Seven Sins

Chapter 38: The Park

The next few months were peaceful and wholesome. It was just me and five of the siblings in the penthouse: the twins, Carter, Axel, and little Alex, with whom I had spent the most time.

Dad kept in touch, and Evan's fangirls were going crazy trying to figure out where he went after his tour was canceled just as it began. The stories online were hilarious; people were making up all kinds of theories.

Part of me did feel guilty, but this was for the best.

Today, after school, I promised Alex I’d take him to the park. It was so cute to see his eyes light up in excitement as he put his shoes on and eagerly jumped to get out.

We walked a few blocks down to Grand Lake City Park.

The park consisted of wooden bridges built over a long lake hidden inside bamboo trails. It was a marvel of architecture and a lovely place to walk.

It was particularly busy today since it was a Friday. I had just gotten Alex his ice cream, and he held my hand as he walked alongside me, admiring the park.

"Woah, look at how tall that one is," he playfully commented on the long bamboo stalks alongside the trail.

"Don’t eat the ice cream too fast again, okay?" I smiled down at him.

We got to the center of the park, where they had built a small playground and an open field for families to enjoy.

Alex let go of my hand and ran to the playground.

"Alex, don’t run like that! Stay close—" I called out after him.

"Yara?" I heard a voice behind me.

I jumped, startled, and turned to face Nate.

"Oh... Nate," I said, confused. I hadn’t spoken to him in so long, I didn’t know how to act.

"Wow, you look radiant as ever," he complimented, taking my hand and twirling me around.

I clumsily lost my balance as I stood to face him again.

"Thanks... um, what are you doing out here?" I asked.

"Well, it’s the only decent place I can go to get away from my dad that isn’t filled with alcohol or loud music."

"I see."

"You haven’t responded to the messages I sent," he said, looking into my eyes. This made me feel even worse.

Ever since Evan left, and I found out Nate was his best friend, I decided to completely move on from Nate and draw a boundary to avoid any kind of drama again.

"I was actually away in New York for a bit, and so I—"

"You’re so cute when you try to lie," Nate smiled his bright smile at me, his dark blue eyes sparkling down at me.

I couldn’t help but blush.

"You out here alone?" he asked, looking behind me.

"Oh no, I’m here with my little brother, Ale—" I turned around to point him out and realized I couldn’t see him among the other children.

"Alex?" I repeated, walking toward the playground, looking around frantically.

He was nowhere to be seen.

"Yara? What’s wrong?" Nate followed behind me.

"My little brother Alex—he was just here and now he’s—" I stuttered as I turned to look around.

"Okay, calm down, we’re going to find him, alright?" Nate held my shoulder, consoling me.

"What does he look like?" Nate asked.