matchaa
Junior Member
♡coded by uxie♡
Byron hated his brother’s blank, calm, disappointed silence more than anything their father could ever say. Deep down—though he’d never admit it, not to himself and certainly not to Connor—he cared what his brother thought of him. That was why he pushed him, poked at him. Without the jabs, without the tension, there’d be nothing but cold, distant silence. And that was worse than any insult Connor—or anyone, for that matter—could ever hurl his way.
“You could’ve driven yourself,” Connor had said earlier, his tone flat, judgment implicit.
Byron had just shrugged, muttering, “Figured the girls wanted to be together.”
Now, alone in the car, Byron was back to his usual routine, needling Connor just to provoke some kind of reaction. For the briefest moment, he thought he saw it—a flicker of something in his brother’s eyes. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by that same unreadable mask Connor always wore. Byron was ready to write it off, but then Connor spoke, his voice sharper than usual.
“Does it ever get exhausting,” Connor said coolly, “always being such a dick?”
Byron froze. That one stung—but Connor wasn’t done.
“Probably why you don’t have any friends… except, what’s his name? Leo? Because you treat people like garbage.”
The words hit like a slap. Byron’s smirk faltered, his usual bravado slipping for just a second. “Okay, ow,” he snapped, glaring. “You’re feeling tetchy today. Gotta say, I didn’t think my comments on your driving would be the breaking point for you.” He rolled his eyes, but the humorous edge to his tone was weaker than before. Connor must be near his breaking point, mouthing off like this. Well, fuck him. He deserved it—all of it. “who shat in your cornflakes?” He asked but his smirk had dropped now completely.
The worst part? Connor was right. And Byron hated that he was right.
None of his so-called friends really knew him—or they’d already cut ties. Except Leo. And maybe Bentley, once upon a time. But he’d burned that bridge, too. Then, unbidden, he thought of Lia. Her face at the end of Bentley’s party: blank, tired, dissociated. Tired of him. Tired of his anger. His chest tightened at the memory.
He could have lost her for good that night.
Hurt flashed across his face before he shoved it away, turning to stare out the passenger window. I’m fixing it with Lia, he told himself. I care about her. I don’t need anyone but her and Leo anyway.
But Connor’s words wouldn’t leave him alone.
The silence stretched forever, every second dragging into an eternity. He felt fidgety and irritable. God, why didn’t I take that pill today? The more he thought about it, the more his bitterness grew. He tried to hold it in, but this morning had been yet another reminder of why Connor’s words cut so deep. With him, their parents were kind—loving, doting. But the second Byron came downstairs, the scolding started. Connor must be so used to it by now that he didn’t even fucking notice anymore. Worse- he probably thought he deserved it- was owed it.
There it was. The snap. The break in his self-control. He turned to his brother, malice flashing in his eyes.
“You know, maybe you’re right. I’m an asshole.” he bit out, his tone dripping with venom. “But at least I'm my own man." He sneered "Not just some spoiled lap-dog-" He shook his head, his expression was full of disgust now. "You just stand there silently and let everything fall into your lap like it’s owed to you. You think you're owed my respect too?” He shook his head, his voice cold now. “Well, I don’t owe you a damn thing.”
As soon as he came down from the high those words had given him- he regretted them. What am I doing!? He could ruin Byron's entire relationship- something that was already so fragile- with one well placed lie to Alexa. It was too late to take any of it back now though- and his pride would definitely not allow him to apologize. As they rounded the last few corners he waited for any reaction- any slip in Connor's mask to tell him what he might be planning.
If that happened- if he told them... What would Dahlia believe?
Byron
Homecoming
N/A
-->
-->
-->
-->
♡coded by uxie♡
Last edited: