Chapter Fourteen: Brothers
"Pay attention to this story, class. There were two brothers, named Romulus and Remus. Have you heard this one? It's about the foundation of Rome."
The teacher, who had a tone that changed between utterly boring and utterly annoying, decided to take a moment to explain Rome's beginnings. Carly's mind was wandering to her prom arrangements. Steven was going to pick her and Sam up. Gibby was taking Sam, and the boys were splitting the cost of transportation.
She cried out when the picture of a wolf man appeared on the screen. The class laughed, but the professor seemed unfazed.
"According to legend, Romulus and Remus were raised by a she-wolf, which gave them their strength. Yes, Miss Shay, I assume this is about the picture?"
Carly shook her head, "They were raised by a wolf?"
The teacher rolled his eyes long-sufferingly, "Yes, that's what I just said according to the legend. Of course, as with all brotherly tales, this one ended in bloodshed with one slaying the other to found Rome. Yes Miss Shay I see you."
Carly put her hand down.
The teacher went back to the subject, "When Rome's decay began, some writers turned to history to inspire the people to act more nobly. In this case, though, they found that their history was quite ignoble and that their nation had been founded by bloodshed, maintained by bloodshed, and before you ask," Not that anyone would, "It ended in bloodshed. Barbarians invaded to rape and pillage. Read chapters six and seven for tomorrow's report. Good day, class."
The students filed out. As always, Steven walked with her, "What was that all about?"
Carly sighed trying to put it into words, "I was just wondering about brothers."
Steven laughed, "You have one."
She scoffed, "I meant how brothers fight. I can't imagine killing Spencer."
He shrugged, "I am no fan of mine. We recently re-connected. It's like there's this competition, you know?"
Carly nodded. One of the reasons she suspected he was a dog was due to the fact that he lived alone. His mother was dead, and he had been estranged from his father. That and his leather jacket all reminded her of Griffin. Then again, he was kind and sweet. Besides which, it's not like he had to be a dog. Steven could be normal. It's not like the world was divided between dogs and not dogs. Well, perhaps to dogs that was true. But honestly, what was the point in playing it safe anymore?
They parted ways with a kiss. He touched Freddie's spot. She moaned. Maybe she let her guard down too early with him, but… she felt so safe with Steven! He held her close, and listened to her regardless of how busy he was.
"Hey… I've got great news! You know how that apartment across the hall is abandoned?"
Carly felt her heart breaking all over again. That was where she and Freddie…
"Well, you've got a new neighbor!"
"What?!"
Steven proclaimed, "ME!"
Carly's mouth opened comically, "Oh."
He apparently did not pick up on her lack of enthusiasm, going on about how they can see each other all the time now.
"We'll see each other every day now!"
"Oh," She said again. He seemed too happy to bring down. Her heart was breaking though. Apart from Marissa Benson's death, and Freddie's absence, Nevel had disappeared. Although only a junior officer of the FBI, he had been her protector.
She had not seen him in months.
"Carly, are you okay?"
"Yeah, just excited about prom, that's all!"
He smiled, staring past her, "Yeah, it'll be a night we'll never forget…"
Carly tried to put on a brave face. She knew her life would soon be over.