Friday
“I reckon we should get a cat.” I heard George mutter to no one in particular as we enter the house. I lower Theo and watched him dash to his room, probably to read more about the space.
He was tinkering with Dad’s telescope the other day after dragging it out of my parent’s room and placing it to his. I made a mental note to try and fix it for him soon.
I made it to my room and fell face flat on my bed. It was Friday afternoon and the house is quiet, which is relaxing as much as it is alarming.
My siblings are all in their own rooms with their doors closed, a rare occasion. I can’t help but worry, which I do an awful lot lately. It doesn’t really surprise me anymore.
It has been a week since Xander started teaching me sign languages. He was a pain in the ass, but I am actually learning something so I can look pass his random mood swings.
I look at the clock on my bedside table and realized it was 15 minutes past the time Xander was supposed to arrive. I am not big on being time conscious, well maybe I am a bit, but he was never late. He wasn’t at school today which pretty much explains why he isn’t here, but he never told me we aren’t meeting today. Should I text him? Why am I worried?
Thinking none of it, I grabbed my phone and sent a quick message to Xander asking him where he is. The message was sent, but it wasn’t delivered. What is he up to?
Accepting that he most probably won’t reply, I made my way out of my room to the kitchen to make a little snack for my siblings. Well, after lounging in the living room for a while that is.
I made my way to the stairs when I heard soft sobs coming from Cassie’s bedroom. I frowned and immediately made my way to her room. Knocking, there was no answer so I opened the door nonetheless.
There I saw Cassie hugging her knees staring at our family photo, the last we had taken before everything changed.
I immediately sat in front of her. She seems shocked to find me already sitting there in front of her; she might have been pretty much out of it.
“Cassie, sweetheart. What’s wrong?” I caressed her hair gently. It hurts me seeing my sister cry and I can’t do anything to ease the pain. Heck, I don’t even know what she is crying about. What kind of a sister am I?
“It’s nothing, Ana. I just watched a movie about a dog and how he died.” She murmured softly, wiping her cheeks with her knuckles.
“You know you can tell me anything, right?” As much as I want to shake the answer out of her, I respect my siblings more than anything. I want them to feel like they can tell me anything out of their own accord.
There is something really bugging her, but I don’t want to pry. I just hope she’d tell me soon. Knowing this, I did the next right thing. I hugged her murmuring words of encouragement.
“Out of all my blessing, you five are my favorites” I whispered in her ear and kissed her forehead. Cassie gave me a faint smile but I knew it’s genuine. I tapped her nose and went outside.
There goes my few moments of lounging in the living room, I thought as I did a little cleaning around the house. After picking up and arranging the few things lying around, I decided to make cheese sticks for a late afternoon snack.
With Xander ditching me for whatever reason he has, I have enough time to whip out something for my siblings other than sliced fruits.
“Guys, I made cheese sticks.” I yelled out as I place the bowl of cheese sticks on the table, along with sliced oranges.
I heard numerous footsteps as they raced down the stairs and quickly found their seats.
I placed Theo on my lap. He has a hard time reaching for the food on the table and knowing him, he likes to eat as much cheese sticks as he can because anything with cheese is his absolute favorite.
I think we got it from Dad. Theo and I have a borderline addiction for cheese, I'm not even sorry about it.
As we sit on the table, I can feel the uncomfortable tension in the air. I thought the twins are doing fine but I guess I spoke too soon.
Bullet was resting on the floor as Cassie absentmindedly strokes his fur with her feet. Food might not have dissipated the tension like I expected it would. This may have been the first time my favorite food has disappointed me. I never thought I could see this day.
“Where is Alex?” Theo signs to me and I thank Xander that I can finally understand Theo.
“I don’t know kiddo, but I am sure he misses you as much.” I was holding Theo so I can’t sign back to him. I saw him pout slightly but continued to eat his cheese sticks.
“So, I think Peter might like someone; a girl in their neighborhood. I’m pretty sure the feelings mutual.” I heard Samara say, trying to break the tension I presume.
But it seems to do the actual opposite when I saw George stiffened slightly.
“I’m pretty sure it’s Brie, the one from our batch-“
“Brie as in Bernadette?” George asked cutting her off sounding slightly pissed off.
I shared a knowing look with Seb, the same thing going on our minds. Sometimes, Sam never gets the hint.
“Yes!” She squealed. “but I really thought Brie likes George because she is constantly pestering me to tell something
about him.”
I saw George forced out a laugh, awkwardly might I add. He was rigid a while ago but now he seems like ready to bolt out of here anytime soon.
“It’s okay. I don’t like her anyway.” George mumbles quietly as he picks on his cheese sticks with the ketchup.
“Well, I kind of figured that out; twin telepathy and all. But I have another girl friend who seems to really like you George, and I can-" Sam continued but George cuts her off again.
“It’s fine.” He snapped and walked out of the dining area.
I frowned as I witnessed the exchange before me. The twins were never this hostile and so out of connection with each other.
I can see Sam frowning like she had no idea what she’d did wrong. And for someone who takes pride in understanding George more than anyone could, I am sure she is beating herself up over it.
I quickly placed Theo on Seb’s lap and rushed to follow George. By the time I reached his door, it was already locked.
I frowned. We never locked our doors, unless we really want privacy. It happens rarely as we always tell each other everything.
Are my siblings pushing me away? Why can’t Cassie and George tell me what’s wrong?
I feel like they are pushing me
away and I am standing on a very thin line between letting them be as I want to be considerate of their feelings, and wanting to tear the walls they seem to be building to shut me out, but I know would only make everything worse. I just want them to trust me, like they always did.
I was standing for a while in front of George’s door when I heard doors closing behind me.
Cassie and Sam went back to their room. I made my way to the kitchen and saw Theo was watching National Geographic in the living room.
I was putting away the dishes and figured I could start making dinner after a nap.
I felt Seb’s presence behind me before I felt his hand on my shoulder.
“Just let them be, atleast for now.” He kissed my forehead and walked out to join Theo in the living room.
An audible sigh escaped from my lips. I gazed at the wall clock to see it was 5 minutes to 3 o’clock. If I go now, I could make it before the sun sets.
I just need to be somewhere I can clear my mind. I have to be strong and I would be if I get to see them.
There was no changing my plans so I told Seb of my plans.
“But it’s getting late.” He attempted to argue.
“I need this, Seb. Please. You can order take-out; I left some change in the counter. Or you can cook the meatloaf and beans I prepared in the fridge. I just, I need this.”
I can see that his resolve is waning, knowing mine was stronger. He sighed and nodded.
“Just be careful, okay? And go back as early as you can.”
I smiled at him and made my
way towards the Ford Ranger.
I look up at the clear skies somehow feeling slightly better knowing I am on my way to them.
So I kind of got distracted for almost 4 months. I didn't plan to actuslly update. The last few months of 2019 have been hectic for me finding a job and stressing how I am so out of my comfort zone. But it's getting better. While January has been so long and draining and exhausting I hope ya'll are doing good. I'll update as much as I can, please bear with me. I really want to finish this story no matter how irregular my updates are.
Don't forget to vote and comment! 😄💕