seven souls seven sins

chapter 73: empty spaces

Natasha's pov:

"And.. voila!" I say to myself as I finish writing the last letter. I gather them all up on my desk and fold them into neat intricate shapes, small enough to go unnoticed. It was Monday morning and I had just finished my run and got changed. I slide all the pieces of paper into the crevice up my sleeve and I make my way downstairs.

If this wasn't going to get them to talk to me, I don't know what will.

I had set my alarm clock to 6am to write a heartfelt letter for each of my brothers. I shared inside jokes, personal comedic moments and stories over my time here in each customised letter. I dump my bag in Xander's car and go to breakfast. "Morning Adri." I hug him and manage to slide his sheet inside his blazer's pocket.

Next on my hit list was the one and only king of this household.

"Good mornin' Vince." I bump into him and successfully plant one inside his open briefcase laying on the counter. I wasn't in the mood to eat burnt toast for the 4th day in a row. "Hi Chase." I innocently tilt my head to distract him and place the paper inside his boxing gloves.

Three down, three to go.

"Hey Leo." I slyly slip the folded letter into his trouser's pocket. I would make a good pickpocket now that I think about it. Last but not least, the twins. "Hey guys." I hop up on the stool. They continue to eat their bowls of açai but as they're busy I manage to sneakily slide the letters into their backpacks on the floor.

That's a job well done.

I was praying that they would all open the paragraphs in their own accord. I was not planning on explaining myself in front of all of them. I don't even bother to butter my already burnt toast so I leave it near the bin for compost. "I'll be waiting in the car." I add and walk towards the vehicle by myself.

A little spark of hope died down when I realised nobody was joining me, but I shrugged it off hoping that these letters will change that.

Time Passes:

"So how was your weekend Ms.Perfect?" Nico holds my hand as we walk out of the changing rooms and into the P.E hall. Whoever decided to put double P.E on a Monday morning deserved a special seat in the pits of hell. "Nothing much. I visited my cousins with my family and I had a lot of gym sessions throughout the two days." I reply and squeeze tighter as we walk past my brothers.

I feel their burning gaze on us, leaving a trail wherever we go.

The truth was that I wanted to avoid them as much as possible after my cake was smashed. All that hard work down the drain. My spirit was gone but a little motivation reigned within me. "You okay Amor?" Nico notices my eyebrows faltering from their usual perched stance.

"I'm fine." I lie and try to stand up but he pulls me back onto his lap.

He tilts my chin up to face him. "You're not fine. That's okay." He establishes and softens his eyes. "What's been on your mind Ms.Perfect?" He keeps one hand on my back and one holding my hand. "My brothers. They've been leaving me out since Thursday." I confess to him.

Only Nico, Seb and Flynn know about the situation now.

"Leaving you out, how?" He arches a brow. "They never greet me in the mornings or tuck me in bed at night. They don't hold conversations with me and I'm sure you can see in school that the twins ignore me on a daily basis." I lean in to his broad shoulder. A comforting scent of minty whiskey fills my senses.