FRIENDS INDEED

CHAPTER NINE

The ride from Sullivan High was quieter than usual.

Evelyn sat upright in the back seat , hands resting neatly on her lap , eyes fixed on the road ahead , Becca sat beside her,watching the city pass by, counting the seconds between breaths.The silence wasn't angry- it was worse.it was expectant.

"you didn't answer me earlier",Evelyn said at last.

Becca turned slightly."I didn't know how".

Evelyn glanced at her. "That's not like you".

"I know".

The car slowed as they passed through the tall iron gates of the Allen estate. Becca felt the familiar pressure settled in her chests- the awareness of how different their worlds were, even when she was welcomed into Evelyn's.

Inside the house, everything was calm and polished, as if no difficult conversations were ever meant to happen there. Evelyn led the way into the sitting room and gestured for Becca to sit.

"I felt alone yesterday", Evelyn said, choosing her words carefully, "Not because of the symposium- but because you weren't beside me. you usually are".

Becca lowered herself onto the sofa." You had Cyrus ",she said quietly.

Evelyn frowned." That's not the same, and you know it ".

Becca nodded slowly." I didn't step back because of you ", she said." I stepped back because I wasn't sure where I fit anymore ".

Evelyn's expression softened, confusion replacing frustration." You fit with me", she said simply.

"I know you believe that", Becca replied. "But sometimes believing isn't the same as feeling".

The room fell silent.

Before Evelyn could respond, footsteps echoed from the hallway.

"so this is where Everyone vanished to".

Tristan appeared in the doorway, jacket slung over one shoulder, his tone light, his smile easy, " I come home and the house feels like its holding it's breath. "

Evelyn stood up." You're back already? "

" Early day, "he said. His eyes shifted to Becca, warmingly." And you look like you've been thinking too hard."

Becca let out a small laugh. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only to people who know you," Tristan replied. "Which includes me."

Evelyn crossed her arm." Don't distract her. "

" I'm not distracting her, "Tristan said calmly." I'm preventing a serious conversation from turning into an unnecessary one. " He looked between them." School drama? "

" Partly. " Becca admitted.

"Friendship Tension?" He added.

Evelyn sighed. "Also that."

Tristan nodded as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world. "Then you're doing fine," he said. "if it mattered enough to make the room this tense, it matters enough to fix. just not all at once."

The tightness in Becca's chest eased slightly.

"You did well yesterday," Tristan added to Evelyn "I heard about the symposium."

Evelyn lifted her chin. "Thank you."

"But," Tristan continued gently," You don't have to carry everything alone. Even strong people need backup. "

The words lingered longer than he probably expected.

"Well," he said briskly, clapping his hands once, "I'm hungry, and serious discussions always go better after food. come on"

Dinner was already laid out when Evelyn and Becca entered the dining room.The long table felt quiet than usual,the space altered by some missing seats.

Tristan was the only one already there,jacket folded over the back of his chair as he scanned his phone. He looked up when they arrived. "You're late," he said,though his tone carried no real reprimand.

Evelyn rolled her eyes as she took her seat. " we're exactly on time."

" On time," Tristan replied, setting his phone aside."Which somehow always runs five minutes behind everyone else's."

Becca smiled faintly, sitting beside Evelyn.

As the servants began serving, Evelyn glanced at the empty chair across from her, "Kingsley called earlier," she said."He said he'd just finished training."

Tristan nodded."That sounds like him. He never remembers time when he's competing."

"He promised he'd come home before the next break,". Evelyn added. "He always does."

"Eventually," Tristan said,amused.

Evelyn leaned back. "Atleast he has a better excuse than you. You disappear for weeks and come back, acting surprised that things have changed."

" That's called responsibility," Tristan said calmly. " Someone has to be serious in thisb family."

"And someone has to actually be around," Evelyn countered.

Tristan met her gaze,then sighed."Fair."

The moment softened.Becca watched them quietly,struck by how easily their sharp words melted into familiarity.

"Mom and Dad called and asked about you."

Evelyn continued "They said you came back earlier than expected."

Tristan smirked." they assume everything I do is calculated."

" isn't it?" Evelyn teased.

" Maybe," he admitted. " But this time, I came back because I wanted real food."

Evelyn laughed." so you came home for dinner."

" Don't expose me," Tristan said dryly.

The conversation drifted then- to school schedules, upcoming events, and Kingsley's latest tournament.The earlier tension from the day loosened,replaced by something steadier.

For Becca,the table still felt welcoming, even with some chairs empty. It reminded her that families weren't always loud or complete to feel real- sometimes,they were held together by who was spoken of just as much as who was present.

And for Evelyn,the absence didn't feel heavy.Not Tonight.Not with the familiarity of home easing the sharp edges of the day.