Jewels of Nature

CHAPTER 9

Adria sat, curled up on her bed, hugging a pillow. Uncle Albert took them in yesterday. It's been a month since-

She took a deep breath.

She still couldn't say the words, not even in her head. She didn't deny it though, she knew that they were de-

Dead.

She forced the thought on herself.

She hugged her pillow even tighter. This room wasn't as comfortable as her own. It's not like as if she could go back there. At least this room was more comfortable than the one she had to share with that rowdy Mandy, yesterday. Uncle Albert wasn't really a relative, she and Felix called him 'Uncle' because he was a family friend.

Adria tried to stop an army of tears from erupting. She visualized a wall, no, a dam to stop it. The dam held. Any second now, she knew Felix and Carl would come in to complain. Adria was secretly delighted though, at least now she would be kept busy, no time for lounging, no time for memories.

The door opens, just as she regained her calm composure.

"Hey Sis, can we come in?" Felix asked his sister, smiling. "Yeah, of course." Adria nodded.

Felix and Carl enter. Felix sits on an armchair while Carl makes headway for the bed.

"So what exactly did that old man lecture about this time?" Carl asked, rolling his eyes, and then fixing an intent gaze on Adria.

Adria noticed the watchful gaze.

She knew that she could never fool Carl with a fake smile. He was her best friend. He knew her better than anyone.

Maybe not as much as Felix.

Even now, Felix knew exactly when to leave his sister alone, so now, he was glaring at Carl. He had come to respect Adria's privacy, especially after everything that happened in the past month. Even if she hadn't cried openly, he knew that she was just keeping it inside herself, until she was alone. She had such great control over herself, that he envied her. He did not share the same gift. Everyone knew that he was a short-tempered boy, even at 10 years. He was fiercely protective of his sister and showed his feelings proudly. He did not particularly like Carl, he was a very sneaky and cunning kid who did not hesitate to gloat that he was a year older.

Felix hated that kind of people.

He knew his sister was very close with him, however, so didn't say anything.

"Oh same old, family honor, social status, blah blah blah..." He answered Carl.

"Hmm, your birthday is in a week right?" Carl asked while rolling on the bed, coming to a rest with his head on Adria's lap. He grinned at her, his face upside down. She rolled her eyes and started to play with his hair. They did this all the time when they were younger. Either she played with his hair or he played with hers. They slept on each other's shoulders and laps. Their bond was quite close.

However.

Adria raised her eyes to Felix.

He was glaring at Carl.

Carl, noticing Felix's glare, sticks out his tongue.

"Yeah actually, it's our 11th birthday. Why do you ask?" Adria replied quickly.

"Well, it's obvious that Father won't celebrate, I think he forgot! So... We'll have our own little party. After our morning classes, we can go to this little cave that I hang out in underneath my house and have a great time! There's a little lake there too, for swimming. So? What do you think?" Carl said excitedly, his eyes lighting up.

Felix brightened up immediately, hearing the plan. "Yeah, that's brilliant!"

Adria wasn't interested though. She smiled as if with excitement to appease the boys.

Adria tried to stifle a yawn but failed.

"I guess it's time to go to bed, tomorrow, it'll be busy for the both of you," Carl said immediately.

Felix hugged Adria tightly and warmly, murmuring, "Thanks for helping me out earlier. Good night."

Carl smiled at her, and said, "You're gonna love it here, I promise."

Carl and Felix left for their own room, leaving Adria in the darkness.

All alone.

Adria felt the dam break.