Chapter 12
706 Words
Everyone got ready and went downstairs. Since they were all going out together, Mrs. Smith told the drivers and bodyguards to stand down.
“Just one car today. Nothing too grand,” she said with a smile.
They piled into a sleek but simple vehicle, the kind that didn’t draw too much attention, and soon they were at the mall.
“Where do you boys want to go first?” Laurel asked warmly.
“Clothes!” Conner said immediately, eyes lighting up.
Conrad only shrugged. “Anywhere’s fine.”
The sales attendants welcomed them eagerly—one of them even recognizing Mrs. Smith, bowing politely. Conner dove straight into the racks with excitement, while Conrad and Jeremiah trailed behind, their steps quieter, slower.
“You don’t like shopping,” Jeremiah observed casually, glancing at Conrad.
“Too many people,” Conrad replied.
“Same,” Jeremiah murmured, his tone lower now. “But still… do you see anything you like?”
“Not really. You?” Conrad asked.
Jeremiah’s lips curved faintly. “Maybe.” His eyes didn’t move to the clothes, though—they stayed on Conrad.
Before Conrad could react, Conner came bouncing back with two shirts. “Connie! Let’s get matching ones. Which color do you want?”
Conrad blinked, then pointed. “The creamy one.”
“Knew it!” Conner laughed, holding up the other. “I’ll take the navy, then.”
Conner ran off to show Laurel, leaving Conrad and Jeremiah behind.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah picked up a shirt when the twins weren’t watching. Stepping closer, he brushed his fingers lightly against Conrad’s as he handed it over. The touch was fleeting, but it sent a strange ripple through Conrad.
“This suits you better than you think,” Jeremiah murmured, just close enough for Conrad to hear.
Conrad froze. He opened his mouth to say something, but Conner returned, grinning so wide that the moment slipped away. Still, a flicker of something unreadable passed over Conner’s face as he glanced between them.
“Let’s go to the next stop,” Conner said quickly, dragging Conrad along—separating him from Jeremiah. Laurel went along happily, though not without giving Jeremiah a knowing look.
They visited store after store, laughing and carrying bags until finally, they were done. On the ride home, the twins were exhausted, both falling asleep in the back seat. Laurel chuckled softly.
“Conner must be tired. He’s such an enthusiastic kid,” she said. Her eyes softened as she looked at Conrad. “And Conrad… even though he acts like an adult already, he’s still just seventeen.”
From the rear-view mirror, she caught Jeremiah staring at Conrad. A small smile touched her lips, though it quickly faded into something more worried.
When they arrived home, the twins were woken up. Still tired, they wanted to skip dinner, but Mrs. Smith insisted they freshen up and join everyone at the table.
Dinner at the Smiths’ that evening was quiet. Everyone was worn out, but Laurel fussed over the boys like a second mother. “Conner was so strong in the mall, and now he’s so tired,” she said fondly. Mr. Smith listened patiently while Conner ate with gusto.
Conrad also ate, but silently. He felt Jeremiah’s gaze on him too often.
Conner noticed.
---
Later that night, in the room Laurel had prepared for them, Conner suddenly spoke as they lay in bed.
“Conrad?”
“…Hmm?”
“I have something to tell you.”
Conrad sat up, concern flickering across his face. “What is it?”
“I like Jeremiah,” Conner said simply.
The words hit Conrad like a bomb. “What? Since when do you like him?”
“Since we were kids,” Conner admitted after a pause. Then, hesitating, he asked, “Do you like him?”
Conrad’s eyes dimmed, his voice low. “No. I don’t.”
“Good. I thought you liked him.” Conner yawned and rolled over. “That’s it. Good night.”
Within moments, his breathing evened out as he drifted to sleep.
But Conrad stayed awake, staring into the dark—his mind restless, turning again and again to Conner’s words.
- Writer
