Autumn Secrets ✓

T h i r t e e n

[  A week later   ]

~ E l s a ~

"Sorry guys, I know I'm late," I announced as I opened the front door.

"Oh hi, Elsa," Asher greeted as soon as he saw me.

I then noticed that the boys seemed like they were ready to go out somewhere.

Seth might've learned the look of confusion on my face, so he explained, "Uh, we are going out to see this year's Town Fest."

"Oh," I processed that information. "So, did y'all have breakfast?"

Joshua put his arm around my shoulder, "Don't worry about us, sis, we'll eat on the way."

"Okay," I relaxed.

"We are gonna leave now, so you wanna join us?" Asher asked genuinely.

I smiled at his generous offer, "It's ok, I'm sure you guys can enjoy without me."

Asher rolled his eyes, "We'll get going then."

"Oh wait, where's Levi?" I asked when I noticed that he was missing from the scene.

"He isn't coming," Seth answered, looking upset.

Without digging for further information, I just let them leave after bidding goodbye.

I was about to walk away when I felt a hand grab my arm.

I turned around and found a pair of emotionless dark brown eyes that looked at me.

It was Dennis.

"What happened, Dennis?" I asked, perplexed.

"Take care of Levi," he left my arm and sighed, "please."

That day, I realised that Dennis cared about his brothers way more than he gave away. I nodded, "Of course I will. Don't worry and enjoy the day."

He gave me a small smile and left right away.

That was the first time I had seen him smile.

Unlike his eyes, Dennis wasn't so emotionless after all.

*
.

*

I didn't realise that I had zoned out to the sound of rain softly hitting against the window pane but that moment didn't last long as I was forced back to reality by a loud clap of thunder.

"Goodness, how can I zone out while cooking," I shook my head in disappointment.

I quickly finished making breakfast because I thought that Levi might be really hungry.

"I think I should call him," I whispered to myself as I started to walk upstairs.

When I reached his room, I noticed that the door was open. Still, I was about to knock when I heard some sound.

The sound of sobbing.

I didn't think much before walking into the room. Levi was sitting on the floor with his back turned towards me. He was yet to notice that I was in the room.

I was right. He indeed was crying.

My heart ached to see this side of Levi.

The side which he never showed.

I couldn't take it anymore, so I called him, "L-Levi."

He visibly froze at the voice of this unwelcome intruder.

He harshly wiped his tears away, but he didn't turn around to see me or even scold me.

The window was open, so the curtain danced along to the chilly wind's rhythm. Still, the silence continued.