Secret Identity (completed)

Harri's POV

I like you too, SJ." I reply without giving myself an opportunity to change my mind.

Did that just happen? I think to myself as I skip down the stairs to breakfast. He likes me. He said it. I mean I know he was drunk but that still counts, right? But why hasn't he replied yet? It's been hours and that was his last text. Maybe it was just a game. What if he's playing me? I mean he did say that I wouldn't like the real him. What does that even mean? Why are boys so confusing.

"I know you're not a morning person but..." I look up at Theo who is sitting on the other side of the bench with a cup of coffee. I cross my brows in confusion, and he nods towards my hands. When I look down I see that I am so distracted by my thoughts that I am about to pour orange juice on my cereal.

"Oh, thanks," I mumble quietly as I change the juice for a carton milk.

"What's on your mind, Sis?" he asks.

I can't quite tell if he is being sincere or setting me up for something, after all, it has been a while since we've had a heart to heart let alone since we've had a normal conversation.  I just want to grab him by the shoulders, shake him, scream in his face and ask him what frittata goes through boys minds. Of course, I'd be asking on behalf of all girls not just for my own personal selfish reasons.

Instead, I decide to take a tentative approach, "just school," I answer coolly.

"Know the feeling..." he grumbles as he puts his coffee cup in the sink. "If you want a lift to school, I'm leaving in ten!"

Seriously, he's going to give me a lift? I run upstairs and run a brush through my hair, my blonde roots are really starting to come through. I skip the eyeliner for the first time in weeks and grab my bag, beating Theo to the door.

The car ride is quiet save for the hum of the radio. I contemplate asking Theo what is wrong but don't want to ruin the mood. Luckily, I don't have to because he does it for me. "So how's the boyfriend?"

'He's not my boyfriend," I reply dryly.

I see him roll his eyes in the rear vision mirror. "Ok, so how's... errr, what's his name?"

"SJ." I mentally slap myself. Don't give him any details Harri.

"Yeah him."

"Probably passed out somewhere with a hangover," I whisper not taking my eyes from the window and the passing sidewalk.

I don't have to see him to know he is smirking. "Oh... got yourself a bad boy, do you?"

"He's not a bad boy! At least I don't think he is, AND he's not mine. We're just......" I pause trying to think of what we are. "We're friends."

"Ah ha, and how does SJ feel about being friend-zoned?" I look over to the driver's seat. Is this really my brother, or is this an imposter? I search his face for any distinguishing features. Yep, there is the small scar above his lip from when I kicked him in the face when I was five and on the swing and he ran in front of me. It's definitely him, or an alien has taken over his body. Either one. I haven't decided yet.

"Why are you being so nice?" I ask cautiously.

He flinches slightly but doesn't take his eyes off the road. "Can't a brother just be nice to his sister?"

It takes all my energy not gag. "Seriously, Theo. What is it? Are you dying?"

He scoffs, "No I am not dying."

"Then what is it?"

He sighs heavily, "it's Jazz."

My blood pressure rises instantly. "NOOOO egging way! It's not happening, Theo!" I scream as we pull into the school car park.