chapter 13
822 Words
Sunday morning came too quickly—the day the twins were supposed to return home.
Mrs. Smith had woken early to prepare breakfast herself. It wasn’t just a meal; it was more of a feast, filled with all the things she knew the twins liked.
Conrad and Conner came downstairs together. Jeremiah was already at the table, quiet but present.
“You boys are leaving today,” Mrs. Smith sighed, sadness clear in her tone.
“We’ll come again,” Conner assured her with a bright smile.
That made her chuckle softly, though her eyes still carried a trace of reluctance. They all ate together, small talk flowing here and there. Conner filled most of the silence, answering her questions eagerly. Conrad, on the other hand, spoke only when spoken to, quiet through most of the meal. Jeremiah noticed—and so did Laur.
After breakfast, Conner went off with Laurel somewhere in the house. Conrad, preferring solitude, wandered into the garden for a stroll. The air was calm, the flowers swaying gently with the breeze.
“Hey,” a familiar voice called from behind.
Conrad turned. “Hi,” he replied softly.
“You were awfully quiet during breakfast. Got something on your mind?” Jeremiah asked, falling into step beside him.
“No.”
“Then why were you so quiet?” Jeremiah pressed, unwilling to let it go.
“I said I wasn’t thinking about anything,” Conrad murmured. He glanced up at Jeremiah briefly, but the moment their eyes met, he quickly looked down again.
Jeremiah chuckled. “Cute,” he muttered.
“Huh?”
Jeremiah’s lips curved, memory flashing. “You haven’t changed. You still can’t lie.”
His mind drifted back to years ago—
Flashback
A four-year-old Conrad had tiptoed into the kitchen, eyes bright as he reached for strawberries. He knew he wasn’t supposed to, but he wanted them too badly.
Jeremiah, then seven, had caught him sneaking out with his small hands behind his back.
“Connie, where are you coming from? And what are you hiding?” Jeremiah asked, feigning suspicion.
“N-no… nothing,” Conrad stuttered, his round eyes widening.
Jeremiah laughed. “Isn’t that a strawberry? Did you go into the kitchen alone?”
Conrad shook his head frantically. “No, I didn’t… I’m sorry. I should have listened to Mummy. Please don’t tell.” His voice cracked, eyes shimmering with tears.
Jeremiah’s playful smirk softened. “Okay, okay. I won’t. It’ll be our secret, alright?”
He held out his pinky. Conrad sniffled, then hooked his tiny finger with Jeremiah’s.
End of Flashback
The memory made Jeremiah laugh suddenly.
Conrad frowned. “Why are you suddenly laughing? You did the same thing last time.”
“You’re cute when you try to lie,” Jeremiah said, amusement lacing his tone.
The tips of Conrad’s ears turned red. He looked away, flustered.
Then Jeremiah’s voice shifted, serious. “Don’t ignore me tomorrow at school.”
“What?” Conrad blinked.
“I said—don’t act like you don’t know me. Can you do that?”
Conrad hesitated, but finally nodded. “I won’t ignore you.”
They lingered in the garden for a while longer before heading back inside together.
When Conrad entered the room, he found Conner sitting on the bed, phone in hand, pretending to be absorbed in a game. But as soon as Conrad stepped in, Conner looked up sharply.
“What did you talk about with Jeremiah?”
“What do you mean?” Conrad asked, cautious.
“What did you two talk about?” Conner repeated, his tone rising slightly.
Conrad took a deep breath. He knew his twin’s temper. “Nothing. He just asked me not to ignore him at school.”
“Conrad… I told you I like Jeremiah, didn’t I?” Conner’s eyes narrowed.
“I know. What’s wrong with you?” Conrad frowned back.
“Whatever. Get ready—the driver will be here soon.” Conner stood abruptly and left the room, leaving Conrad staring after him, unsettled.
---
A short while later, their driver came and they both went out with Mr Smith, Laurel and Jeremiah seeing them off.
“I wish you didn’t have to leave so soon,” she said, fussing over their collars one last time.
“We’ll visit again,” Conner said quickly, hugging her. “Promise.”
Conrad gave her a softer smile, quieter but genuine. “Thank you for everything, Laur.”
Mr. Smith shook their hands firmly, his usual composed self, but there was a flicker of fondness in his eyes.
Then came Jeremiah. He stood by the door, watching them with a look no one could quite read.
“See you at school,” he said, his gaze lingering on Conrad just a moment too long.
The twins nodded, and soon enough, they were in the car heading back home.
- Writer
