Looking Inside

Chapter Twelve - Listen

CHAPTER TWELVE

DAWN'S POV

"Oh are you? I don't think you stand a chance against me. Star loves it when I make them for her." I stated confidently as we continued our conversation, walking towards our house with Star, trotting along with us. She was very excited seeing Harry with me when we picked her up from the daycare center. "Yes I am. In fact, I'm not just good. I'm AMAZING at it. I'm the cupcake master. Nobody can resist my masterpieces. Oh and is that a challenge I hear? Nobody beats the cupcake king." He replied. "Cupcake king? Really?" I chuckled at the nickname he made for his self. "We'll see when we get to our house. If you're the king, well meet your cupcake queen." I smiled as we reached the steps to our door. "M'lady." Harry held out his hand to guide me up the steps as I pretended to act elegant like a queen, taking his hand. "Thank you my king."

"And for our princess." He repeated his actions to Star as she hopped up the steps. I opened the door for us as I settled my bags down on the couch. "Wait here, I'll get my ponytail so we can start baking." He nodded as I ran to my room upstairs. My hair tied in a high ponytail, I came down to see Star and Harry nowhere in sight. "Star? Harry?" I called out. Feet padded on the floor coming towards the living room, I turned around to see Star clinging onto Harry's back as Harry had his arms out and running like an airplane. "Here we gooo!" Harry exclaimed as she hopped Star off on the couch, Star erupting into fits of giggles. "More airplanes!" Star insisted. "I'm tiiirreed Star." Harry pretended to fall on the couch beside Star, closing his eyes. Star poking the tip of his nose, Harry opened his eyes widely as he started tickling Star. I smiled at the sight. Star seemed very happy with Harry. Harry somehow made his way to Star's heart. Star doesn't usually become this close to people she doesn't know much, but when it comes to Harry, it would almost look like he was her dad. I fell on the couch beside Star, watching them play.

Their laughter died after a while but smiles still on our faces. Star came closer to Harry, taking his dangling necklace in her little hands and finding interest on it. "I like your necklace. It's a paper airplane!" She squealed as Harry and I exchange glances, smiling at her. "My dad gave it to me when I was younger." Harry explained. "Do you love your dad?" Star asked. Harry stayed silent. After a while of silence, I noticed his eyes were teary, his fist clenched and his jaw was tensed. "I-I uhm..I just need a little air." He finally spoke, stading up and heading out the door. I furrowed my eyebrows, curious and worried about Harry. I grabbed the remote, opening the tv to Star's favorite show. "Wait here Star, why don't you just watch while I go get Harry okay?" Star nodded as I followed out the door. He sat there, on our doorstep, staring at nothing but the pavement on our pathway. I took a seat beside him as he met my gaze. His eyes were red and teary. "Hey." I greeted him. "What happened there?" I asked.

"Nothing." He simply replied, wiping his eyes with his forearm.

"C'mon Harry. I think we both know that was not just nothing. I'm here. I'll listen." I tried comforting him. "Tell me. Tell me why you didn't answer Star. Tell me why you were crying. Tell me about you. You and your dad."

"You don't know me. At least, not everything about me. My side has never been listened to. They only care about him. That heartless twin of mine. He. He was the one that ruined my life. Would you really waste your time listening to my story?" He hesitated.

My hand found his, locking his fingers with mine. "That wouldn't be a waste of time. If it was to get to know you better, I'd be here. I'll listen," I leaned into his ear, whispering. " 'Till the end." He looked up to me, our faces inches away.

He looked up to the sky, trying to hold back the tears, our fingers still intertwined, as he slowly revealed his past to me. "It's been four years. Four, long, horrible years. Since that day happened and everything my brother and I went down the drain. All because of him. Four years since..."