Chapter 50 – Big brother's advice
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Thank you to those: reading, reviewing, following and favouriting. Hope you all enjoy this chapter. :)
Casey 14, Heath 21 ½, Brax 26, Ruby 14
Casey was sitting in his History class when the door opened; revealing Mrs. Palmer and a young girl with long, dark brown hair, and an average build.
"Mrs. Jefferson, this is a new student: Ruby Buckton; she has just moved here," Gina explained.
Mrs. Jefferson nodded, "Are you familiar with the topic of the Australian colony?"
Ruby shrugged, "Yeah I was learning most of that in my last school, but I don't have the textbook."
"I will get you one at the end of the lesson, but in the meantime, you should pick it up quite quickly. Please take a seat; there is a spare spot available next to Casey," Mrs. Jefferson instructed.
Casey gazed up at the girl and his eyes widened.
She's so beautiful, Casey thought.
"Casey, Casey!" Mrs. Jefferson yelled.
Casey shook himself out of thought as Ruby took a seat next to him.
"I asked if you would be so kind as to offer Miss Buckton your textbook while we go on with our lesson."
Casey felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment and passed his textbook into the middle of the desk so Ruby could share.
"Thanks," Ruby whispered, giving Casey a sweet smile.
Casey quickly turned away so he wasn't blushing.
At regular intervals Casey kept glancing over at Ruby, but not saying a word, while Ruby busily wrote down the class notes.
When the bell signaling the end of class rang, Ruby stood up from her seat.
"Thanks again for lending me your textbook," she said to Casey.
"No problem. I'm Casey by the way," Casey introduced, though some would say quite clumsily.
Ruby smirked, "I know."
"Oh, yeah, sorry," Casey replied quickly, wanting to forget that had just happened.
Ruby turned back to the desk, as Casey was picking up his school bag.
"Look, do you mind maybe showing me around and helping me find my classes?" Ruby asked.
"Finding friends around here is a bit of a hard task at the moment," Ruby commented; glancing around at all the students walking through the classroom in their designated social groups.
Casey gave a wide smile.
"Sure, I remember it being hard for me when I first started here," Casey reassured the young teen.
"What's your next class? Maybe it's the same as mine; I've got music and I could walk you there; we should go now," Casey said in a hurry; letting his nerves get the better of him and in the moment of quickly standing up, he dropped his books on the floor at Ruby's feet.
Ruby silently smiled, watching Casey hurriedly gather up his books. Speaking to girls was still foreign to Casey and so far he was beginning to have strange sensations about new girl, Ruby.
"My next class is Science, but I have to grab my History textbook," Ruby answered softly and gestured towards the teacher's desk.
"Sorry I forgot. I guess I'll just wait outside," Casey replied, feeling slightly embarrassed as he stood back up.
Why were these feelings happening? I've never been so nervous around people before and why am I sweating? I hope I haven't just made Ruby think I'm some weirdo she should avoid like the plague. Casey couldn't help but wonder.
Casey walked out of the classroom and waited for Ruby to come out.
"Well I got my book. So, my Science room is...number forty-two," Ruby stated, checking out her timetable.
"That's just down the stairs and to the right. My music class is near there, so I'll walk you," Casey suggested, having had a chance to compose himself, however he could feel his heart pounding in his chest just being around her.
When the day ended, Casey walked into the Braxton house and tossed his bag onto the floor before flopping down onto the couch with a goofy grin on his face.
"Hi Casey," Cheryl greeted, as she made herself a cup of tea.
She was over visiting her boys for the afternoon and since Brax had moved Casey, Heath, and himself out of her home in Mangrove River, Brax had continued to support Cheryl, with the promise she would also help herself.
Staying true to her word, Cheryl had gotten help for her drinking and had since been on the mend, though she was still going to AlcoRecovery, an elite Alcohol rehabilitation group, her drinking habits had improved.
"How was school?" Cheryl questioned.
"Yeah fine Mum," Casey replied, with an unusual tone.
"Oi, what's with you?" Heath asked, giving his little brother a playful punch in the arm.
"Nothing Heath," Casey replied nervously.
Heath smirked.
"Ah, no there's not. I know that face...Casey's got himself a girlfriend!" Heath sung out and laughed.
Casey's face turned bright red with embarrassment.
"No I don't; so shut up!" Casey growled.
Heath laughed.
"Yes you do," Heath teased and shook Casey's arm.
"Who is she? Is she really hot?" Heath asked eagerly.
"You ain't getting yourself involved with girls already are you Casey?" Cheryl asked, walking over to the couch.
"You are still far too young," Cheryl pointed out, brushing her hand over Casey's hair.
In her mind Casey was still her baby and she did not want him to grow up and face the world just yet.
"Mum!" Casey protested and shifted away from her touch.
This was not a conversation he wanted to be having after school, and especially not with Heath and his Mum.
"Hey, what's going on in here?" Brax asked as he walked through the door.
"Casey's got a girlfriend!" Heath teased and ruffled Casey's hair.
"I do not!" Casey defended, shoving Heath off himself and giving his older brother a scowl.
Brax raised his eyebrow at Casey and motioned for him to follow him outside.
Casey got up to follow his brother.
"Don't forget the talk Brax!" Heath yelled with a laugh.
"Heath Braxton, mind your business with that kind of talk," Cheryl warned, taking a seat next to her son on the couch.
Heath shrugged.
"What? Just having a little fun," Heath said in his defense.
Casey stood next to Brax against the porch.
"What was all that about in there?" Brax asked, nodding his head towards Casey.
Casey stood in silence, feeling too embarrassed at the unusual feelings he was having rush inside him.
As much as Casey trusted Brax, he wasn't sure just how he could explain how he felt; in case Brax thought he was somehow weird or abnormal.
Casey had a surge of anxiety ripple through his stomach, and at every thought of Ruby, he was beginning to feel a brief tightness down below; a feeling he had never experienced before either.
Brax nudged his brother.
"'Ey, what's going on; talk to me," Brax encouraged.
"Is what Heath banging on about true; you got a girl?" Casey glanced up at Brax, seeing his older brother's trusting eyes and blushed in embarrassment.
"Well, there's this girl that has just starting going to the school and we've talked a bit today and I've helped her find her way around to her classes," Casey explained nervously.
Brax smiled briefly as he watched his brother for the first time talk about a girl.
"The thing is, Brax...I think I like her," Casey spat out.
Brax smirked, "Yeah I kind of got that bit. So this girl, how much do you like her Case?"
Casey shrugged and gave Brax a goofy smile.
"She's really pretty and seems really nice. I just, I don't know...Brax, how do you ask a girl out and how do you even know if she likes you?"
Casey was beginning to feel more comfortable talking about relationship advice with his big brother.
Brax smiled, he hadn't even pictured the day his baby brother would be grown up enough to ask him girl advice.
"Brax, what should I do?" Casey asked, breaking Brax's thoughts.
"Huh? Oh yeah, um, Case, it's always hard figuring out if a girl likes you and sometimes you need to take the risk and just ask her out; take her to the movies or for a drink at the surf club. It's important to get to know her before you feel like going steady. Do you think she likes you? I mean does she smile and seem interested?"
Casey shrugged.
"I think so. How do I approach her to ask her out?" Casey asked with some desperation; really wanting to gain as much advice from his big brother, whose opinion he valued so highly.
Brax sighed, "Well you wait until you've both got a quiet moment together, or you can take her aside to ask her and just ask if she'd like to go for a drink or hangout, whatever," Brax explained.
Casey thought for a moment but still seemed skeptical.
"I know its nerve-wrecking the first time mate."
"I don't want to stuff it up; what if I stumble on my words or can't say it right?"
Brax gave his brother a smile and rubbed his shoulder.
"You'll be fine Case. Why don't you give it a quick shot now?" Brax suggested.
Casey looked confused, furrowing his brow.
"Go on, pretend I'm the girl and you're asking me out. Get some practice in and you know I won't judge you if you mess up, so go on," Brax encouraged, waving his hand towards his brother.
Casey made a bashful smile but glanced up at his brother.
"Um, if you're free did you want to go for a drink?"
Brax nodded, "Not bad, but maybe try not to make it so frank. Try again."
"I was wondering if you wanted to go for a drink maybe later or hang out with me?"
Brax nodded in approval again.
"That's better, but try using 'please' and 'like' a bit more," Brax suggested.
Casey shuffled, feeling that the whole exercise was pointless.
"Don't get discouraged; give it one more try."
Casey sighed, "I was wondering if you'd please go for a drink with me or hang out, if you'd like that is?"
Brax nodded and smiled at his brother, but the moment was quickly interrupted.
"I don't know if Brax is ready for you to ask him out like that Case? I sure as hell wouldn't be. What would your new found girlfriend think?" Heath teased.
Casey turned to face Heath, feeling mortified as Heath chuckled out loud.
Brax grunted and shook his head.
"Come 'ere," Brax motioned towards his younger brother.
None the wiser Heath approached his older brother still laughing.
When Heath was close enough, Brax stepped nearer and clipped him across the back of the head.
"Oi: bit uncalled for! What was that for?!" Heath exclaimed.
Brax gestured towards Casey who was sulking with a frustrated scowl on his face.
Heath frowned, rubbing the back of his head.
"What are you doing out here anyway?" Brax asked.
"I could say the same to you; my brothers secretly talkin'; or should I say lovebirds."
Heath couldn't stop himself laughing out loud, thinking back to Casey asking Brax 'out'.
"Get to the point Heath, before I clip ya round the head again," Brax pushed.
"I came out to tell ya that Mum's staying for dinner and wants to order in Chinese food," Heath said.
Casey shook his head, not wanting to be near Heath after he had just made fun of him over his girl troubles. Casey went to walk off, only to have Brax tug him back.
"We'll just be a minute," Brax said firmly.
Heath shrugged and turned to walk back inside but couldn't resist a final tease.
"Don't get too close big fella; he might try one on ya: mm-wah, haha!"
Heath let out a raucous laugh after making a kissing gesture at his brothers.
Brax scowled, while Casey turned bright red; hating his older brother right now for making fun of him.
"Heath, just get out of here!" Brax ordered, pointing towards the house.
Heath stumbled away laughing his lungs out and clapping.
"See ya lovebirds!"
"Ignore him Casey; he's an idiot. I'll smack him around the head later," Brax stated.
Casey only shook his head angrily.
"Forget it; it's stupid!" he yelled.
"It's not stupid Case. Heath's just probably jealous you got a girl when he don't, heh?" Brax said, giving Casey a playful shove.
Casey kept his angry scowl for some time until Brax's nudging finally took its toll, making the young teen force a smile.
"Just be yourself and you'll be fine; trust me she'll appreciate you much more that way."
Casey nodded in agreement.
"One more thing though Casey..."
Casey looked up to face his brother.
"Think smart; don't go rushing into anything, understood?" Brax said firmly.
"Yeah, I won't," Casey replied sheepishly.
Brax smiled: who'd have thought his innocent little brother was about to make a big milestone in his life.
Brax turned to walk into the house as Casey ran his hand over the porch rail nervously; it was now or never to confide in his brother about his weird feelings.
"Um: Brax?" Casey called.
Brax looked back at his brother.
"Something else bothering you Case?" Brax asked.
Casey shrugged.
"I...I have this feeling when I think about her..."
Casey stopped and shook his head, facing away from his brother.
Brax rested his hand on his shoulder.
"Like what Case?"
Casey briefly glanced at Brax before turning his head down shamefully.
"It's nothing."
"Case, if it's bothering you: tell me," Brax affirmed.
"It's just...it hurts and feels kind of tight...you know; down there," Casey explained and discreetly pointed downwards as his face flushed.
Brax held back a smirk at what his brother was referring to and slapped his shoulder.
"Is there something wrong with me?" Casey asked.
Brax shook his head and squeezed Casey's shoulder.
"Nah mate: you're perfectly normal. These things just happen during this time in your life when you like a girl," Brax explained.
Casey smiled at his brother, accepting the reassurance.
"Has it ever happened to you?" Casey wondered.
Brax chuckled and gave a nod.
"Yeah it has and Heath too, but don't ever ask him about his year eight gym class with a girl named Cynthia," Brax said, to which Casey furrowed his brow in confusion.
"Trust me mate: you wouldn't want to know," Brax laughed.
Casey smiled, "Thanks Brax."
"Any time Case. Now come on; can't have Mum and Heath whining about being hungry."
Over the next few days, Casey and Ruby became a little more acquainted and while Ruby was talking to Casey about the history assignment, Casey took up the courage to use the moment to ask her out.
"Ruby?"
"Yeah?" she replied, turning her full attention onto Casey.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, it's not about the Australia centenary of federation is it; because I know nothing about that," Ruby replied, rolling her eyes and giving a laugh.
"No, it's not about our history assignment," Casey replied, feeling a little nervous.
"I wanted to...well I was wondering if you'd like to go grab a smoothie with me after school and maybe be my...you know..."
"Girlfriend?" Ruby finished; flattered by Casey's bashfulness.
Casey nodded and blushed slightly, having had his hand nervously rubbing the back of his head.
Ruby gave a sweet smile, "I'd really love that."
After school Casey and Ruby were on their way to the diner, but Casey realized he didn't have enough money.
"Um, can we stop in at Angelo's for a second? I just have to see my brother and get some money for our drinks," Casey asked.
"Sure, I'd be happy to meet your brother."
Brax noticed Casey walk into Angelo's with a young girl and smiled to himself.
"Hey: Brax?" Casey asked, approaching his brother.
"Hi Casey; whose the lovely lady?" Brax asked, using his charming friendly tone.
"This is my Ruby; my girlfriend," Casey beamed.
Brax smiled proudly at his brother.
"Hi: Mr. Braxton," Ruby greeted.
"Call me Brax. What can I do you for Casey?"
"Um, Ruby and I were gonna go the diner for some smoothies but I kind of don't have enough money..."
Brax raised his eyebrow at his brother, "So you came to ask me for some?"
Casey shrugged and let go of Ruby's hand, following his brother towards the counter.
"Please Brax?"
Brax smiled and took a glance at Ruby.
"She seems real nice Casey, just remember everything I said."
"I will."
Brax nodded and pulled his wallet out of his pocket, handing Casey a twenty-dollar bill.
"Don't be out too late, you still got homework," Brax said sternly.
"I know; I won't. Thanks Brax."
"Enjoy yourself," Brax smiled.
Casey waved goodbye and ran back to Ruby.
"Bye Brax!" Ruby called and received a wave from the oldest Braxton.
"You're brother seems nice. What's it like living with them? Has Brax always been your guardian?" Ruby asked.
"No, we only moved here last year. We used to live in Mangrove River with my Mum," Casey explained.
"You never told me where you moved from," Casey asked, as the two walked into the diner taking a seat.
"My Mum and I moved here from the Northern Coast. We had to move when she got a job offer here."
"That's a big move."
"Yeah, it was hard giving up all my friends, but it also meant we got away from my Dad," Ruby explained.
Casey was about to ask what happened there, when Irene approached them.
"Hello loves; what can I get for ya?"
"Can I please have a banana smoothie and can we get a piece of the lemon cake to share," Casey asked.
"Sure, and for you?" Irene asked Ruby.
"Can I get the strawberry smoothie please?"
"Sure, it won't be long Darls," Irene concluded and walked off behind the counter.
Irene placed down the young teenagers orders.
Casey took a sip of his smoothie.
"So you said about your Dad?" Casey asked.
Ruby shifted in her seat.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, you don't have to tell me. It's just I grew up mostly without a Dad too," Casey said.
"No, it's okay. My Dad well, wasn't really a proper Dad. I was raised by Charlie, my Mum, thinking she was my sister and it wasn't until I turned fourteen that I found out she was actually my Mum and that my Dad raped her and that's how I was conceived."
Casey's eyes widened, he had no idea what to say.
"Um, wow. I'm sorry."
Ruby shook her head and smiled, "Its fine. What about you and your brothers, do you get along?"
Casey nodded.
"Mostly; my second oldest brother, he likes to pick on me, but we have fun and Brax, who you just met, he's like my Dad and makes rules and stuff for me, but he's always looking out for me," Casey explained.
"Sounds like you're very lucky to have them."
"Yeah, I am."
Casey and Ruby finished their drinks and cake and Casey walked Ruby back home.
"I guess I'll see you at school," Casey said.
"Yeah I guess so. Casey, thanks for taking me out this afternoon, I really enjoyed it."
"Me too," Casey said quietly.
The silence between them was awkward at first, as they both gazed into each other's eyes.
"I should um, go," Casey announced and turned away.
"Casey, wait," Ruby called, placing her hand around his.
Casey turned back and looked at Ruby's hand gripping his wrist.
The two locked eyes again and in a split second leaned in for a kiss.
Casey pulled away; blushing slightly and smiling down at Ruby while licking his lips, feeling the essence of his first kiss.
"See ya Casey," Ruby finished.
Casey fare-welled his girlfriend and left on his way home, feeling giddy and full of emotions he had never felt before.
Casey walked through the front door and limply flopped himself onto the couch, not even noticing either of his brothers in the kitchen.
"Hey Casey, how did your 'date' go?" Brax asked; Casey however was still lost in thought over the kiss.
"O...kay," Heath commented then realized Casey's look.
"You got one didn't ya?"
Casey was still in a daze.
"He got one, big fella," Heath laughed, slapping Brax's chest.
Brax eyed Heath and approached Casey, slapping his leg.
"Oi! We're talking to you!"
Casey shook out of his thought and looked up to Brax and noticed Heath laughing.
"What? Sorry," Casey mumbled.
"Ha, I knew it!" Heath announced.
"How was your afternoon, Casey?" Brax asked.
Casey stared at his brothers.
"She kissed me; we kissed," Casey whispered and suddenly felt a hard punch in his upper arm, courtesy of Heath.
"Atta' boy, Case!" Heath cheered.
Brax smiled and rubbed Casey's knee.
"I'm pleased for you mate, just take it slow okay. I don't want you getting hurt."
Casey nodded, continuing to wear his goofy smile; surely nothing could go wrong with a girl like Ruby; she was perfect.
