Between Two Brothers — Episode 5

The other was trouble with a body count. Then someone mentioned Elena Vale. Rice and Elena had fallen in love freshman year. Back when he still smiled.

Back when she still looked like a girl instead of a beautiful wound. He stood in the rain for two hours once because she forgot an umbrella. He skipped a debate final rehearsal because she had stage fright. He fought his mother for her.

Then Claudia Sinclair ended it. After that, Reese got colder. Elena got softer. And Sinclair Academy turned their heartbreak into a religion.

I decided right there to keep my head down, collect my scholarship, remind Rast to take his pills, and not get murdered by his tragic ex's fan cum. Then Reese appeared beside my desk. Lunch. Five minutes later, I was sitting beside him in the dining hall.

I pushed the pills and a glass of water towards him. The pills were halfway to his mouth when a soft voice stopped him. Elena stood there, holding out a single wrapped candy on her palm. She smiled gently at me. Don't mind me. Rix never likes taking his medication. The candy makes it less bitter.

Then she placed it beside his water and walked back to her table, before either of us could answer. Rice looked a little uncomfortable. I picked up my fork and leaned a little closer to him. Your ex is still watching you. Eat your food. Her eyes look really worried, like she thinks you're dying worried.

Kit. I'm just saying. If you drop dead at this table, she's going to claim the body before I finish my salad.