MONDAY, 16th January

"Mrs. Purr, I was starting to wo..rry... you're not Mrs. Purr."

Harshad's sister, Nora, crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow in mockery.

"Oh, really? What made you think that?"

The scowl, for one.

The murderous aura, for another.

"Where's maan?"

Both teens turned their eyes to Harshad, who was trying to hide behind Leo. His sister sighed, clearly uncomfortable.

"She's stuck in traffic and asked me to come pick you up. Now, let's go."

"I want to stay with Leo, I can wait for maan here, right?"

He turned his hopeful eyes to Leo, who started stammering, knowing Ryan was never thrilled about having a child on the shop on a regular basis, and extending his permanence might bring trouble to both boys.

"Well... I mean, I would... uh... I would love to? I really think that... hm... ICE CREAM!"

Harshad and his sister jumped in surprise. Leo tried to play it cool.

"I mean, it's still early, why don't we all go get ice cream?"

"Uh... no?"

Leo sighed in exasperation before turning to stare at Nora.

"Why not?"

She crossed her arms, glaring at him.

"Because it's winter?"

He mimicked her posture and could see Harshad's eyes bouncing from one teen to another.

"So? Is there a law forbidding ice cream on winter?"

"I'm just trying to understand how are you going to explain to Purnima that you took her son to get ice cream on winter."

Oh, right. That.

"... Okay, you might have a point. Cappuccino then."

"Coffee to a child?"

He opened his arms in an exaggerated manner.

"Then he gets hot chocolate, okay!? So, let's all go, spend time as good ol' siblings."

"We're the furthest from siblings as possible."

Leo winked at her, grinning like he knew a secret.

"Oh, that's just because you haven't met me yet."

She turned her head, murmuring under her breath.

"I wasn't talking about you."

Leo heard but decided not to comment, putting on a show for Harshad, promising hot chocolate with sprinkles on it.

Now, what was that about?

Maybe she took a hammer to the head as a child?

***

Try as he might, it seemed impossible to break the ice wall Nora put up, that even Harshad, as young as he was, could almost feel it physically, shivering and scooting closer to Leo.

What is wrong with her!?

"Hey, mini-me, are you a boy or a baby?"

Harshad's answer was unsure, and he kept sneaking glances at his sister like he was afraid of her.

"Hm... boy?"

"Good! Then if I give you a mission, can you do it?"

"Yes!"

Once the boy left with the money and the instructions about what to ask in the counter, Leo waited five seconds until he was out of earshot to turn a glare at Nora.

"What is WRONG with you?"

She had the courage to look offended.

"NOTHING is wrong with me; I should be the one asking this."

"The last time we saw each other, I asked you to try and treat Harshad a little bit nice. I don't see any difference! How mental you must be to scare a child?"

And one that is so sweet.

She leaned back, crossing her arms and avoiding staring at him. It didn't take a genius or the crash course of body language some children of Aphrodite kept trying to make a thing to see how uncomfortable she felt.

"I'm not doing it on purpose, he's just scared of his own shadow."

"You take that back, now."

Taken aback for his tone, she stayed silent for almost ten full seconds before letting out just one word.

"...What?"

"You take that back, that boy is very brave and very curious with lots of love to give, and his OWN SISTER-"

She punched the table with both hands, leaning forward.

"I'm NOT his sister!"

That shut him up.

Not his sister?

Maybe half-sister?

That's right.

"Fine then, his own half-sister-"

"Are you deaf? Harshad and I. Aren't. Related. Like, AT ALL."

"Then why did he say you're his sister?"

Nora started rubbing her face, sighing heavily.

"I don't know, ok? That's his problem, not mine. I don't feel inclined to discuss my personal life with you."

Leo turned his head to see that Harshad was still at the line, just two people in front of him.

"Fine, I'll just ask him when he comes back. Along as to why his sister is so mean."

"I'm not his sister! And I'm not mean!"

He stared her down with skepticism written all over his face, before lowering his eyes and raising his hands in surrender.

"Fine, suit yourself. That's your version of the story, I'm going to ask his."

He would never know why she didn't want him asking Harshad, but she gritted her teeth and whispered her answer.

"Fine, I'm adopted. Happy now?"

"Nora, darling, let me explain something to you. I don't really give a damn about what you are and what you aren't. What I DO care about is that Harshad sees you as a sister, he PRESENTS you as a sister, and he literally TREMBLES in fear when you're around. Until THAT is out of the picture, I'm not particularly happy, so to speak."

He could see her chest rising with every deep breath she took.

"You have a wonderful little boy who is willing to treat as a sister if you just. Let. Him. How can you prefer treating him coldly? Not to speak about your parents."

"Not my-"

"Fine, adoptive parents then. I know I only met them superficially, but they look like really cool people who cannot help but be nice to others. They not only let their son spend time with me, they sometimes bring me food and even invited me for dinner. I don't know what happened to you before you got adopted, but I'm betting it includes a serious trauma to the head to make you that stupid. Are we clear again? Harshad! I was wondering if you got lost."

He turned to the approaching boy with a grin and arms open wide. Whatever Nora wanted to say, she decided against and closed her mouth, making a face like she was being forced to swallow something bitter.

Well, now that we got it out of our chest, I already feel so much lighter.

TUESDAY, 17th January

"You know I can help you study."

"Niel, no offense, I'm sure your intentions are honorable and blablabla but I don't really feel like going back to school."

"What about getting your GED?"

Leo gestured to his surroundings.

"Man, I work full time, at what moment should I sit down and study?"

"You could talk to Uncle Ryan and work only part-time."

"Oh yeah, and where do I get the rest of the money that I need?"

"You could make a deal with him. He's a nice guy, and I'm not saying that because we're related. Besides, he fears my mom, and I'd bet she would say to put studies first."

"Niel, Ryan already offered me to make a deal when I first started working here and I declined. Besides, they need me."

"Leo, you're good, I'll admit it, but it's not like every other guy is a complete addlepate."

"A what?"

"Stupid."

A tiny voice interrupted them.

"I finished! Look!"

Both boys turned to see Harshad grinning proudly.

"Wow! That was so fast! I think we might be looking at the fastest boy on Earth!"

Once the kid was radiating with pride and concentrated on another task, Leo turned to Niel.

"By the way, did Sierra and the... whats-her-name hit it off in the end?"

"Lisa. Or Starr, as she prefers. She gave her number to Sierra... and that's it. As far as I noticed, even if she answers Sierra's texts, as long as they're PG, that is, she will dive for cover if she sees Sierra or us anywhere near her. Can you believe she actually bolted when I said ahoy once?"

Niel gesticulated widely with one hand, using the other to support his head.

"Of course, she trusts the Wench who is obviously getting a kick out of it, since she ended up befriending her friend crush and is overjoyed in advising Star on 'how to tame Sierra through texts', in her own words. This last week they were glued to the hip and Sierra is sulking, which she NEVER does."

"Do we need to kidnap her again so give the lovebirds some time alone?"

"I would happily suggest that, but we should've stick to the saying, dead man tell no tales, because the Wench went to Sierra's friend, Regina, you remember her, right?"

Leo kept his expression carefully blank.

"I don't go to school, so I wouldn't know."

Keeping his expression proved to be challenging with Niel carefully analyzing him.

I often forget that he's onto us. I mean, you.

Yeah, you and me, pal.

"... Right, silly me. Anyway, Regina flipped and said that if she heard of Sierra pulling another 'absurd stunt' like that one, she will actually call the police on all of us. From Sierra's experience, she means business, so we need to play by the rules."

"Bummer."

"Tell me about it."

WEDNESDAY, 18th January

"Harshad, what's this?"

Purnima gently rotated her son's arm to see the underside still dirty. Raising one eyebrow, she gestured to the restroom.

"Sorry, maan!"

We need to remember to check if he's actually clean next time.

Who's gonna remember? You or me?

"Leo?"

He turned from where Harshad had left to see Purnima studying him.

"Yes, Mrs. Purr?"

"Did you happen to say anything to Nora when the three of you went to that café the other day?"

I didn't picture her for the tattle-tale type.

"Just... the basics? Nothing out of the ordinary, really. The regular stuff."

Well, we spoke to her exactly twice and it was about the same thing so, it was regular stuff.

"Hm, I was just wondering...?"

Should I take the bait?

I mean, is there a way no to?

I feel like a kid.

"Wondering about what?"

Even if he obviously took her bait, her smile was honest.

"Just that yesterday, while I was cooking dinner and Harshad was watching his cartoons, Nora miraculously decided to leave her room and watch TV with my boy. Not only she didn't change the channel, she also asked him a couple of questions about the characters. It wasn't much but still... the friendliest she has been since we moved here."

"Where did you live before?"

"Near Montreal."

"Wait, Montreal as in Canada?"

Purnima giggled a little and that was the most girly reaction he ever saw from her.

"Why, do you happen to know another one?"

"No, just... is Nora from here or there?"

She seemed taken aback.

"What do you mean?"

Was her adoption supposed to be a secret?

"Eh, nothing! I'm gonna check on mini-me! Always nice to see you, Mrs. Purr!"

Well, maybe Nora's head isn't that thick.

She's cool.

No, she's not.

She'll be.

Have you noticed to tend to mirror your friends on my world? You tried with Callie and it didn't work all that well, what makes you think that Nora will be different?

'Cause I know my sister. Besides, my sunshine is warming up to us.

You mean her half-wave from across the street when you wave like mad calling out her name?

Exactly.

FRIDAY 20th January

"Hm...so..."

"She couldn't make it again, ok? I'm not here because I want to."

Leo kept his eyes on Nora, while ushering his mini-me to the restroom.

"Harshad, why don't you go clean up?"

After the boy left, both the teens kept their eyes wondering to anywhere but the other, awkwardly standing at the same place.

Do you think we should do something?

Do what?

I mean, it seems that she listened to us the other time.

Do you want to push our luck?

"Are we gonna get hot chocolate again?"

Both quickly looked at an approaching Harshad, before looking at each other, with a question in their eyes.

"Hm... I mean..."

"Yeah, we could. Can?"

"Yeah, we can."

Well, that was awkward.

She's awkward.

***

"Oh."

"Oh."

"Do... you know each other."

Leo looked from Callie and Erica to Nora.

"Hm, yeah. They work at the flower shop, on the other side of the street."

"Oh."

"Should we all go inside?"

Erica, who was looking at him curiously, nodded energetically and opened the door, gesturing for Nora and Harshad to go first. Callie took Erica's position by the door and before Leo could move, she held his arm.

"And them? Where do you know them from?"

Is she jealous?

I don't think she's jealous.

I think she's jealous.

"He's my mini-me and she's his temperamental sister who I'm trying to convince to get along with him."

She raised an eyebrow in skepticism.

"You all seemed rather cosy."

Not waiting for an answer, she entered, leaving him to hold the door before it hit him with a smile.

She's jealous.

Or maybe she thinks we're a jerk for the whole fiasco with Erica.

Oh.

Yeah.

Erica was waving at him from a table on the far corner, where the others were already choosing chairs. Callie sat next to Erica, while he was halfway between her and Harshad, and Nora next to her brother, but not as close as Leo. After Callie and Nora made the introductions, and a brief discussion on the beverages, the former placed the order for everyone and returned to the table. Before the silence could get awkward, Harshad leaned forward, looking at Erica pulling her white board and marker from her purse.

"Why do you have a board? Do you like to drawn?"

Oh, boy, straight to the big questions.

I do, but I use it to writing.

"Why?"

By the way Callie and Leo froze, Nora could sense the subject was sensitive and tried to chastise the boy.

"Harshad..."

Erica gestured to Nora, shaking her head and smiling to show she wasn't offended.

Have you watched the Little Mermaid?

"Yes?"

I'm like Ariel. I can't speak.

"So, you mean an evil witch took away your voice?"

In a way.

"Do you miss speaking?"

Everyone at the table froze. It was one of the questions that always comes to mind but never gets asked. Erica bit her lip for a moment before writing.

I do. I miss singing the most, actually.

"Was the witch jealous of your singing voice like Ariel?"

Erica smiled fondly at that.

I guess so.

"What did you like to sing?"

I was starting at an acapella group before I lost my voice.

"What's... acapella?"

With a nod from her cousin, Callie took over in explaining since writing would take too much time.

"It's a way to make music without instruments. Just singing or simulating the instruments with your mouth. It's harder than it seems. Your sister can show you a video or two later, if you want."

Nora's quick agreement took both boys by surprise, making Harshad grin widely, before focusing back on Erica.

"What's your favorite song?"

It's called Fight Song.

"I don't know this song. What does it say?"

It's about taking back your life, showing that you can still fight for yourself.

"Oh, it seems nice."

It is. What's your favorite song?

"I don't know the name, but I can sing it for you!"

Erica's smile was honest and bright, with only a tinge of sadness.

I would love that very much.

Harshad started to hum a song, occasionally with lyrics. Nora's groan of frustration wasn't enough to deter him. Once he finished, he grinned.

"Did you like my song?"

Erica nodded with a smile, showing her board.

Where is it from?

It was Nora that answered.

"It's from a cartoon he watches every single day."

It almost seems as if she knows him like a sister.

I... guess?

When their names were called, the two cousins got up to get their beverages, leaving Leo with the two siblings. Nora turned to her brother with a glare, which softened after a second, to whisper loudly.

"Harshad, you can't just keep proding into someone's life. She has been quite nice, but it's rude to do it with strangers."

"Oh, ok."

Why is she looking at us like that?

Is she trying to transmit a message or something?

When the girls returned to the table and everyone had their drinks, Harshad did not waste time asking Erica another question.

"My maan said that people that cannot speak with their mouth speak with their hands, like mimic. Do you know how to do that?"

At Nora's mute wordless protested, Harshad gave her an innocent smile.

"What? But I know her name. She's not a stranger anymore, right?"

While Callie was trying to stop choking on her drink, Erica was silently laughing, her head throw back.

You know, I think it's amazing that she never stops herself from laughing, even if someone might be weirded out about no sound coming out.

Once Erica was able to breath normally again, she wrote her answer.

It's called Sign Language, and yes, I do.

I'd never thought of it, but it makes sense that she would join the deaf community.

It must be faster than writing everything.

The small boy got excited reading her answer.

"Really? Can you show me?"

Erica gestured fast, obviously used to it.

"What did you say?"

That you're a very nice boy and I enjoy talking to you.

"I like talking to you too. Can I draw on your board?"

Nora facepalmed in embarrassment, but Erica gestured with her hand, inviting him over. Callie, who was the closest to Erica, got up so Harshad could take her sit. Since she took his place, his sister whispered an apology, to which Callie shook her head.

"Trust me, he was one of the most polite ones, adult and children alike, to speak to her. You have nothing to apologize for."

A/N: Erica and Harshad's interaction had never crossed my mind, but ended up being absolutely pure, and a way to explore some delicate aspects of Erica's life in a light manner. And since no one said anything about that snippet, I'll just drop it