Weight of The Untold

Chapter 14

I finished dinner and carried my plate to the kitchen. Rose had gone to check on a sick family member, leaving me alone to cook and eat in silence. I expected Caleb to come back like he always did, but the chair across from me stayed empty. I rinsed my plate and placed it in the rack, letting out a quiet sigh.

“Good evening.”

I jumped. “Zach! What are you doing here?” How did he even get in?

“I came with your brother. Relax—I didn’t break in.” He caught my skeptical look and smirked. “Caleb!” A few seconds later, my brother appeared.

“Hey, kid.” Relief washed over me the moment I saw him.

“Hey.” He came closer, inspecting my face. “You look sad. What’s wrong?”

For someone I’d known less than a month, he had an uncanny way of reading me.

“Yeah… well, you missed dinner.” His eyes widened.

“I totally forgot. I’m sorry, kid. Did you eat with Rose?” I shook my head.

“No—she’s not here. A family member is sick, so she went to check on them.”

“Leaving you alone?”

“With Jerry,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I’ll just go to my room.”

“Don’t wanna hang out with us before bed?” I glanced between him and Zach.

“I’m guessing you’re staying the night?” I asked Zach. He nodded. “Well… I’m sorry, but not tonight. I have to study for tomorrow’s exam.” I started walking, but Zach stepped in front of me.

“I promise you won’t regret it, Kyla. Just an hour, tops.” His lips mouthed please over and over.

“Why do you guys insist so much?” I shot Caleb a look. He just laughed. Zach… didn’t.

“Kyla, what do you suspect?”

“I don’t know. It’s… awkward,” I admitted.

“Thirty minutes,” Zach finally relented.

“Fine,” I sighed. “So… school. How was it today?”

“Well, I found out I’m hated by a teacher.” I said it as calmly as I could.

“What?!” They both exclaimed, and Caleb followed us into the living room, frowning.

“Miss Jones,” I explained as we sank onto the couch.

“Kyla, did she hurt you?” Caleb asked, protective as always.

I shook my head. “She took me to the principal’s office—claimed I was drunk this weekend.”

“Wait—you were drunk? Where?” Caleb turned to Zach.

“Zach—shut up. She wasn’t drunk anywhere. I was with her the whole time.” I giggled at their expressions.

“Then where did her teacher see you? Wanna explain that, Mr. Smarty Pants?” I teased. Caleb tensed but I couldn’t stop laughing.

“She didn’t see me anywhere. She just saw the trending article, assumed I must have been drunk at the gala, and—on top of that—said I told everyone I’m in a relationship with you.” I glared at Caleb.

“What? That woman’s crazy!” His protective glare returned.

“Kyla, are you sure this Miss Jones is a teacher? How can she say something like that when everyone knows you’re a Davison?”

I shrugged. “I was as shocked as you guys. You should’ve seen the way she kept staring at me.”

“What did the principal say?” Caleb’s voice was tight with anger.