Letters - George Russell

𝑐𝘩𝛼𝜌𝜏𝜀𝑟 𝑠𝜄𝜘

♫ ♪ • Now we got problems, and I don't think we can solve 'em. You made a really deep cut, and baby, now we got bad blood • ♪ ♫

George's pov

Kaylee and I are the last to arrive at my parents' place. By now, it doesn't even surprise me anymore; Kaylee usually takes the longest of us to get ready, but styling my hair backward is also not a quick fix.

We should've started getting ready much earlier, but things kind of got heated in the bathroom. And I'm not rushing that.

"Oh, look who has finally decided to show up," Ivy says when Kaylee and I enter the living room.

My mom immediately stands up from the couch and greets us with a kiss, "I'm so happy to see you both. Merry Christmas, loves."

"Merry Christmas, Mom," I reply, ignoring the jab my sister made. I continue my way to my dad and other siblings, saving Ivy to greet as last. "How are you still alive? Almost thought you would've died without my presence."

"God, no. I feel like I breathe cleaner air when you're not around."

"Enough," Mom cuts in between our banter. "I want this Christmas to be peaceful and civil, please."

"It's always civil, Mom," Ivy retorts with a smile. "We've yet to kill each other."

"Let's not do that," Kaylee wraps her hands around my shoulder. "I wouldn't want to miss my pretty boy."

"Are you assuming I would be the one that gets killed?" I pretend to be offended when I grab my girlfriend's hands and spin her so she is facing me.

She giggles, "Well, Georgie, I love how protective you always are over me, but in reality... you are a softie."

I roll my eyes playfully, and Kaylee continues, "You don't even kill the spiders. You set them free outside!"

"Right."

Ivy snorts, watching us with an amused expression, "Oh, Georgie, she's got you all figured out, hasn't she?"

"Shut up, Ivy. Jealousy doesn't suit you. But if you're that desperate for affection, I'm sure we can find someone to snuggle with you."

Kaylee nudges my arm, smiling, "Can you leave our relationship out of this?"

"You're right, baby," I say, momentarily looking at my girlfriend before I turn back to Ivy. "Shall we act civil again?"

Ivy shrugs, "Fine. I'll be nice— For Mom's sake."

"Thank you," Mom says with a relieved sigh. She's still smiling, and clearly amused by how great our relationship still is, and actually, always has been. The doctors used to tell her that, the competitiveness and rivalry nature of our relationship could cause us to grow apart very quickly, maybe even resent each other. It was a twin thing that could happen.

In my opinion, they should've kept quiet. It only caused fear. And even though Ivy and I are no longer attached to the hip like we used to be in our teens, our relationship is strong and healthy.

"Now, who is hungry?" Mom continues. "Dinner is ready."

My other siblings, Cara and Benjy, are quick to stand up and follow our mother to the kitchen. The banter between me and Ivy will never grow old, to their annoyance.

The kitchen smells delicious, and the table is fully set with food. I quickly pull a chair for Kaylee, and take place in the seat next to her; automatically, my hand finds hers.

"It smells good, Mom," I compliment her. "I missed this."

"Well, you could come home more often in between the races," she says with a smile. "I can cook for you every evening."

I laugh, "I can try."

Mom nods and passes the plates around. During dinner, Benjy takes a moment to talk about his latest trip to Japan, followed by Ivy sharing the details of her trip to Italy while we have dessert.

"And when I landed in London, I met up with a certain someone."

I glance at her warily, hoping she doesn't say it. But my parents, Cara, Benjy, and even Kaylee, are looking at her in anticipation.

"Audrey!" Ivy's eyes flick over to me, waiting for a reaction.

I keep my expression neutral, but I feel Kaylee tense beside me. I quickly squeeze her hand under the table;

"Oh really?" Mom asks enthusiastically. "How's she doing?"

My sister turns to Mom, "She's good," she answers. "We had some drinks, and caught up on life. She was in London for some job interviews. She even asked about you, George."

And there it is, her provoking eyes at me. I feel Kaylee's gaze burn into the side of my face. Somehow, I should've expected Audrey's name to come up. And the conversation Kaylee and I had at the airport in the United Arab Emirates is still fresh in both of our minds.

"She did?" I mumble, keeping my eyes on my plate, ignoring Kaylee's stares.

"Yeah," Ivy continues; I can hear the slight edge in her tone. She knows exactly what she is doing. "She said she wished you'd more time to talk at the supermarket the other day."

Kaylee stiffens beside me, "Supermarket?" She asks, turning to me with a raised eyebrow.

I swallow; I haven't told her about that brief encounter. It didn't seem that necessary. I clear my throat, "We barely talked. She was the one hurrying away as soon as my phone rang."

"Jealousy doesn't suit you, George," Ivy teases the words right back at me.

"Why would he be jealous?" Kaylee interjects, her smile tightened as she makes eye contact with my sister.

"Nothing," Ivy replies quickly. She realizes she has made a mistake. "I was just... joking."

Kaylee let out a soft, humorless laugh, "Her name is popular around here, huh," she smiles, but the tension around her is palpable to everyone.

"Oh well," Benjy begins, done with the tension hanging around. "She has been Ivy's best friend for over ten years; honestly, I lost count of it. They basically grew up together from age seven."

I feel Kaylee shift beside me; she has let go of my hand, and clearly, the topic still bothers her. She turns to me; her smile is intact, but I know she is waiting for me to step in, to say something that will smooth over the tension. But I don't even know what to say right now.

• • •