arm around my shoulders and made me lie my head on his chest. 

"I'm eighteen now. I'll finally have my own car and license." A big smile was plastered on his face. 

My brother has always been fond of cars but he still needs to wait until he turns eighteen to get his license. And finally, today’s the day. 

"Good for you." I also pinched his cheek. 

I envy him though. He’ll get a car soon. I mean, I once had a car but I accidentally crashed it when I was drag racing and I never got a new one. My father was so furious that he said he wouldn’t let me drive ever again. 

"Sorry, I don’t have gift for you," I said with an apologizing look while encircling my arms around his waist.  

"That's okay. It's enough that you're here. I know how much you hate going home." 

I laughed. I actually kind of have a gift for him but I forgot about it because I was in a hurry this morning and I went straight here from school. It's a pair of shoes that I think he will like. I bought it last month I think when I saw it displayed in the mall. He's fond of those kinds of designs so I didn’t hesitate to buy it when I first saw it. I'll give it to him when I get the chance. 

I don’t know if he’s really just understanding or if he’s still guilty. He kept on telling me how sorry he was when he wasn’t able to defend me back then. Maybe, he also believed that I was crazy. 

I mentally shook my head. None of that matters anymore.