Chapter 7: The Duty of an Older Brother.
I sat there stunned for a minute, trying to wrap my head around things. What could have happened? Was he bullied or hurt? One thing was for certain though, he was absolutely terrified. Sighing I wiped myself clean, and headed for our bedroom.
"Codes?" I called gently, before letting myself in.
He was face down on his pillow, sobs making his whole body convulse. My heart broke right then and there, but I had to be strong. As I shut the door behind me the click sounded like a bomb going off. I slowly and carefully sat next to him, rubbing his back to comfort him.
"Codes, let me help." I said waiting for him to look up.
The first thing that hit me was his face. Deep red with rivers making their way to a near lake on his pillow. His eyes, usually so caring and bright, now dull and lifeless; as if his soul was sucked away. Just seeing him like this nearly brought me to tears.
"Zack I really don't think you can help with this." He breathed softly. "This is something I need to figure out for myself. Please, all I need right now is some alone time. Can you do that for me?" He choked out.
The sound of his voice cut through me like a knife. Realizing I was no good here, I decided get some air. Grabbing my jacket I quickly made it to the lobby, and of course I crashed straight into Moseby.
"How many times must I tell you to stop causing havoc in my lobby?" He started his usual tirade.
I decided now wasn't the time for this. I cleared my throat loudly, cutting him off. He stared at me full of anger before I explained.
"Look not to be a jerk here, but I have a lot to think about right now. I need to get some air, do you think you can cover for me? Something is up with Cody and that's all I care about right now." I sighed, exhausted.
For the first time I can remember, Moseby nodded and even walked me to the front door. I had to hand it to him; he could be a great guy. I sat in front of the Tipton, letting the lights and sounds of the city drown out my own thoughts for awhile.
I felt useless.
Cody would always open up to me about anything. I wanted, no needed to be there with him! But this is what he wanted. I needed to respect his space, even if it was killing me inside right? I sighed, tucking my head between my knees to fend off the cold.
The sky above had turned black and lifeless as I mused. The cool breeze had started to sting, and my eyes were getting heavy. Deciding I couldn't put it off any longer, I got up to head inside. I noticed someone rushing out of the Tipton and quickly hid myself.
They ran out of the doors flailing in a panic. After stopping in place for a minute, they covered their ears with a fearful cry and bolted off. Now I'm the athletic twin. I'm on the school's basketball and track teams. Yet even I had trouble keeping up as they fled like hell itself was chasing them. Not looking before crossing the streets, they had a few close calls.
Eventually they rushed into the park, wailing like a banshee. I had to stop to take a breath, when I noticed someone else pass me, running as if possessed after the other one. This one didn't seem to care about the traffic and darted in between oncoming cars as if he didn't see them. I gave up; whoever it was would take care of it. That golden hair...I've seen it before but I can't place it. I jogged back home, hoping Cody was finally able to talk some.
When I got in Mom was out cold on the couch, snoring softly. I tiptoed past her into our room to find Cody sleeping like a log. Relieved, I threw off my jacket and lay down for the night. He would tell me all about it when he was ready.
I could wait for a while.
The next morning I woke up early. Cody was still asleep. This was a first, I decided to let him be, and crept out to the kitchen. Mom had left a note on the fridge. She was going to treat herself to a day at the spa, and wouldn't be back until tonight. Figuring Cody might still want his space; I grabbed a snack, scribbled a quick note, threw on my jacket and left the hotel.
The cold air bit at every exposed piece of me, but it was comforting. I let my feet do their thing while I went over last night. I know your thinking 'But Zack you're the popular twin, nothing is ever wrong in your world.' To be honest, life it usually pretty good to me I admit. But if there was one thing that always got under my skin, it was seeing Cody hurt.
Coming back to the real world, I noticed I was in front of the local gym. What better way to work off stress right? After buying a Gatorade I walked up to a punching bag and got started. Every punch was like a breath of fresh air, and soon working out was all that mattered. Just as I started getting my second wind that jerk Casey had to come marching in.
Of course the only free bag was next to mine...damn it. After buying a gallon of water, he walked up and started into the bag like it was routine for him. Even with his small frame he sent the bag for a loop now and again. The punches looked practiced, as if he was just going through the motions. I decided to make myself feel better.
"Not bad, for a wimp I mean, you're doing pretty good." Sarcasm dripping from every word. He closed his eyes as if fighting off a headache, muttered something in Italian and quickly went back to his exercise. "Hey if you're going to insult me back, at least speak properly." I prodded, trying to get him to leave.
I think I hit my mark.
He leaned back and pushed his shoulder length hair back away from his eyes, letting out a huge breath of air. He turned toward me, a playful yet confident glint in his eyes. "Zack, you're older than me so I'll be respectful this time. Please stop, you're embarrassing the both of us." He sighed, pulling off his hoodie and taking a long drink of water.
For some reason his calm attitude made me even more angry.
"That's it, just you and me tonight. We're settling this; I need to put you in your place kid." I huffed out, more out of frustration then anything. The jerk actually looked thoughtful before replying.
"Sure, if that's what you want. After my show tonight, just you and I Zachary. Should be entertaining." He finished, putting his hoodie back on, taking another long drink and leaving without so much as a wave. I turned back to my bag with new energy.
Eager to shut him up.
As I rode the elevator back to my suite, I was exhausted. Not because of that workout, oh no, but because of that annoying brother of Cody's. He just had a way of getting under my skin and irritating me. After tonight that would change, I reassured myself as the doors opened and I walked to my suite.
Reaching the door, I let out a long rattling breath before letting myself in and heading to our room. James was lying on his bed, his headphones on.
"Welcome back Casey! How was your morning?" He said cheerily, but with a knowing tone. I plopped down on my bed before answering.
"Workout went fine, ran into that jerk Zack there though. He's very, very annoying. I can't worry about that now though. After all it's my show tonight. Which reminds me I need to go set up..." I started but he cut me off.
"All taken care of. I know your theme; I've lived with you long enough." He stuck his tongue out at the ceiling and continued. "All you need to do is select the music and do your thing. Like Adrian told Cody, relax and enjoy big bro." He looked in my direction, grinning. With a grin of my own, I got up and ruffled his hair.
"I'm going to go take a shower. You stay put." I kissed him on the head before leaving. I
heard him mumble a comeback, before I shut the door. Stepping into the hot water felt amazing. As it stung my skin, everything else faded away. Surrounded in the mist I created, I felt my body relax. As I lathered my hair a new sensation came along.
As my entire body gave way to the comforting heat, my mind began to race. Flashes and pieces of thoughts whizzed by in seconds flat. An infectious grin plastered itself on my face as I laughed aloud at nothing in particular. I fell against the wall as a cackle that wasn't mine shook me from head to toe. I stopped abruptly as I heard a knock on the door.
" Hey Casey that you in there? I'm back and could use a shower to. Hurry up!" I heard Adrian call, frustration in his voice. Excited to have my twin back, and with that fake grin still on my face, I finished and toweled off.
Whatever this was could wait, my other half needed me.
Opening the door the first thing I noticed was my twin was sheet white. Any paler and he could blend in with the tile of the bathroom. He gave me a look that said he'd tell me later and lightly shoved me out, softly closing the door.
My parents were in the kitchen, which was a bit of a surprise. Before I could get into our room I heard my fathers commanding voice.
"Casey, seems like your brother is going to be useless awhile. Looks like you'll be taking over until he gets his head out of his ass." He stated matter-of -factually.
The energy hadn't left yet, and I blurted the first thing that came to mind. " Just like you two?" He had lifted me off the floor before I even finished the sentence. Feeling the door to our room start to open, I kicked it shut hard.
I heard a soft thud before my fathers open hand connected with my cheek, hurting my pride more then anything. Luckily my long hair covered the smirk still stuck on my face. Dropping me to the floor he glared into my bangs before leaving with mom at his heels. She gave me a sad look as she left.
"I mean heck, our shows make most of our money." I muttered to myself, heading into our room to check my face. When I saw James I just burst out laughing, only this one was real. He was on the floor staring up at the ceiling with his arms crossed and the meanest looking pout he could muster.
"What did the ceiling do Jimmy?" I managed to get out between fits of laughter. He stuck his tongue out before responding.
" Oh point me at you, you get the idea!" He huffed as I helped him up. "Everything Ok?" He asked.
"Yes kiddo, I said something stupid and Dad yelled at me. Why don't I get dressed, then you, Adrian and I can go downstairs and grab dinner before the show." I offered, picking him up and throwing him on his bed.
"Might want to put something on Dads "yelling" big bro." He stated nonchalantly. Sometimes this kid figured out things to well. I shook my head and started getting dressed. " You shouldn't do that with me in the room, you could scar my innocent mind." He chuckled at his little joke. Ok that deserves payback.
I threw a pair of fresh underwear at him and he started flailing around trying to throw it away. Satisfied I finished getting dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. After combing out mine and Jimmys hair, I bent down to ties his shoes when Adrian came in toweling off.
"Come on Bro we're identical but I don't need to see that." I jabbed, causing Jimmy to giggle.
He whipped me with his towel before getting dressed. "You're ok right?" He asked? I nodded and he sighed relieved. He gave me the signal to be quiet as he slipped out of the room a sec. He came back with one of moms flower hair clips.
"What are you doing?" Jimmy asked as Adrian fixed the clip into his hair.
"Casey here thought it would be funny to mess up your hair before we left. I need to fix it." Adrian said with a Cheshire cat grin.
" Thanks Adrian, he's such a jerk." Jimmy said sticking out his tongue. Shaking my head, Adrian and I took Jimmy hands and lead him to the elevator. As the elevator dinged our floor I swear I saw Adrians eyes shift.
A waitress greeted us at the the front of the hotel restaurant. " Just you gentlemen and your little sis? Such an cute flower in her hair." She cooed at my baby brother. He blushed a deep red for a sec before recovering. He gave a curtsy and thanked her, waited till she walked off, then stomped on our feet.
"Just you two wait." He muttered, before taking our hands and walking with us to our table. "Out." He ordered simply, as we sat down. Adrian took it out as a waiter came to take our order.
He stared at my brother and me a full ten seconds before Adrian cleared his throat. "You ok Mister?" Adrain asked, snapping him out of it. He shook his head like an Etch-a-Sketch before coming back to Earth.
" Sorry had a flashback about some other twins. My name is Patrick. May I take your order?" He flashed a smile. After my brother and I ordered chicken and mashed potatoes with gravy, Jimmy pulled Patrick down and whispered something. Patrick nodded and walked away as Jimmy smiled sweetly at us.
"Whaaat?" He asked innocently, tilting his head.
"Little imp." I called him, before turning my attention to Adrian. "So you got checked out right? Are you sick?" I asked, worried.
"Doctor said just stress and anxiety. Says I shouldn't do anymore Djing for at least two weeks and gave me some medicine." He finished pulling out a prescription bottle. He popped one in his mouth with a drink of water as if to prove what he said.
Our dinner arrived and we all tucked into our meal. Jimmy got a cheeseburger and started wolfing it down. "Easy, Easy." I warned. "Slow down, and your water is at eleven and napkin is at three." He nodded before wiping his mouth.
Suddenly two waitresses walking by shoved my brother and I face first into our mashed potatoes. We looked up, the waitresses were gone, and Jimmy was giggling his butt off as we growled. Adrian and I looked at each other before nodding. We both grabbed and handful of the thick gravy and threw it at Jimmy.
"SLIMY SLIMY I HATE SLIMY!" He wailed as we laughed. "You both are going to get it for that!" He hissed cleaning off his face. After we finished and made sure they put it on our parents bill, we made our way to the ballroom.
