I Watch You As You Slowly Falter [Jussi Vuori] Chapter 44

I sighed as I pulled into my driveway, I hadn't noticed I was at Jussi's for that long until dusk greeted me after I left Jussi's. Thankfully it was my brother and I just living there, possibly the only good thing about my parents' death. I grabbed my bag from the passengers side, before getting out, trying to come up with a half decent excuse for me being so late.
But as I unlocked the door, I was greeted by something, well, someone I wasn't expecting.
"Hey," I felt myself freeze on my spot when I came face to face with Luukas.
"H-h-hi," I say stammering, losing whatever my 'excuse' was. "What are you doing here?" I asked as I dropped my bag by the door as I always did.
"Came by to see what you were up to, but Jaska said you hadn't come home yet?" He answered unsure of his answer.
"Yeah, got caught up at all those books at the library," I say shifting my eyes, trying to look for Jaska.
"You're lying," He said as I bring my attention back to him.
"What?" I asked confused.
"You weren't at the library, I thought you were but I checked and you weren't there; they said you hadn't come in and there were no plans for you to come in. Where were you really?" He asked stepping forward, a tone of concern in his voice.
"Luukas, it's fine, don't worry about it."
"You saw him didn't you? After Nea told you and I asked you not to."
"Luukas, just calm down,"
"Henna, this isn't all fun and games, you're going to get hurt. Punks don't play by the same rules we do, they will chew you up and spit you out. It's in their nature to be cruel, vindictive, and spiteful. Don't you ever forget that," He pleaded with me as he grabbed a hold of my arms.
"I'll be fine, it's nothing serious," I said trying to break free of his grasp.
"It doesn't seem that way, it's starting to get serious. You're going to hurt yourself if you keep persuing this," He urged, I could tell he was genuinely concerned, not just telling me this because he was against them.
"What are you going to do if I don't stop? Tell Nea?"
"I couldn't."
"Then what? Luukas, you just don't understand."
"Is he worth it? Is he worth getting hurt over?"
"Luukas, I'll be fine, don't worry your pretty little face over it, I have everything under control," I say hoping that my confidence will put him to ease.
"I know what you're doing, and it's not going to work."
"Oh Luukas come on, this was the same conversation we had not that long ago. Let's just change the subject?" I asked hoping that we could change it, I hated these conversations and that's what we seemed to have most of lately. He sighed closing his eyes, a sign that he agreed, we both struggling to find a new topic to talk on.
"So is that what you really came here for?" I asked as I walked past him, sitting down on the couch that was located behind him.
"I wanted to see you, and there was more than that," He answered, plopping himself down next to me.
"Like?"
"Nea's moving," He said as he rested his head against the back.
"What?" I asked shocked, shooting up instantly as the last syllable left his mouth.
"Calm down, it's nothing huge, but she's going to be out of school for a while which means we're on our own," He said as he nervously smiled. "I don't want this to go to your head," He said as he placed his hands on my shoulders.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked instantly becoming offended by his last sentence.
"With Nea gone for a while I know you're going to try and see him more often. Please, try to limit it, for my sake if not your own," He pleaded grabbing my hands.
"Luukas, we're past that, remember?"
"I never know with you, you're so different lately,"
"And you aren't? You never did answer Nea's question, where were you last summer?" I asked, this time hoping that he would admit to what it was that he was hiding.
"It's nothing, don't worry yourself about it," He said patting the top of my head, only fueling my anger more.
"Luukas," I whispered harshly, he turned around before sighing.
"I'll tell you sometime, I'm just trying to find the appropriate timing. It's something I don't want Nea ever finding out about," He answered grabbing his coat.
"Where are you going?" I asked, my mood switching from anger to sadness. Talk about mood swings.
"I'm walking home, I'll see you tomorrow hopefully?" He asked as he adjusted the collar of his jacket.
"You sure you don't want me to drive you home?"
"And risk spilling my secret?" He asked chuckling. "Thanks for the offer, but I'll do fine, just, just be careful," He said before opening the door and leaving, and despite my brother being there, I felt alone once again.
Feel the magick rise.
Rate. Message. Enjoi.