Gonzales

20

It was a typical Saturday afternoon in the household. The sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the living room where the family had gathered. Evelyn, busy in the kitchen, hummed a tune as she prepared lunch, The boys were sprawled out in various parts of the room, each doing their own thing, but it didn't take much to see that things were not as calm as they appeared.

Luca, the extroverted twin, sprawled on the floor near the coffee table, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the wood as he looked through his phone. His mind raced with the usual energy of someone constantly on the go. His twin, Leo, seated in the armchair near the window, his legs tucked under him, his gaze fixed on the trees swaying outside. Leo's hands were tightly clenched around a book he wasn't really reading. He didn't speak much, and he rarely looked anyone in the eye. He found it easier to retreat into his own world when the noise of life around him became overwhelming.

Aurelio, the youngest of the brothers , had been busy running around the living room for the past hour. He's curious ball of energy, never content to sit still for too long. He'd dashed back and forth between rooms, giggling and calling out to his family, always looking for someone to play with. But today, he had been particularly interested in Leo.

Aurelio had the habit of invading Leo's space. He didn't quite understand that Leo needed space to think and breathe, especially when he was feeling anxious. When Aurelio got close, Leo would shift in his chair, his fingers twitching at the edges of his book, trying to ignore the overwhelming feelings that stirred inside of him. The younger boy had no concept of boundaries, and today, that lack of understanding was about to push Leo to his limit.

Leo's stomach tightened as Aurelio's small footsteps approached. His breath caught in his chest. He could feel Aurelio's presence drawing closer, could hear the giggles that made his skin crawl in that way that only heightened his anxiety. Aurelio was humming, oblivious to the effect he had on his older brother.

"Leo," Aurelio called out, his voice high-pitched and excited, "what are you doing?"

Leo didn't answer immediately. He stayed still, hoping Aurelio would take the hint and leave him be. His heart pounded louder with each step Aurelio took, and Leo's grip on his book tightened until his knuckles were white.

But the little boy didn't stop. Aurelio, sensing his brother's unease, took another step forward, reaching out to tug at the sleeve of Leo's sweater.

"Leo, come play with me!" Aurelio said, pulling on his sleeve again. "Please?"

Leo's pulse quickened. The touch, the voice, the proximity—it was too much. He squeezed his eyes shut, forcing himself to take slow, steady breaths, trying to push the panic rising in his chest back down. He couldn't snap at Aurelio; he knew his little brother didn't understand, but it felt like the walls were closing in. His chest felt too tight, like he couldn't get enough air.

Aurelio didn't understand why Leo was pulling away. To him, his older brother was just another playmate, someone he could always look up to and expect to join in his games. He didn't know that Leo's quietness wasn't just a preference—it was a way to protect himself from the world.

"Leo," Aurelio said again, a little more insistently now, "come on! I need you!"

Leo's hands were trembling by his sides, and his heart was hammering in his ears. He could feel the edges of his thoughts starting to fray, the tension in his body threatening to explode.

At that moment, Luca, who had been half-listening to the interaction while scrolling on his phone, looked up. He saw Leo's stiff posture, the way he was holding himself, and immediately recognized the signs: his twin was in distress. Luca had known Leo for long enough to know when he was overwhelmed, even without him saying a word.