Michrinor: The Fates of The Heirs

Chapter 5 - A Secret Beneath the Surface

Ava sat on her bed, her fingers nervously tapping against the side of her phone as she waited for the video call to connect. The glow from the fairy lights Lizzy had given her illuminated the room, casting comforting glittering beams that danced along the walls. Despite the small touches that made the room feel cozier, Ava couldn't fully shake the heaviness that lingered over her life. The move had brought hope, but the tension in the house remained, thick as ever.

The screen flickered, and Lizzy's face appeared, her usual bright smile lighting up the screen. "Hey, Ava! How's it going?"

Ava returned the smile, though hers was more restrained and forced. "Hey, Lizzy. It's good. Just trying to get used to this place."

Lizzy nodded sympathetically. "I get that. Moving is always tough. Still thinking about school on Monday! I'm really hoping we end up in some of the same classes."

"Me too," Ava said, though there was a hint of hesitation in her voice. School was a subject she usually kept at a distance, a place she attended out of necessity rather than enjoyment. "It'll be nice to have a friend there."

Lizzy's smile widened. "Totally! So, what are your teachers like? Are they any good? Are they boring?"

Ava laughed at that then paused, thinking of the faces that greeted her every day at school. "They're okay, I guess. Mr. Thomas, the math teacher, is really strict, but he's fair. Ms. Parker, my English teacher, is nice. She's big on creative writing, which I like."

"That sounds awesome! Maybe I'll have her too," Lizzy said, her enthusiasm infectious.

"Yeah, maybe," Ava replied, her smile fading a bit. She appreciated Lizzy's optimism, but talking about school always made her feel exposed, as if it would lead to more questions about her life that she wasn't ready to answer. Sensing the change in Ava's tone, Lizzy promptly switched the topic to something lighter, easing the conversation back into comfortable territory.

As they chatted about random things, Ava heard the sound of footsteps outside her room. She glanced up just in time to see her brother, Ethan, passing by. He looked in, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Hey, who are you talking to?" he asked, his voice slightly indifferent but not unkind.

"It's Lizzy," Ava replied, angling the phone so Lizzy could see him. "Lizzy, this is my brother, Ethan."

Lizzy waved enthusiastically. "Hi, Ethan! Nice to meet you!"

Ethan gave a small wave in return, his expression neutral. "Hey. Nice to meet you too."

Ava could tell he wasn't sure what else to say, so she quickly filled the silence. "Lizzy's starting school on Monday. Hopefully, we'll have some classes together."

"Cool," Ethan said simply. He stood there for a moment longer, then nodded toward Ava. "I'm heading out for a bit. Let me know if you need anything while I'm out."

"Yeah, I will. Thanks Ethan." Ava replied, watching as he walked away. As soon as he was out of sight, she turned back to Lizzy, trying to shake the unease that always seemed to linger after these brief interactions with her brother.

"Ethan seems nice but he really doesn't look like you. Actually when I think about it, your parents really don't either," Lizzy offered, trying to break the awkward silence that had settled.

"He is nice and that's true. I used to get asked about it all the time but my Mamaw Belinda constantly talks about being there the day I was born, so...," Ava said feebly, though her mind was already drifting back to memories of when things were different, back when Ethan was more than just the quiet, distant figure he had become. "Ethan and I used to be really close."