Matching Scars Part 8

With Mr Albarn gone I was left with Maka who had now calmed down after the ‘scream fest’ but her chest heaved, tears staining her face. The room was quiet accompanied by the slight noise of our breathing. I held her close – I seemed to have forgotten how she hates being touched – and we stayed like that for a few minutes before I spoke up.

“It’s ok now, Maka.” I said.
“It’s not though… He’ll be at school still.” She croaked.
“What in the world did he do for you to hate him so bad?” I asked.
“It’s a long story, and I’d prefer not to speak of my past.” She uttered.
“You and me both.” I said.

I recently got an email from my brother – though I don’t know how he got my email address – which said;

Dearest Brother,
                             It has come to my attention that we don’t spend enough time together, 5 years since we last spoke, as I recall.

I do miss you, Brother. I miss the times we spent together when we were younger. From building snowmen to riding our bikes around the hall and building pillow forts. What happened to those times?

Ever since you’ve moved out I’ve noticed how much I’ve missed you now that you’re gone. So, I’m requesting you to join me at Deathbucks tomorrow at 1pm sharp. I’ll see you then.

Yours truly,
                   Your older brother, Wes.

I wondered if I should go there or stand him up just so he could get a taste of what it’s like to be alone.

Why now of all times to contact me? I moved out a few months ago and if he missed me that much surely he would’ve contacted me sooner?

I didn’t want to ask Maka, its best I don’t tell her at all about my home life as she’s stressed and worried enough.

While she was sleeping I studied the scars on her arms. It must be some kind of coincidence that my scars are identical to hers. It’s really weird, to be honest, but also kind of romantic in a way.

As my eyes grew heavy I thought more about the scars. And also about Wes…

~

When I woke up Maka was studying my arms and comparing them to hers. When she realized I was awake, she dropped my arm and acted like she wasn’t doing anything.

“It’s hard to believe, isn’t it?” I asked, glancing at her eyes. She nodded.
I sighed “Well, I’ll be leaving at about 12:40. I’m meeting someone at Deathbucks.”
“Who?”
“An old friend.”

Although she asked more about the person I was meeting I gave her no answers only saying how it was someone I haven’t seen in forever and that he missed me so he wanted to see me.

I’m not sure if I miss him though…

~

Despite the cold I felt warm knowing Wes was going to pay for our day out, he’s got the money to do so anyways. I was still wondering why he invited me now of all times to see me. He had 5 or odd years to contact me. So why now of all times?

I walked into Deathbucks to see Wes sitting at a table, looking at his phone with a steaming hot black coffee by him and another opposite him with a blueberry muffin next to it on a plate.

He remembered…

“Soul? Are you alright?” 16-year-old Wes said, knocking on my bedroom door.
“Go away, Wes. I don’t want to see you.” 10-year-old me growled.
“I know what Mother and Father said was rough on you but everyone’s wondering where you’ve been since the party.”
“I said, go away!” I yelled.
He sighed. “You’re not a bad pianist, Soul. No matter what Mother, Father or their ‘friends’ say.”
“I fucked up the stupid song” I wailed.
“First of all, no swearing. Second of all, you barely messed it up.. It was Mother and Father’s fault for pressuring you to play and-”
“Ma and Pa have nothing to do with it! I just suck at the piano.” I interrupted.
“That’s just your low self-esteem acting up again. Come on, let me in, Brother.”
“Why should I?” I asked.
“I have a blueberry muffin for you.” He chimed in his sing-song voice that I always felt jealous over as he sung so well.
“Really?” I squeaked.
“Why yes. And if you don’t let me in I’ll gobble it all up myself. Don’t think I won’t, Soulie.” Wes purred.

I then opened the door and hugged him tight.

“It’s ok now, Soul.” Wes said softly, picking me up with one hand and carrying me back into my room.

He would always bring me blueberry muffins home whenever he went out to the town. I just had to… Keep on practising…

I couldn’t believe he remembered after all these years.

He stood up when he saw me and walked over to me. He looked like he was going in for a hug but then when he saw my sunken face he simply stuck his hand out to shake mine.. I took his hand in mine as we made physical contact for the first time in 5 years.

~

“I didn’t know what drink you liked so I just got you black coffee. I can get you something else if you don’t like it.”

I stared at my cup of coffee, the steam rising from it. I picked up the cup, blew on it so I didn’t burn my lips and sipped from it, staying silent.

I just didn’t know what to say to him. What would you say to a man who gave you the silent treatment for so, so, so long?

“S’alright. Black coffee is my favourite anyways.” I mumbled.
“Mine too.”

I looked up at my brother. He looked so different now. He looks like he has a strong bone structure and looks like he goes to the gym regularly. His hair, unlike mine, is neat and well washed. His clothes were very smart. He was wearing a burgundy dress shirt, dress trousers and smart, pointy business shoes.

He was perfect. Everything I was not. And everything I wished to be.

His famous violinist hands were shaking. Maybe he was just as nervous as I was as we stared intensely at each other but didn’t speak.

“I, uh. I hope you still, uh, like blueberry muffins.” He stuttered. “I remember you loved them when we were little and they always made you feel better when you were upset.”
“It’s funny how you remembered.” I smiled, baring my sharp teeth tearing off a bit of the muffin
“I’m glad I did. God, I haven’t seen you smile in years.”
“5 years…”
“Yes. Why didn’t you smile anymore?”
I sighed. “Why do you think?”

“I don’t k-” Wes began but then he paused for a while. He lowered his head. “Oh.”
“Exactly.”

“Soul, I’m so-”
“Don’t even think of using sympathy with me. I’ve learnt that sympathy is just when people pretend to care when they don’t actually give a shit about you.”
“I do c-”
“If you cared you wouldn’t have ignored me for 5 fucking years, would you?”

He was silent.

“This was ok and all but I have to head back. I’m looking after someone in hospital and if you hadn’t dragged me out here I would be with her right now.” I snarled.
“Soul, please, I-”
“Shut up! I’m leaving.” I stood up. I took the blueberry muffin and turned away to walk outside.

“5 years, 8 months, 6 days and 13 hours.”

I stayed with my back facing him. “What?” I asked.

“We have been apart for exactly 5 years, 8 months, 6 days and 13 hours..” He whimpered, holding back tears.

I turned, put the blueberry muffin back down on the table and walked out of Deathbucks, not looking back to see his face.