Chapter 3 -- Again

What the heck? What was I thinking leaving Regal to hurt again? I broke that promise too many times. I’m practically giving Nate my Regal. I guess Nate will love her for real… now. I surely am running away, to find my brother and confront him just once this year. I closed my eyes a few seconds into my run because I knew if I opened my eyes I knew I’d go back to that house, the house where all the ones I loved were confused and hurt because of my depart. I can’t go back… yet. I’ve changed too much and they wouldn’t recognize me.
It didn’t really occur to me that I wasn’t the ‘same’ Lucas. As I passed by a mirrored wall, I stopped and stared into the alter ego in the mirrored image. I had black hair, same emerald eyes and the thing to soak in was that I became new.
I wasn’t the old Lucas anymore. I was terrified at myself. I closed my eyes again but I noticed that I just blinked. After a few moments, I stopped at my brother’s 2-story house. I was still feeling paranoia when I felt tranquility. I heard a little girl’s voice shout, “Lucas! Lucas!” The girlish cries were coming from my brother’s adopted daughter, Lila. “I’ll get Daddy!” She yelled. I heard my brother’s feet as they walked down the stairs. As I walked inside the house, I closed the door as a loud life-giving laugh filled the room. “You gave her half your heart, didn’t you?” He said trying not to burst into utter laughter, “You’re not such an idiot, Lucas.” My brother said toned down. “Why do I feel like an idiot? My bad side looks completely terrifying.” I said trying to get the black hair out of my eyes. “I remember when I first gave my heart to a girl. I couldn’t believe what I looked like… a total freak.” Huh, you look like a freak now, too, I thought.
“She probably loves you, Lucas. I think you look worse than I ever did.” Hunter chuckled. “What if I don’t know if I love her?” I murmured. “Well, go back and find out…” Hunter gestured his hand to the door. “Will they remember me?” I said pointing out all my changes. Another chuckle and then, “Wait, before I answer that... Let me get the phone.” Hunter said as the phone rang and he answered, “Hello?”
One bewildered look at me and I knew the mystery caller was for me. “Me?” I whispered. Hunter nodded as I sprang across the room and held the phone in my shivering right hand. “Hello?” I asked as I broke a teardrop sweat. “Hey, it’s Nate. You should be worried about Regal. She changed, big time…” Nate said. It’s not like she’s the only one, I wanted to add. He hung up on me and I was so glad. “I need to go somewhere, Hunter.” I said. “Come back soon and you can live here with me and Lila if you want.” Hunter answered. “Thanks so much.” I mouthed. I waved goodbye as I raced out of the door. I have to see Nate, I thought. That was my destination as I ran back to my best friend…