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4

ELEONOR

"I felt the ghost of his kiss still lingering on my lips, and it had been nearly twenty-four hours. All day at university and then at the bookstore where I work, my mind kept drifting to that moment, wondering why he would kiss me. I'm just a kid, aren't I?

And the way he said goodbye, it just kept replaying in my head. He used my name, told me to behave, and couldn't resist calling me ""kid""... it was maddening.

When I got home, the silence was the first clue that something was off. It was Monday, and I usually get in around ten because my last class ends late and traffic is a nightmare, but my parents are always there. Not tonight, though.

Michael wasn't there either, but that was to be expected. So I made myself a sandwich, took a bath, and slipped into my long pajama pants and a blouse that was slightly revealing but oh-so-comfortable.

Settling at the dining table with my laptop to review tomorrow's classes, I was interrupted when my parents burst in, their faces etched with worry. Mom's tears were immediate, and Dad's grip on her arm was tight. I shot up from my chair, a knot forming in my stomach.

""Did something happen to Michael?"" My voice barely made it out; my heart was hammering. Mom only cries like that for Michael.

""Your brother is in jail, Eleanor,"" Dad's voice was a cold, hard line.

I felt a chill douse me from head to toe.

""What happened?"" My voice was shaking, barely a whisper.

""He's been frequenting some place, telling us it's university but really, he's been boxing. It's illegal, and the police raided it tonight. They took everyone involved in those illegal fights, including your brother. He's behind bars now,"" Dad's anger was palpable.

""This can't be happening,"" I muttered, my hand instinctively going to my hair in distress. ""You have to get him out, Dad,"" I pleaded.

""I'm not bailing him out. They're under investigation. He'll stay there until they decide if bail is an option,"" Dad was firm, but my heart ached for Michael.

""He's going to spend the night in that cold, dark place,"" Mom's sobs grew louder.

""That's the consequence of his choices, Carmelia. Michael's not a child anymore; he's a man, and he needs to face the repercussions of his actions. It's a shame, but maybe this is what he needs to set him straight,"" Dad's disappointment was a heavy cloak in the room.

""He's your son, Benjamin,"" Mom's eyes were pleading, wounded.

""He is, and I can't fathom where I went wrong for him to repay me like this,"" Dad's words were the prelude to their usual argument.

""I have to see him,"" the words tumbled out before I could stop them.

""You're not going anywhere, Eleanor. It's late; let him face this alone,"" Dad's fairness was lost in his anger.

""He's my brother, and I need to see him,"" my voice was resolute, unwavering.

""I said no,"" Dad was stern, grabbing my car keys from the table.

""Let her go, Benjamin,"" Mom's voice was a soft plea.

""You support him too? You should not condone his mistakes,"" Dad's voice held an edge of disappointment.

""I just want him to be happy, and it doesn't matter if you take the car keys. I'll find another way,"" I said, spinning on my heel and dashing upstairs.

I quickly changed into something warm and practical, stuffing my phone and some cash into my pocket. An Uber was easy to call, and before I knew it, I was at the police station, begging to see my brother. They resisted at first, citing the late hour, but I managed to persuade them with a few discreetly offered bills.

""Michael,"" I called softly when I saw him huddled on the corner of a bed that seemed too small for him. His eyes, clouded and tired, met mine, and we reached for each other's hands through the bars, seeking the warmth of a familiar touch.

""Eleanor, why are you here? I don't want you to see me like this,"" his voice was filled with the kind of love only a brother could give. Our bond was strong, often mistaken for something more by strangers, but Michael was the epitome of a gentleman.

The tears I had been holding back began to fall.

""I needed to see that you were okay,"" I managed to say between sobs." """Don't cry; you need to be the strong one now, to stand up for me against whatever Mom and Dad might say, or whatever accusations they throw at me,"" Michael reached through the bars and gently stroked my hair.

""I'm not going to leave you rotting in this dump,"" I said, my voice firm despite the despair clawing at my insides.

""They're not going to release me until they get what they want from me. All I can do is wait. You need to focus on your studies, eat well, and take care of yourself. I'll manage,"" he said with that infuriating optimism that I sometimes loathed.

""But I've already decided I'm not going to just leave you here. It's not right. Tomorrow I'll bring you food, clothes, and whatever else you need while I do everything in my power to get you out,"" I insisted, but he just shook his head vehemently.

""Eleonor, don't put your life on hold for me. I won't be in here long. Promise me you won't come back. I don't want you to see me in this state,"" he pleaded.

""How can you ask that of me? You're my brother. It hurts me more when you're in pain. If Mom and Dad won't step up, then I will. End of discussion. But I need to know what happened, Michael. I need the truth so I can find a good lawyer,"" my frustration was boiling over.

He just shook his head again, a silent sentinel of stubbornness.

""Young lady, visiting hours are over. You've been here long enough,"" the officer interrupted, his tone indicating no room for argument.

""I haven't even had five minutes,"" I protested, my annoyance spilling out.

""Eleonor, please, don't come back. We'll see each other soon, my little one,"" Michael's voice was tender as he let go of my hand, the officer guiding me away.

I fought back tears, trying to steady the turmoil inside me, but it was like trying to calm a storm by whispering.

""Please, make sure this gets to Michael White,"" that familiar voice... Was fate intent on throwing us together like this every day?

""Release me,"" I said to the officer, pulling my arm away as we moved toward the exit.

Hearing each other, Zeus and I instinctively looked for one another. He was talking to another officer by the desk, and I was moments from leaving.

""Eleonor,"" he called out, and my heart clenched.

""Zeus,"" I acknowledged, the name catching in my throat.

""Why are you still here so late?"" he asked, a question that had become an expected part of our encounters.

""Are you going to start with that 'girls shouldn't be here' nonsense again?"" I couldn't help but respond with a hint of sarcasm, tilting my head.

""I'm concerned about Michael too, you know. I'll do whatever it takes to get him out,"" I said, avoiding his gaze.

""What happened? Why was he arrested? And why aren't you in a cell too?"" The questions poured out of me.

""I wasn't there when the police raided; otherwise, I'd be in a cell too,"" he replied, only giving me half the story.

""I had no idea all that stuff was illegal,"" I admitted, feeling the tears threatening again.

""Eleonor... let's talk about this tomorrow, okay? You need to get some rest. At least Michael will have a decent meal tonight. I brought him some food and clothes. He'll be okay,"" he said, trying to sound reassuring.

""But how can I rest knowing my brother is in this place? Just leave me alone, Zeus,"" I said, turning away to leave, to escape to wherever my feet might lead.

But just as I stepped outside, I felt his hand on my arm, stopping me." """Eleonor, I hate to see him in there as much as you do. Michael's my friend, and it kills me that he got caught up in this mess. But I promise you, we'll get him out. Where do you think you're going? What will you do tonight? You need rest if you're going to have any energy to deal with tomorrow,"" Zeus's gaze held mine, his dark eyes searching for a sign of acquiescence.

""I don't know... I really don't know, Zeus... I'm at a loss,"" the words tumbled out, my voice breaking. I was on the verge of tears, struggling to keep myself together. Michael was my rock.

""I'll take you home. It's the safest option.""

""No, I can't face home right now. Not like this,"" I shook my head, the thought of returning to an empty house without Michael's support was unbearable.

""You can't afford to be vulnerable now; you've got to be strong and—"" His words were cut short by my own.

""Michael is the one who bolsters me, with his presence, his hugs,"" I admitted, feeling a sting in my eyes as they began to well up.

Then, unexpectedly, I was pulled into a tight embrace. Zeus's arms encircled me, his warmth seeping into my bones. What was he doing?

""I may not be Michael, but I can offer you the strength he'd want you to have right now. The strength to face whatever's ahead. Don't want to go home? Fine. Let's go somewhere quiet to talk. I'm not keen on going home right now either,"" he said softly, and I found myself melting into his embrace, allowing myself to be held, to feel the solid reassurance of his presence.

""I thought you didn't do the whole 'hang out with girls' thing. I don’t want to be a burden,"" I couldn't help but quip, despite the gravity of the moment.

His laughter was a low rumble against my ear.

""You're 22, hardly a 'girl' by any standard,"" he teased, his voice a blend of warmth and light humor.

""I'm not here to babysit; think of me more as your guardian for the time being.""

""And what exactly are you guarding me from?"" I asked, pulling back slightly to look at him.

""I just want to make sure that when Michael gets out, he finds everything as he left it. That includes his sister being safe and sound, so I can continue to tease her. Until he's back, I guess I'll have to fill in, though not as your brother, of course.""

""And how do you propose to do that?"" I challenged, meeting his eyes.

""Like I said, as your guardian. Now come on, get in the car, kid."" His tone was gentle but firm, and it was clear he wasn't going to take no for an answer."

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