Adopted

Adopted

Written by: Sarah

CHAPTER ONE

Brian sat in shock at what his parents just told him. He couldn't believe it, his whole life had been a lie. He didn't know what to do, should he cry? Should he get angry? He didn't know. It was supposed to be a family get-together, just him, his brother and his parents, just them, but now he finds out that he's not really a part of that family at all.

"Adopted?" Brian said to no-one in particular.

"Brian we're sorry." Brian's dad, Harold, said.

"Why haven't you told me before? Why did you wait 26 years to tell me?" Brian said, his voice growing with every word he spoke.

"We didn't feel the need to tell you before." Brian's mom, Jackie, said.

"Why not? What happened that could possibly make you want to tell me now?" Brian said his voice still growing louder. He felt tears sting his eyes, he didn't want this to be happening, he didn't want to feel like he didn't belong, but he did, he didn't feel part of the family anymore.

"Your birth mother died yesterday." Jackie said as she let out a sigh, it was killing her to know that they were hurting their son, their adopted son, but they couldn't keep living a lie.

"Oh, what, and I'm supposed to care, why are you telling me all this?" Brian shouted, still not letting the tears fall.

"You have a little brother, from your real family, he has no where to go, you're his only living relative." Harold said.

"So, what am I supposed to do?" Brian asked, his voice now going back to being calm.

"They want you to look after him." Harold said.

"What, how the hell can I look after someone. I have my own life, how am I supposed to look after a little kid." Brian said, his voice growing loud again.

"He's not a little kid, he's 13, and from what we've been told, he seems really nice." Jackie said.

"How am I supposed to look after a 13-year-old, continue with my career, and have my own family?" Brian said.

He couldn't think, all of this was happening so quickly, he needed some time alone. He got up and walked to the front door.

"Where are you going?" His dad shouted after him.

"OUT!" Brian shouted back.

Harold, jr watch and listen to the whole conversation from the kitchen, he was surprised at how upset Brian was. He needed to talk to him. He walked out the kitchen and put his coat on.

"Where are you going?" Harold, snr repeated.

"To talk to him." He said as he closed the door behind him.

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CHAPTER TWO

"Hey Bri, wait up." Harold shouted. Brian turned around and saw his 'brother' running towards him. He stopped and waited for him to catch up.

"What do you want?" Brian asked out of frustration, he left the house so he could be alone.

"Just to talk, you seemed a little upset." Harold said.

Brian started to laugh. "You know sometimes you can be really stupid." He said still smiling

"Your point, come on let's go somewhere and talk." Harold suggested.

"Where exactly?" Brian asked.

"How about that hill we used to play when we were little."

"Whatever." Brian said as he walked alongside his 'brother.'

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"I hope he's okay." Jackie said.

"He will be, besides Harry's with him." Harold said.

"Yeah you're right. I think we really upset him today." Jackie said.

She began to think about the day they had adopted Brian. They were told they couldn't have anymore children so they had decided to adopt. When they saw Brian they immediately fell in love with him. He was only 5 months old and so cute and full of energy.

When they got the call to tell them about his birth mother being killed and that his brother didn't have anybody else, they were scared because they would have to tell Brian the truth. They had a feeling he would be upset and they were right. Their hearts went out to Brian's little brother and they hoped that Brian would take care of him, but they knew that it would probably take him a long time to think about it.

************

"So tell me what you're thinking?" Harold asked as both he and Brian sat down on the hill.

"I don't know, I guess I'm a little shocked by it all, I mean, I thought we were a real family." Brian said.

"We are a real family, just because you were adopted doesn't mean anything, you're still a Littrell no matter what." Harold said.

"I know, but...I don't know, I just feel like an outsider."

"Bri, you shouldn't think like that." Harold said. "So what are you gonna do about your little brother?" He asked.

"Did you know about this?" Brian asked avoiding hid question.

Harold kept quiet for a few seconds before he answered. "Yes."

"Wait, you knew about this, how long have you known?" Brian shouted as he stood up, Harold stood up also. "It doesn't matter." Harold said.

Brian grabbed Harold's shirt by the neck. "How long?" Brian said through clenched teeth.

"First of all let go of me, hurting me isn't going to help." Brian let go. "I've known for a little while. When I was 17, I heard mom and dad talking and they said if they were ever gonna tell you that you're adopted, when I walked in, I asked them and they told me." Harold explained in his thick Kentucky accent.

"You mean you've known all that time and never thought to tell me?" Brian shouted.

"It wasn't my right to tell you." Harold shouted back.

"I can't believe this." Brian said as he stormed off back down the hill.

"Brian wait." Harold shouted.

Brian turned around and looked at him. "Do me a favour and just leave me alone." Brian said as he continued down the hill.

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CHAPTER THREE

Brian walked around for hours, he didn't care, he needed to think. He couldn't believe that his brother had known for so long, he couldn't believe had waited this long to tell him.. He couldn't believe that they wanted him to look after a brother he never knew he had. He was confused, he didn't know what to do.

He felt sorry for his little brother, the one he didn't even know. He didn't know whether he should look after him or not. It would be difficult, being famous didn't help, he wouldn't be able to spend much time with him, but a part of him did want to get to know him. So maybe he should just take the time.

He thought about it for a few more minutes before he decided to go home, back to his 'family.' It was getting late and he wondered if they would still be up. He walked in and found they were.

Jackie rushed over to him and gave him a hug, although Brian didn't hug back.

"We were so worried." Jackie said.

"You didn't need to be." Brian said, still showing no emotion.

"Yes I do, all mothers worry, no matter how old you are." She said.

"But you're not my mom, are you?" Brian said, immediately regretting what he said. He saw his Jackie move away from him. He could see tears forming in her eyes.

"Brian there was no need for that." Harold, snr said.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that, mom, I'm really sorry."

"Its okay sweetie." Jackie said as she wiped her eyes.

Everyone walked back into the living room and sat down and were quiet for a few minutes before Brian spoke up. "I've been thinking and I'm gonna look after..." Brian paused when he didn't even know his brother's name.

"His name's Josh." Harold, snr said.

"Yeah, anyway, I'm gonna look after him." Brian said.

His mom looked over at him with a smile on his face, she knew Brian was doing the right thing. Brian left his family and headed upstairs to his room.

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