Here I am, back at the Donovan's again. Last night was
intense and Sophia insisted that I go back to her house after the campus party.
Morning at the Donovan's was never quiet. There is always a sound of clattered dishes, the hum of the coffee machine, and the sound of multiple voices colliding in the kitchen created a kind of chaos that was both overwhelming and comforting.
I slid into a chair at the table, trying to shake off the
memory of last night. The party, his words and the way his presence seemed to swallow the space around me.
Charlie was already there, half-eating and half-scrolling on
his phone again, with a smirk tugging at his lips. Jamie leaned back in his chair, sipping on his orange juice, clearly waiting for an opening to stir a trouble and Sophia bounded in next with her hair tied messily, humming as if the entire world revolved around her.
"Morning, sunshine," she chirped, plopping down beside me.
Before I could've answer her greetings, Charlie suddenly
lowered his phone just enough to glance between me and Tristan, who was seated at the head of the table, silent as ever, sipping his coffee.
"So…" Charlie began, voice full of mischief, his eyes on me.
"I think I saw something interesting yesterday."
My heart thumped and I look at his face with questioning
gaze, "What did you saw?" I asked.
"I can't believe I saw you and big brother being awfully cosy last night." He continued.
My hands froze midair. "What?"
Jamie snorted into his juice. "Yeah. It was too shocking. I mean, Ellie, are you aware that you were practically glued to him at that party?"
My cheeks flamed instantly. "I wasn't glued to anyone. He was
just.."
"...trying to scare off that drunk guy who wouldn't leave
you alone," Charlie finished smoothly. His grin widened.
"Such a classic Tristan. Always swooping in like some dark knight saving the damsel in distress."
Sophia laughed, oblivious to the tension crawling up my
spine. "Don't tease her, boys. Ellie is a family. Isn't it justified for Tristan to save her from the awkward situation?"
"Family, huh?" Jamie echoed, his grin almost identical to
Charlie's. "It sure didn't look like one."
I can feel my heart slammed in my chest and I risked a
glance at Tristan, half-praying that he'd put an end to his brothers' antics. Unfortunately, he choose not to understand the glance I threw him. He was just there, sitting at
his throne with unreadable expression, sipping through his coffee as though the teasing didn't mean anything to him.
I cleared my throat, trying to save myself from this drama
while forcing a smile. "You're both ridiculous. Tristan just happened to be there, that's all."
"Mm-hmm," Charlie hummed, clearly unconvinced.
Then I saw Donovan's mother swept into the kitchen with a plate, further saving me from the humiliation. She set down a plate of pancakes in front of me with her warm smile cutting through the tension. "Eat, dear. You're too thin."
I managed a grateful smile to Mrs Donovan, but I swear I
could feel Tristan's gaze, too raw with emotion, burning at me. When I finally manage my courage, I looked up, I saw his dark and steady eyes, locked on me.
He didn't uttered a word, but his silence speaks louder than
the laughter.