Blood

Chapter Four: Mistakes

I entered the room, but was greeted with darkness. Darkness was a common thing in my house, since we could all see perfectly in the dark. But today it was strange. I was expecting to see my parents waiting with Ava to scold me on the terrible decisions I made today. I knew they would've asked me what I was thinking when I joined the school's race team.

As I was about to head upstairs to my room, the light in the living room came on, and there Ava was, sitting on the couch. She looked upset, and I knew I was in for a lecture.

"Ethan, what were you thinking?" Ava asked, her voice firm. "You know you can't join the school's race team. You're not human, Ethan. You can't risk exposing us like that."

"I know, Ava," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "But I just wanted to try something new. And I'm good at running."

"You're not just good at running, Ethan," Ava said, her voice rising. "You're supernatural. Your speed and agility are not human. What if someone sees you? What if you accidentally reveal what you are?"

"I'll be careful, Ava," I said, trying to reassure her. "I promise I won't expose us."

Ava sighed, shaking her head. "Ethan, you can't just promise that. You have to think about the consequences. It's not just about you. It's about all of us. If someone sees you running at the speed of light, it could put all of us in danger. You know strong emotions can affect our powers. If you get too angry you can lose that little control that you have and zoom all over the place."

"I know, Ava," I said, feeling a twinge of guilt. "But I just wanted to try something new. And I didn't think it would be a big deal."

Ava looked at me, her eyes flashing with frustration. "Ethan, you have to think about the bigger picture. You can't just do things without thinking about how they might affect us."

I nodded, feeling a twinge of regret. "I know, Ava. I'll be more careful next time."

Ava sighed, standing up. "See that you are, Ethan. And please, drop out of the race team. It's not worth the risk."

I nodded, feeling a twinge of disappointment. But I knew Ava was right. I couldn't risk exposing us but what about Emily? If I dropped out wouldn't it be more suspicious?
"I'm sorry but I can't drop out yet."
"What do you mean you can't drop out yet?!"
"Emily convinced me to join."
"That girl that you're obsessed with?"
"I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with her though."
"Then what would you say?"
"I just think she's cute. That's all."
"So what does her being cute have to do with any of this?"
"Oh Ava, oh simple minded Ava..."
"Just get to the point."
"Fine. Ever since I started kicking butt in the race team, Emily and I got closer, you know I've never liked any human girl before or gotten involved with any human girl before so since I'm drawn to this one I don't think it's coincidence." I cleared my throat. "I think it's destiny."
"You've been watching way too many movies." Ava said. "If you don't want to stop racing since apparently, you like that now, I just want you to think of everything you're risking because of that one girl."
"Sure sure."
"Ethan, this is serious."
"Ava, I've heard you and I'll think about what you said immediately after I've had dinner."
"This boy doesn't take anything seriously." I heard Ava mumble to herself as she placed her hand on her head sighing.
"Hope you didn't tell Mom and dad yet."
"Not yet but don't think I won't if I had to."
I knew it was an empty threat. No matter the situation we never told on each other. It was our sibling code. Anyone who broke it would die. Not die literally because we can't die of natural means but just...
Well it's just a law we made. I can't explain it, I just know we've had it since we were kids.

The next day, I went to school, but didn't see Emily. I wanted to panic, but remembered that Emily doesn't heal nearly as fast as I do. So I went to her house to see how she was doing.

I stood a few meters away from the house, staring at the door. I didn't have the courage to go any closer. After what happened yesterday, maybe she was now scared of me, maybe she was able to put things together and figure out what I was. Maybe she got too freaked out and decided to transfer out of my school. As I was just staring at the door, lost in my thoughts, someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned and saw Emily.

"Hey," I said, trying to sound casual. "How's your head?"

Emily smiled, touching the bandage on her head. "It's okay. Just a little sore."

I nodded, feeling a twinge of relief. "Good. I was a bit worried when I didn't see you in school today."

Emily looked at me, her eyes narrowing. "Ethan, how are you? You were hit more times than me, but you're not even bruised. Where are the injuries I saw yesterday on your body when you dropped me off?"

"what injuries?"

Emily raised an eyebrow. "Don't play dumb, Ethan. I saw you get hit. You should be hurt."

I shrugged, trying to downplay it. "I don't know. I guess I'm just lucky."

Emily looked at me skeptically. "Lucky? Ethan, you're not even scratched. What's going on?"

I sighed, realizing I couldn't get her to stop asking about my injuries. So I decided to change the topic.

"Hey, I brought you the notes from school today," I said, holding out my backpack. "I thought you might need them. We had a test today but since you were absent, the teacher agreed to let you take yours whenever you resume."

Emily smiled, taking the backpack from me. "Thanks, Ethan. That's really sweet of you."

I smiled back, feeling a twinge of happiness. "No problem, Emily. I just wanted to help. So when will we be seeing you back in school?"
"I'll be back tomorrow." Emily smirked. "One little bump can't stop me from going to school."
"Well it has stopped you for one day already." Emily punched my arm jokingly after I said that. "I'm just joking around. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah see ya."
I walked away from her back home. Thoughts flooded my head again. I knew she was suspecting something already, I know I couldn't wipe her memory. I'm not experienced enough to wipe only specific memories. I could wipe more than what I wanted to wipe. Besides I could never think of wiping her memory.