I reached for my phone as soon as I opened my eyes next morning. I saw it was only 6:45am, again. I sat up and entered into Instagram to see if Rilden has accepted my follow request, even before praying or reading Bible. This was so unlike of me and I acted like I forgot that I left everything for God's will last night before bed. Or maybe, I didn't really leave it all for His will, just prayed with mouth and not from my heart.

That's exactly what happened and I was soon confirmed about it. If I had actually left it to God, I would've slept peacefully, instead of staying awake with a million of thoughts in my mind about my embarrassingly dramatic imaginary future with Rilden; starting with, him accepting my request.

I didn't see any notification but I checked in to confirm I actually haven't gotten any. Since I've been hoping so highly that I'll be warmly welcomed back from sleep by the notification of Rilden's request acceptance but there was nothing like that. Still, I didn't give up on my hope. I went to the searching section and looked for his account but confusing me slightly, I couldn't find him on the recent search list. I ignored, thinking Instagram is either playing tricks or having errors.

I shrugged and resumed my searching. But destroying my huge castle of dreams –I've built up overnight that almost touched the sky– within a blow of breath from one's nose, I found no trace of his account.

I blinked twice. No way!

I searched again but still, the results were same. “What on earth was that?!” I called out of frustration.

I was breathing faster; my body heated up, tears ran up to fill my eyes and my confusion grew slowly into anger. What's wrong with Instagram? Why isn't his account showing up? What have they done? I began to blame Instagram for the disappearance of Rilden's account.

I quit from Instagram and entered again and searched for his account once more; but still, no. I finally gave up on my final hope and burried my face between my popped up knees. Tears of, miserableness, disappointness, hopelessness and fury towards Instagram streamed down my cheeks and the next moment, I found myself sobbing, falling back on my bed, burying my face on the pillow.

What was I even thinking? Rilden will accept my request and follow me back and we eventually get into a conversation and become friends? I didn't realize how pathetic of a prick I was until now; to build my imaginary castle of dreams.

I cried and cried and cried and fell into sleep, which I didn't realize until I was awakened by a gentle stroking on my hair. I turned my head to aside and through the hair bangs that covered my sight, I saw my brother's elegantly dressed up frame. I didn't had to look to confirm it was him, his cologne alone proved it.

“I'm tired,” I turned my head from him and mumbled into the pillow.

“Are you sick, sweetheart?” Haxsel asked me concerned.

“No, just tired.” I mumbled again.

“Come on, look at me.” he gentle squeezed my shoulder.

“I'm tried, Jonny.” I groaned, hiding my face from him as he moved the fallen hair bangs from my face, that were like a veil for me to hide my face from him. I was sure that I had tear stains on my cheeks and what will I answer him if he ask me why was I crying?

“Have you been up all night playing video games?” my brother asked amused.

“What, no! I told you, I'm just...tired.” I sighed.

“Then look at me, sweetheart. You've never been so tired to look at your handsome brother, have you?” Haxsel asked and I snorted amusedly in response.

“Come on, I'll bring you ice cream when I come back.” he tried as he used to, when I was younger.

“Not working, bro.”

He sighed and sat on my bed and leaned over me, his head resting on mine. “I'll buy you a box full of chocolates and don't tell Mom, we can get it from my car after dad and mom are asleep. Then we'll have a silent siblings sleepover party. We'll watch Harry Potter and suck up on the chocolates....”

“Jonny!” I whined giggling and pushed his head away lightly from my ear because his whispering breath was tickling my ear.

He chuckled, “So, deal?” he asked.

“Deal,” I mumbled. Who could actually resist a sleepover watching Harry Potter and sucking on chocolates my mom has banned me from for a fixed time. I had been eating a lot of chocolates behind her back.

“Okay now, look at me.” my brother said.

Wait, is this why he made the deal? I hummed in rejection; I can't let him see my tearstained face. What will I tell him?

“Huh! Then what condition of a deal did you agreed with? Alright then,” my bed shifted empty as Haxsel stood up, “I'm going. No, chocolates, no Harry Potter, no slumber party when I return.” he said casually and turned to leave me.

That got my head shot up from the pillow towards him. “No!” I can't imagine my only hope to have fun to be destroyed. “Jonny!” I moaned as my brother kept walking towards the door.

He turned to me with his annoying smugly smirk as he reached to the door, holding the knob with his one hand, pretending to close it behind him. “Bye,”

“No, You can't do this to me!” I shook my head, tears suddenly threatening to run to my eyes; my one hope is destroyed, not this one too to free up myself.

Haxsel's smirk melted into a concerned frown and he quickly walked towards me, closing the door behind him. His eyes scanned mine and then down to my cheeks as he sat on the bed in front of me.

Uh oh.

“You've been crying.” it wasn't a question. “Why?” my brother asked.

I stumbled on words. “I-uh, I...” Should I tell him? Can I tell him the reason? What will he say if I tell him that I've got a crush on a boy? Surely, he wouldn't slap me across my face.

Oh shut up you stupid girl, he's not a monster.

Haxsel's eyebrows scrunched up in concern, wrinkling his forehead. “Is it Emmy's news again?” he asked softly, stroking my cheek.

Oh Emmy! Goodness, I totally forgot about her! I was planning on telling her news to Rex and Emmy#2 yesterday but as I came across Rilden on Instagram, I totally forgot about her!

I sat up and looked at my poor brother who was trying to guess what's going on in my mind. As much as I can't imagine lying to him, I can't tell him the exact reason either. So I decided to take this as an escape hole. “It's totally fine, though.” I smiled reassuringly.

“But you don't look like you're fine at all.” Haxsel said. “You haven't had nice sleep, the dark circles under your eyes proves it. Tell me what's it.”

I sighed, “It's nothing, Jonny, really.” I assured but my brother narrowed his eyes at me. “I mean, you know, it's normal that I feel so sad when I see her. I'm happy she's safe but memories never dies.” I said.

Haxsel sighed and opened his mouth to answer me but I quickly cut him off, “But it's alright now. I just want something to get involved with and Harry Potter and Chocolates sounds great.”

Haxsel studied me for a moment and then nodded his head, a smile forming on his lips. “Okay then, Harry Potter and Chocolates it is.” he said and pulled me into his embrace. “Then you better select which one we should watch okay? We won't be having any time to waste on choosing when I come back.” he pulled back, kissing the top of my head and continued, “Anything but Deathly Hallows.” he chuckled before standing up.

I giggled, Deathly Hallows is both of ours favorites and whenever we watch Harry Potter, we only choose it, out of other movies, and it's been a quite long time since we've watched the other ones.

“Prisoner of Azkaban.” I said without thinking. My brother, who was walking to the exit, turned to me, “Prisoner Of Azkaban? I thought you'll be choosing Order Of The Phoenix.” he said.

I shrugged, “I don't want to cry over Sirius' death, sucking on chocolates.” I said.

“Right then, bye.” Haxsel waved and walked to the door.

Suddenly a thought struck me. I heard Haxsel and Maxell talking something about going to the cove with their friends coming Sunday; and that means, my friend Harry will be there too. I looked up and saw Haxsel closing the door behind him. “Jonny, wait!” I called out, getting out of my bed and walked towards him.

“Yes, love?” he asked, peeking in through the almost closed door.

I didn't know if he'll allow me but it was worth a try. I tied my hands to my back like a little school girl and gave him the best innocent look I could provide. “Er.. will you bring me to the cove with you and Max on Sunday? I'm sure Harry would be coming too. It feels like a long time since we saw each other and I might could hang out with him and clear my mind. It's been pretty boring, honestly.” I said, hopefully looking up at my brother.

“Oh. I would've loved to, but sweetheart, I cancelled it.” he said.

“Why?”

“You don't know?” he asked and I shook my head, “I had to cancel it when Charlie said he'll be coming this Sunday, don't you remember?”

Oh Charlie! How did I forget him? What's wrong with me? I forgot about Emmy when I came across Rilden. And now Charlie too?

I gasped silently as I remembered it, “Oh. I totally forgot that.” I smiled sheepishly.

Haxsel shook his head, “That better not reach to Charlie's ears. He won't be so forgiving.” he joked.

I laughed, “Better not.”

*****

At night, after making sure that mom and dad are asleep, Haxsel and I tiptoed down to the ground floor, being careful of Nicky too, who would likely to bark if he become curious and especially when he gets the smell of Chocolates.

My duty was to make sure Nicky stays asleep, as my brother went out to the car porch to take the chocolate box from his car. I've always loved the fact that, we together makes perfect crime partners.

Getting back to the safety of Haxsel's room safely, where we've prepared the movie watching setups, we began to dig in to the chocolates like little kids after starting the movie. But just as Harry Potter said "Lumos Maximo" in the beginning of the movie, we both were startled by a soft knock on door.

I quickly hid the chocolate box under one of the pillows as Haxsel went to answer the door. We didn't bother to turn of the movie since we know Mom or Dad wouldn't mind it.

Luckily and much to our relief, it was Nicky. “Don't tell me you're playing our nanny role now.” I head my brother mutter to him as he got in. After dividing the chocolates into three parts for each of us, we continued watching the movie.

By half the way, Nicky and Haxsel fell asleep whilst I stayed up to the end. I couldn't find a trace of sleepiness when it comes to my favorite movies even at midnight. Even though my brother wasn't able to stay up with me with his usual mocking comments, I was thankful that he prepared at least this for me, not caring that he should get up early tomorrow to go for his work.

That night was fun but that was until we laid back to sleep. I began to wander off about Rilden again. I haven't touched my phone ever since morning and worried about why am I not responding to the messages, Rex and Emmy#2 texted my brother to ask if I'm okay. I texted them back telling that I'm fine but I didn't enter to Instagram, thinking it'll break my heart that I can't find Rilden anymore there.

I still don't understand what actually happened.

The next day morning, I decided to tell this to Rex and told about my crush to Emmy#2 for the first time. She got excited but was sorry when I told her I can't find him anymore. He surely hadn't deleted his account because both Rex and Emmy#2 searched for him and they got the exact person. Another thought struck me; what if he blocked me? But why? He'd rather not accept my request than blocking me, in my logical view. And on the same time, he had 1098 followers already and it seemed to me like he's been accepting all requests he get; again, that's from my logical view but hey, can someone possibly know 1098 people personally, if he'll only accept the request of people he knows.

The thoughts were only frustrating me and I decided to focus onto Charlie's arrival I've been waiting for. On Saturday night, we all were busy with cooking Charlie's favorite dishes for him and his cousin Nott so that mom and I don't have to spend our time in kitchen whilst there won't be splendid time to spend with them.

The next day arrived and I found myself awaken out of excitement early morning. I stretched out my hand to my phone but paused, 'No, this isn't right.' I heard a voice over my head and quickly withdrew my hand. I knew I couldn't find Rilden any possibly again on my account and yet, I was trying. No wonder, it must be God who blocked my account from his phone because of my craziness over the crush. I had the planning of watching the Sunday live service today but cancelled it as Rex told that Rilden won't be on the stage today.

“Happy now?” I asked myself and reached for my Bible instead. After reading Bible, morning prayer and morning chores, I changed into jeans and one of my brother's hoodies he had given me, before heading down for breakfast.

As promised, by almost 10:00am, the door bell rang. I was talking with Emmy#2 on phone upstairs and I quickly hung up the call, muttering a hundred sorrys to her before I did and ran downstairs. I stopped myself by the staircase as I saw my brother entering the living room with two men. I slowed my pace as I climbed rest of the steps down until Charlie's blue eyes caught me.

“Ha! There you are! I thought you'd crash me in a hug in the moment I enter your home.” he said sarcastically.

Beside him, my brother rolled his eyes, “You can't expect anything from my sister that I don't get from her.”

I rolled my eyes, “Very dramatic of you, loving brother.” I said and walked up to Charlie's open arms.

After we pulled away from the hug, Charlie turned me to the man with raven hair like my mom's and grey eyes, his cousin Nott and introduced him to me – saying, “This is my cousin you kept on asking to Hax about” and I had to tell him, “I only asked because I wanted to know if the cousin you told is a girl” – and me to him. I blushed a little at the way Charlie spoke about me, adoringly and I finally had to cut him off.

It was quite fun to have Charlie here but I was sad that he won't be staying with us this time as always. We talked a lot, catched up on missed times including Nott. And at lunch time, Charlie was quite surprised to find his favorite dishes on table and won't stop saying that, “Aunt Adela is the best” earning an eye roll from both Haxsel and Nott for God knows why.

“Mariel found someone on Twitter and now she wants to date him.” Charlie said, once we all were back to living room.

I stopped chewing on the dates Charlie bought for us; or I'd rather say, for me. “What?” I asked.

“Mariel? Your sister?” our dad asked.

“Can you believe it?” Charlie chuckled.

“Man, you never told me that.” Haxsel said, and I didn't miss the hint of complaint in his voice. “When did that happen?”

“Three days ago. But I think they've been in connection for 3 months by now. She just told us three days ago.” Charlie said.

“Who is this boy?” Mom asked.

“A completed brat, probably; from the look of him.” Nott said.

“And what did you tell her?” my brother asked Charlie.

He sighed, “It's really hard to get him out of her head, you know? But I told her she can't date him because he's living in distance, in Dallas and also, how can we know everything he say is true?” he said.

“What did he say?” Haxsel asked.

“That he's single. How can we know?” Charlie said, and I can see the worry in his voice for his sister.

“And for worse, he also told her that he's going to NYU for his studies; exactly where Mariel is going too.” Nott said.

“Did she come with you to here?” I asked.

“Yes, but always on phone, chatting and calling. I told her to look for some good guys and gave a nice suggestion.” Charlie said, looking at my brother.

“You mean, you suggest her to date someone you like?” Nott inquired and Charlie nodded chuckling. “Who did you suggest?” he asked.

Charlie pointed his chin towards my brother who sat opposite of him, while my brother pointed his index finger at himself to confirm, “Me?”

“Yes, you.”

“Don't even think about it.” I said without knowing what has happened to me and put my arm around my brother as if someone is trying to take him away from me, “I won't give away my brother to anyone!”

Charlie was taken aback by my unexpected reaction. Whether he was joking or not, he looked slight shocked. Next to his couch, Nott looked surprised and my parents faces looked like they're utterly amused by my action.

But I didn't care. This was my brother he was talking about! How could I not react!

“Whoa Hax, what was that?” Charlie chuckled at last, raising his palms up.

“That, Char, is the protective side of my sister.” Haxsel said and I didn't miss the laugh he was trying to control.

Nott chuckled, “If that's the protective side of the sister, I don't want to see the protective side of the brother. That'd be graver.” he said and elbowed his cousin who kept on chuckling.

“Hailey,” Nott called my name and I looked at his direction. “Take it in this way,” he began with using the action of his both hands as he began to give his explanations. Don't tell me that these two came here to tie up my brother with their sister.

He continued, “For example, what if your brother has feelings for Mariel and your protest hurt his feeling?” he asked.

I frowned for a moment but my brother didn't allow the frown take over me. “First and foremost, I don't have such thing for her. Honestly Char, that's ridiculous! I see her as a sister.” my brother said, much to my relief.

Nott had an expression on his face that proved, his plan of explainings, whatever it was, is completely destroyed by one short blow from my brother. “Well, I-I mean, I told you it's an example, not to take it seriously. What I was trying to say is, how will you feel, if your brother holds you against your will of loving a boy you like? So, if you think the same of your brother, you wouldn't protest.” he said.

I can say the same for Mariel, I thought but didn't say anything aloud.

I thought for a second, or to say, I couldn't stop thinking. What if Jonny don't want me to date Rilden even if I get a chance? Will he hold me against my will? But he's a sweet brother who understands my feelings and never holds me against my wills; on the same time, will he be the same when it comes to me dating a boy? What if he thinks the same as I think about him that someone might steal me away from him, from the closeness we have now? We both know that our relationship is nothing that can be torn away by someone but what if...

The conversation went on between the five of them while I stayed silent, less listening and more into my own world of thoughts. Nott's words did had me thinking far than I intend to.

Later by sundown, Charlie and Nott declared that they're leaving. I hugged Charlie a goodbye and shook hands with Nott who winked at me. The man was indeed jolly and funny but still, he was something else that I couldn't know yet. There was something behind that wink he gave me, while I took it as a friendly gesture.

That night when I got back to my room after a long day after having dinner, I grabbed my phone and turned on the data to see if I have any messages from my friends. But the results were unexpected.

I got four new notifications, each from each of my social media accounts.

Instagram: @nojameson01 sent you a follow request.

Ever since Rex told me that, the problem that my account might've gotten blocked in Rilden's account is because my account was private, I had switched my account to private from public.

Twitter: @nott_01jameson is following you.

Facebook: Nott Carl Jameson has sent you a friend request.

WhatsApp: *unknown number*: Hey Hayley, it's Nott here.

I laughed in disbelief. But what surprised me the most was, how did he get my WhatsApp number (and, he had my name typed wrong too). Then I remembered Charlie has it; maybe he gave him, I thought and popped onto my bed, opening all of those notifications to accept his requests and follow him back. And finally when I entered WhatsApp, he was online when I replied him.

Hi Nott! How surprised to see you here! How did you get my WhatsApp number?

He started typing.

Surprised? Glad I was able to. Oh I got your number from your Facebook.

I adjusted my position comfortably on the pillows and began to write back to him, not knowing of the trap that was laid for me behind it.

—— • ——

A/N: Hi ya all! Thanks for your supports. Please tell me what do you think about my book. Interesting? Boring? Or somewhere in the between?