Drayk and Natlee immediately stumble apart as if they've been shocked with electricity. I just stand there in the doorway like an idiot. Drayk takes a tentative step towards me. 

"Kaze, I can explain," he says, his voice wobbling. 

I take a step backwards. No. This can't be happening. 

"Kaze, please," he pleads. 

I freeze, staring at my brother next to Natlee. My gaze slides over to her, and we briefly make eye contact. The expression she gives me is all I need to finally turn and bolt out the door. 

I vaguely hear him calling my name, but I don't care. I have to get away from that house. I run and run with no clear destination in mind. My legs burn and throb, my eyes water from the air, and my side feels like it's being pierced with a spear, but I keep going, hoping the pain will give me relief from my freshly wounded heart. 

Eventually, I slow to a walk. My heart is pumping wildly, and I'm gasping for breath. I slump down onto a bench and put my head in my hands. Hot, angry tears start to spill out of my eyes. They spatter onto the sidewalk below. 

My brother was kissing Natlee. The words play over and over in my head like a broken record. How could my brother do this? How long had he been with Natlee? I have absolutely no answers. I am still sitting there when a voice interrupts my thoughts. 

"Kaze, is that you?" it says. 

I recognize that voice. It's Camryn. I pick my head up and look at her with my tear-stained eyes. 

"I thought you were dead!" she exclaims. "Are you okay?" 

Then, without warning, she grabs me in a hug. I awkwardly hug her back. Seconds later, she seems to realize what she's doing and abruptly breaks away. Camryn's cheeks are a flaming red. I have no idea if mine are too; I'm a wreck. 

"I'm fine," I say, my voice gravelly and broken. I clear my throat half-heartedly. Camryn looks at me worriedly; I must look pretty terrible right now.  I stand up from the bench. 

"I'd better go," I say. "I've got to... I've got to... See you later." 

I abruptly walk off in the opposite direction, leaving Camryn behind me. I turn the corner to my right and catch a split-second glimpse of her, still standing at the bench where I was just sitting. Her shoulders sag and the look on her face is one that breaks my heart a second time. 

Damn it, is there something wrong with me? My brother is in love with the girl I have a crush on, and I'm being a piece of crap to one of my friends who definitely doesn't deserve it. No wonder I'm out here, all alone. 

I keep aimlessly walking, pitying myself while pondering my situation. I can't go back to my house tonight. I can't face my brother yet, not while I'm in this state. I need to rest, recharge, and pull myself together so I can have a conversation with him. I don't really have the mental capacity to do that at the moment. 

I run through my options and decide I'll just crash at Harvel's. I do a quick take on where I am and then walk over to the transport strip to go in the direction of his apartment. I have one foot on the strip when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn around and come face to face with a burly man that's at least 6 feet tall. 

"Kaze Alio," he says. "You have to come with me."