Goodbye, Let's Not Meet Again

My head was pounding, so I just pulled my hand back and knocked out cold.

No clue how long I was out when suddenly I heard this loud shout. I jerked awake, heart racing, and Callum was standing over my computer, looking at me with this fake apology crap.

"Hey, Violet said their old photos were saved here. She gave me the password and told me to come and check them myself."

Look, me and the Harland sisters? No secrets, not one. We've shared the same password for everything since we were kids, even for bank accounts.

But now? They just handed it to my stepbrother, letting him dig around in my stuff.

"But, uh… there's a problem. I think the computer's got a virus, like, everything's gone! I was freaking out and trying to restart it, but I... I accidentally spilled water all over it."

He kept saying sorry, but the look in his eyes? Total smugness, and maybe even a little daring.

That computer had years of my research, all my data—stuff I've put blood, sweat, and tears into—and just like that, it hit me, and my sleepiness was gone.

I jumped up, pushed Callum aside, and went straight for the computer to see if there was anything I could save.

But the whole thing looked like it had been dunked in water, sparks still popping out of the circuit board. The whole computer? Done. Fried.

"Who the hell said you could touch my computer?"

Callum stumbled back, hitting the edge of the desk, rubbing his head, and putting on this hurt, offended look like I'd actually done something to him.

"Bro, I didn't mean to! I'm really sorry. Just... Just hit me, punish me, whatever you want!"

Right then, the door swung open, and the Harland sisters were standing in the doorway.

"We did!"

Violet and Hazel rushed over, and in seconds, they were by his side, checking him over if he had injuries.

"Bro, I just wanted to see some of Violet and Hazel's old photos…"

"Are you seriously still mad about stuff that happened back when we were kids? I was just a stupid kid back then—I've grown up. Can't you let it go?"

Violet's face darkened, and her lips pressed tight.

"Henderson, can't you stop hanging on to old crap?"

"Back then, Callum was just a kid. Kids don't mean harm, but you're the one stuck on it, holding a grudge all these years!"

"Doesn't matter—Callum's your brother. Act like it. You look ridiculous!"

And these were the same people who used to swear they'd have my back if I ever came face to face with Callum and his dad. Now? They're on his side, against me.

They knew my deepest scars, yet they didn't hesitate to tear me open right where it hurts most.

"Violet, I'm feeling a bit dizzy…" Callum leaned on Violet's shoulder.

Violet's all concerned, holding him up. "Let's get you to the hospital now!"

And with that, she helped him out the door, practically dragging him.

The whole room was trashed, and Hazel stared at me, frowning, gripping my arm hard.

"Hey, look, we've given you over 20 years of love and loyalty. Why can't you let us care a bit about Callum, too?"

"Are you that jealous? Always wanting to take what's his?"

Take?

Callum's dad stole my mom's love from my dad, then Callum stole my mother's love from me, and now he's snatched away the Harland sisters' affection.

I've never had anything—what the hell is there for me to take?