the space between us 2: a novella | daerin

4

CASPER

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AS SOON AS I TOOK TILLY to bed for her after-school nap, I got started on dinner. The fridge was stocked with all sorts of fruits and vegetables, stock, dairy products, and other items that wouldn't even be here if not for Archie helping out while I spent most of my time at work.

Archie had been my lifeline these last few months, and I couldn't ask for a better brother. Even though we're much older now and in our own relationships, having him around since I had Tilly has made me love my brother even more. Sometimes I wouldn't even need to ask; he'd simply show up at my front door like a guardian angel.

I'm certainly not a certified chef by any means, but cooking with Archie over the years has its perks. I grabbed some vegetables and a container of tofu to get started on kimchi stew.

Heaving everything onto the counter, I took a quick glance at Azalea in the living room. Exhaustion and worry clouded her features, and yet, despite it all, she was still the prettiest woman in my eyes.

"I hope you're okay," I breathed into the air, hoping that she'd hear it. I still couldn't figure out what was on her mind, but I knew that, with time, she'd come to me with whatever problems she had, and we'd sort them out together. Like partners do.

I took a deep breath and began to move around the kitchen, grabbing chopping boards and knives, bowls, and a pot for the stew.

Just then, as I began to cut through an onion, my eyes tearing up, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

Isabel.

Rushed, I pulled out my phone and began swiping across the screen, the device taking too long to respond and making me grunt in frustration.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Cas," Isabel's voice came through the line, warm but with a hint of something else. "How's it going?"

"Hey, Bel," I smiled, even though she couldn't see it. "Just making dinner. You?"

"Nothing much," she replied, though I could hear the sound of sniffling. Had she been crying? "Just been lazing around. Nothing too crazy."

"Sounds kind of relaxing, to be honest," I said, a touch of envy in my tone. I couldn't remember the last time I found myself with too much time on my hands. "Want to switch places?"

"I'd take the offer, but if I write a book in your name, you'd be fired. Tilly might be a better author than me," she said, making me laugh despite myself.

I continued chopping the onion, the tiny thing making my eyes tear up, streaks of moisture painting my face.

"Are you doing okay?" I quickly asked, worry creeping into my voice. Ever since Isabel ran into Mica, I'd been concerned.

"As fine as I could ever be," she explained, but I didn't fully believe her. Not entirely, at least. "What about you, though? I saw Archie yesterday after he got back from yours. Ran into him at the shops. Says you've been busier than usual, and Azalea was acting a little weird. No offence."

"Oh no, none taken," I chuckled. "But yeah. I've got some stuff planned, and, well, I gotta work if I want my vision to come to life."

"True," Isabel answered.

As I continued to prep dinner and chat with Isabel, a rustle came from the living room. I glanced over to see Azalea turning to her side, the blanket I'd draped over her now covering her entirely like a cocoon.

"And with Azalea..." I started.

"Is something going on?" Bel inquired, her concern evident.

I took my chopped vegetables to the pot on the stove and started cooking my attempt at kimchi stew. My only hope was to make it edible.