Chapter 11 - Forgive

The next day, Martin woke up to the sound of knocking at his door. He yawned, stretching his arms over his head before lazily climbing out of bed. He shuffled to the door, bare-footed and rubbed his eyes. Finally, he opened the door and was face-to-face to Diana.

She blinked at him and half narrowed her eyes. "You're still not ready?" she asked, half accusingly.

Martin blinked back slowly and lazily. "May I help you?"

Diana scowled slightly. "Yes, actually. I want to talk to you."

"I don't know, I'm not really in a talking-to-Diana-Lombards mood. Come back tomorrow and then maybe – "

"Put a sock in it, Martin. I'll be waiting in the front courtyard so meet me out there once you're dressed." And without another word, she hustled the other way, her hair swishing behind her.

When Martin had washed up and gotten dressed, he met Diana in the front courtyard as asked to. She was sitting on a bench, alone thankfully and when she spotted him, she rose to her feet. "That took forever."

"Good morning to you, too," Martin replied wryly, crossing his arms over his chest. "So, what do you want?"

Diana pressed her lips together. "Yesterday, you just walked off and I didn't get a chance to thank you. I know you're the one who knew where I was because Marvin probably didn't even know about the secret room. Also, you know me better than he does."

Martin raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Really?"

"Of course. You're my step-brother. We've known each other for eleven years, haven't we? I know a lot about you Martin."

Martin didn't know how to respond to that, so instead he said, "So how come Marvin got a hug?"

Diana lifted her eyebrows. "A hug?"

Martin's face grew slightly warm and he averted his eyes to the ground. "Never mind," he muttered.

"Do you...want a hug?"

He made a casual, "pfft" noise. "Hugs? That's so...so mushy. Let's just do a cool handshake or something – "

He didn't have time to finish his sentence. Diana rose on her tiptoes and suddenly threw her arms around him, pressing closely against him. Martin was so shocked by this sudden action, he stumbled back a bit, his hands automatically flying to Diana's waist. "Whoa."

Diana slowly pulled back after a moment, her face gradually turning red. "I – I didn't mean to do that out of nowhere. I'm – "

"It's fine," Martin said, half stammering. "It's just a, um, hug, right? It wasn't – uh – "

The two of them stared at each other, both their faces red. Martin wasn't sure if it could get any more awkward. "So, was that all?" he finally asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Y-yeah," Diana said, ducking her head. "I guess."

Martin nodded and then paused. "I actually have to apologize," he said in sudden realization. Diana looked up questioningly. "About yesterday. When I...I...I kissed you."

Diana's expression froze and her body visibly tensed. "Oh. That. Martin, don't talk about that."

"No," Martin cut in. "If we don't talk about it now, we won't ever be able to. We need to clear up this – this misunderstanding."

Diana's jaw slightly tightened. "What's there to misunderstand? You kissed me. That's it."

"And what about when you kissed me back?"

Diana glared up at him and quickly, Martin added, "It's both of our faults, I'm not just blaming you."

She exhaled shakily, keeping her eyes downcast. "I wish it had never happened," she whispered and for a moment, Martin thought he heard fear in her voice. Was Diana scared? "It wasn't right, Martin."

"I know," he whispered back, my heart wringing painfully. "I know it wasn't."

The bell rang, indicating that it was time for first period to begin and Diana quickly straightened her back. "Let's get to class," she said, trying her best to look casual. "Don't wanna be late."

"Of course you don't," Martin tried to joke, but his usual laidback self wasn't in it. Suddenly, his phone rang and he fished it out from his pocket. "Go to class without me, I'll catch up," he told Diana as he answered. Diana nodded and rushed off.

"Hello?" Martin answered.

"Son? Is that you?"

Martin's eyes widened a fraction and his lips curled into a wide smile. "Dad!" he exclaimed. "I – what are you doing? Why'd you call? Is something wrong?"

"Is it a crime to call my son and see how he is doing?" Martin's father responded, his laughter gruff and booming. "How is school?"

"Great, I guess. Still falling asleep in classes and getting A's."

"You know your education isn't to be taken as a joke, Martin," his father scolded him. "But that's besides the point. The reason I'm calling is because I've been informed that winter break is coming soon?"

Martin was puzzled. "It is. Why?"

"Well, how would you and your sister feel, spending the break with your old man?"

Later...

"What's wrong Marty?" Billy asked, peering over at Martin. "You look...confused."

Martin let out a sharp exhale. "I am confused, Billy!" he groaned. "Why would Dad ask Diana and me to come home over the break?"

"It's not really confusing, Marty," Billy objected. "Maybe he just wants to spend time with his kids."

"Okay, fine maybe, but how am I supposed to handle staying in the same house as Diana?"

"Haven't you done it for...oh, I don't know, eleven years of your life already?"

Martin gave Billy a long look. "Billy, it's different now."

"Why does it have to be?" Billy asked softly.

Martin groaned again, burying his face in his hands. "I don't know, Billy, I don't. But let's talk about something other than my life. How is yours?"

When Martin glanced at Billy, he noticed that his friend's face was slightly red. "I-it's fine," Billy stammered. "Why do you ask?"

Martin raised an eyebrow. "Because it's what friends do? Seriously Billy, you've been acting weird lately. What's up?"

"Nothing," Billy muttered.

Martin's eyes lit up. "Hey, is it about your whole love life thing?"

Billy's head shot up immediately, his eyes wide. "W-what?"

"Are you seeing someone?"

"No!" Billy shouted and his sudden outburst surprised Martin. He took a shaky breath, lowering his eyes to the ground. "I'm sorry, Martin, I didn't mean to yell. Nothing is wrong."

Martin slowly nodded, regarding his friend with concerned eyes. "Billy, we're best friends. You know you can tell me anything."

"I know," Billy whispered, hugging himself. "But sometimes Martin, there's those things you can't tell someone."

I know exactly how it feels, Martin thought.