The Rhodes Method

twenty-two

Summer's meant for lovin' and leavin'
I was such a fool for believin' that you
Could change all the ways you've been livin'
But you just couldn't stop
--- White Mustang, Lana Del Rey

OCTAVIA RHODES

"Damien," my father condemns, "apologise."

"I didn't do anything wrong!" the whining voice responds. Damien, who is fifteen years old, experiences the peak of his pubescent voice cracks. He's gotten taller though. Our father doesn't look at him with fearlessness anymore.

"You did," our father repeats. "You have to stop getting so angry."

"You're always angry," Damien grumbles under his breath.

"What was that?" Our father's eyebrow raises half an inch. His face is daring and his voice is careful. He acts calm because he cannot fight Damien's heat with his own. At Damien's lack of response, our father nods his head slowly, and a face of satisfaction overcomes him. "That's what I thought."

"Octavia?"

My eyes snap forward.

Vince stares at me, in plain confusion. I assume he's been calling my name for quite some time now, and the look he gives me confirms my thoughts. Vince returned yesterday evening. He's been overbearing as usual. He was not gone for long, but there's something different about him. His eyes are darker, and a little lost. Myles has always been his favourite sibling. So having to leave him in Vermont alone would have been pretty hard on him.

But since he's been back, he's had one less sibling to pester, so most of his attention has been on me.

"Octavia?" Vince repeats again, slightly exasperated this time. "Where's your head at today?"

"Oh," I stumble upon my thoughts, trying to find the words to satisfy him. "I don't know?" I want to slap myself for that response. I really couldn't have thought of anything better, could I?

Vince stares me down. "Logan told me you've been acting off for the last few days. Is... everything okay?"

I almost groan. Why does everyone want to talk about feelings as of late?

"I'm okay," I tell him, hoping there is some form of sincerity in my voice. "I promise."

Vince nods. "Okay then." He still glances at me. Then at my clothes on the floor. I'm sitting awkwardly on my bed, my arms wrapped around my knees, and my eyes out of my large window. Well, that is, until Vince interrupted my daydreaming.

"I know you miss Myles," Vince then admits to me, and my heart suddenly feels really, really heavy. "But it's best we let him settle in first for a few days. I assure you, you're the first person he'll call."

"Okay," I say and smile lightly. "Thanks."

Vince nods again, but he still appears unsure whether to leave me alone or not. "Remember to clean up your room."

"Anything else?" I mutter begrudgingly.

"Actually—" The thought almost slips past him. He fishes his phone out of his pocket and presses a few buttons. There is a small smile on his face, so my heart does not race, and I don't think Vince has any bad news to share. Ever since I went to Raymond's house, I've been worried that Logan or Vince are going to confront me. I'm still surprised Damien's kept his word. I suppose it's not hard to because he has done what he always does — run away from his problems. He hasn't left left — not yet, anyway.