Disclaimer: I do NOT own "The Middle".
Chapter 2
Axl has to wonder if there's something seriously wrong with his little brother. The fact Brick loves to read, always freaks him out. He hates reading because it's usually followed by writing up a report on what he just read. It's so freaking lame! He turns his head towards his little brother's direction, who just so happen to be occupying the other end of the sofa.
Brick looks so content reading his book, too content if you ask Axl. "Hey, Brick! What are you reading? How can anyone look so happy reading a book? A book!"
Pausing on a page, Brick looks up and turns his head towards his older brother. "It's the same with sports. How can you enjoy running around, trying not to get hurt by people who want to hurt you? I don't understand why you feel the need to play football and baseball. But hey, if it makes you happy, Axl, then I'm all for you playing sports" with that, Brick goes back to his book.
Blinking at his younger brother, Axl glances at the book in his brother's hand. The book looks like it has over a hundred pages in it. He still doesn't understand why his brother likes reading books. At least with sports, you can run, tackle, hit, dodge, and a whole lot more Plus it's exciting. Maybe that's what Brick feels when he reads his books. Of course, Axl will never consider reading exciting but whatever.
"I'm so bored and there's nothing good on TV. Thursdays always blow!"
"Well, I could lend you one of my books if you like. But you have to give the book back in the same condition, Axl."
"Um, thanks Brick but I'll pass" Axl is kinda shock Brick is willing to lend one of his books to him. Being Brick's roommate, Axl knows how much Brick loves his books. Overall, it's a very nice and cool gesture. "But I'm glad if I ever do get bored, I have something to do. What else can we do?"
"Well, why don't we ask Sue what we can do? She comes up with really good ideas sometimes."
"Nah, she had to study for a science test tomorrow."
"Test can be so overrated sometimes."
"Tell me about it! Even though she knows the material already, she still wants to study for it. Weird."
What Brick finds weird is the fact Axl knows all this. He knows Axl doesn't hate their sister, he just really likes to put up a front. He will never understand why Axl feels the need to tease Sue all the time. He remembers their mom telling him about how boys like to bully and tease the girls they like. It never made any sense to him but he's only 11. Then again Axl and Sue are brother and sister, so it doesn't apply to them. Then again Axl and Sue are male and female. "It's too complicated."
"Huh? What's too complicated?"
"Love."
"You're 11, what are you thinking about love for? Oh, do you have a crush? Come on, you can tell your big bro all about it!" Axl gets excited and sits up straight, causing the blanket he's using to fall to his lap, revealing him in his boxers.
"What? No. I'm not in love. I was just wondering…" Brick pauses for a moment to gather his thoughts. He needs to word this right, "Axl, if a guy likes to bully and tease a girl what does it mean? Well, he doesn't really bully her, he just likes to be mean to her. Well, not really mean to her because he does care for her a lot but he really likes to pick on her. So what does it mean?"
"Duh, he obviously likes her. You see, Brick, we guys like to tease the person we like. Why you ask? I don't know. It's just something that's like, I don't know, programmed into us. As long we're not mean about it, then its okay. No guy should hurt the girl, that's not cool at all. You understand?"
"Not really but its okay. And do we have to tease them? What if I don't want to?"
"Then don't, Brick. Do whatever feels right, or better yet go ask mom. Yeah, go ask mom."
"Okay. But it won't hurt to see if Sue wants to take a break from studying to do something with us. Whenever I study, I like to take little breaks to read my book."
"Yeah, well, I don't think Sue wants to take a break and read a book."
"Her lost."
Axl ruffles Brick's hair as they both make their way to their sister's room. As they get near her door, they hear her talking to someone.
"I don't know, Matt. I mean, I 'm sorry things between Sherri and you didn't work out. But you said if yourself, long distance relationships don't work. Isn't that why you dumped me? So why do you want to give this another shoot? Besides I was really hurt when you dumped me the first time. I don't want to go through that again if you decide to change your mind. And you know what? I'm not interested in you anymore. Nope. Not interested in you. Good-bye, Matt" Sue hangs up the phone, her cheeks puffed up and red.
She can't believe Matt called her! Not only that, but to get back together with her because Sherri broke up with him. She understands what if feels like to be dumped, to get your heart ripped out and stumped on. It's horrible. Maybe she shouldn't have been so mean to Matt. He's probably just feeling hurt and lonely.
Just then the phone starts ringing in her hand. "Hello?" and after a few seconds, Sue calmly says "Matt? Loo-"
"Look loser, Sue doesn't what to talk to you anymore. You decided to be a dumbass and dump the best girlfriend you'll probably ever have in your life. That's on you. Leave Sue alone because I won't hesitate to drive over there and kick your ass. I'm serious, Matt." Before hanging up on the troll, Axl brings the phone back to his ear, "Don't ever call here again."
"Axl?!"
"Look Sue, if he ever calls here again, I want you to tell me, okay? I mean it."
Sue sat there on her bed, looking up at Axl's face. She's never seen Axl so…so serious before. She can tell he meant every single word which she finds very touching, him being protective of her. She still remembers when Axl let her come to one of his baseball games when she was dumped by Matt. It was very sweet of him. Sure, Axl can be mean and annoying sometimes but he can also be gentle and kind with her. If he keeps on doing things like this, Sue's crush on him is going to explode. "Alright, Axl, I'll be sure to tell you but I doubt Matt ever going to call again after that." Feeling happy and embarrass, Sue looks at her pink bedspread "and thanks, Axl. I was thinking of maybe giving Matt another chance becau-"
"Are you stupid?! How can you give that loser another chance? Don't you remember how he made you cry and waste time on him?"
"I'm not stupid, Axl!"
"Really because I can't tell!"
Tears start to form as Sue continues on, before Axl cruelly interrupted her, "Because I know how it feels to be dumped, Axl! I know how much it hurts! How rejecting it feels when the person who you thought liked you, starts liking someone else. Do you know how painful that is? Do you, honestly?" The tears are threating to slide down her cheeks now. She knows Axl is just being protective of her, not wanting her to making another mistake but he didn't have to be so mean about it.
Running his hand through his hair in frustration, Axl sit heavily on Sue's bed, right next to her. Now he's being the dumbass here. He can't understand why get so angry of the thought of Sue dating that utter loser again. She should have never dated him to begin with. He failed her then, he's not going to fail her again. Sue's too naïve and cute. Of course guys are going to take advantage of that. He needs to be able to protect her from those losers. But it doesn't give him the right to scream at her. "Look, Sue…I…" but words seem to fail him. He doesn't know what to say.
"Axl is just worried about you, Sue. And I have to say I agree with him. I don't think you should date Matt again. Just because you understand how he's feeling at the moment, isn't a good enough reason. People date because they like each other or at least, that's the conclusion I've come up with so far."
Both Axl and Sue stare at their baby brother who stood in the doorway. For someone who's only 11 years old, he sure can be mature at times. Smiling at her younger brother, Sue asks "You're right, Brick. You should only date some someone because you like them and they like you back. Thank you." Turning towards her older brother, Sue decides to hug him. She knows she might get in trouble with him but the need to hug him is too strong.
"And thank you, Axl. You said the words I couldn't bring myself to say to Matt. Actually, I wanted to hang up on him really bad but I know that's rude. And I don't want to be a rude person. Matt isn't worth changing myself into something I'm not."
As Sue's about to let go of Axl because she just realize he's only in his boxers, she feels a strong pair of arms wrapping themselves around her. She can't remember the last time Axl hugged her. Not a half hug or a sarcastic hug, but an actual hug. It feels so warm and protective, like he's trying to transfer his strength to her. Of course, she doubts that's what Axl is doing but nonetheless, she feels better. Sue briefly wonders if Axl has this effect on other people.
"I forgave you and your ability to make stupid choices."
"Axl!" both Sue and Brick cry out together.
"I'm joking, gosh" Axl side-eyes Brick who walks into the room. Resting his chin on Sue's head, he slightly squeezes Sue before opening an arm for Brick to join them. "I'm telling you both right now, one word about this to either mom or dad, I'm so putting my dirty socks under your pillows or something!"
"Ew, gross, Axl! Please don't do that because your socks smell horrible! I don't know how Brick deals with them."
"Oh, I try to avoid them at all cost, Sue. Trust me."
"Hello, I'm right here! I can hear everything you two dorks are saying" Axl process to put both Sue and Brick into hold, making both of them laugh. They try their best to wrestle themselves out of it and after a few minutes, they're victorious. They both sit on top of a struggling Axl who's on his back. "Get off of me! You guys weight like a ton!" Axl starts to turn a pretty shade of red.
Sue jumps off first because she's starting to feel bad for Axl. Plus she's touching way too much of Axl's skin and it making her feel things she doesn't want to be thinking about right know. Grabbing Brick by his sides, she gently lifts him up and places him on his feet. "Come on, Brick, let's get something to eat. I was starting to get a little hungry before Matt called. Do we still have hotpockets?"
"I think so. I want a peanut butter sandwich though."
"You know what, Brick? I'll make you one."
"Really, Sue? You don't have to if you don't really want to."
"No, I insist, Brick."
Coming from behind, Axl wraps his arms around Sue's shoulders and bring her back towards his chest. "What about me? Don't I get anything?"
Trying hard not to blush, Sue shyly asks "Well, what do you want? Hotpocket or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?"
"Duh, both!"
"That's so, well, you, Axl."
"You know it!"
Later that night, Frankie and Mike come home from bowling only to find their three children fast asleep on the family sofa. "Hey Frankie, is that peanut butter on that half eaten hotpocket?"
TBC