if by chance | ✓

11 | that was purely accidental

[ 11 ]

C O R A

✦

Mom stares at me like a hawk as I make my way to the dining space. Her periwinkle eyes were unreadable. My stomach growls as I notice the KFC parcels lying on the table top but the look on my mother's face tells me I can't satisfy my hunger so soon.

"Hey...mom." I say, gulping.

I could tell she was mad at me for some reason unknown. But what was more disturbing was my inability to survive through her lecture and control myself from just diving in.

Noah and Rhys had some pending assignment due to which they were having lunch upstairs. I wondered why I hadn't noticed Rhys before when he used to come here for study sessions with my brother.

"Sit down. And don't touch the food!" Mom commands.

"What did I do now?!" I exclaim, making a face.

I knew, no matter how furious my mom is, she will end up melting if I say I'm hungry.

"There are some ground rules I want to tell you before you go to camp." She furrows her eyebrows.

I was about to open my mouth to speak when I see my brother and Rhys walking over with their plates.

"We'll join" Noah comments, sitting down next to me while Rhys takes the chair adjacent to mom.

Not understanding what's happening, I raise an eyebrow. Rhys presses his lips together to suppress a smile.

"Y'all are already done with your work?" Mom asks, eyeing them both.

"Yeah mom, um, you were saying something?" Noah says, nudging me under the table.

"Oh yes," She turns her attention back to me, "Cora, I'm taking the risk to trust you once more. Just because Noah insists it's an educational trip."

"It sure is." Rhys adds, trying to make an impression.

I stifle a laugh, figuring what my brother and Rhys are trying to do. If not anything, they are providing company to me and my protective mother.

"If it is, I'm allowing you to go. But on some conditions." Mom states in a matter of fact voice.

Dad, who had been lounging in the living room gives a thumbs up in my direction and turns his gaze back to the Sudoko he was solving.

"Okay but can I just um, begin to take a bite, maybe?" I ask, pointing at the chicken popcorn.

Mom sighs, passing the plate to me.

"Noah, I hope you'll take responsibility of your twin. Don't let her wander off anywhere. This globetrotter just worries the hell outta me." She shakes her head.