CHAPTER 4
I ran down the street as fast as my legs would carry me. But my legs were weakening with each stride and I knew then that I would have to stop soon, or else I would collapse. It already happened once already. I had this problem with my ankles, they were really weak, and nobody knew what was wrong or anything. Steve thinks it might be growing pains, but I highly doubt it. My ankles have been hurting for months now.
I managed to get to park before I collapsed. My knees gave in and I fell, staying there for a few minutes before getting up, walking over to a large oak tree and climbing up into it. Once I got in and to a thick enough branch, I leaned against the trunk of the growing tree and cried. I didn't want to, but the tears were fighting against me and eventually won.
I held my head in my hands and let the tears fall freely. At least no one was there to see me, right? I hoped not. I still had a reputation to keep up, even if mine isn't for the kinds of purposes others have.
But that didn't bother me much…
What bothered me was that my brother kept those scars a secret from me for God knows how long. I would've found out sooner or later anyway… he could've told me and got it over easier than this. He didn't have to keep it a secret from me. He knows I don't anybody anything. He probably told Sodapop… he tells Soda everything… but, why not me? He knew it would hurt me more if I found out by him not tell me himself. So, why'd he do it?
I shook my head to try and be rid of the tears, but it didn't work… they kept coming back. Giving up, I let them run down my face in silent rivers and leaned against the tree. I hope Steve doesn't come looking for me, 'because I really don't want to see him at the moment… I don't want to explode on him again… that must've hurt Steve a lot… the way I just hollered and ran like that… and I didn't even mean to. It all happened so fast…
"Jay? Are you here Buddy?" It was Steve… so he did come looking for me…
"In here," I answered, expressionlessly.
I heard him climbing up, and, before I knew it, he poked his head up, along with his arm, and tickled my side.
Laughing, I said, "Quit it! C'mon! Stop it, Steve!" The more Steve tickled, the harder I laughed. And eventually, I laughed to the point where I was crying. "Stop!" I half-laughed, half-cried to him.
"Aww, but it's so much fun!" Steve complained with a grin.
I had to smile back. No matter what, like Sodapop, Steve always made me smile. But that smile quickly faded when I remembered what happened, and I turned away from him.
I heard Steve sigh heavily, and I could tell he was still pretty beat up about it. I sighed myself, but stayed turned away from him.
"Jay…"
"Hmm?" I asked, turning my head a little, to get a glance at his face.
His grey eyes plainly showed sadness and I felt a little bad. "I shouldn't have done that to you… I should've let you know as soon as possible… I shouldn't have hid the scars from you…"
I looked at him again, and turned to face him. "Steve… its okay… I would've found out sooner or later…" I looked at the trunk of the old tree and started absent-mindedly picking off some loose bark. Eventually, I built up enough courage, and somehow, we managed to say it at the same time…
"I'm sorry."
Steve grinned and I felt my ears getting hot, but I also smiled. He was my brother after all, and even though he was tough and as hard as nails, he still deserves to be smiled at.
"You first, Steve," I said, poking him in the shoulder.
"Alright…" he said, "I'm sorry I hid the scars from you all this time. I really shouldn't have… will you ever forgive me?"
I thought for a minute. "Maybe…" I said and grinned, "Of course I will Steve. You're forgiven."
Steve grinned lightly. "Your turn," he said, poking my shoulder.
"Okay, I'm really sorry I exploded on you like that… and ran off like that… I shouldn't have… probably had you worried huh?" Steve nodded and I continued, "I'm sorry if I worried you too. I wasn't thinking straight… better yet, I wasn't thinking at all… so… will you forgive me?" I asked and gave him the puppy eyes.
He threw his head back, grinning, and muttered something I couldn't hear. "Of course I will, Jayson."
"Steve Mitchell Randle! I told you never to use my name like that. I told you to call me Jay," I said throwing my arms up in the air.
"And I told you never to use my full name, Jayson Blaire Randle!" he said flinging his own arms up in the air, which wasn't a very smart idea, 'cause it resulted in a crash. He fell out of the tree and landed on his back, but he was okay. HE LIVES!
I swung out of the tree and landed beside him. "You okay, Steve?" I asked with fake worry. I knew he would be okay. His back might hurt for a while, but that's pretty much it.
"Yeah… I'm fine."
I sighed and said, "That wasn't very smart, now was it, Steve?"
"No," he answered, "it wasn't at all… let's get going to the Curtis', alright?"
He got up, stumbled a couple of steps but regained his balance quickly.
I smiled, putting my arm around my brother's waist. "Sure," I answered. And before I knew it, we were leaving the park behind and heading in a familiar direction once again.
