Another story

Travis Ledger was never the perfect child, sibling or man. Far from good in those. But everything aside, none can be as perfect as him in being a friend. There was not a single flaw in him when his role comes in play as a friend. It's not like he was admired for this loyal quality of his, but when it came to choosing friends, he's quite picky. Obviously, not much compliment when you're a loyal friend on top of all. It couldn't get him grades, career or women. It mattered the least to him, but society's pressure on his folks always won.

"Not gonna fill up your stomach, when he's incapable of his too. That bitch of yours!!!", Travis's father had said him, never ceasing to swear even in front of kids under the effect of alcohol. A major reason why Travis and his sister turned out to be of opposite personalities.

When his sister once had said with a pretty serious expression but words flowing outta her mouth like breathing," ......... it's better that you carry your ass outta here and jerk off somewhere else", Travis had understood the influence on the 11 years old lass and had decided that it was high time to give up on this lousy family once for all.

Sticking around, he could only see the girl grow up in to a ultra-intelligent genius with a foul tongue, bold looks and volcanic temper, trying her best to get out on her feet and curse their home for all. He couldn't have blamed her though; it had been his wish too for a long time. Only he had been lazy and had given up, whereas she had tried.

....................................

"You have any left?", she said him while tossing a bundle not caring about appearance," Here!".

Travis caught it mid-air giving Edrei a disappointed look," I told you I can make it on my own. Don't waste your expensive scholarships on me".

Edrei gave a closed laugh," Keep it! It'll no surprise to me if you get cancer with that pitiful style of yours, for the treatment. Buy yourself some clothes or something".

"What about your transfer?", Travis asked curious," Weren't they gonna sent you to the states for higher ups?".

"I declined the application", Edrei replied without regret in her voice.

Travis turned after closing his safe with bloomed eyes and surprised face," What did you do?? That was just an opportunity for you, you wanted that!!!".

"I felt it would be boring", she crossed her arms on her chest," I can create more like that".

- Is something going on?

- Like what?

- Did they cancel it?

- I did.

- For what?

- Should I just repeat the thing all over again, you're such an A-hole sometimes!!!

- There you go with that rotten speech of yours.

- Hey! I'm controlling .... now I use abbreviations.

- Whoa, try harder than that kiddo!

- I'm more mature than you are.

Saying Edrei started to turn and leave his room.

"Edrei?", Travis called from behind with a soft voice. She tuned back at him and passed a curious look at his address.

"Thanks!", he said.

Edrei gaped for a second before speaking," For that?", she pointed at his cupboard and brought her palm to cover her temple," That's too sudden".

"No", Travis tried to correct her," For being the reason to make me come home each night. For staying strong on behalf of me. It would have been good if you were the elder one amongst us".

Not expecting such a thing coming from him, Edrei just chuckled with a saddened expression," That's the reason why I decided to stay".

Travis only scoffed at the answer, not believing it one inch based on her attitude.

"Just make sure ......", Edrei started speaking again with no expression this time," If I really leave one day, you must live on. Okay?".

Even after she left, Travis still had a confused outlook trying to hold on to her words. Such strange words, which she has never said before.

.....................................

"She doesn't look good these days", Travis said puffing out a cloud of smoke.

- Edrei?

"Yes! I can tell she's depressed for a reason, but she won't say no matter what", he passed the red to the one leaning beside him.

- May be because of your old man?

- Been trying to keep that sick fart away from her! Chugs up all her scholarships!

- Isn't it always the other way around?

- Usually. But then this weekend I barely made it on time taking a punch from the asshole, Edrei being right in front of him, not even putting up with a word.

- Well, that seems unlike her.

The blue-eyed one took a last puff of the red and tossed the filter away. Travis looked at him with the hope of verbal help.

Again, the first thing he caught were his major trait for him, the blue eyes deeper than depth of an ocean.

When they first encountered, those were the very things which magnetite his attention towards him. He knew that at the very first sight, he had fallen in love with those very eyes. Which ultimately forced him to befriend the kid. Miraculously, he had turned out to be a specimen piece in politeness. He couldn't help but swear loyalty to the kid from within. That ultimately gave rise to the historic friendship in the school.

The kid had blue eyes and to add to it, perfectly blond hair which was pretty normal for them. But it just had highlighted his feminine side somehow, successfully earning the title of 'Bitch' in the whole area including Travis's father when once he had visited his den.

But Travis would just get irritated at him sometimes when he would suffer bullying in his absence and all the kid did, was to ignore.

No complain, no fighting back. As if he was trying to hide something and just went on with the situation without a word.

Kid's smart, way too smart!!!

And to be honest, not at all feminine.

But people just need something entertaining for themselves and to wash their hands with something.

Travis wasn't strong, but had a strong sense of situation reading. Trying the last time, to save him from the thugs, they both had just earned bruises and broken lips. Thus, he had just searched and scanned out for all the abandoned hideouts in school and the area to hangout without a disturbance. That saved them from any unnecessary brawl.

Till now, they have managed to survive in their poor life with the help of only the people that matters, around them. Else none of them can be said are living a well of life at all.

"She's got huge bags the last time I saw her", blonde broke the silence.

"Red eyes and a zombie induced face too", added Travis," That confident look in her and the gaze which could get me scared under her, all gone!".

"That seems like she's sick", the blue eyes scanned all over Travis.

"She would say me", he retorted back.

- Would she?

And yet again.

This is also a reason, which made Travis despise those eyes!

It can read people.

And it's bloody fucking good at it. Past experiences always have thrown him right before his eyes, in which he had seen the reflection of the truth which he had hidden.

Such mirror like capability ...…...is unfair!

The bitch can actually look into depth of others, being one of his strange power and never hesitating to speak his mind straight out. Never being his intention to offend others but still exposing his thoughts out, he had even earned a detention for a couple of days from the teacher being a top student of the school.

Travis could only stare in them as one of his favourite pass time, uselessly hoping to find something outta them.

His thigh started vibrating to his irritation when he was compelled to tear his gaze from them.

- Hello?

- …

- Yes, I'm Ledger ...Travis Ledger

- .....

- …. Wh-Where?

- …

- Okay, thank you. I'll be there ...…

Blue eyes noticed that how Travis's voice fell after the first word he spoke, and started losing away in to oblivion. Stammering is something he's never been into, something really strong to make him.

As Travis pocketed the phone again, he didn't leave right away as promised over it.

He sat, placing his fists under his face with a still expression and clueless focus.

He was under the constant supervision of the pair of blue eyes.

When finally, he turned at him, he again read it unintentionally. Something which he shouldn't have. Travis didn't have to say a word.

It's so ...…. unfair ...…

.............................

He placed the bag on the side table beside the bed and sat down on the stool.

"You …...idiot! Such an idiot", he scolded lightly.

Edrei laughed weakly to encourage the useless effort," Who's the fucker who named me Edrei again?"

"Mom", Travis replied," Rotten sense I guess".

"Runs in the family, shit!", she said.

The atmosphere ceased within a second. They knew it wasn't gonna help, but only made the bond stronger which had no future further. The stage is terminal to treat, and Edrei never mentioned it. Not that it would help somehow. Being a matter of a few days, Travis didn't know what to do to make it up to her since she's the one who has always looked out for him.

"Edrei, listen ....", Travis began seriously.

"No Travis!", Edrei immediately cut him off," We're not talking about that again".

- Edrei ......

- Travis, it won't help.

- It'll prolong, the amount will be covered.

- It'll just drag along my pain too!

- Please listen to me on this.

- It's been my choice this whole time Travis. I didn't take the offer; it was my decision. This too. Put it to better use than throwing away for nothing.

- It's not!! It's-It's not a waste. It's yours to begin with.

- That's why I'm telling you this.

Travis gaped at her for a while and facepalmed himself outta frustration. He had so hopeless this whole time, living off expenses from odd jobs and never doing things any better, giving up on the family. Only Edrei kept him together, even with a foul mouth and bossy nature she somehow managed to push him forward. Travis has never touched a penny from her expenses and final understood why she always gave him each month. She was aware of it for a long time. Even though he was glad, Edrei didn't let him spend anything for the useless treatment.

Travis knew, if Edrei leaves, whatever's been holding him together ...will come undone.

Edrei smiled lightly and reached out for his hand," Don't dwell on the past when I'm gone okay?"

"No, nothing's gonna happen. There has to be a way, we've got the cash ......", Travis was breaking apart.

"I bet I'm smarter than you, aren't I?", Edrei was still trying to lighten him up," I've done my homework for months now".

"Edrei ...", his voice cracking.

"Promise me, you'll get out of this shithole", Edrei clasped his hand in hers, no power in those skinny bones," Get outta here and get rid of your pathetic life. Use them. Get a girl and start a family, unlike our unfortunate one".

Travis drooped and his face from her, holding her hand tightly, afraid to let go.

"Don't cry in front of me!", Edrei mockingly scolded.

"I'll be lonely", confessed Travis.

"You know", Edrei began with a low tone," You might think I have been holding this together, expenses and you. But the truth is, you were the one who kept me going this whole time. The only urge for me was to save enough and get us both outta here to start a new. I felt like I had this responsibility towards you, I couldn't let you alone ......but I'm sorry, I couldn't do it".

Travis shook his head fiercely.

"Live for me, okay?", Edrei said," Not under a bridge, but a home. I've been too bossy for a younger sister, but someone had to, when you didn't, isn't it...brother?".

Travis ultimately broke down.

He wept like a kid in his sister's embrace.

The last word pierced through him revealing everything.

His guilt, sorrow, loneliness and fear! He just wished only if he would have not given up so soon. May be things would be different now, and she would actually have called him with the title he deserves. Only her efforts were not enough.

This time ....is not enough.

It's so unfair!

"I told you not to cry bitch!", Edrei ruffled Travis's hair.

Travis spoke through sobs and sniffles," It's not me, it's him", saying he pointed at the blue-eyes, who had been there leaning on the door this whole time.

Pallor of smiles spread on the face of the two young boys, whereas Edrei started laughing.

Only if he could make her laugh like that from the first.

Only if this time was enough…..