The Disaster at Hexside

Chapter 15 - Harmony

We touchdown in front of the door to my parent's house. Jazz lands on my shoulder and caws quietly.
'Yes, I am nervous, but that doesn't mean I don't want to do this.' I whisper back. I take a deep breath and knock on the door. After a few seconds, the door opened and I stared back at myself.
'Ruby.' I say expressionless. My twin looks me up and down, then looks behind me. I can tell she's eyeing off the girls behind me. Finally, she looks back at me.
'Sister! To what do I owe the pleasure?' She asks sarcastically. I growl at her.
'We wanted to know if Tristan was over here.' Avery cut in quickly, stepping up next to me. Ruby doesn't take her eyes off me for a few seconds but then shifts her gaze to Avery when she answers.
'He got here a couple minutes ago, why?' She says casually.
'We need to see him.' Lili says. Ruby looks at her, then circles around everyone else, her gaze finally landing on me.
'Sure, come on in.' She says, not taking her eyes off me. Ruby holds the door open as everyone files in. I'm the last one through, and she pulls me aside. Once the others are out of earshot, she whispers to me:
'Have fun.' Then she walks away, leaving me in the doorframe with my thoughts. A few seconds later, Avery calls out to me.
'Harmony! Where did you go?' I snap out of it and go find everyone. Maybe she was being sincere and actually wants me to have fun. I wonder. But she wouldn't. Of course, she wouldn't she's Ruby. I sigh as I enter the living room, where everyone is gathered. My parents look over at me.
'Ah, Harmony, dear, how lovely of you to join us.' Mum says unenthusiastically. I resist the urge to growl at her too, before reminding myself that she is still my legal guardian. So instead, I just nod.
'Why don't we do some introductions?' Dad asks, looking at me. I sigh.
'Mum, Dad, this is Avery,' I indicate at Avery and she waves. 'Thyme,' She waves. 'and Lili.' Lili gives a small wave. 'Girls, these are my parents.' They all smile at my parents.
'Anyways, where is Tristan?' Lili asks.
'He got here several minutes ago. He said he needed to talk to Ruby, and I haven't seen him since.' Mum says. I think she's telling the truth, despite what my brain wants to tell me. We look at Ruby.
'He left not that long ago.' She shrugs. I can hear Lili sigh.
'What did he come here for?' I ask.
'He came over to get some answers for some of our homework.' Ruby answers dismissively. It sounds like a logical story to me, but something doesn't seem right, I just can't seem to place my finger on what it is.
'Well anyway, would you four like to stay for dinner?' Mum asks. My heart skips a beat as I just realise what she said.
'Uhh no thanks, sorry, thanks for the offer though, bye!' I say quickly as I usher the girls through the door. As the door shuts I breathe a sigh of relief, almost sliding down the door as I release it. Lili comes and gives me a comforting shoulder squeeze, and we make our way back to Lili's house. Well, I'm glad that's over. I'll never have to deal with my family again for a long time. I think assuredly.