Chapter 3: More Than a Name
1180 Words
The final bell rang.
Students flooded out of the school building, eager to escape another day of classes.
Kelvin was one of the last to leave.
Not because he wanted to stay.
Because he hated crowds.
With his hands tucked into his pockets, he walked through the school gates and headed to the school gate.
The ride home was quiet.
Just the way Kelvin liked it.
The driver focused on the road while soft music played through the speakers. Outside the tinted window, the city moved at its usual pace. Cars filled the streets, people hurried along sidewalks, and shops buzzed with activity.
Kelvin sat back in his seat, one arm resting against the door.
School had been normal.
Classes.
Teachers.
Assignments.
Nothing unusual.
Well... almost nothing.
His mind briefly wandered to the strange conversation he'd had earlier.
The quiet girl.
Rose.
A small frown crossed his face.
She was different.
Not because she was mysterious or special.
Because she genuinely didn't seem interested in anyone's attention.
It was unusual.
But that was all.
Kelvin pushed the thought aside and returned his attention to the view outside.
A few minutes later, the familiar gates of the Reid residence came into view.
The large black gates slowly opened.
The car rolled inside.
Home.
The house stood proudly at the end of the driveway. It was beautiful, modern, and large enough to make most people stare in admiration.
People often assumed living there meant life was perfect.
Kelvin knew better.
The moment he stepped through the front door, voices greeted him.
Lots of voices.
His shoulders instantly dropped.
Work.
Again.
He walked further inside and found exactly what he expected.
The living room had been transformed into a temporary studio.
Clothing racks stood near the wall.
Several assistants moved around carrying bags and equipment.
A photographer was reviewing images on a tablet.
And right in the middle of it all sat Celeste Reid.
A makeup artist carefully brushed powder across her face while another person adjusted her hair.
"Can you turn your head a little?"
"Like this?"
"No, the other way."
"This way?"
"Perfect."
Celeste smiled.
Then she noticed Kelvin.
Her eyes immediately lit up.
"Kelvin!"
The makeup artist groaned.
"Don't move."
"I can't help it. My brother's home."
The woman sighed dramatically.
"You're impossible."
"I've been told that."
Kelvin shook his head.
Nothing changed.
No matter how famous Celeste became, she somehow remained the same annoying older sister.
"You're late," she said.
"I'm not."
"You are according to my schedule."
"Then your schedule is wrong."
Several people nearby laughed.
Celeste pointed at him.
"See? He's rude."
"No," Kelvin replied calmly. "I'm honest."
"Same thing."
Kelvin ignored her and placed his school bag near the staircase.
The familiar scent of coffee drifted through the house.
He followed it toward the dining area.
His father sat at the long table, reading something on a laptop.
Unlike everyone else, he looked completely unaffected by the chaos around him.
"Welcome home."
Kelvin nodded.
"Hi, Dad."
His father closed the laptop slightly.
"How was school?"
"Fine."
"Anything interesting happen?"
Kelvin thought for a moment.
"Not really."
His father smiled.
"Good."
That was one thing Kelvin appreciated.
His father asked questions because he cared.
Not because he wanted information.
Not because he wanted a story.
Just because he wanted to know.
Across the room, Celeste suddenly called out.
"Dad, he talks more to you than me."
His father looked amused.
"Maybe because I don't interrogate him."
"I don't interrogate people."
The entire room went silent.
Then everyone laughed.
Even Kelvin.
Celeste placed a hand dramatically over her chest.
"Wow. Betrayed by my own family."
"You'll survive," Kelvin said.
"I don't know. The pain is severe."
The makeup artist nearly dropped her brush from laughing.
A few moments later, another familiar figure entered the room.
His mother.
She carried a tablet in one hand and several folders in the other.
Even at home, she always looked busy.
"Kelvin."
She smiled warmly.
"You're back."
"Yeah."
"How was school?"
"Fine."
"Any problems?"
"No."
"Good."
She seemed satisfied with that answer.
His mother wasn't cold.
Far from it.
She simply had a thousand responsibilities at any given moment.
Managing schedules.
Handling events.
Coordinating interviews.
Sometimes Kelvin wondered if she ever truly rested.
"Mom," Celeste complained.
"You asked him about school before asking how I look."
His mother glanced at her.
"You look beautiful."
"I know."
"Then why ask?"
Celeste paused.
"That's actually a good question."
Kelvin shook his head.
Somehow, his sister managed to make every conversation ridiculous.
He headed toward the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
From there, he could still hear everyone talking.
The photographer discussing locations.
The makeup artist discussing outfits.
His mother discussing schedules.
Celeste discussing everything.
The house never stayed quiet for long.
It was strange.
Most people dreamed of having a celebrity in their family.
Most people imagined glamour and excitement.
What they didn't imagine were the endless meetings.
The constant visitors.
The phone calls.
The schedules.
The cameras.
Sometimes Kelvin missed the idea of an ordinary house.
Not because he hated his life.
Because he occasionally wanted peace.
His gaze drifted toward the living room again.
Celeste was now arguing with her stylist about a jacket.
"It makes me look older."
"That's the point."
"I don't want the point."
"Celeste."
"No."
The stylist rubbed his forehead.
Kelvin almost felt sorry for him.
Almost.
His phone suddenly buzzed.
He glanced at the screen.
A class group chat.
Over fifty unread messages.
He opened it.
Immediately regretted it.
Students were arguing about homework.
Someone was complaining about a teacher.
Someone else was spreading rumors.
The conversation moved so quickly it was impossible to follow.
Kelvin muted the chat and locked his phone.
Much better.
School could wait until tomorrow.
His father eventually walked into the kitchen.
"Everything okay?"
Kelvin nodded.
"Yeah."
His father leaned against the counter beside him.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
Comfortable silence.
The kind Kelvin preferred.
Then his father said quietly,
"You know, your sister worries about you."
Kelvin looked over.
"Why?"
"Because she thinks you're too quiet."
A small smile appeared on Kelvin's face.
"She's loud enough for both of us."
His father laughed.
"Fair point."
From the living room came the sound of Celeste yelling,
"I heard that!"
Kelvin rolled his eyes.
Of course she did.
His father chuckled.
"See what I mean?"
For the first time all day, Kelvin laughed properly.
Maybe home was chaotic.
Maybe it was noisy.
Maybe there were too many people coming and going every week.
But despite all of that...
It was still home.
And for now, that was enough.
"Kelvin!" Celeste called again.
"What?"
"Come help me choose between these shoes."
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Dad?"
"Leave me out of this."
"Mom?"
"Ask your stylist."
"This family never supports me."
Kelvin grabbed his water bottle and headed upstairs.
The complaints continued behind him.
A small smile remained on his face as he climbed the stairs.
Some things never changed.
And honestly?
He was okay with that.
- Writer
