"It's still seven in the morning, your class starts at nine, right?"

I rolled my eyes heavenward after I heard Brian's morning line. It's not as if I am going to the club at this hour. He's possessive over me and it sometimes irritates the shit out of me. C'mon, I am a teenager who seek freedom than getting lock inside this so-called home. It sounds boring nonetheless.

"Brother, I am going to Leanne. She asked me to look for Brent for an hour." I informed my brother while checking my leg. It doesn't hurt anymore. Lance's pain reliever was kinda great help.

When I notice that Brian is now standing few meters in front of me, I raise my head and automatically saw him crease a forehead so I throw him my dagger look. "Don't look at me like that. I am telling the truth." I butt out before grabbing some french toast from the plater. "And if you want, you can drive me to her." I uttered while chewing my toast.

"You've got to be kidding me..." Brian spoke and he look at me hilariously.

I stare at him, trying to weigh and understand his reaction then a realization dawned inside me.

Shoot. Leanne is my brother's puppy-love since third grade but Leanne got pregnant by her boyfriend a year ago who tend to escaped after he heard about the child.

That rotten, Bailey! If he isn't my classmate back in highschool, I would really pulp him to death. How could he left Leanne hanging? Good thing she got a friend like me who's willing to help her even though she's a two year ahead of me. Ahihi.

Leanne was Brian's classmate since nursery until senior high school then they both took Engineering in college and that's... cute. However, my brother here, Brian, has this one-sided feeling over Leanne. One reason why he's aloof and stoic. He was left by Leanne after he confessed three years ago way back on their second year in college.

Don't get me wrong, I was once a number one supporter of their ship but I got it wrong also. I thought Leanne feels the same way to my brother then it turned out, she loves somebody else.

Poor brother.

"You still love Leanne?" I blurted out of the blue so I slowly watch my brother under my eyelids. Brian slowly chew his bacon and grab the heater to fill his cup with hot water.

His face is void of any reaction but I saw a glint of sadness flashed on his eyes. So I bit my lip as I realize how insensitive of me to ask that question.

I know it's not just a puppy-love but he kept on insisting it is. Brian is a type of a guy where he would choose not to show any affection for he believe, someone might use it against him. And I thought about it as useless — a complete nonsense.

Ha! He just said that because he was turned down!

You can feel free to show everyone how you feel because I always did that. Then look at me, I am open as fuck that everyone would want to be me. I mean, there is nothing wrong with showing others your weakness. Many would patronize you and some will praise and will side you if you're being looked down by someone.

Well, it's me. And I can't change Brian's perspective anyway.

"Gotta go," I stand up and grab my hand bag, "Brent is growing. You might want to visit them. Dear, Leanne's just fine. Move on."

I walk out the dining but when I am about to exit the vicinity, I turn around and look at my brother who is now standing and ready to go also. "Monica's available by the way." After I said that, I wink at him and laugh while walking outside the patio.

My scarpin felt the softness of the Bermuda grass' formation as I walk head high and chin up. My capo sleeve dress move back and forth as I make a fast phase on my way to Brian's car.

I do have my own, okay? But I got it towed three days ago when I suddenly bump it to someone I can't remember. I was going home that night from Michaela's crib but I really forgot a thing so I missed the owner that night. It just happened so fast and blur and I woke up inside my room the next day.

I click the key fob and the black Mazda made a sound so I tap it and smile. "Good boy."

While pulling over, I saw Brian get out and cross both of his hands above his chest. His eyes are on me, so I just horned to tell him I am going.

It's just a three minute ride from home to Leanne's place. I mean, we stay on the same subdivision and that's why I didn't treat Leanne's problem a biggie. Brent, her son, is bubbly and I will probably skip a class just to accompany him. But not this time. Not when I need to get a look at someone I like.

"Baby!" I shouted when I saw him on his crib, biting a grape-shape tether. Leanne's on her vanity mirror, applying make-up, and her son is just watching her.

"Just one hour, Leanne. I can't skip class." I fired while scoping Brent on my arms. I even heard him chuckle excitedly so I return the smile at him.

She close her pouch and look at me through the mirror, "I heard about that from Monica," she started and applied some matte on her lips, "I didn't know you're that hopeless to like a gay."

I smug and shake Brent, "says by someone applying to a company to chase someone she can't have." I fired back.

To be honest, I can't understand this friend of mine. It's clear as water that Bailey don't want the child. Why does she have to beg and ask him a couple of times? When will she realize her self-worth?

And now she's applying for a work in Bailey's parents.

"You know that I love him, Erin, right?"

I sigh and chose not to answer. I don't have the energy to give her advise then went back to square one again. I already told her hundreds of times not to chase that useless but she kept on coming back. Bailey won't see the responsibility since he's still eighteen and Leanne is already twenty.

She just wasted her two years left in college, for Pete's sake!

"Whatever, Leanne. Your life, your choice."

She sigh and grab her stiletto on her shoe rack. "Got to go, just one hour and Brent's cousin will arrive at eight."

Then she ran outside her door and smash it down without even bidding her goodbye to her son.

I am about to walk to the kitchen when I heard the door swung open again, "God, I forgot my kiss."

"Bye, Honey. Mommy's going to chase your father again." After planting a kiss on Brent's cheek, Leanne wave me a goodbye before she finally went out.

I continue to walk towards the kitchen and grab some bottled milk on her fridge. While opening it, I really had a hard time tearing the seal and Brent's making his hands on the bottle that I am holding.

"No, baby. It's not yours." I chuckled when he just smiled and it shows his two tiny teeth.

"Aww, Brent, you lured me..."

This baby stands a chance on my future kid. Char. I mean, he's a good-looking man for sure and it's undeniably crazy!

I put him back down on his crib and he immediately crawl to the left side and grab his gummy toy. I just watch him doing his thing while my lip is forming a smile on my face.

I love kids. I even donated some of my clothes every month to a charity. Even Brian's stuff are donated because I told him so. He can't do about it since I got to say the last words in our family. Pft.

I sure hope so. I am just kidding by the way. Brian's words will be the last since he is the older. My father's last words a year ago was like this:

"You're the head once I'll leave this world and Erin won't make a thing over you. Remember that you are the older. Take good care of your sister, Brian."

A sad smile forms on my lips. It was my father's last request and I didn't even got a chance to say my last 'I love you' to him.

"Ta!"

I gaze at Brent who is now looking at me while raising his hands as if he wants to make me smile. I bent downward to touch his cheeks and he then giggled a little.

"Sweet. Your father will miss a kid like you in his life. And it's his loss, Brent."

I went back to the couch when Brent finally lay on his crib. He is playing his tether and his eyes are slowly closing.

Aww. Good boy.

I thought I am going to have a hard time babysitting this little man. But it turns out not.

I am scrolling down on my social media accounts and got to saw Enrique's post from last night.

'Having a steamy night with this man. Thanks, Geoffrey Lavouir.'

What the hell?! This piece of a gay. He even scold me last night that I went out without him! Is it my fault that he's nowhere to be found and now, everything's clear why he's nowhere last night. Ugh.

'You horny son of a bitch!'

I commented on his post and plan to jump on my IG feed this time. Monica's active and I saw her posted our picture while we are on the dancefloor.

Captured by my Canon 100d! Thanks Aldus for the wonderful shot.

I doubled tap it then went back scrolling again. I am on the verge of drifting to sleep when I heard a knock of the door.

This must be Brent's cousin.

Walking barefooted, I swung the door open and was surprise to see a man on his cargo shorts and a pair of white T-shirt. His scent lingers inside my nostrils and I was taken aback when I get to see his physique.

"Uh, yes?" I asked. This guy might need something. He's a neighbor, perhaps?

I thought it is already Brent's cousin, that sixth grader three blocks away. Puff!

He knotted his forehead while looking at my face as if he is scrutinizing me. C'mon, it's broad daylight here. I can't flirt this time of the day.

"You look familiar..." He trailed but his words left ajar when Brent cried a little.

I left him on the threshold to tap Brent's leg a little to hush him. He's kinda disturbed with our peep talk.

"Excuse me, why are you here inside? You're trespassing." I silently shout while still tapping Brent's leg.

The man just raise his right brow and shrug before walking on the couch. "I am Brent's cousin, Love."

I almost fell on the stool because of what I heard from him. He, what?

"You've got to be kidding me. Brent's cousin is just a sixth grader and you can't foo–"

"Crazy, I am the brother of that sixth grader." He scoff and look at me sideways while his legs are already above the center table.

I gasp on what I hear. I didn't know Leanne's brother could be this old for having a son on my age! Well, it can be since Leanne and her brother has long age gap but I didn't expect that he already has a son on my age!

This is kinda preposterous!

"Uhh.. Okay?" I averted my gaze on the wall clock while grabbing my hand bag on his side.

"I should get going. My class starts twenty minutes from now. Bye." I said trying to escape the hilarity. I know it's so fool of me to think that he's a stranger. But what can I do? Leanne just told me it's Brent's cousin but I only knew one and that's the sixth grader, Terrence.

I am on my way to the door and was about to turn the knob when I realized something. "And excuse me, don't call me 'Love'." I barked and roll my eyes.

I heard the guy chuckle then pouted his lips while his eyes has a hint of cheerfulness on it, "I didn't call you Love either. It's my first name." he replied and I almost wreck my poise again.

God, Erin. Too much hilarity for today! His parents might too engrossed with the idea of 'Love' and named their son with the idea itself. Gosh.

"Thanks for last night by the way! Your touch was damn good!"

Oh my God.

I turn to look at him and rummage his face. I almost shriek when I saw a hint of familiarity on his face and I cover my mouth automatically in astonishment.

"You're that man on the dancefloor!"

He smirk and put both of his arms on the arm rest, "I had fun." He then licks his lips and slowly glance on his pants.

Fuck.