AUTHOR'S NOTE: Many thanks to Bonnie Sveen Fan, Braxton54, and Wee-Hoo, for reviewing, it's always appreciated and many thanks to our readers!
Casey and Romeo are now at Romeo's having some afternoon tea when Romeo thinks that now is as good a time as ever to question Casey on his treatment of Kyle.
"Dude, what was that all about with Kyle? You were a total jerk to him. What did he do to deserve that?" Romeo asks.
Casey lowers his head in shame. He has had time to cool off and he knows that the way he treated Kyle was not fair.
He was so mad about everything that Heath had done that he wanted to take it out on someone. Unfortunately that person was Kyle, someone who Heath was also tormenting.
"I was angry about the way Heath was treating me. He's being such a jerk. I just wanted to take my anger out on someone. I know now that the way I treated him was wrong and in no way fair," Casey mumbles and pulls out his phone.
"What are you doing?" Romeo asks.
"I'm calling Kyle to apologise. I need him to know that I'm so sorry for how I treated him," Casey sighs, "I called him a loser, what kind of person calls his own brother a loser?"
"Look: there is no denying that you were being a total jerk. But leave Kyle tonight, he'll have heaps of fun with Dex. I'll message Dex now and tell him to text me if Kyle is really upset, if he is then you can call him and talk. But you really hurt him, he may just want some space. After the way you treated him, that's the least you can do," Romeo instructs, being the oldest in the group made him the voice of reason a bit, mainly when Kyle wasn't there.
Casey lowers his head; he really wants to talk to Kyle now as the guilt is starting to really sink in.
"Let's play some Xbox; that will take your mind off it," Romeo suggests.
"Fine, I'll try," Casey sighs, but he doesn't think that he can forget how much he hurt Kyle.
The two of them then sit down and play some video games.
Kyle and Dex walk into the surf club and immediately see Indi with her friends.
"Hey little brother, hey Kyle!" Indi calls happily from the pool table.
"Do you guys wanna get yourselves a juice? I'll finish this game and then I'll take you home," Indi says, smiling as she hands over a ten dollar note.
"Thanks Indi," Kyle says blushing slightly.
Dex grabs ahold of the note and he and Kyle walk over to get their juices.
"They're adorable Indi!" A friend of Indi giggles.
After the boys get their juices and walk back to Indi and her friends one of the boys approaches them and throws his arms around both boys' necks.
"Indi they're so little!" he smiles and ruffles both the boys' hair.
"Let them go Chris," she laughs.
"Yeah man. Little Kyle there, is the River Boys little brother," Xavier laughs as he throws his arm around Indi.
Kyle's stomach drops. He understands that Indi would never go for him because he's so much younger but he's still jealous.
"Huh? This little guy?" Chris says panicked and walks away.
Dex nudges Kyle and smirks. Being the little brother of the river boys often makes people leave Kyle alone, he just wishes it worked the same way with his school bullies.
"They're my tough big brothers and they don't like people upsetting me," Kyle replies, grinning cheeky at Chris.
"Is that a threat?" Chris asks nervously; he never meant to upset the kid.
"Just a reminder," Dex says and he and Kyle laugh.
Soon Indi and her friends join in laughing; well other than Chris.
Indi looks at the look on Chris' face.
"Come on Chris. Lighten up," Indi laughs.
"Kyle's a little sweetie, he'd never get anyone hurt," Indi smirks and reaches over and ruffles Kyle's hair causing Kyle's stomach to flip and his cheeks to redden.
This causes Dex to roll his eyes and nudge his friend.
"Don't make it too obvious Romeo," Dex smirks, causing Kyle to roll his eyes and whisper in his friend's ear.
"I'm Kyle. Our other friend is Romeo," he laughs, sarcastically, causing Dex to hit his friend lightly around the head.
"Cheeky. Fine then: Casanova," he responds, causing Kyle to chuckle.
After a few more minutes Indi has finished playing pool and is ready to go.
"Let's go squirts," Indi smirks, causing Kyle to blush again and laugh lightly and Dex to roll his eyes.
"I'm your height, Indi!" Dex argues back and hits Kyle as he continues to laugh.
"It's not that funny! She said it to you as well," Dex smirks.
"Yeah, but in my case it's true," Kyle says sweetly as he looks at Indi.
"Aww," Indi smiles and then hits Dex lightly on the arm.
"Why can't all your friends be as sweet as Kyle?" she asks.
"Because no one is as kind as Kyle. If he was a food he would give you a filling," Dex smirks and ruffles Kyle's hair causing him to blush and shuffle his feet.
"And you're sure this kid is the river boy's little brother?" Chris asks, shocked that anyone linked to the river boys could be so pleasant.
"Yeah, he's definitely their little brother," Dex smiles as they walk out the surf club with Indi and Xavier.
"See you later babe!" Xavier says as they reach Indi's car and she unlocks it.
Xavier then pulls her in for a kiss.
"Look out! You've got some competition Kyle," Dex laughs in a whisper, and the two boys get into the car.
"Don't know what you're talking about," Kyle whispers just as Indi gets into the car.
"So what happened? Weren't you guys meant to go to Romeo's?" Indi asks, causing Kyle to drop his head.
"Kyle and Casey got into a fight. Some things were said and we agreed that it would be best if the two had some space from each other," Dex explains as he nudges Kyle and smiles at him.
Sadly Kyle doesn't smile back and just sighs lightly.
"I'm sorry to hear that Kyle. Siblings can be a drama sometimes," Indi comments.
"Hey! I resent that," Dex argues playfully.
"I wasn't just referring to you Dex. Sasha can be a bit of a pain sometimes when she borrows my things without asking," Indi replies.
"Anyway, Kyle; are you okay?" Indi asks sweetly as she glances at Kyle in the rear-view mirror.
Kyle lifts his head and smiles weakly at Indi and softly nods his head.
"So boys we're having KFC tonight but how about we swing past Maccas and get some cheese burgers?" Indi asks and turns back to smile at the boys.
"Yeah!" Dex yells out and smiles.
"But isn't that going out of your way?" Kyle asks timidly.
He didn't want Indi going out of her way just to get them for Dex and himself.
"It's fine Kyle. I feel like some cheeseburgers and it's not that far out of our way. We can play some music and sing as we drive, here you can pick the music." Indi says sweetly and hands her phone to Dex.
"Any suggestions?" he asks Kyle as he knows how much he loves music.
Kyle just shrugs and smiles at his best friend.
"You pick," Kyle whispers and looks out the window as Indi starts to drive.
"Any news from Dex?" Casey asks eagerly; he really wants to know how his brother is.
"Yeah, he says Kyle's a bit quiet but he's Kyle so that's nothing to worry about. He said he'll keep an eye on him and that they're just going to Maccas now," Romeo explains as he kills another Zombie.
"I still can't believe I said that. I mean I know he's always been bullied and Heath always shoves him around. I just can't believe I did it as well! I know what it's like to be shoved around by a brother and it's not fun. Brothers are meant to be there for you and not hurt you. I mean I know Ky and I have our fights sometimes but I really didn't mean it this time," Casey mumbles as he gets eaten by a zombie ending the game.
He throws away the controller in frustration.
"I get that and I understand you're upset. Just talk to Kyle tomorrow and you'll feel better," Romeo says and grabs a stack of movies.
"Here pick one; it'll be alright Casey, you know what Kyle's like. You two will talk and sort everything out," Romeo smiles and hands the movies to Casey before resting back on the couch.
Casey checks out all the DVDs and then comes across a Scream box-set and he holds it up to Romeo with a smile.
Romeo smirks and holds up a thumb in agreement.
Dex, Kyle, and Indi walk into the house and Sasha runs up to them.
"Oh, hey Kyle!" she smiles.
"Hey Sasha, how's things?" he asks, smiling timidly back at her.
He holds out a cheeseburger.
"Here, we went to Maccas and I didn't think it was fair that you missed out simply because you weren't there. Sorry if it's gone a bit cold," he says.
"Thanks!" Sasha says as she smiles at Kyle.
She has a crush on Casey but there is no denying that Kyle's a thoughtful person.
Just then Sid walks into the hallway.
"Hello Everyone; Kyle, how are you feeling?" he asks.
Dex had told him what had happened between Casey and Kyle when he told his Dad Kyle was going to stay at their place and Sid knows how timid Kyle is and figures he might be struggling given the emotional impact a sibling fight can have.
"Yeah, I'm okay thanks Dr. Walker. Here: I got you a cheeseburger as well," Kyle says and hands the cheeseburger over to Sid.
"Please Kyle, it's Sid, and you eat it. You're a growing boy after all," Sid reminds, smiling at the timid boy.
Kyle looks down embarrassed. He still remembers how embarrassed he was when Brax had taken him to see Sid because he was concerned that he wasn't eating enough.
Kyle unwraps the cheeseburger and takes a big bite, just in order to keep Sid happy that he was eating okay.
Dex nudges his best friend.
"Let's go to my room."
Dex and Kyle then make their way towards Dex's bedroom.
As soon as Dex gets into his room he pulls out his new lego set.
"Check this out man!" he beams with a wide smile.
Kyle quickly swallows his last bite of his burger and smiles.
"No way! The AT-AT walker! I've been wanting to get this! But since Case and I keep getting grounded it's hard to convince Brax to take us to the shops," Kyle comments grinning.
"Yeah, me and the girls helped Dad all weekend a couple weekends ago so he bought it for me on Sunday," Dex informs and grabs it off Kyle.
"You wanna help build it?" he asks.
Kyle drops his head and smiles at his friend.
"Nah, it's okay, man; you earned it, you shouldn't have to share it," Kyle says as he pulls the trundle bed out from under Dex's bed and collapses on it.
"You're right, I don't have to share, but I want to; especially with my best friend. So get your skinny butt up, put that trundle bed away, help me clear a space and help me build it," Dex orders then laughs as he reaches over and ruffles Kyle's hair.
Kyle smiles up at his best friend and does as he says so that they can start to build the LEGO together.
Casey and Romeo are now watching the first Scream movie and are laughing their heads off.
"Wazzup!" Casey and Romeo yell and laugh with each other; this line never fails to make the both of them laugh.
Just then Romeo's phone beeps.
"It's Dex, he says he and Kyle are about to make some LEGO and that he seems good. He's smiling and being his usual self. Honestly, if your brother was an animal, he would be a fricken puppy. Cute and too loveable for his own good," Romeo says laughing, as he pauses the movie.
"Do you remember that time when we were seven and we were at the mall with my parents. Kyle ordered his happy meal but never touched his burger. We couldn't figure it out, then as we were walking to the car, he grabbed my Dad's hand and they went over to this homeless guy and he gave him his burger," Romeo says, with a smile, as he recalls the day.
"Yeah, then that night Brax lectured him about keeping himself safe and to not approach strangers," Casey chuckles.
He remembers how innocent Kyle had been and how much he had cried about being yelled at, only for him to innocently say that no one should ever go hungry.
"Do you think that's why he's sometimes a target?" Romeo asks, frowning at Casey.
Over the years they've seen Kyle be bullied all through school by different groups of kids.
"I guess, then there's the fact that he's super smart," Casey replies, nodding his head.
"True. He's lucky to have you as a brother. You've always protected him," Romeo reassures as he knows Casey is still beating himself up for what happened at the park.
Casey smiles at Romeo and nods his head.
"He's lucky to have you as a friend as well," Casey replies as he knows Romeo has protected Kyle just as much as he has.
"Anyway, speaking of your Dad, do you still hear from him?" Casey asks.
His best friend's parents had got a divorce and his Dad had left the bay, Romeo never really talked about him.
"Not really since the divorce four years ago, I only really ever heard from him once a month and now I only hear from him on my birthday and on Christmas," Romeo sighs sadly, he really misses his Dad.
"Mum says he calls less because it hurts him too much, but I don't know," Romeo mumbles.
"That sucks mate," Casey sighs, he couldn't imagine Brax not being around, despite how strict he could be sometimes.
"Yeah, the worst thing is that I keep thinking that it's something I did wrong and as many times as I tell myself it's not true there is this tiny part of me that says it's all my fault," Romeo mumbles.
"Well don't listen to that tiny part Romeo, it definitely isn't your fault. Now let's shut up and watch the movie. We're starting to sound like a bunch of girls talking about our feelings like this," Casey dismisses and punches his best friend in the arm.
"Yeah, or Dex and Kyle," Romeo says with a smirk.
Both boys once again settle in and Romeo unpauses the movie.