Troubled Heart

"Let's get this done with. I don't need any of these therapy talks." I hurried, grabbing my bag. "Fine. I agree to this deal. Can I go out of this room now?"

"Go on ahead. Just do this for once, just this once." Mr. Mcnuggle pleaded. "Just a favor I want you to fulfill for your mother."

I sighed, walking out of the room. Jesus, out of all the options they could've given, it really had to be this. Suspension was a lot better, I could've been sitting around today, sleeping, gaming, and all of those good shit.

"Ethan? Hey, Ethan! Wait Up!" a voice echoed in the hallway. "Man, it's been so long since I saw you."

"Luka? Bro, I didn't know you were gonna be here." I turned, smiling. "Weren't you going to Oxford?"

"Well, yeah. But I wasn't too confident about it, so I decided to go here." He said, grinning. "Your Dad told me you were gonna be here too, so I figured it would be nice to have you around."

"Oh, I see. Well, it was nice seeing you again, but I have to head home now." I said, patting him on the shoulder. "Enjoy your day, man."

"Wait, what? This early?" He asked, checking his watch."Bro, you gotta stay. Come on, you don't wanna miss out on anything."

"Nah, man. I got myself into trouble. Made a deal with our Principal, so I could go home." I explained, rolling my eyes. "I have to visit an old friend too, so yeah."

"Trouble, huh? It seems like something you'd always have tied onto you." He joked. "But I guess I got to get going too, so see you."

I walked down the stairs as he disappeared into the class he was attending to. As I was making my way towards the gate, I received a text message from an unknown number.

"Can you call this number? I need your help." the message stated. "Worry less. I am not a creep. I'm just in the middle of trouble."

"Who is this? If you're one of those scammers that are currently going around, it's not your lucky day." I replied, waving at the saleslady in our cafeteria. "Hey, Aunt Eveline! How are you?"

"Ethan, my favorite student. I'm doing good, thank you for asking." She smiled, giving out a box of red velvet cupcakes. "Before I forget, can you take this to your mother? Today's a special day for her daughter."

"Is it her daughter's birthday today?" I asked, receiving the cupcakes. "Also, I will make sure that she gets to taste this."

"Thank you, and yes. It is her birthday. She is turning 7 years old." She thanked, giving me a kiss on the cheek. "Be safe! Tell them I wish them the best."

I smiled and went on my way. I gently held it in my hands, I didn't want all of the cupcakes to be mushed before I could arrive. As I was giving out my i.d to our guard, a message on my phone popped up, it was from the same person earlier.

"Do you think lowly of me? I don't even know you, yet here I am trusting my guts."

"Where'd you even get this number? I do not hand out my number to strangers." I replied, heading to my car. "Who even are you?"

"Your number was in my contacts list, I don't know who logged it in, but you are the only person that's available, so here I am."

"Have you called your friends? I'm sure they are going to help you with your troubles." I replied, opening the second seat. "Also, you didn't answer my second question."

"No, I'm not going to reveal my name unless I get to have the help I'm asking. Also, I clearly told you that you are the only person I have contact with at the moment."

"Wait a minute. How do you know that I am available right now?" I interrogated, turning the car engine on. "Don't tell me you are my stalker who's trying to trick me."

"I'll explain everything later, just help me. Is that so hard to plead for?"

"Okay, fine. Where are you?" I drove out the parking lot. "I'm outside of a parking lot, just right across McKinley University."

"Oh, okay. I'm on my way. Just wait, you can easily identify me since I'm the only one who is gonna be coming out of that gate. I go to the same school as you, so yeah."

I silently waited for them in my car. It did not take long for them to come out of the gate. I immediately honked at them, waved a hand at them. They waved back, running across a wide road towards where I parked. You know I honestly thought that it would be Emily. It's such a weird feeling for me to expect that it's constantly going to be her in everything that happens, or occurs to me.

"So, the name's Ethan. What's yours?" I rolled the window down. "Also, come and hop in."

"Oh, I'm Luna Finley. You're my brother's one of a kind friend, right?" She gazed, as she sits next to me.

"Oh, you're Luka's sister then. This is my first time meeting you." I remarked, stepping on the gas. "Not kind, but yes, I'm your brother's friend."

"Thank you for this by the way." She smiles, a shy expression shows. "I asked my brother a small favor earlier to help me with all of this trouble I'm in, but he still had classes."

"Did something happen? You seem to be just fine." I looked at her, brows furrowed. "Also, I was wondering where you got my number."

"My brother. He told me you were free and is currently heading out of the campus, so I just dialed you before you could leave."

"I see. But what trouble are you in though?" I turned a left. "Is it school trouble, or what?"

"This might be a bit awkward cause you're a g—"

"I can see where this is going. Are you on the monthly suffering?" I cut her off, laughing. "It is fine, don't worry. I can handle this type of situation."

"—Oh. I'm just embarrassed, most men find these kind of situations weird, or not suitable for them to deal with."

"Not one of them. Believe me, I've lived in a household filled with girls. They taught me a lot of things that men today would consider gay, or too feminine."

"Now that's a real man right there. Anyways, you can just drop me off by that store. I'll be going back to school on my own."

"Alright, here we are. Be safe on your way." I stopped in front of the store. "If you need any help, just drop a call, or message."

"Thank you, once again." She gets out of the car. "Likewise, I'm one text, or call away."

I nodded and smiled, driving away. Now I am finally off to meeting her. This is not pleasant and fun, but at least I finally get to meet her, my sister. Seven years, it's not a bad number to me anymore. But it'll always give my heart a piercing feeling and that's okay, cause time can't heal everything that hurts you. I had to learn that the hard way.

I slowly drove by the houses since they were all similar in exterior. I thoroughly checked all of the house numbers, making sure I do not mistaken a stranger's house for my mother's. I wasn't sure of the house number I had, so I rechecked the photo I had of a document. It was number 607, I looked back at the house I was parked in front of and it was just what I was looking for. I stopped the car engine as I reached for the cupcakes, seated behind me.

I walked out of the car, slinging my backpack onto my shoulder with my other hand as the other one is occupied. Honestly, I wanted to bail out on this favor, but I didn't want to get in more trouble. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath then began to walk towards the doorstep whilst taking a glance at my watch.

"Hello, is anybody home?" I rang the doorbell and waited for someone to respond. "Mom? I came here to drop by. It's Ethan."

After a minute, I could hear someone on the other side unlocking the door. They seemed to be in a rush, somewhat scared to be seen, or heard, or maybe it was mother, getting all excited to see me again.

"Oh, Ethan! My son, it's good to see you!" She hugged, caressing my hair. "I thought I would not be able to see you anymore after all the arguments we had."

"I can't do anything. You're always around." I handed the cupcakes, pulling away from her hug. "Aunt Eveline wanted me to bring those cupcakes over. She told me it was my sister's birthd— I mean, your daughter's."

"Wait, you knew?" Her eyes widened, looking at the cupcakes. "And oh, these are lovely, I'll message her later."

"I overheard your talk with father." I tuck my hand into my pockets. "I didn't want to come and visit you, but when I heard that it was a special day today, it changed my mind."

"Thank you, this is all I wanted. I've told her a lot about you." She teared up, patting me on the shoulder. "I was just scared that you'd be the kind of brother to blame your sister for all the mistakes and dreadful things I've done."

"I might hate you so much, but I'll never ever hate her. It isn't her fault, she never asked to be a part of your mistakes." I held back all of my tears. "I'm scared too, so scared. I do not want to lose her because of you. I lost him, I can't lose another."