"And if we follow here, we'll arrive back where we started" Jane Miller's voice sounded after which she became visible along with the other three adults.
"Wow, it's a big one" Hana spoke, and Liam nodded in agreement.
"It was all Seth's idea. He wanted the kids to run around much as they wanted" Jane hugged her husband's arm.
"Oh you're back" Amaya said coming inside with Charlie.
"Yes, we can resume dinner now. I'm really looking forward dessert" She continued and Charlie nodded in agreement.
Zeke's attention moved from Reiko immediately he heard his mom's voice.
Now that he thought about it, Charlie seemed more like Amaya's wing man, constantly around her and all.
Charlie returned back to his seat adjacent to Zeke.
He hovered over Reiko, who sat there frowning at him.
Charlie rolled his eyes and stood unmoving, waiting for his bratty little sister to move.
He was the one person that Reiko never got her way when involved with.
Apparently, Charlie and Reiko were always at loggerheads, constantly arguing and never agreeing on anything.
Reiko looked to her mom for support but was met with a disapproving look from Hana.
Reiko knew what that look meant.
"Just go to your seat and don't overreact"
She looked to her dad, Liam, and he looked away knowing that he would fold for his princess.
Reiko gasped slightly and moved to her own seat.
Charlie took his place and so did the others.
Dessert was served and the dinner commenced once again.
Zeke, who was eating while paying attention to the ongoing conversation, stole a glance at his sister, who was seated on his other side.
He remembered her being uncomfortable from the start.
Paleah looked a bit....lost.
She was picking at her cake, obviously deep in thought.
He was a bit worried so he tapped on her knee and wrote on it with his finger.
The letters he wrote made absolutely no sense. It was more of a sign or drawing than an actual word.
But Paleah understood it perfectly.
It was a message they had developed when they were kids.
Paleah started speaking a little later than other kids and Zeke was dying to play with his sister and converse with her.
He never knew what to say to her, but the thing that was always at the top of his head was, "are you okay?"
So he made up a sign for it and always drew it on Paleah's palm or leg to ask.
Her response was always either a nod or a head shake.
Until the day she whispered a 'yes'.
Paleah's attention was drawn to her knee as she saw her brother writing something on it.
After he was done, he looked at her with concern.
She nodded slightly with a stiff smile.
And he knew that she was barely holding on.
.....
Paleah's POV
The memories that were brought back as I watched Zeke write on my knee made me smile slightly.
'I'm okay. I've always been okay. I'm always okay.'
I kept repeating the words in my head like a mantra, over and over and over again.
It had become a spell, one I used to bewitch myself.
Or maybe it was a curse. A curse to keep myself from breaking.
Either way, the intended result was always achieved.
And it would be achieved now as well.
I was lost in thought, thinking about nothing in particular.
I wasn't thinking about my ex or the fact that we shared a kiss a few minutes ago.
I wasn't thinking about the dinner or dessert before me.
I was unable... To think or feel in that moment.
I shut down my emotions for the time being.
It was better to be a robot right now.
"Paleah dear, can you please come help me?" I heard my mother's voice.
Help..... I thought as I got up from where I sat.
I tasted the word over and over again, it was like water, tasteless.
It lacked a wow factor, I thought.
Or maybe I lacked the ability to comprehend what it's wow factor was, it tastelessness.
I helped my mother distribute gift bags after the concluding dinner, and went back to my seat.
I paid no attention to the fact that I could still smell him after handing him his gift.
That I could still feel the brush of his fingers when he accepted it from my hands.
That I could still feel the wetness of his lips and the warmth of his body over mine.
I hated that my mind still held onto such details.
I didn't need them, not now at least.
After what felt like a thousand years, the dinner was finally over and the parents were saying their goodbyes.
I went outside to get some fresh air when I felt a presence approaching me.
"Leah"
"What?"
Hansel winced like I had stabbed his chest.
"Are you alright?"
I turned to look at him in amazement and wonder. He was asking if I was okay.
HE WAS ASKING IF I WAS OKAY?!!
"Fuck you" I responded, still rooted to where I stood, and staring at him with all fibre of hate I could utilise.
"I'm sorry, my love. That was insensitive of me"
"I am NOT your love. And haven't you always been insensitive and inconsiderate? Don't act like you don't like what you are"
I turned to face away from him.
"I know you hate me and want me gone from your sight. But I can't do that Leah.
I may be running before crawling now, but I love you and I won't stop until i-"
"Until you what Hansel? Destroy me completely? Incase you couldn't tell, I have no interest in being destroyed further.
Leave me the fuck alone. Okay?!!!!" I stormed off immediately.
I couldn't take this anymore.
I felt my eyes filling with tears. Shit!
I didn't want to cry, not here, oh God.
I turned around a corner and was met with my brother's caring gaze
"Are you alright?" Came his voice.
Zeke....
And I burst into tears.
He hurried over and enveloped me in a hug, not asking questions or judging me.
Just comforting me and allowing me to let it all out.
And being encouraged to keep crying, I wailed and held on tighter
It felt like if I let go for even a second, the comfort I felt would disappear into nothingness.