the space between us 2: a novella | daerin

1

THIRD PERSON

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THE GENTLE SPRING BREEZE SWEPT through the small apartment, filling the kitchen with a refreshing chill. Pots and pans clanged loudly over the stove as Archie prepared breakfast. It was a Friday morning, and Casper's older brother was in charge of tending to five-year-old Tilly and their Scottish Fold, Iris.

A stack of pancakes sat temptingly on the counter, and Tilly eyed them with much adoration, her big doe eyes sparkling as she visualised the myriad of ways she could smother them with all sorts of toppings and sauces.

"Hey, no pancakes until you're dressed," Archie motioned, carefully preparing the rest of breakfast as he took a quick glance at her.

"But I am dressed," Tilly countered, showing off her school uniform. "I'm hungry," she pouted.

"I know, silly," Archie smiled, bending down on one knee, still towering over her. "But look at this," he chuckled, pointing to her mismatched buttons and the skirt she had put on the wrong way around. "Did you get dressed with your eyes closed? You look like a little silly Tilly."

Tilly hid her face behind her palms and giggled.

"C'mon. Back to your room and fix yourself up," Archie instructed as he stood back up to take the eggs and bacon off the pan. "Mommy will be here soon to pick you up for school."

Tilly turned on her heels and hurried back to her room just as the front door swung open.

"Hey!" Casper exclaimed as she sauntered through the door, her bag slung across her shoulder and an exhausted expression etched on her features. "Is Tilly ready?"

"Almost," Archie replied as he set down a plate with two pancakes, a fried egg, and two strips of bacon. "Eat up. How was work?"

Casper set her bag on the couch and made her way to the counter, quickly seating herself on a stool as her brother offered a set of cutlery. "Thanks," Casper smiled warmly, instantly stabbing her fork into a piece of bacon. "I thought I'd die from hunger," she sighed.

Archie set a cup of coffee next to Casper's plate. "They're not overworking you, are they?" His brows furrowed with concern. A wave of bad memories weaved their way through his mind. It wasn't the first time he'd seen his sister so exhausted, and the last time she'd been so overworked she was extremely bedridden.

"No, they're not," Casper answered. "Just... life."

"Just life?" Archie turned off the stove and let his hands rest against the cool counter as he stood firm, setting his gaze upon his sister.

"It's been hard adjusting to everything," Casper confessed. "With Tilly in kindergarten and Azalea starting up a full-time job, it's like I'm a clown trying to juggle everything together."

As if on cue, Tilly came rushing out of her room, her uniform now properly adjusted. "Mommy!" she squealed, running up to Casper and wrapping her arms around her waist.

Casper's face lit up, and she ruffled Tilly's hair affectionately. "There's my girl! Did you get everything sorted out?"

Tilly nodded enthusiastically, her eyes darting to the stack of pancakes on the counter. "Can I have a pancake now?"

Casper chuckled. "Yes, you can have a pancake now." She reached over to grab a pancake and placed it on a smaller plate for Tilly, handing it to her with a smile. "Here you go, sweetie."

"Thanks, Mommy!" Tilly said, before hurrying to the table to devour her breakfast.

Archie watched the interaction with a soft smile. "You're doing great, you know," he said quietly, turning his attention back to Casper. "It's not easy balancing everything, but you're managing."