8

"YOU!?" My brother exclaimed wryly. "Midnight Nevada. Now that could probably become a problem, don't you think? Who could've guessed that you'd be her big brother, Sensei?" He asked mockingly. I'm not likely the direction this conversation is heading at all. So dry and bitter. They know each other there's really no mistaking it. How could I have missed it? It doesn't quite feel like the picture's coming together, in fact a lot of pieces seems to be missing. "Are you fucking kidding me? You're actually dating this scumbag!" My brother exploded. His tone throwing me off guard. Flabbergasted. "You know him?" I just had to ask. "But of course I know this bastard! We've worked together for a while. I don't want to make you feel any more uncomfortable, but surely a goddess of your calibre could find someone better than that-!" My brother's remark came to a sudden halt as he pointed a finger towards Toki. What am I to do now? How am I to command? I can always give him a piece of my mind. I mean he has no right. Mom always told us that there's two sides of a coin. Perhaps I shouldn't judge before I've heard both sides of the tale. They've kept their distance throughout the day. As the evening draws nearer, I asked my brother if he'd be so kind as to take me home. He answered: "I'll take you home, but he isn't coming along for the ride!" Night made it absolutely clear that my boyfriend wasn't welcome. "Really? He has nowhere else to go." It doesn't seem like he's about to change his mind about it anytime soon. It's already made up. I'll just have to take it to extra lengths. I'm most likely going to regret this, but the bitch card is ready to be played. "Until I get to the bottom of your issues, he's coming home with me; wither or not you agree with me. I'm not a child, you've missed out on those years. So to all due respect, either you give us a ride or I will call a cab!" A sliver of irritation shallow within my voice. "Night gave a little laugh of disbelief. "You're being presumptuous. Come on, I can tell that I've already lost the argument. A quick question if I may- did you really think that dad would have allowed it?" Come to think of it, that's a very good question. One I've never thought about. I can't help but wonder what Night's reasons could possibly be behind his bitter grudge. Does he really see me as a goddess? A slight blush dusted my complexion.

As nighttime drew in; I ate two slices of pizza, washed up and joined Toki in bed. "So how precisely do you know my brother and his wife?" I asked curiously. He turned onto his side, leaning his weight on to his elbow. "He used to be a part of the Codes for a while. He and I were best friends back in the day. After about a year and a half he met the beautiful Renski. At the time I was dating her sister..." I wanted to tell him that it still didn't explain their hatred towards him. After a loud sigh he continued, "I guess you'd like to hear my side of the story? Well, you see Dawn weren't acting like herself. She was being weird. Telling tall tales and getting cold feet. We were dating for about six months at the time. We went to a party. A few drinks later. I were suddenly macho enough to end our relationship. She begged of me to take her home and so I did. On our way home I've lost control of the car. We both survived the tragedy, but even so she was admitted. Your brother had held a grudge ever since that night." I don't know what I've expected to hear, but that sure as hell wasn't it. I inhaled heavily as Toki's lips brushed against mine. I wanted to give myself over to him, but I couldn't. His story lies vividly in the corners of my memory.

As the next few weeks passed, I had yet to hear Night's side of the tragic tale. In the last few weeks, only Jess pulled through. Therefore we had to arrange a double funeral. After so much heartache, Night and Renski took custody of us. Their the only family that we have left. Everything happened so quickly: The funeral, the big move and then followed the back to school speech.

Renski was in my room, helping me to get my things together when Night entered. He gave Toki an angry look and asked, "What's the dog doing here? I thought I told-" He snorted as my brother said this and interrupted him: "Yeah, I know! I haven't laid a hand on you sister, so don't get your pants up in a twist, okay?" I had just have about enough of this crap. It's long past time to get to the bottom of this bitterness. "Why do you hate my boyfriend so damn much?" I asked, my attention fixated on the one who had yet to clear the light for me. "It had been a Friday night, way back when. He was dating Renski's younger sister at the time. They were going strongly for about six months or so. Long story short, party got out of hand, drunk to much and rolled the car. Guess that's the part that he had already shared with you." I nodded my head. He took in a deep breath. "My reason for acting the way I do is because, even though he knew that she had been admitted, he didn't once check in to see how she was doing. If he had, he would've known that she was pregnant and lost the baby due to the unfortunate event." Toki jumped up from the sofa, in the corner of my room and exclaimed, "Bullshit!"

Renski's eyes grew bigger than usual as she stated: "Are you referring to Dawn as a liar? Are you telling me that the doctors, had no idea what they've been talking about, eventhough they've sat through seven years of med school? Are you informing me that my sister is a whore and that she was by no means a virgin when you had sex with her?" I could tell that she's working herself up over Toki's unfair remark. "Calm down my love, you're much too tense. You know it's not good for the baby." Night told her as he laid a hand upon her shoulder.