Life and Death

Chapter 4

"Hi mom I'm hooome!" Alex called out towards the stairs.

"Alright I'll be down in a second!" a voice calls back.

My eyes roam around the place. I realized how much I've missed it, despite being here almost 24/7. The way everything was messy in an organized fashion, how it smelled like pumpkin and cinnamon, and how it was very open; there were many windows where light could flood into. All these little things made it easier to call home.

"Oh, hello Eden. It's nice to see you again."

I turn to see Alex's mom, her blonde hair shining in the sunlight flooding through all the windows. She walks closer to me, and I close the gap, giving her a hug. She always gave the best hugs. I never really got any affection from my parents. They show their affection with compliments on my academic studies. It gets old after a few years.

"So, I heard that you need a place to stay while your parents are gone," the woman says.

I look up and meet her eyes. They are brightest blue I have ever seen. I have always had a tough time keeping eye contact with people, but for some odd reason I was fine with meeting her gaze, despite her intense eye color. "Uh, yes. If that is alright with you," I say back.

"Of course it is. How many times do I have to tell you that you can come over anytime you want for however long. Our home is your home."

"Thank you, Ms. Covent."

"Hey mom, where's Seishi? Is he not back yet?" Alex asks their mother.

"Oh no he's not. I think he went to meet up with some old friends." she replies.

"Oh ok. By the way, what are we having for dinner?"

"Hmm... I don't know yet. We will wait until your brother gets home to decide though."

"What, why. Also how do we know that he will be home in time?" Alex exclaims. They never have been very patient when it comes to food.

"Don't worry he said he was hanging with his friends for only a little while. Plus, it's his first week back in America after eight years of being in Japan. I want him to eat food that he normally doesn't get back home," Ms. Covent states.

"I guess. But if he's late I will show no mercy," Alex mutters the last part under their breath.

"What was that honey?"

"Nothing mom."

I chuckle at Alex's comments.

Alex turns to me, "Hey let's go upstairs so you can put your things down."

"Oh yeah, alright," I say. I almost forgot about the bag with all my clothes and necessities in it.

I walk up the stairs to their room. The halls are lined with pictures of Alex, one of their brother when he was a toddler, and two of me: one with Alex and I posing and another one with me looking out on the balcony. Come to think of it, wasn't that the one Alex took of me our first time at their house? I can't remember it's been a long time, but I think it was. I smile recalling the old memory. I miss those simpler times.

"Hey are you coming?" Alex looks at me with a weird face.

"Oh, yeah, just admiring your pictures, "I say being snapped out of my trance.

"You admire them every time you come over, silly. Don't you have them memorized by now?"

I roll my eyes dramatically and make my way to the door where Alex is.

They bow and do a dramatic gesture signaling that I go first. "Your sleeping quarters milady."

I laugh as I walk through. Alex always knows how to put a smile on my face no matter what.

I look around their room and smile. Alex's room is the best, not because how much space is in there, but because of how much space is taken up. They have random shit everywhere, but cool shit. They have posters on every inch of the four walls, LEDs, records, signs, signed posters by bands, etc. Anything cool you could think of they got it. Looking for a construction work road reflector, they have it on the shelf to the right.

The chaos always had a weirdly calming effect on me. Maybe because I could pick a spot in the room and look at it for hours on end, studying the weird figurines or books were there.

"Wanna watch a movie? "Alex asks while sitting on the bed.

"Hell yes." I sigh. I didn't realize how exhausted I was from today.

☆*::*☆Time skip☆*::*☆

SLAM

My trance from the TV was broken by this sound. I looked at Alex. They seemed unfazed by it. "We should probably go downstairs; I think my brother is here with the food." They smile, thinking about food was their favorite pastime.

We make our way off the bed and to the top of the stairs. Alex goes first with me following close behind. Alex stops, "Stay here really quick I want to see what dinner is and if it's worth eating. Don't worry Eden, I'll save you if he's trying to poison us." Alex says with a smirk.

I chuckle, "Ok. I'm counting on you my knight in shining armor."

I sit on the step I'm on while Alex goes down the stairs to the kitchen. I start to play with my fingers trying to pass the time.

Alex comes back up the steps a few seconds later. "Everything seems alright milady, it is safe to come down." They extend a hand.

"Thank you, my savior," I say while taking their hand.

We walk to the kitchen, and I freeze.

"Eden, I would like you to meet my older brother, Seishi."

AN: hehe now things are starting to get interesting 😈.

PS: Thank you all for reading my story. 〜(￣▽￣〜)

-Jayden