Favored by Indivia

20

Chapter Twenty

In which they arrived back home.

-

[Ross Pagette Monstine.]

We arrived later than we had expected.

It doesn’t usually matter since Ryder expected that the ride would be longer than we thought. He mentioned that he might stop over a number of times since he is the only one that is designated to drive. While I do feel bad, I know that it was the only thing we could work on. After all, I doubt that Ryli could even help him.

She had done nothing but sleep through the entire ride.

On most days that we would drive home, our parents would wait outside to welcome us. The guards posted at the main gate would have been informed about us. Yet for now, we were tasked to fill out an array of papers to testify our late arrival. Now that we didn’t even mention going, it was new to see the outside so empty.

Maybe it’s because I have been away for a while, but I didn’t remember our house being this grand. I still haven’t seen the whole architecture, but even the snippets of it from the distance are enough to remind me of how the whole place looked. Of course, I knew that our home wouldn’t be humble as others. Our parents are high-end people, so even if they didn’t want a house this size—it was expected of them.

“Ryls, we’re almost there,” Ryder announced, looking back to still see Ryli sleeping soundly. She would wake up whenever we hit a rest stop, but she hardly even stay conscious for more than five minutes. It was new to see her sleeping the whole eight hours. “Ryls,” he called again, eyes moving to the rearview mirror. “She’s still asleep?”

I nodded. “She must’ve been tired.”

“You’re dozing off yourself, Ross.”

“Please don’t remind me,” I groaned, remembering that I had slept for at least an hour, leaving Ryder driving on his own when it was already late. There wasn’t any problem, and I didn’t see any traces that he was tired. If ever, he looked fine. “I slept while you were driving, I should have talked to you.”

He chuckled. “You don’t have to do that.”

But that’s why Ryli always does. Even if I was asleep most of the time, I would jolt awake to hear them talking about random things. Ryli would stop for some minutes, but only because she was picking some songs. In all travel that the three of us were forced to stay together, she always see it as her mission to make sure that Ryder would be occupied while he was driving.

Am I that useless?

Ryder finally stops at the gate. It is easily opened since the car is recognized by the system. Greeted by the beautiful landscape, I could see how busy mother had been for a while. She mentioned how she’ll try to learn gardening while we all attend College—since there wouldn’t belittle people bothering her most of the time.

Though, I am sure Reid is already enough of a handful.

“Ryls,” Ryder called again, now finally having the chance to fully turn his body to face her. He nudged her slowly, needing her awake. “Ryls, we’re here. Wake up.”

She groaned, slowly lifting her head to look around. Seeing the familiar shades of lighting that surrounds us, it seemed like she finally realized why she was being called. Easily pushing herself up, Ryli offered him a goofy smile. “Good thing you didn’t kill us, Ryder.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he muttered, ruffling her hair.

Since the family would be asleep by now, we all quietly walked back to our rooms. Ryder did plan to walk out of our rooms so nonchalantly tomorrow, acting as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Our parents usually spent every morning together, so we all think that it was a good plan.

Seeing my bedroom again feels so nostalgic. I could always laugh whenever I would see the place since it was dressed for someone who isn’t a child. Since I decided to do something about my situation, I was always quick to dream of growing up. My parents didn’t stop me when I asked them to redecorate my room.

There was not a shed of childhood in my room.

My walls were dyed in dark brown, with the furniture and style only consisting of brown, light brown, and white. It was fitted for someone older, probably even my dad’s age. Everything around here was my practice canvas when I was still learning.

It was filled with things that made me see how bad I was running away from life. For years, I continue running to what I wanted to achieve, not once caring if I passed other along the way or if I’ll die on the other side. All I ever cared about is surpassing Ryli.

Nothing else, nothing more.

“I could see that we didn’t age even a second,” I muttered, looking at my first canvas. While it did invoke a number of compliments from before, I could hardly remember them from now. It all seemed like mindless noise. “We’re still that young child, who still see the world as a competition,” hands slowly touching the material, I added. “And then speaks that we don’t want our craft to be judged.”

I feel like a hypocrite.

I never see anyone else as a proper competitor. If it wasn’t Ryli, I was not interested in even trying to beat them, as I knew that I was the best at what I do. Maybe it was only an excuse that I didn’t want them in competition.

No, I knew they were the only reasons.

“Would coming back here really help with my situation? Maybe I could try to lessen the anger that I feel with my sister,” I whispered, easily jumping to my bed.

The material felt like home, like pair of arms hugging me close, welcoming me to a place where I had spent most of my years. Being confined in this room before never felt so suffocating from before.

How come I feel like I needed to escape for now?

It was peculiar.

.

.

“Good morning everyone.”

Ryder was the first to greet everyone, with me and Ryli following behind him. We’re all dressed in our pajamas, yawning away the tiredness that we all had gone through last night. Both of our parents sat in their chairs, eyes wide and confused if they were hallucinating.

I couldn’t entirely blame them, since I was there when Ryder played that he could hardly do anything these days because of his busy schedule. Ryli even added injury when she mentioned that it was the same as hers. Of course, I added my own difficulties too.

I knew that they were simply being kind when they assured us that it was fine.

Especially when I could see how our mother is crying. She quickly rises to her seat, hugging the three of us with all of our might. Natalie Eclair Monstine is still as beautiful as I remembered her. Known to have an ethereal beauty, she still doesn’t look like she aged a day.

“You cheeky brats,” Dad chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. I could see the excitement in his eyes. Whether it was because he has us back in the house, or simply because he knew that his wife received what she wanted most on her birthday. “I should have known you would pull something like this.”

Slowly rushing to his side, I offered him a small kiss on his cheeks. “You should have known better that we would never miss your birthdays,” I mentioned.

“But you’re all in that age when you’re allowed to,” he answered back, softly patting my back. Even if he assured us that we aren’t to blame when schedules couldn’t be fixed, we all knew how to handle our times. It was a gift that they thought of us well when we were young. Both of them were not terrified to change their schedules if it means not missing out on our pivotal moments.

Ryli looked around, confused. “Reid is still not awake?”

“Oh, that reminds me,” Mom mumbled, looking at her. “Could you please wake that poor boy? He’s been sulking when he was informed that you’re not coming back home. Reid cried himself to sleep last night, and would not wake up.”

“Of course, he would,” Ryder sulked.

Mom chuckled, softly patting his cheeks. “You’re all sulking when it’s my birthday. Give your little brother some slack, since he’s still attached. You were the same to Ryli when you were kids, Ryder.”

“We were twins, mom. Of course, I would be attached to her.” He mumbled.

Even my father does feel a tad sad whenever Reid would choose Ryli over him. It was a mutual reaction from everyone in the house since nobody really knew why he preferred Ryli. As much as mother acts like she doesn’t care, there are certain times when she mentioned how jealous she was that Reid preferred Ryli over hers.

It was a comedic skit, that’s what it was.

A loud scream escaped from upstairs, making us all laugh. From what it looks like, Ryli easily pulled our brother away from her bed. They come down a few minutes after, with him already in Ryli’s arms. Everyone chuckled to see how Ryli was struggling to hold him, seeing that he’s already big enough not to be cradled around.

“Reid,” Mom chuckled, patting the soft child on the head. “Come down from there. Ryli’s having a hard time carrying you. You’re not exactly that light as you were when you were young.”

The sly child looked at Ryli with his doe eyes, as if asking if he was heavy. Not even Ryli could say anything about that, since anyone would bend to Reid’s will whenever he would pull that eyes.

“No, you’re fine,” Ryli replied.

Reid paused, looking down at her arms that were hugging her around. “It’s okay, you can put me down,” he mumbled, blinking softly. “We could just sit in the chair. Maybe I am getting heavy for you.”

“I’m sorry, Rei,” Ryli chuckled, easing him down.

The child quickly pulled a seat for her, eyes sparkling as she sat down. Ryli helped him push the chair for her—as he had probably watched our parents for a while. Having us all seat together at the dining table felt so new. It had been a while, and even if our parents have done our best to make sure that it’s always complete during our youth—it does feel a tad sad knowing that Reid was missing that the second we all left.

“I’m so happy you all went back home,” Mom swooned, her eyes were practically growing hearts as she looked at us. She did mention how it all felt so fast to see us grow up and move away from the house. We could make excuses and say that it is only for college, but she knew that after graduating—it would not be impossible that we would permanently leave the house. Even if she had watched us every day and had been there, for her—it still feels fast.

Dad nodded. “I wish I had thought of that before fixing everything.”

“Oh, that’s right,” Mom mentioned, eyes moving to his. “Do we have enough time to cancel? I think having a family day would be better than that. It’s been a while since they visit.”

Dad frowned, and it was one of those actions that we all know he couldn’t make it happen. It doesn’t happen often, so we all could read him whenever it does happen. He would often do everything for his wife, but of course—he’s still human. There are things he couldn’t control.

“I’m afraid we can’t, honey. It’s in a few hours and many already confirmed their attendance.”

I could feel a chill running down my spine. Maybe it was a gut feeling, or I am simply overthinking. However, I could feel something bad in the air. The emptiness that I would feel most of the days was back. I could blame this for being reminded of the past, or simply because of paranoia after everything I realized.

But with how my parents were talking about this supposed thing that they needed to cancel to have time for the family, I was already fearing for the worse. For they could cancel everything at their fingertips, but there is one exception to this.

“But the kids…”

“We’re taking them,” Dad mentioned, and I gripped my fork tighter. His eyes moved to ours as if confused why our mother didn’t think of that. “You all should get ready soon. We’re leaving in a few hours.”

Ryder frowned, confused. “We’re going somewhere?”

“We thought you guys weren’t coming,” Mom answered, a frown settled on her lips.

“Your aunts prepared a party for her, and we accepted.” Dad finished the statement.

I knew that something was off. The three of us paused at the words, knowing what can occur at that supposed party. Our parents weren’t the least aware of how these people compared me and Ryli. They were the root of everything that I have against my sister. Of course, I doubt that Ryli enjoyed seeing me being dragged when we were all young. Whatever it was, the three of us did not want to get involved with those aunts. We all successfully nudged our way outside them when we got older.

I couldn’t believe we were being sucked back into this situation.

“Do you guys want to stay out of this? That is right. You all should be tired from the long hour of drive.” Mom questioned, noticing that we all got quiet. I am sure she was not pressing any guilt on us. She is simply worried about us, and our well-being.

Ryli and Ryder didn’t say anything—as they knew better that I needed to answer this. Of course, I hated nothing more than to attend. However, this is the place where her birthday is to be celebrated. We came home in order to celebrate it with her, and not us coming to this thing wouldn’t be good for her.

She’ll not enjoy everything that was offered to her.

“We’ll go,” I answered, despite the pit in my stomach. “After all, we did come for your birthday.”

Mom seemed happy, and I could see relief in Dad’s eyes when we mentioned that we’ll go. After all, he would be the subject of my mother’s worries when we didn’t attend. While I was glad that the two of them seemed happy, I could take note of how the three of us were making sure that the atmosphere isn’t awkward or thick.

It seemed like the three of us didn’t like how this all ended up.