Page 6 of Charger

“And what point is that?” Garrett meets my eyes in the mirror again.

“Nothing, just forget it.”

“No, Jules, tell me please. I want to know what the fuck that’s supposed to mean? Because my sister will not be screwing Tommy Stevenson, or anyone for that matter.” A deep noise, almost a growl, comes from Zach and his jaw clenches.

“Well, I’m so glad we cleared that up. My brother telling me what to do!”

“Stop being so dramatic, Jules.” I flip Garrett off in the mirror and he shakes his head at me.

When we pull up to the house, I storm out of the car and head directly for my bedroom, slamming the door behind me. I turn on my Pandora and “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift plays. Sinking into my bed, I grab my sketchbook, making doodles of… I don’t even know what. I’m just annoyed and need to do something. This is what I do when I need to escape from reality. Yeah, I want to own my own business one day, but I also love art and this, this is my escape.

A text from Zach pops up on my phone. I want to ignore it, but I’m not that strong when it comes to him.

Zach: Sorry, we didn’t mean to come off as assholes. Just trying to look out for you.

Me: I don’t need anyone looking out for me.

Zach: Yeah, well, that’s not gonna happen.

Me: What’s not going to happen?

I keep doodling, sketching, or whatever when Zach doesn’t answer right away. I don’t need anyone telling me what to do, certainly not Zach.

My phone vibrates again.

Zach: I will always look out for you, Jules. Don’t ever think for a second that I won’t.

I stare at his texted words while my stomach gets a wishy-washy feeling. What exactly am I supposed to say to that?

“Hey.” Garrett pops his head inside my door and walks in. “You still love me, even if I’m the older, annoying and overprotective brother?”

“You’re older by like four minutes. Get over yourself.

“It still makes me older, drama queen.”

“No, you’re not, ass face. It doesn’t count,” I tease.

“So, are you going to the bonfire with us Friday night, Miss Anti-social?”

“Ten minutes ago, you didn’t want me talking to anyone. And now, you’re making fun of me because I don’t talk to anyone.”

“No, I just don’t want you talking to people like Tommy Stevenson.”

I gently kick his hip with my foot. “I don’t know. I’ll probably just stay home and be little Miss Anti-social.”

“Jules,” he warns.

“Garrett,” I counter, glaring into his dark brown eyes, which are nearly identical to the eyes I have.

“Fine, do whatever you want, just don’t waste your senior year.” He gets up and walks out, shutting the door behind him. I am not wasting my senior year. Just because I don’t really want to participate in school functions, it doesn’t mean I’m wasting my time.

I pick up my phone and see that Zach sent me another text.

Zach: How did the brotherly talk go?

There’s a reason why he knows that.

Marching to my window, I unlock it, lift it up, and a blast of still summer air hits my face. Across the yard, Zach already has his window open, and a cell phone to his ear calling me.

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