AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you to Bonnie Sveen Fan and Braxton54 for your reviews and thank you everyone continuing to read!


It is only about twenty minutes later when there is a knock on the office door.

"Come in," Bianca calls out.

Roxanne, the messenger lady pokes her head inside Bianca's office.

"Miss. Scott, I have Mr. Braxton here," she announces.

"Let him in," Bianca replies.

Roxanne opens the door to let Brax into the office.

Brax sighs heavily as he lays eyes on Kyle all slumped in the chair.

"Thanks for coming Brax; take a seat if you don't mind," Bianca instructs.

Brax pulls out a chair next to Kyle and gives Kyle's shoulder a comforting squeeze as he sits down.

"Are you okay, Kyle?" Brax questions with concern.

Kyle nods his head but avoids eye contact with Brax, feeling embarrassed that he was to be collected from school again because of a bullying incident.

Despite Brax's reassurance, it didn't make Kyle feel any less weak.

"So you said on the phone, this Wesley and Grant kid attacked Kyle again?" Brax demands.

"Yes, Kyle was found by a year twelve student who brought Wesley and Grant to me..."

"And is something more going to be done about this now? I don't want Kyle constantly targeted. He's a good kid who does well in school but how can he learn anything properly if he's constantly in fear of being bullied by these perpetrators?" Brax voices loudly.

"Believe me Brax, I understand your frustrations and I will be dealing with Wesley and Grant harshly seeing as this is their second serious offence and I have decided the appropriate punishment would be to expel them," Bianca informs.

"Good. I wouldn't want them having any more chances to get at Kyle," Brax says firmly.

Bianca receives another knock on the door and Roxanne enters for a second time.

"Ms. James and Mr. and Mrs. Peary are here to see you."

"Please excuse me, Wesley and Grant's parents are here. Take it easy for the afternoon Kyle and if you need anything please let me know. Thanks for coming to pick him up Brax," Bianca says.

"No worries Bianca, thanks for looking out for him and contacting me, and I'm sorry if I got a little hot headed. Finding out my little brother has been bullied again worries me," Brax replies.

Kyle blushes, feeling awkward as Brax talks about him to Bianca.

"Don't worry, I understand," Bianca says, smiling and exits her office to greet the bully's parents.

As Brax and Kyle leave, Kyle glances over in the adjacent room and can see Wesley and Grant's withdrawn demeanor in their chairs with their parents hovering over them and what appeared to be some angry yelling coming from both parties.

Kyle and Brax hop into Brax's Ute.

"Well, little man, if you hang out with me for the afternoon I've got some supply runs I need to take care of, so I'll be coming and going from the restaurant" Brax informs.

Kyle groans, finding Brax's supply runs so boring.

"I could always drop you off with Heath at the gym, seeing as he finishes at four today?" Brax suggests.

Kyle hesitates to answer.

"Can't I just go rest at home?" Kyle whispers, not really fond of the idea of hanging out with Heath considering he was the reason for the bullying.

"Normally yes, but I'm concerned about your mental health after another run in with the bullies and I just think you should be around someone who can support you," Brax replies as he starts up the engine.

"I guess I'll hang out with Heath, that way I can get home sooner," Kyle mumbles.

"Good man," Brax praises and gently slaps Kyle on the thigh.

Brax fronts up at the gym and Kyle grabs his bag and follows his big brother inside.

"Hey: Big Fella, what are you doing here? Kyle? Shouldn't you be at school?" Heath greets.

"There was another incident at school with bullying and Bianca notified me to collect Kyle and take him off school for the afternoon. Now because I am busy with supply runs and won't get home until late, Kyle is staying here with you until you finish and can take him home," Brax informs.

"Fair enough; he can stay in the office and do his homework or read one of his books," Heath replies and holds out his arm for Kyle to approach him.

"See you when I get home," Brax says and pats Kyle on the shoulder as he walks towards Heath.

"Any issues just let me know."

"Everything will be fine Big Fella," Heath replies and wraps his strong arm around Kyle's shoulder.

Brax leaves and Heath gives Kyle a rough side hug.

"Why don't you go put your bag down in the office and make yourself comfortable at the desk," Heath instructs.

Kyle wanders into the office and takes a seat at the desk; pulling out his French textbook to complete some extra exercises.


Heath finishes helping a few people on the gym equipment and gazes into the office at his brother working hard at his books.

Heath makes his way into the office.

"Is everything going okay in here?" Heath asks.

"Yeah, I'm just doing some French exercises." Heath shakes his head.

"Not that foreign mumbo-jumbo again?"

Kyle stares up at Heath.

"I like learning French," Kyle mumbles back.

"It never ceases to amaze me your interest in other languages," Heath comments and approaches the desk; taking a seat on the edge.

Kyle stops working, curious to what Heath is doing sitting on his desk.

"Haven't you got people to attend to? I know Brax said for me to be here so you can keep an eye on me, but I'm fine," Kyle says.

Heath pulls Kyle's French textbook from his hands and places it on the table.

"You don't have to try and be tough, Bubs. I know I haven't been the best big brother lately but that does not mean I don't care about you so I want you to talk to me about this bullying incident that happened today," Heath initiates in a soft tone.

"I'd really rather not," Kyle mumbles.

Heath raises his brow and flicks up Kyle's chin.

"Not giving you an option, Bubs," he responds.

Kyle sighs.

"I was just picked on because of my pink hair," he starts and Heath instantly feels mad at himself for pulling this kind of prank on Kyle and it wasn't until Bianca gave him the hard truth that he realised how bad a decision it had been; it was beyond a sibling prank.

"Can you elaborate?" Heath prompts.

"I was given: a swirly by the kids in my PE class, and called names like emo fairy and pixie and even the smart kids in my classes said I was pretending to be a girl and called me pinky," Kyle explains sadly.

Heath shifts slightly on the desk, becoming just as mad at the bullies as he was with himself.

"I'm sorry I took it too far with the hair prank; don't listen to those idiots. You're not any of those things; even if I do call you Kylie sometimes," Heath says, trying to lighten the mood, giving Kyle a comforting smile.

"Thanks for listening," Kyle replies and weakly reciprocates the smile.

Heath stands up from the desk and squeezes the back of Kyle's neck for comfort.

"Why don't you take it easy and watch Aladdin or that Monsters Inc movie? Maybe even that Titans show that you are watching now," Heath suggests.

Kyle just stares at his older brother.

"I promise no more scary scenes and you can watch it off my work computer."

Kyle gives a shrug.

"No, it's okay; thanks anyway," he replies.

"Well, okay; if you insist. I'll leave you to get back to increasing the knowledge in your brain," Heath smiles and rubs his hand through Kyle's hair.

Heath exits the office and closes the door, returning back to his clients in the gym.

During a brief break in assisting his clients, Heath takes his phone and makes a call to Bianca.

"Um, hey Babe," Heath says with hesitancy.

"What do you want Heath, I told you I'm not ready to be dealing with you now," Bianca informs sharply.

"I get that, that's not why I'm calling. I want to know that Kyle's bullies got dealt with from what they did to him today," Heath says, whilst glancing into the office to make sure Kyle was preoccupied and not listening in.

"I'm surprised after the things you've done you aren't agreeing with what happened to poor Kyle," Bianca replies in a hostile manner.

Heath sighs.

"Alright, I might have deserved that, but despite everything I do to my little brothers I do care about them and it matters when other people hurt them," he admits.

Heath hears Bianca sigh and go silent on the other end of the line.

"Kyle's bullies were given expulsion," Bianca informs.

Heath nods approvingly.

"Good, good. It's what they deserve for what they did to Kyle," he responds.

After another brief moment, Heath speaks again.

"How are you going?" Heath asks softly.

"Please don't Heath. I've given you the answers you wanted so please leave me alone until I am ready to talk about us," Bianca requests.

"Okay, Bianca. Thanks; bye," Heath hangs up and sighs, not realising how much he actually missed Bianca until getting to hear her voice again.


Back at Summer Bay High, the final bell rings for the day and Casey is quick to rush out of his class.

Meeting up with his friends as usual, Casey notices Kyle is still nowhere in sight.

"Have any of you see Ky?" Casey asks.

Ryder and Romeo shake their heads.

"He wasn't in our History class. I just assumed he was helping one of the teachers," Dex comments, feeling a little concerned for his best friend.

"I haven't seen Wesley or Grant, either since third period," Liam adds.

"You don't think they've gone and done something to Kyle again do you?" Dex asks worriedly.

"They had better not; those jerks! I'll give 'em what for!" Casey exclaims.

"Maybe you should ask Brax? Maybe he just went home sick?" Ryder suggests.

"Well he better, because if I find out Wesley and Grant have been harassing him again I will knock their teeth out and no-one's going to stop me!" Casey yells determinedly.

"Well we'll definitely back you up," Romeo confirms.

Casey waves goodbye to his friends and makes his way towards Angelo's to find out if his brother knew anything about Kyle's disappearance.

Brax glances up from the bar when he sees Casey rushing in and towards him.

"Hey, Case; what's up?" Brax greets.

"Brax, Kyle didn't turn up for lunch and he wasn't around after school. None of our friends have seen him either," Casey blurts out.

Brax smirks and holds up his hand to hush his panicked brother.

"Hold up, Case. I went to pick Kyle up..."

"Why? Was he sick?" Casey blurts.

"Not exactly; it's really up to Kyle to tell you, but in short he was bullied again..."

Casey is quick to interrupt again.

"Was it Wesley freaking jerk and Grant loser ass?" Casey yells out.

Brax frowns sternly and eyes Casey.

"Casey, mind your manners in my restaurant please and keep your voice down," Brax reprimands.

Casey looks around at some of the customers that are now looking in his direction.

Casey quietens down, but still holds a deep scowl.

"They are jerks Brax, something has to be done," he says in a much softer tone.

"And it has Casey, they've been expelled, now I don't have time to discuss this anymore, I have work to do, so why don't you head home and stay out of trouble: don't raid the fridge. In fact, why don't you take this club sandwich that a customer ordered and never picked up," Brax suggests and hands Casey a sandwich on the side of the bar.

"Okay, thanks."

"I'll be home just after six and I'll bring home some dinner," Brax informs.

"Can you bring home some sweet potato fries and some lasagna?" Casey asks as he takes a bite out of his club sandwich and gives his big brother a smile.

"We'll see; now off you go," Brax replies.

Casey grabs his bag from the floor in which he dumped it when he rushed in and heads towards home, continuing to eat his sandwich along the way.


Meanwhile at the gym, the time hits four o'clock and the last of the clients leave the gym, Heath pokes his head inside the office.

"It's knock off time. Pack up your things, Bubs, and let's go," Heath instructs and goes about tidying the equipment as he waits for Kyle.

Kyle exits the office with his school bag snug on his back.

Heath gives a head gesture for Kyle to walk out of the gym and Heath follows, locking up the door after the two leave.

Heath swings his arm around Kyle's shoulder.

"What do you say, before we go home I shout you to a milkshake?" Heath offers.

"You don't have to do that," Kyle whispers.

"Nonsense, it'll be my treat after the day you've had," Heath says, smiling.

Kyle shrugs in acceptance and allows Heath to guide him towards the diner.

"G'day Darls; what can I get for you?" Irene greets as Heath and Kyle enter the diner.

"We'll just have one large...strawberry?" Heath stops to look at Kyle for his answer and Kyle nods.

"One large strawberry milkshake, please, Irene," Heath requests.

"Coming right up," Irene says with a wide smile.

"Why aren't you getting anything?" Kyle asks.

Heath smiles and pulls Kyle into his side for a quick playful hug.

"This is your treat, remember? I don't need anything," Heath replies.

Irene returns moments later with the milkshake and hands it to Kyle.

"Thank you," Kyle mutters, not really feeling like a milkshake but also not having the ability to say no to Heath.

"My pleasure Darl," Irene answers.

"Let's go for a quick walk then head home," Heath suggests and the two brother's head out towards the beach front to have a brief walk whilst Kyle sucks a few tiny sips of his milkshake.

Heath and Kyle arrive at the Braxton house and Kyle smiles at his brother.

"Thanks again for the milkshake," Kyle says, keeping to his manners, despite still having three-quarters of his milkshake left.

Heath nods and when Kyle realises Heath isn't going into his flat he gives him a quizzical look.

"What? Didn't think I'd leave you here alone after the day you had?" Heath says and opens the door to Brax's house.

Casey is busy reading one of his surf magazines and eating a family size bag of potato chips.

He has a bottle of Orange Fizz balancing in the crook of his arm and his feet firmly resting on the coffee table, when Heath and Kyle walk in.

"So that's what you get up to when the Big Fella isn't around, baby brother?" Heath snickers.

Casey startles and puts down his magazine and almost drops his bag of chips and drink.

Casey glances over at Heath and Kyle and notices Kyle's milkshake.

"Hey: where's mine?" Casey complains.

Heath raises his brow.

"You don't get one. Besides, Kyle has had a rough time today so it's his treat," Heath informs.

"Oh: yeah," Casey sighs; remembering what Brax told him about Kyle.

"Are you okay, Einstein?"

Kyle nods his head and Casey turns his attention back to Heath.

"You still could have brought me home a milkshake," Casey whines.

Heath scoffs and walks over behind the couch and grips his hand on Casey's head.

"I don't think so. I'm still mad at you for dobbing me in to Bianca and I don't think the big fella would approve of your afternoon snack choices; especially so close to dinner," Heath comments sternly and takes the big bag of chips and Orange Fizz away from Casey.

"I'll take those," Heath sings and replaces the chips back in the cupboard, and drink in the fridge.

Casey frowns.

"Heath!" he complains.

Casey's protests fall on deaf ears.

"No, Casey; I think you've had quite enough and I'm home now so I'm in charge. Don't push me baby bro," Heath states.

Casey huffs, annoyed and slumps back on the couch with his arms folded.

"You only say that so you can have everything for yourself," Casey grumbles.

"What was that?" Heath inquires; looking up from the kitchen counter.

"Nothing," Casey grumbles.

Kyle looks at his younger brother sympathetically. He knew how much Casey loves milkshakes and only wished he'd thought of asking to get one for him to take home, especially seeing Casey would at least make short work of his.

Kyle takes a seat next to Casey on the couch.

"I'm sorry you missed out on a milkshake," Kyle says solemnly.

"It's not your fault. I'm glad you are okay though. Did Wesley and Grant get you bad?" Casey asks.

Kyle takes another tiny sip of his milkshake.

"By bad, if you mean almost drowning me with a swirly, then yeah," Kyle says.

Casey shifts angrily on the couch.

"Brax said they got expelled. If they hadn't I would have made sure they wouldn't have wanted to face coming near you again!" Casey announces, protectively.

"Thanks, but no, you wouldn't have, because I know you wouldn't want to be the one to get in big trouble," Kyle smirks and gives Casey a nudge.

"It was pretty cool though being saved by two year twelve kids: Scott and Toby Jenkins," Kyle says, proudly as he tells Casey.

Casey's eyes widened.

"Scott Jenkins?" he shouts, "He's like the only most star athlete in the entire school! He's won trophies for the hundred metre freestyle relay, two hundred metre breaststroke, four hundred, and eight hundred metre freestyle. He's like famous; a celebrity!" Casey boasts.

Kyle smiles at Casey's excitement and awe.

"He hates being called a celebrity or being known as famous…"

"If I was him, I'd love to be known as famous royalty!" Casey beams, interrupting Kyle.

Kyle rolls his eyes.

"I'm sure you would but you're not him. He's a really down to earth guy, as is his twin Toby who asked me to..."

"Great, so, Scott Jenkins actually helped you and you didn't even take like a selfie or get his autograph?" Casey interrupts, not even really listening to what Kyle was saying.

Kyle huffs over Casey's shallow thinking.

"No, Casey, I was a little preoccupied with trying to dry my hair with his towel and compose myself."

"Wait: he lent you, his towel? Kyle! Why didn't you keep it?" Casey blurts.

"Casey, I wasn't going to keep another student's towel..."

"But it was Scott's! Ky, I'm so, so jealous! I wish I had been you and it was me that he helped out!" Casey announces.

Kyle feels flattered by Casey's jealousy but is annoyed his little brother was wishing to have been in his position.

"No, you don't, Casey! You don't want to have been me with your head down a toilet trying to breathe," Kyle says firmly.

Casey ignores Kyle's reply, too in awe of Kyle having dealings with a star swimming athlete.

"What are we disagreeing on?" Heath asks as he nears his brothers.

Completely forgetting his annoyance with Heath over his milkshake, Casey answers.

"Kyle got to meet and be helped by the top swimming champ!"

"And his twin brother," Kyle adds, annoyed.

"Well, I don't know him," Casey retorts.

"That's because he's a Goth and likes to keep to himself and his music; he's actually pretty nice too."

"Well, I for one am glad you have some kids looking out for you at school," Heath praises.

"Why do you care all of a sudden? After all it's because of your prank that Kyle got bullied," Casey argues.

Heath whacks Casey on the head.

"Mind your own business or I'll inform Brax about your afternoon junk food feast," Heath threatens.

Casey huffs and goes silent.

"I think I might go for a shower before dinner," Kyle mumbles and gets up from the couch.

He puts his still half-full milkshake container in the bin, hating that he is wasting food and more importantly Heath's money, but inside he feels miserable and not interested in any food or drink.

Kyle makes his way to the bathroom quietly.

Heath snickers and flops down on the couch taking Kyle's spot.

"Just you and me now, Case."

Heath swings his arm around Casey before Casey has a chance to get up, and pulls Casey towards him, giving him a rough noogie.

"Heath: don't!" Casey protests; trying to pull free.

Heath releases his hold on Casey after a few minutes and the young teen scowls.

"Why'd you do that for?" he pouts.

Heath snickers, "Because I can."

Casey hastily gets up and makes a beeline for his bedroom, where he slams his door and sulks on his bed as he grabs his ipad to play some games.


That night, before bed, Kyle texts Scott and Toby thanking them again for helping him with his bullies and informing them that his bullies got expelled.

Not expecting an answer back, Kyle gets ready for bed and flaps his quilt back.

Casey enters the room from finishing up in the bathroom and seconds later Brax comes to the door.

Kyle hands his phone over to Brax as does Casey and seconds later, Kyle's phone pings.

Brax glances towards Kyle who stares with uncertainty, not wanting to take his phone back to look at his message, clearly knowing the no phone at night rule.

"Who would be texting you at this time of night?" Casey questions.

"Go on, but be quick," Brax sighs, head nodding towards Kyle's phone in his hand.

Kyle takes his phone back and reads his messages.

Scott had replied with: 'no problem, little dude' and a thumbs up smiley, while Toby replied with: 'awesome, glad you're okay and they got their justice' and a laughing emoji and singing smiley.

Kyle smiles as he reads his text messages.

"Who are they from?" Casey repeats as he glances over Kyle's shoulder to try and read the texts.

"Casey, mind your own business," Brax says.

Casey withdraws back down.

"I was just curious," he mumbles.

Brax grunts and waits for Kyle to finish.

Kyle closes his phone and hands it back to Brax.

"Thanks," Kyle quietly beams.

Brax nods his head in approval.

"Okay off to bed now."

Both teens say goodnight to their big brother and climb into their beds.

"So, who texted you, Ky?" Casey asks as he lies down in his bed.

Not wanting to upset Casey over being contacted by Scott, Kyle avoids the full truth.

"It was Toby from today, just checking how I was after today," Kyle mutters.

"Oh, that's nice," Casey replies with a yawn, "Goodnight Ky."

"Goodnight, Case," Kyle responds and snuggles down in his own bed, smiling as he thinks about his new friends.