The Rarae Aves

Adrian kicked the stones as he walked home. It was the last day of school, but with his step-brother Will stuck in detention, there was no one to walk home with that day. Not that it mattered. He enjoyed walking alone, as it gave him time with his thoughts.  As he turned around a corner, Adrian wondered how long would they have to keep the news of his father’s marriage a secret. He understood the reason though, or at least he thought he did. If news got out that his father, who was running for senator, married a common school-teacher, it would run the family’s image.  Out of all the women his father had married before, Adrian liked Miss Parker, or Mrs. Brookes as they now called her, the most. She actually took care of him and Kyeler, along with Will, who was her actual son. But it was tiring after five years, especially because he couldn’t announce that he and his best friend, Will, were actually siblings, or step-siblings, as his father would call them.  His mind then drifted to his older brother Kyeler - whom everybody called Kai, and he wondered what amazing dish he was cooking right now. With their dad busy with his election campaign and mom busy with her job, the responsibility of cooking came on Kai. Not that he ever complained. Adrian pushed the gate and fished out his key from his bag. As the door opened, a delicious aroma entered his nostrils. He entered the kitchen and saw Kai cooking. “Smells delicious,” Adrian complimented, peeking from behind the older boy’s shoulder. Kai smiled, “I hope it tastes delicious as well. Special evening with Rhys, right?”  Ah, Rhys. Adrian smiled when he thought of his cute boyfriend. “You don’t have to act as if it is our first date!”  “Well, a year is a big milestone.” Unlike most couples, their dates usually comprised picnics to the park or a hike on a mountain. The duo enjoyed it that way.  “Where’s Will?” Kai asked, his eyebrows scrunched a little with worry, “He usually comes home with you right?” “Yeah, well, he’s stuck in detention,” Adrian replied, picking up his bag, “Didn’t do his homework, I'm pretty sure we both know why.” Kai sighed. He and Will had a fight the night before, and Will had locked himself in his room, not listening even to Adrian’s pleas. Adrian wondered why Will hated Kai so much as he climbed up the stairs to his room. The two had gotten along just fine before their parents’ marriage.  As he closed the door, he noticed a creamy white envelope on his desk. He picked it up, thinking it was meant for his father- why would anyone send him anything in such a fancy envelope?  But when he turned it around, he looked at the four words written on it: To Mr. Adrian Brookes