Bullies, Brothers, and Boyfriends

"Dude why is your sister even here tonight? She's not really what the guys are hoping to see at a party like this! They want someone sexy and fun to play with. Your sister is neither of those things." Braxton one of my twin brother's football team members, says to my brother Evan.

"What the fuck bro?" My brother asks shoving Braxton back a little. "Don't ever talk about playing with my sister again." Evan snaps, nostrils flaring.

Braxton laughs obviously a little tipsy from whatever is in his plastic cup. "I'm just saying. There are already to many guys at this party, we need some eye candy. Your sister doesn't qualify. Plus, she doesn't even like sports. So again, what is she doing here tonight? This is a victory party!"

Evan shoves Braxton back against the wall. "Stop talking shit about my sister, or I will break your nose." Evan snaps holding Braxton by the neck of his shirt.

Braxton puts his hands up in surrender. "Fine. I will shut up. Just remember next time leave your sister at home."

I walk off quickly. I don't want to hear any more of that conversation. I wasn't even supposed to hear that. Without many friends what better thing do I have to do than eavesdrop on my brother and his friends at the party I didn't even want to go to.

I make my way through the crowd, squeezing past people kissing, dancing, talking and doing other unthinkable things all over this house. Everyone gives me dirty looks as I pass by. I’m just trying to find a quiet place where I can be alone.

I should be used to the dirty looks by now. I have been getting the eww who is she, and why is she here looks pretty much my whole life. Sometimes not just looks either, some people are ballsy enough to say it out loud as long as my brother isn't around.

Everyone is afraid of my brother. Not that he is really mean or a bad guy or anything. He is just very protective of me. Evan would do anything for me, including throwing a few punches. He has been suspended more than a few times since we got into high school.

We are seniors now, only two months into school and he's already had in school suspension and been threatened with actual suspension for fighting. The reason for the fighting is always me. I tell him I'm fine and I can take care of myself, but he doesn’t listen. Not since that one time in eighth grade when he caught me crying in our tree house after Sarah called me a fat loser during a pep rally. He wonders why I don’t like sports, well that is part of the reason. All the girls that like sports are little skinny mini, bitchy girls that have nothing better to do than talk bad about other people.

Since that day Evan has pretty much told everyone at our school if they say anything nasty to me, physically hurt me, and or look at me the wrong way he is not afraid to take matters into his own hands. Literally.

Mom and Dad always get mad at him for fighting at school. I try to explain that he was just sticking up for me, and that it's my fault but mom always says were you the one that threw the punches? When I say no, her response is always the same. Then how is this your fault honey?

I always apologize to Evan when he gets in trouble for me, but he is never mad. He always just laughs telling me it's what big brothers are for. He’s older than me by like two minutes and he acts like he is years older than me. I love him for that. I do wish he wasn't so protective of me though. Because what he doesn't realize is his threats only work when he is around to prove he wasn't kidding.

When he isn't around it's a whole different story. I can't tell you how many times I've used the excuse 'I fell, I should have been paying more attention to where I was walking' when I come home with scrapes and bruises. Mom and Dad probably think I am the most clumsy person in the world. Sometimes I don't think Evan believes me, but he never pushes me to talk more about it.

I continue making my way through the crowded house, looking for a bedroom, bathroom, a closet, anything to get away from all these people. I bump into several people along the way, getting nothing but nasty remarks and looks. Including one from the cheer captain Sapphire. Of course, I had to run into her of all people she already hates my guts, why not make it worse.

"Watch where you are going heifer!” She snaps in her snooty tone, shoving me forward. Everyone around her laughs. Everyone always laughs no matter what she says. It could be the least funny thing in the world and all her little Sapphire wannabes would laugh like they are at a damn comedy awards show.

“Sorry.” I mumble, trying to get out there as quickly as I can.

Sapphire scoffs. “You better be sorry, next time watch where the hell you are walking you cow.”

Heifer, cow? I roll my eyes. Does she not know those two things are literally the same? I don’t ask her that though. I don’t want to start something with her. She can’t help she isn’t the brightest person in the room.

I make my way down a crowded hallway, checking the doors. They are all locked, except one. I open it and look inside. I don’t see anyone in here, thank goodness. I finally found somewhere I can be alone. I sit down on the bed, looking around. This must be a guest bedroom or something. I don’t see any personal items in here.