“Where is Junior?”, I asked anxiously scanning the room for him. Clara answered.

“I think he went to the park but he should be back. He needs to quickly check in before mom finds out he was out at the park for more than 30 minutes.”

I nodded my head in agreement. It was never strange when I would ask for him because they all knew how close we were. I waited patiently for my brother to come, but when he did he had his left cheek as red as a cherry. A boy wouldn’t slap another boy so it must have been a girl. He would have had bruises. I wanted to ask him if he was okay but mother rushed in before me and ambushed him with questions.

“Why is your cheek so red? Did you get into a fight? Who did this to you!?”

Mother was so persistent in knowing the answer to her question. I wonder how she doesn’t know -- Even I figured it out once I saw him. Of course, there is a possibility that I am wrong. I could tell he didn’t want to spill the beans in front of everyone: we all left except mom. I hid around the corner so I could listen and not be seen.

“I was hit by a girl. It’s nothing really. You don’t have to worry.”

Mother reached for his cheek. He twitch but let her examine it some more. The sight of my brother hurt was unbearable. Without another word I left as soon as I can before the girl left the park. It was easy finding her when I arrived. People surrounded her as if she had just stood up to a bully, but my brother was no bully. I would have to wait until the people around her left so I can take action. During my time waiting I imagined scenarios that may help me.

She is two years older which makes her the same age as Junior. She is also taller than me. I need to tell her a lie so she can lean into me and I will be able to reach her face. I would do the same as she did to my brother. First, I would pretend to tell her a secret and then she will lean over so I can reach her ear. Then the moment I have been waiting for.

I was heading her way when I see her face tense up. I looked in the direction she was looking and I see a teenager that almost looks like the girl I was going to face. Even I tensed up when she yelled out her name. She had an aurora that was menacing and you do not want to get in her bad side. Next thing I know is my target being slapped by her. Somehow I felt relieved. If she saw me slapping her little sister, then she would probably slap me back because she was family to her just like my brother and I.

** ** ** ** **

I left the park and headed back home to relax. I needed answers to my questions but that might raise even more questions. I’m pretty sure junior told mom more information after I bolted to the park.

“Mom, do you know why junior was slapped by a girl?”

I asked with the intention to know more about her because the way how she was slapped by her sister made me think why. Why did she come and defend my brother and are they friends? Too many questions flooded my head. It gave me a headache.

“That girl’s name is Alyssa and she slapped Luis because he was misunderstood.”  Mother’s explanation was unclear but I beared with it. I didn’t want to be too annoying or bother her in any way.

“How bad is junior’s cheek?” I asked  curiously.

“It will stay red unless he keeps his ice pack glued to his cheek properly.” Mom didn’t seem mad at Alyssa but at junior for not listening to her instruction.

“Why aren’t you mad at Alyssa instead of junior?” curiosity ran through me. She should be feeling protective like me… right?

“I am not mad at anyone because it is not my business and it was Luis’s fault for not explaining his rude joke to Alyssa.”

After everything, I hadn’t seen the two girls for a long time and I want it to stay that way. I thought it was alright now but problems arose out of the blue. My brother found out about me wanting to slap Alyssa at the park. He was mad but I didn’t know why, nor will I ever find out. I tried to explain to him that I never did slap her but he ignored me. Arrows stabbed me every time junior said that I was weak and he doesn’t need me to protect him or how I was getting in his way. That was the first fight I ever had with my brother. I was devastated.

He taught me how to ride a bike, skateboard, and use a ripstick. I would even play with Junior’s Yu-Gi-Oh cards with him. Everything I did with him has stopped after the fight. I was now alone. I watched mom cook and learn out of that. I would sometimes talk to him and joined a game of Call of Duty but most of my days were spent drawing. Even now, games and vanossgaming are what keeps us together. Maybe being alone isn’t so bad at all: I can use some time apart and discover what I like to do.

I was young and naive back then and didn’t know how to control my emotions very well. Others probably humiliated junior because his 8-year little sister came to his defense. I had to change that about me. Being rational, even in the hardest times is very hard but people like me have to try their best. I’m sure if I were to be slapped, everyone would come to my defense; I am the youngest in the family they wouldn’t like me to get injured in any type of way. I just have to forgive and forget in order to move on. That’s what I learned during my time apart from my brother.