It was only the third day that Royce and I have been alone in the house and it was just getting worse.

He would leave late at night when he thought I was sleeping and return late in the morning.

It bothered me since his shirt was sometimes on backwards and I could only imagine where he was and who he was with...

My feelings for him wouldn't leave and it just depressed me. The thing that was making me sometimes think twice about was Royce's actions.

He always had an injury on him and some were worse than others. It was like he did it on purpose..

For a moment I was starting to think that maybe Royce was emotionless until I saw the huge smile he gave his friend at the store.

He could smile but he chose not to when he was home which was really sad to me. He wasn't happy here and I knew I had something to do with it.

What still made me smile like a crushing school girl was when I remember the way Royce defended me from the guy who pushed me.

It still caused butterflys to erupt in my stomach.

"Wipe that smile off your face and get ready." Royce announced from the kitchen.

I looked at him confused. "Where are we going?" I questioned.

"I need to get some things and my dad said not to leave you home alone so hurry up." he harshly replied.

"What if I don't want to go?" I dared to question back, not wanting to leave the comfortable couch and horror movie I was watching.

Royce narrowed his eyes at me and tried to keep his patience. "Don't test me right now, brat." he said through gritted teeth.

Did I want to die today or finish watching this movie instead? hmm..

"But, I don't want to go. I'm watching a movie." I replied once I made up my mind and pointed to the screen t.v that was playing a Chucky movie.

"I don't freaking care! I have to be somewhere right now and you're holding me back." Royce yelled back agitated.

I glanced back at the movie and wasn't going to let Royce scare me. I had every right to stay here.

He shouldn't even being going out since he was still grounded.

"I'm not going." I finally said and got comfortable in my spot once more.

Before I knew it Royce was approaching me with a pissed off face. I quickly got up and ran up the stairs before he could even lay a hand on me. I felt him running after me as I tried to run to the safety of my room.

His arm made its way around my waist causing me to stop. I tried to push him off as he dragged me back downstairs.

"Let me go!" I yelled and expected him to walk out the front door but instead he carried me down to the basement.

He shoved me into a small closet and locked it. It was dark and I felt like I was buried inside a hole.

I started to breath heavily as anxiety took over my body.

"Royce, please let me out! " I cried out and banged hard on the door with all my strength.

The things I was most scared of in this world was thunder and small spaces.

"Regret not listening to me now?" Royce taunted back and I heard as he made his way back upstairs.

"P-Please Royce! I promise I'll go, just let me out!" I pleaded with teary eyes but got a cruel laugh in return.

"Too late for that. I'm leaving without you so behave while I'm gone." Royce replied and closed the door causing everything to go silent.

I panicked and couldn't help but cry..

I wiped my eyes and tried to imagine myself somewhere else but it didn't help. Ever since I was a child my fear of small spaces was so bad I didn't even want to get on elevators so my mom had to take the stairs.

The feeling to throw up was overwhelming me and it was the worst thing ever. I took deep breaths and tried to control my sobbing but all I wanted was my mom...

"R-Royce! P-Please!" I cried as I hit the door.

I wiped my runny nose and closed my eyes when nausea hit me. I don't know how much time passed before the door finally opened.

Royce stood with a puzzled face as I rushed out of the tight space and ran upstairs.

"Chris!" I heard Royce yell for me.

I made my way towards my room and fell into my bed. I cried into the pillow and was glad I was finally free.

I was physically and emotionally tired from crying so much so I fell asleep on my bed.

"Chris? Baby?" my mother's calm words woke me up from my restless nap. I strecthed my muscles and got up from my bed.

"Are you alright, Chris? You seem a bit pale." my mom questioned as she placed her hand on my forehead.

"I'm fine, mom. Just feel a bit sick." I lied and decided to go back to bed.

My mom watched with worry but nodded in understanding. "Okay, I'll let you rest." she replied and left.

I layed in my bed and avoided remembering what happened not too long ago. I wanted to forget the whole situation.

I adjusted myself in my bed again and fell back asleep. I woke up three hours later to complete darkness.

I rubbed my sleepy eyes and got off my bed. I went downstairs and almost tripped on a step since I couldn't really see.

My stomach growled in hunger as I turned on the kitchen light. I glanced at the clock on the wall and it read 1:35 a.m. No wonder it was so quiet and dark.

Everybody was already sleeping. Mark and my mom must be exhausted from their long car ride home.

I grabbed a green apple from the kitchen counter and made my way back upstairs. As I passed by Royce's room I felt a light shiver course through me.

Now it was clear that Royce hated me and it was now my job to stay away from him, even if I had a stupid crush.

What would my mom think if she knew I liked my new brother? Everybody would find me disgusting and I really didn't want that.

So now, I was going to try to hide how I felt for Royce even if it killed me..

^*^*^€*^*^*^€*^*^*€^*^*^

...

"How are you feeling today, baby?" my mom questioned as I quietly ate my pancakes.

Mark and Royce both looked at me causing me to become uneasy.

"Better." I replied and tried my hardest not to stare back at Royce.

"How did you get sick, Chris?" Mark sincerely questioned and ate some of his scrambled eggs.

I scratched my chin unsure and knew I had to lie. "I think it was when I went outside without my sweater, but I feel better now." I reply.

"Well, that's all that matter my boy." Mark replied with a smile.

I forced a smile back and looked down at my pancakes, no longer hungry.

"Mom, can I be excused?" I asked politely.

"But you haven't finished your pancakes?" my mother questioned back and gave me her usual worried face.

"I'm not that hungry this morning." I replied and got up from my chair.

"Okay, but I want you to eat all of your lunch later." my mom stated and continued to eat her breakfast.

I nodded and left the kitchen to head to my room.

I closed the door and decided to continue unpacking my things. I walked towards my window and looked outside. I sighed heavily and wished I was back home.

This house was a living hell..

I placed my lava lamp on my desk and smiled when I unwrapped a picture frame with my best friend, Luis. If he was here he would of helped me get through all this.

"Why didn't you snitch me out?"

I flinched at Royce's sudden voice and almost fell. When did he enter my room? I composed myself again and simply shrugged at his question.

"It doesn't matter. What happened is already in the past." I replied and placed the picture frame on my desk.

Royce approached me and I thought bis presence was going to make me nervous but I was too tired to even get a reaction.

"I..didn't know you were actually scared.." Royce softly stated beside me.

I looked up at him and noticed his eyes weren't filled with anger like they usually were. Instead I noticed a fresh cut on the side of his cheek.

How did he get hurt this time?

"It's fine." I finally replied and bit my bottom lip when I felt Royce's body heat from how close he was.

His cologne was hitting me and making my mind rush with thoughts that I held deep inside of me. He was making me weak and he didn't even know it.

"Alright then." Royce said and was about to leave but I grabbed his arm.

Royce stared at me with a raised eyebrow but I didn't let go of his arm. His arm was so firm it made me want to hold on to it forever.

But that's when I saw the cut he had from the time I saw him coming out of his room. I never got the chance to ask him what happened but now was the perfect excuse to keep talking to him.

"How did you hurt your arm?" I questioned.

Royce yanked his arm from my hold and his eyes once again glared at me. "That's none of your business, brat." he replied.

I frowned at his tone of voice and should of known better not to ask such a question.

"S-Sorry." I apologized.

Royce looked towards the closed door then back at me. "You better not tell my dad about the cut or I swear I'll give you one." he threatened with a pointed finger.

"I promise." I replied and avoided his dark stare.

Royce then gave me a small smile and I swear I lost all oxygen inside my lungs. It was so beautiful it made me want to cherish it forever.

The fact that the smile was for me made my stupid crush for him get stronger.

Just exactly what I needed.