"Silly." Ollie says, clutching his stomach while I attack his sides.
"What? It's true." I say, chuckling.
We're talking about the day. But mostly his day. I've learned that his dad was finalising divorce papers from his ex-wife. I didn't know what to say but I feel sorry for him. I know exactly the feeling.
"You know what, we better take a rest already. We will have so much to do tomorrow. So much fun." I say, giving him the sweetest smile I could conjure.
I insisted that we should sleep together in my bed, I couldn't let him sleep on the couch since it's small and totally worn out. He was adamant at first but my convincing prowess was effective. He gave up the second I gave him a hard stare. I ruffle his hair and pulled him inside the cover. He give a childish giggles which I reckon gonna miss when I'm gone.
"Are you...okay."
"Hmmm?"
"Okay with sleeping next to me?" he asks with a small voice. Maybe I think I forced him to lie next to me for the rest of the night. Given that he never had sleep with anyone before. He told me prior the evening. "Of course." I say curtly. I pull the cover to my chin and close my eyes.
"Good night Ollie."
"G-good night Rr."
I smile and roll over.
● ● ●
I wake up feeling great. I stretch my arms and feel the warm body next to me. I don't wanna be a creep but he looks peaceful and cute while he's asleep. When during the day, his whole demeanor feels and looks all gloomy. And I just want to give him a hug as if it's going to take away all his worries.
He opens his eyes and caught me staring. I smile at him and he duck in the cover. Face reddens, I pull the cover and greet him, "Good morning sunshine."
"Good morning." still blushing and he sits up.
We get up and trot down the stairs. Everyone is already in the kitchen waiting on the table. Alex is busy texting someone on her phone. Connie is doing some coloring with the doll beside her. "Good morning sweethearts." Mom greets.
"Morning mom." I say.
"Goodmorning." Ollie says.
"Did you sleep well honey?" Mom says to Ollie while making us a breakfast.
"I did, thank you." Ollie says without a stutter.
I grab an unuse toothbrush and give it to him. "The sink is over there." I point to where the sink sits. He trots and I sit beside Alex.
"Who's that?" I ask. She stare at me like I've grown another head.
"Nothing." she says and put down her phone.
I dismiss it and shrug. It's maybe not my business but I wish she would share some things with me, be it about boys or just some silly girl stuffs. I mean I never share things that's been going on with my life with her; I still wish she opens up to me. We're twins after all.
"You done?" I ask and walk to the used sink.
"Make it quick Rafael. The mayor wanted us to go to his place." Mom says.
That's new, the mayor never invited us before much more to his place.
"Really, why what's up?" I ask.
"That's been bothering me this entire morning." Mom says. She put down the food on the table and we sit. Connie fix her stuffs and sit down beside Ollie.
"Don't sweat it mom it's probably nothing maybe he just wanted some curry again." I say, chuckling.
We we're never a religious people but we know how to respect foods. We eat like a typical family minus a dad, we talk our plans for the day and went with it.
"The mayor is expecting us today right before lunch." Mom says.
"Okay." I say without overthinking it too much.
"We're going over to the Wickery Bridge later."
Mom and Alex looks at me with a questioning faces.
"Nothing, since it's near Ollie's place we might as well visit the old bridge." I say.
Ollie smiles at my comment. "I will probably stay home with dad today and maybe if he's in the mood which he is, we're going to visit the town again." Ollie says, beaming with an hopeful smile.
"We're going to meet up with you later today. Right mom?" Alex says.
"Yeah. Why not? It would be fun."
"Bring your little sister with you Lexie. I'm going to clean the house." Mom says.
"Don't call me that." Alex says, frowning.
Mom shrugs but didn't correct herself. Dad used to call her Lexie when he was still here. I guess everything has changed.
"Are we going over to Paul?" Connie asks, worrying in her voice.
"Is there any problem?"
"N..no." Connie says.
"Behave Alex and take good care of your little sister. We'll be meeting up shortly." Mom reminds her and pats Connie's head for an assurance.
I have no idea who is Paul was but I have a feeling it's her new interest. I sigh and grab Ollie upstairs.
"Let me change clothes real quick and we can head out." I say.
● ● ●
We head out in a minute and driving on the road.
"I'm deafened by the silence. Is it something that I've done? I know that there are millions. I can't be the only who's so disconnected. It's so different in my head. Can anybody tell me why I'm lonely like a satellite?" the speaker sings.
Ollie seems to overthink a lot. I push my arm and connects to his shoulder. He look at me with a neutral face. I smile.
"Everything will be okay, eventually." I say. It was my first time telling him some words that might ease his mind.
"Do you think it will rain today?" he asks nonchalantly.
I check out the sky and shrugs. "Maybe. Maybe not." I say.
"Hmmm." he hums.
"Don't worry. I will be here no matter what." I say.
His whole demeanor brightens up and I meant what I said.
I park the car on the outskirt of the bridge. We climb out then walk down the grassy pavement. "Didn't you say you met a stranger here before?" I ask.
He stop on his track. "Yeah."
"Did you happen to know their names?" I ask, halting in front of him.
He just shrugs. What could they possibly doing out here?
The tress have grown taller in this part of the town especially along the bridge. At first it was eerie but when you get used to it, it's refreshing as if born anew. I needed this. I look at Ollie who's now sitting on a patch. I copy and sat beside him. What we're doing out here? I never plan on going out here, it was just the first thing came to my mind and Ollie didn't object. I can hear the birds singing along the treetops. The wide river, cold and almost frozen, runs rushing through the bedrocks. This beats the noisy town. "Do you go out here a lot?" I say, breaking the silence.
"During the night." he says. My mouth hangs wide open.
"Your dad okay with that?" I ask full of concern. He could get hurt here especially at night. If it isn't anybody, the savage animals will. I shiver.
"He doesn't know." he says nonchalantly, as if he knew what lurks here especially at night.
"Don't worry. I'm being careful." he says.
I nod and put my trust in him.
"Text me."
He look at me confused.
"When you want to go out at night. Just call me. And I will be there." I say.
"Okay."
● ● ●
"Hi Mr. Oswold." I say.
"Call me Jasper." he says.
"Okay Jasper."
"What are you boys going to do for today?" Jasper asks while making a not so late breakfast.
"The mayor have asked us to come to his place today." I say.
"Your family is quite popular to the mayor."
"I guess."
"Could you bring Ollie with you if that's okay?" Jasper requests.
"Dad, I'm fine." Ollie says.
"Sure if he's okay with that. I don't think the mayor would mind." I say, brushing Ollie's hair with my fingers.
"Go with them today son. I will going to run some errand real quick then we can meet up later." Jasper says.
"Alright Dad." he says, pulling me upstairs.
"Did you guys eat breakfast? I can make some if you want."
"We already ate breakfast dad. Enjoy yourself."
We go inside his room without waiting for his dad response. They have a passive-aggresive relationships, at least, that's what I've noticed since the first day meeting them. It wasn't the worse behavior I've seen between a parents and their children. At least Ollie's family practices respect towards each other compared to some of the families out here. God knows how they hate each other, it's revolting.
"Would you like to come and hangout in town before we go to the mayor?" I say, checking the time on my phone.
"Just the two of us?" he asks, going to change clothes.
"We can ask Jensen if he likes to." I say.
"Sure. Jensen is fun."
"Yep he is." I say, smiling.
After saying goodbye to his dad, we drive to Jensen's. I didn't bother calling him if he's available today. The tournament starts tomorrow. So probably he is.
We arrive at his place. The familiar lawn comes to a view revealing a 6" foot tall teenager.
"Hey what's up man? Hi Ollie, has Rafael gave you any problems yet?" he says jokingly.
"No he hasn't."
"As if I'm ever going to." I say.
"You wanna come with us today?"
"Where to?" Jensen asks.
"Town. Just gonna kill some time before we go to the mayor." I say.
"Mayor?"
"Nothing's the matter probably just some small talks with mom."
"Ha."
"Sure, let me change to some more comfortable clothes then we can go out. Be right back." he disappears in a matter of a second.
Jensen is the only person I can come with. Maybe that's because we are alike. From sports to small things like foods. Brothers but not blood-related. I can settle with that. Did I mention that he look like the modern Heath Ledger? Minus the depression and substance abused. Always the happy-go-lucky kid.
"Okay, let's go. And burn down the town." he says laughing like a maniac. Ollie laughs along with him. I smile at their antics and drive to the town. I guess we're going to burn it down after all.