The Touch and the Bravest Woman

I quickly ran into our front door when I heard a knock. I opened it and saw Brian carrying those huge bags. I helped her put her things inside my room. Mom saw us, and also Dad who's watching television.

"Do you need some help kids?" asked Dad. We shook our heads.

"No dad, we can handle this," I said and smiled. Brian smiled at them showing her bright teeth. Once we get inside my room, I put her things on her bed.

"Wow, Ire! I don't know you had 2 beds in one room" she asked---surprised.

"Actually, when I told them you're going to stay here, Dad brought this bed from our basement. You see, this is my bed when I was young when I first came here to visit grandma back then, sorry if it's old" I said. She put her arms around me and looked straight into my eyes.

"Geez, it's too much you know. I thought I'm going to sleep on the floor, but your parents are so kind and gave me this bed for tonight! I... Thank you Ire" she said and she was about to cry, I let her sat down in my bed and ask what's going on? Why she left her house?

"It's about mom.." she replied and then tears are coming out of her eyes. I can't even cry together with her.

"What happened to her?"

"She brought a new guy in our house, again" she replied. I know that Brian told me before that one of her mom's boyfriends molested her and he gets a trauma after that.

"I thought your Mom promised you that she won't do that again?"

"Yes. But she can't keep her promises, as always," she said and wiped her tears then looked at her hand.

"I miss dad... I miss my old family when we are still happy and complete" she added while crying. I lean her head on the top of my shoulder and trying to make her calm. I just let her cry. I let her burst out all pain and sorrow she's carrying now to me.

"Just let it flow in your cheeks. Remember this Brian, your Dad is always there for you, even though you can't see him but he's always protecting you."I said.

"I want to feel him, once again. I know he's always here inside my heart, but still, I want to feel his touch once again, it's not enough knowing he's in my heart if I can't hug him anymore..." she said then cries and I can feel that my shoulder is getting wet.

"Brian, maybe you don't feel it but sometimes, when you are alone, crying all by yourself, he is there hugging you just like how you hugged yourself, "I said then she looked at me.

"I-Ire, I don't know why I keep telling to myself that it's all my M-mom's fault even if Dad did it first, maybe because Mom is alive and Dad is not here anymore. You know... I wish I am you..."

"What? Why?"I asked. Why does she want to be me?

"Because you can't feel anything. You can't feel pain, I wish to be like you so that I won't feel anything, I won't feel this pain inside of me.. because it's so.. hard to keep.." she said then looked on the flooring while she continues crying. I put my hand above her left shoulder then made her look into my eyes.

"Hey, Brian look at me, " I said then she did as I say.

"Don't ever wish that thing. Did you know why every people has emotions? Especially the pain? Because this pain makes people become stronger than before, God will never give you a difficult mission if you can't do it. That's why Brian, don't give up, your dad, me and Shakira are always had your back."I said. She didn't talk back she just remained quiet. "I've always wanted to be like you. A wild person who doesn't care what other people think of you. It's really difficult to be like me, Brian. You want to be joyful with your pals, but you can't; you want to grieve for them, but you can't because you don't know-how. It's really difficult to be like me, Brian... Because I.. want to feel it... I want to feel those emotions" I added. This made her wiped his tears and smiled at me.

"Geez! Why are we crying like a baby!" she said then laughed a little.

"Let's go downstairs, Aunt Saoirse and Uncle Alessandro are waiting for us" she added. I agreed then stood up. But before we leave our room she tapped my shoulder.

"Thank you Ire," she said.

"Anytime.."I answered, and we both went downstairs. Mom and Dad didn't ask Brian why she was here; perhaps they already knew since they were accustomed to it; back when we were little, occasionally she slept in our house because her mom had a new boyfriend in their house, just like today, so Brian treated my parents as her parents as well. Mom and Dad are preparing something in the kitchen. We also went there to assist them, particularly Mom.

She's really not good at cooking only Dad can do. Dad making some jokes that made Brian laughed so bad. When the dinner is ready, Brian settled the plate, and I too. Mom placed the Bacon, the Fried Chicken, and the Tiramisu cake. We all sat down and prayed then after that we began eating our food.

"Wow, this is delicious Uncle Alessandro!" said Brian while drooling.

"Really I'm glad you like it" smiled dad. I looked at her who's smiling and laughing...

Your strong Brian, you're stronger than me...

---

"Hey, wake up Ire!"

When Brian lifted the curtain and the daylight shone in my eyes, I awoke. I gently opened my eyes and covered the sun's rays with my palm. I sat down and noticed she was already dressed in her school uniform. I stand up. She stared at me as she rested her hands on her waist.

"By the way, Ire. Zire is here"

"What?"

{Meanwhile at Zire's POV}

"What kind of angel has come to you that makes you wake up early?" asked Zyna. I'm inside my room and packed all my things in school inside my bag. Then put my bag on my left shoulder.

"A handsome angel named Zire"I responded with my regular face and shuffled her hair; I saw her annoyed expression when I have done so. I went downstairs and to the dining room to have my breakfast. I noticed Aunt Six holding freshly cooked bacon and placed it on my dish.

"Thanks, Auntie, "I said to her.

"Your early, Zire. It's really unusual" she said and sat in front of me. Then Zyna who just went in sat beside me and ate her breakfast.

"I just can't sleep yesterday..." I answered and ate some slices of bacon. When I'm finally done, I kissed Aunt Six in the cheeks and also Zyna's cheeks and waved goodbye.

"Hey, your walking!?" asked Zyna before I went out of this house.

"Yes, don't worry about me.."I said. I don't know why I woke up early maybe I just can't believe what I did yesterday. I yawn and stretched my arms.

Shit, Zire!

Since yesterday after I hold her hands, I can't sleep.

Flashback

"I'll accept her"I replied. She looked in my hand who's on top of her hand.

"Uhm, Zire...?" she said. I looked at her saying What?

You're holding her hand...

So?

Think you moron!

(- . - ) Receiving message

( O /// O ) Message received

When I realize what I'm doing, I immediately let go of my hand off of her.

"B-by the way, Let's go back to the restaurant.."I said to her then looked away. I stood up and I was going to take a step she grabbed my hand. I looked at her who's still sitting on the swing.

"I guess, they are already done eating," she said then she pulls out her phone from his sling bag and opened it then she showed me the time, it's 2:13 in the afternoon.

"Ahh! Right! Let me just walk you home.." I offered, she nodded, and we head to her house. Fuck! Why did I hold her hand? Shit, Zire! There's no bad thing holding her hand, right? And by the way, you hold her hand too when you went to Pom's World. So it's nothing stop shitting Zire!

But why did I do that!!!

End of Flashback.

Right, it's not a bad thing to hold her. Anyway, your Zire is the most handsome guy in school, and any girl will be glad to hold their hands especially if it is me. So don't be stupid it's just a normal touch, nothing at all.

"Hi, Mrs. Saoirse. Good morning"I greeted Mom's Sapphire. She's sweeping the fallen leaves on their front yard, she put it down and greeted me back.

"Oh hello Zire, good morning too. Are you looking for Sapphire?"

"Yes, is she awake?" I asked.

"Wow! What're we have here?"I looked at their front door and saw Monkey standing there. Looking at me with a teasing look.

"What are you doing here Brian!?"