“So, how’s preparation for your final exams?” Elvira mouths at Damon, who is now, 16. She raises her left brow and backs her attention to the plate of pancakes in front of her.

“Fine mum. Everything is going well.” He replied, not wanting to show weakness in front of Ava Dior, his younger sister who is now 10 years old.

“Good.” She smiled and continued eating. Peering at Ava with the corner of his eyes, he couldn’t help but to feel her intent stare against him. Her large blue eyes focused on his direction. For some reasons, Ava is shy around Damon. She wanted to ask about something important, but she fears being rejected.

‘What if he says no?’ she asked herself while glaring at him.

“Is there something you want?” Damon asked before turning to her.

“No... Nothing.” She spun away and bend her head to avoid his eye contact. A realization of being caught came up to her. Damon rolled his eyes and pulled away from the dining table, disgusted.

“But where are you going?” Elvira asked worriedly.

“To study, mum. I’d be down in the evening. Don’t bother knocking on my door.”

“But you just started eating.”

“I’ve lost my appetite.” He looked away and walked into his room.

“Should I come and help you with studying?” she inquired.

‘Boom!’

The door slam replied her question. Ava and Jeremy turned to Elvira with raised eyebrows.

“You worry too much, Wifey. Leave Damon alone. He can take care of himself.” Jeremy stated.

“I’m just concerned.” She whined at her husband and continued eating. Just then, she realized the smuggle look in her daughter’s eyes. “Is anything the problem, Ava?”

“I need help with my upcoming exams. I wish Damon would help me through.”

“Aww! You know how your brother is. He’d always find an excuse, but don’t worry. I’d help you with studies after gardening. You can join me so I can finish up early.” Elvira folded her lips together with a smile.

“Okay mummy. Thanks.” Ava faked a smile, knowing her mum was trying her best. She just wished Damon would have been a better brother than he was.

After breakfast, Elvira and Ava washed the dishes while Jeremy went to prepare a business proposal he was supposed to submit by the end of the month. After doing the dishes, Elvira and her daughter went for gardening outside the house.

Damon was trying to concentrate when a disturbing noise distracted him. It was from Ava. He walked towards the window with seriousness in his eyes. Damon lifted the white curtains with narrow eyes and peeped to see what was happening.

“Come here, Ava Dior!” Elvira shrieked while she turned the running pipe towards her daughter.

“No, mum.” A wide smile spread across Ava’s pretty face as her ocean blue eyes lit up towards her mum. She giggled. “I was just wondering if you could teach me how to bake! I said please!”

“And I told you no! Not until you clock twelve. You’re too young for these. Perhaps, focus more on your studies.” Elvira pressed.

“Okay, mum.” Ava replied and moved closer. “Don’t spray water on me again. It’s cold.”

The morning breeze blew up her jet black hair as she abruptly tugged it behind her standing ears.

Elvira couldn’t help but to chuckle at Ava Dior. She’s so matured minded even at a very young age.

“Like seriously?” Damon quaked and jumped back to bed with a droopy body. He got lost in thoughts, of being alone in his room.
‘How does it feels when you know that your mum is actually your mum and not your mum’s friend? Life to me is like a stage, and every day... I have to pretend to be happy with everything. To be cool with everybody else, to fit in. I’m being mocked and reminded about how I’m supposed to act. I'm reminded of who I truly am. Am I being ungrateful?’

Damon blew out his cheeks while he wondered with a sour expression on his face. He placed his hand on his forehead and stretched to get a notebook under his pillow. Damon scrolled through it and on the last page, there was a love poem written to him by only God knows.

Roses are red
Violets are blue
All guys are cute,
But not like you.
My love for you,
Is one to contend
You smiled too...
Would you be my boyfriend?

- Anonymous.

Thinking about who wrote this felt like a puzzle. Of course, he has a lot of friends who are girls, but the last line held a heavy weight. Because of this, Damon covered his face with his palms, striking an imaginary beard. He yawned with a blank expression and suddenly fell asleep.

***

The clouds were fluffy pink in the purple sky. Damon woke up next to me with a smile this time. I’d just finished feeding the birds when he came.

“You look happy.” I said, facing him where we laid under the giant willow tree.

“You make me happy.” He replied and pulled up and tells me. “My mind is as confused as a child with blindfold. The longer I live, the tougher it becomes.”

“Really?” I sat up to him and focused on his expression. “You’re the lucky one, Damon. You should be grateful.” I placed an arm over his shoulder and suddenly, my touch faded from his feel.

Damon looked around, confusedly. I couldn’t help but to giggle and chirp. Then he suddenly turned to me. “Come down to my reach, Adelaide. You know I can’t climb trees. I’d get another invisible injury.”

“You’re human with hands and legs. You should be stronger than any regular person out there! C’mon, catch me!” I encouraged, as he threw his arms to the closest branch. Climbing it with all his muscles and strength.

“I need your help with my exams. I’m just curious about what the questions would be.” He trembled in his breaths while resting on another branch. Hoping to find me. I vanished and appeared to his vision. I usually do this to tease him, at times. Just for the fun of it.

Damon’s hazel eyes scrolled to and fro, like a wall clock’s ticking arm. He froze and stared with wide eyes and raised brows, but Damon could only feel his presence in the space.

“Where are you, Adelaide? Stop playing pranks with me... I’m damn serious.” His thick brows pulled down as he begged.

I threw a pebble at him, and he almost jerked off the tree. I spined loosely on the flowered grass and hummed a tune, and he rolled his eyes at me.

“There you are! Stop playing pranks, okay? Now tell me, what questions are likeable to be asked? My mathematics teacher is so found of me... I don’t want to disappoint her or Elvira. Give me a gist of what to expect.” He smiled with his eyes and mouth and finally jumped down from the tree.

I noticed the impatience in his eyes and tapped my side, signaling him to a seat beside me.

“Life is full of surprises.” I started. “Every day is an examination. No one knows what the questions will be or how it will be asked. Don’t you like it?” he asks.

“W-what?” He asked nervously, raising an eyebrow.

“I mean living. Don’t you find it fascinating to live?” I asked again, and he gave me a crazy look.

“Of course, life is good, and living is beautiful. I was talking about school examinations here, not life examinations.” Damon complained.

“Yes, I know. All are the same. You’re the best student in your school. There’s nothing to worry about. I still wonder why I have to help you with your academics. Study hard and you’ll pass.” I told him.

“Can you help me with studying?”

“Of course.” I smiled and deepened my hand into his pocket. “In there are what you should study. I summarized everything into a sheet of paper.” I watched his nose and eyes crinkle at the smile on his face, but it didn’t last. “Now, is there anything else?”

“Yes... There’s this girl.” He suddenly went quiet.

“A girl?”

“I don’t know who exactly. She left me a love poem.” he exaggerated, watching a bird in the tree. “I guess she’s from my class or something. I still can’t figure out.”

“Oh, you mean Barbara Lawson?” I laid on my stomach and his gaze fell on mine.

“Just like I expected!” he looked away again. I don’t know why, but I gave a tight-lipped smile.

“Do you like her?”

“Who? Barbara?” He whooshed. “Don’t be ridiculous... That’s difficult to answer. We’ve been friends and seat mates for three years now. Leaving high-school and being in a relationship might not be the best for the both of us.”

“Then why are you thinking about it?” I queried and pulled closer till our eyes met up in an unblinking, focused eye contact. “Just don’t forget. You can date as many girls as you want, but the only girl for you is me.”

I placed my hand underneath his chin and made him look at me. His bright green eyes lit up by the seriousness in my eyes. “Don’t forget, I’m the only girl for you.”

“I should not love any girl?” He pondered, and I heard his thoughts.

I nodded positively in response and could feel the fire burning through the coldness that I was feeling. His hand slowly moved to on my chin and his thumb flickered on my cheek. With this, Damon trailed his fingertips on my forehead, tugging my strawberry red hair behind my ears as we shared an intense look.

Barely even touching me, his presence made me shiver. Damon didn’t look away from me when a door knock from reality interrupted. I was scared lost in the charm of his eyes. I didn’t know if I wanted my first kiss to be with the person I’m not even supposed to be attracted to. My twin brother. Before I could even think about it, I felt the touch of his lips parting mine.

‘Knock! knock!! knock!!!’

The knock came abruptly this time, and a little louder.

It was gentle at first. He wasn’t sure if I wanted it, then it got firmer as I didn’t pull back. His hand went behind my neck and pulled me closer to his face. His other hand was laying me on the ground with support. I don’t know if I was expecting fireworks, but this felt different from what I had imagined my first kiss with Damon would feel like.

My hands wrapped around his neck before I could even think about anything, and my lips held his in a firm grip. This is what I wanted. There is no other way. I wanted him. I felt the dried leaves hanging in my hair as he rolled on top of me.

I broke the kiss with a click and I realized I was almost out of breath.

“Damon! You have a guest!”

“Gosh, your lips are delicious.” Damon murmured, sending sparks and shivers up my spine. I couldn’t say anything. “We just had our first kiss, Adelaide.” He muttered again, tilting towards me, but I pulled him back.

“You need to go now. Elvira would be worried.”

“I don’t want to go.”

“Go. Barbra is awaiting. You need to tell her today, okay?” I wrapped my arms around him in a hug before he vanishes.

I stared at the sunset, the swirling twilight mixing with the dark purples and bright pinks and the red sun, forming a spiraling masterpiece. I sighed with content, propping myself up with the heels of my hands. I turned my head to scratch an itch and I couldn’t help but to hope, even though it tasted sweet-bitter as sin, that I wouldn’t come to regret this.