The Silent Half

Chapter 6

At home, by seven, Conner was already dressed to impress. He barged into Conrad’s room only to find him in pajamas, scrolling on his phone.

“Dude, are you seriously not going?”

“I’m not. Besides, you didn’t even tell anyone we were going to a party. What—”

“Don’t worry,” Conner cut him off with a grin. “If anything happens, just tell Dad it was my idea. Now come on, or we’ll miss the fun.”

Conrad sighed, rubbing his temple. His brother wasn’t backing down. Finally, just to end the nagging, he threw on a hoodie and baggy pants. He definitely didn’t look like someone heading to a party.

---

The party was loud and crowded—music pulsing through the walls, people dancing, couples kissing in dim corners. Conrad scanned the room quietly, already wishing he was home, while Conner slipped into the crowd with ease, chatting and laughing like he belonged.

In the far corner, though, the Trio sat like kings on thrones. Jeremiah. James. Mark.

Mark was the first to break the silence, stretching lazily. “I’m bored,” he drawled. His gaze swept the room, then stopped. A sly smile curved his lips. “I want someone to play with.”

Jeremiah followed his gaze—and froze. His expression shifted instantly.

James’s eyes widened too, for his own reasons.

Because across the room, it wasn’t just one Parker. It was two.

Conrad and Conner both noticed the stares. They turned their heads—and just as quickly stiffened.

Conner’s voice dropped to a whisper, trembling with disbelief. “Jeremiah?”

Before Conrad could stop him, Conner moved—just a few steps forward—and threw his arms around him.

The Trio’s table went silent. James gawked openly. Mark raised a brow, intrigued.

Conrad stood frozen, his chest tight.

“Conrad, look!” Conner said, voice bright with excitement. “It’s Jeremy—he’s here!” But then he paused, noticing his twin’s steady expression. “Wait… you’ve seen him already, haven’t you?”

Conrad hesitated. “Yes. At school. Earlier.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?” Conner demanded, stunned.

Conrad’s voice was calm, almost too calm. “Didn’t think it mattered.”

Conner frowned. “That’s all you’ve got?”

Before the tension could grow, Jeremiah spoke, his tone low but carrying. “There’s no need to dwell on it.”

Mark leaned back in his seat, smirking. “He’s right. Besides, we’ve got company now. Why don’t you two sit with us?”

Conner’s face lit up at the invitation. Without hesitation, he dropped into the empty space. Conrad lingered for a moment, his shoulders tight under the Trio’s gaze, but eventually sat down beside his brother.

James said little, but his eyes betrayed him. Again and again, his gaze slid toward Conrad—sharp, curious, unreadable.

“So,” Jeremiah said, his voice even as he studied the twins, “how have you been?”

Conner jumped in quickly, filling the silence. “We’re good. Just busy settling into school, you know how it is.” He laughed lightly, then reached for a drink someone had just set on the table.

Conrad’s hand moved, stopping him. “Careful. You don’t know what’s in that.”

Conner blinked, then gave a half-smile. “Relax. It’s just a drink.”

“You don’t need it,” Conrad said, his tone quiet but firm.

Mark chuckled, amused. “Protective, aren’t we?”

Conner rolled his eyes, but lifted the glass anyway. “You’re no fun.” He took a sip, grinning like he’d won something.

Conrad didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, his eyes drifted across the room—and froze.

Conrad’s chair scraped against the floor as he stood.

“Where are you going?” Conner asked, confused.

“Out for a bit and when I come back we'll be leaving, it's already late” Conrad said simply.

Mark arched a brow. Jeremiah leaned back, unreadable. James’s gaze followed Conrad until he disappeared into the crowd.

At the bar, Alex turned just as Conrad stopped beside her, surprise flickering in her eyes.

“You came,” she said, half-teasing.

Conrad’s lips curved faintly, though his tone stayed steady. “You saw me show up. That’s enough for tonight.”

Alex tilted her head, studying him. “Running already?”

"I'll see you in class tomorrow" He said before turning back to get Conner.