Rebellion Is Good For the Soul - Amanda Castillo (english novels to improve english .TXT) 📗

said brother. I'm sure if April goes to Genesis High, then her brother must to. Suddenly approaching her seems much harder. Darius made it plenty obvious that he'd rather get eaten by a snake than let his sister associate with the likes of me.
I lay back down, curling in on myself and feeling abnormally raw. Normally people didn't like or approve of me, and normally it didn't hurt. For some reason though, Darius' disapproval stung. It shouldn't, but there you have it. Maybe it's because he looks so much like April...
Instead of dwelling on that obviously unwanted thought, I pull the cover over myself, turn on my music and drift into the sweet oblivion that is daydreaming.
Chapter 5

"What was that all about April?"
I stare at Darius, unsure of what he means. Is he talking about my obvious disregard of what he said or the fact that I was at Jas' place in the first place? I bite my lip, biting back a giggle, and turn away from him. I can feel his eyes boring into my back.He really should watch the road instead of scrutinize me when he knows he's done worse.
"I don't know what you mean."
He scoffs and I bite back one of my own. He makes a sharp turn and I flinch. I don't understand why he's so angry. Usually he doesn't care if I get home, or do my homework, or if I'm happy. Why is he suddenly so interested in me? We screech to a stop at a red light.
"You know what I mean April."
He puts his hand on my shoulder and turns me around forcefully. I glare at him, arms crossed over my chest. His eyes are cold and hard and completely unfamiliar. Where was the condescending, reckless, rebellious brother I've come to loath and distrust?
"Why were you there at that boy's house? Why were you even walking? In the rain no less! What if nobody had come to your rescue? What if those guys got what they were after? Why-"
I clench my teeth and I my fingernails bite into the soft part of my hand.
"WHY DO YOU CARE?!"
He recoils, rage and hurt battling in his eyes. Those eyes that look so much like mine... I turn away from him, clamping down on the guilt that floods me. I have no reason to be guilty... none at all. Again he forces me to face him. Fine, he wants to talk, then we'll talk. I move closer to him, not caring that the people in the car next to us are staring. For once, I don't care what anyone thinks.
"Since when do you care about whether or not I get home safely? For all you know I could be out around the town and spreading my legs-"
Slap!

My cheek feels like its on fire. My hand flies up to it and the coolness of my own smooth hand soothes it a bit. I stare at him, blindsided. His face is contorted with rage. How could he? What right does he have-
"You don't have to like me, but you will respect me. I've seen more of the world than you have. I know people like that drop-out delinquent that "saved" you. Hell I have friends like him! While you sit at home studying, I go out and visit the slums. Places like you were today. I've seen things that I hope you never have to see. I will not be yelled at by a sheltered little girl who doesn't know me from Adam. I may be your brother but that doesn't mean you know me-"
The light turns green and Darius tears his gaze away from me and refocuses it on the road. My hand still hasn't left my cheek. He sighs in exasperation as he starts driving again. It's only when I pull my hand away from my face that I realize that I'm crying.
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The rest of the drive is silent, and when we pull up to the house I bolt from the car and run up the steps of the mansion. Never before have I seen this porcelain prison as a safe haven. I guess there's a first time for everything. I shove my key into the door, and run into the foyer and up the stairs. I don't even bother pulling my key from the lock.
"April!"
Darius is right behind me, but years of smoking to spite our parents has taken it's toll. He can't keep up with me. Not when I run everyday. I sprint down the hallway, tears nearly blinding me. I get to my room and throw open the door. I glare at Darius, who is clutching at his side, breathing heavily. I slam the door and lock it before sinking to the floor, my back against the cold, hard oak of the door.
I shrink in on myself; my knees up to my chest, and my face buried in my hands. The tears are hot against my cool face. I don't even bother trying to wipe them away. There's no one here to pretend for, no one here to judge poor little April Fernandez, daughter of a millionaire and the loneliest girl on this earth.
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I groan as April slams the door. Still clutching my side, I move towards the wall and sink down until the chains on my skinny jeans clink on the cold tile floor. I really fucked things up. I of all people have no right to be yelling at her, Little Miss Goody-Two-Shoes, about breaking rules.
The pain in my side ebbs slightly and I move my hand away from it, carding it through my hair instead. I let out a sigh as I picture April, running through the rain, strawberry blonde hair matted to her shoulders. Scared, naive and defenseless...
How could I be such an idiot? What if that Jas guy hadn't shown up... What if...
I punch the wall in frustration. I was just trying to make her see reason. I just wanted her to understand what could have

happened. I was trying to make her understand why she shouldn't be there. Why she shouldn't follow in my footsteps...
I shake my head to clear those thoughts out. April is nothing like me, nothing like me at all...
Damn it, I really need a cigarette.

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Publication Date: 12-24-2010

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