Chapter 3

Charlie was unpacking the contents in the cardboard boxes, when she heard a knock at the front door. She looked through the window to find that Casey was standing there like a statue. When she opened the door, he stood there for a few seconds before walking in. "Are you alright, Case?" Charlie asks. "Yes, I'm fine", Casey replies quickly beore making his way to his room.

When Brax and Heath get home, Heath rushes up to the stairs where Biance was waiting for him, leaving Charlie and Brax alone as Darcy's in bed and Ruby's helping April study in their room.

Charlie frowns and pushes Brax away gently when he kisses her. "We need to talk", she says, looking up into her boyfriend's blue eyes. "It's about Casey". Brax's eyes immediately change, turning concerned about his little brother. "What about him?" Brax asks.

"Talk to him", Charlie murmers and Brax sighs. "Ok, I will". And with that, he walks upstairs and impatiently knocks on Casey's door. "Yeah", Casey calls and Brax walks in to find Casey looking at a blank sheet of lined paper.

"What are you doing?" Brax asks, sitting on his brother's bed. Casey shrugs. "Homework", he grunts, not looking up. "Doesn't look like you're getting much done", Brax says, looking at his brother worriedly. "It's hard", Casey mutters. "Is there anything you wanted, Brax?" Brax nods his head and harshly answers, "Yes Case, where have you been for the past few days?" Casey looked back down at his peice of paper. "I already told you! Studying". Brax grew impatient. "Then why do you still have heaps?" he asks and Casey rolls his eyes. "I'm in year 12, H.S.C's coming up", he snaps, avoiding his brother's eyes. "Casey, tell me what's really going on", Brax says, turning Casey's face gently with his hand. Brax sighs at the sight of his brother's hurt eyes.

"Just leave me alone, Brax", Casey growls, slapping Brax's hand off his face. "Casey, tell me. Let me help you", Brax pleads, but Casey just laughs cruely. "You can't help me. You can't do anything. Just get lost". Brax stands up. "Well, when you're ready to talk, you know where I'll be". "Just get lost", Casey yells, and Brax leaves the room slowly. "You know you can talk to me about anything", Brax says softly as Casey attempts to push him out of the open door. "Why would I want to talk to you?" he snarls, shoving Brax out. Brax, too stunned at Casey's harsh words to stop himself, smashes into the wall and Casey slams his door. Brax stares at the closed door, hurt filling him. His little brother doesn't trust him.