Weak Threads

Chapter Two: Dinner with the Van Dorschners

Sylvia bit her lip as she ceaselessly pressed a few numbers she hoped could help her life. It was the tenth time she did this for the night. Her forehead was wet of sweat and her lips was pale from paranoia. Her right ear was already very warm. The telephone has been pressed to her ear for an hour. After waiting in vain, she heaved out a sigh. Her eyes were already humid from the tears that she forced not to drop. Before she could throw off a flower vase towards the floor, an unexpected knock came to distract her from her momentum.

"Dinner's ready! Sir is here," A house maid announced and left afterwards. She left the vase on her bed and wiped the sweat off her forehead. She realized it was actually the night she was hoping to come until earlier.

After couple of minutes, Sylvia left her room, well-dressed for a dinner with a few families. Families that she used to treat as her own until that certain night. She wore her classic green tunic dress and paired it with indigo flats. Her father and mother would probably think she was underdressed but she was not in her brightest mood. As she made her way to the dinner hall, everyone was already chatting lightly as they devour the lamb meat that was served.

Their dinner table was so wide that eleven individuals could comfortably occupy it. Seated at the left side of the table were the Thomas family along with Ezekiel who knew she arrived but didn't bother to look. Opposite to their side was the Cruz family who was busy telling a heavy story that Sylvia's mother was engrossed with. Her family sat on the side that faced both families, the center part. There was one seat left beside Felicity.

Sylvia's father gave her a commanding look to hurry. She folded her arms and walked quickly towards her arranged seat. "You look blooming today, Sylvia," Mr. Jim Cruz gave her a compliment as she sat down on her seat. She stared at him for a few awkward seconds and forced a smile as a response. "That's impolite, Sylvia," Mrs. Van Dorschner scolded her.

"Are you alright Kelsi? You were feeling queasy at practice earlier." Ezekiel suddenly asked Kelsi but his eyes were directed at Sylvia. Sylvia swallowed her saliva and shot him a glare.

"Queasy? Honey, are you fine?" Jane Cruz asked worriedly after dropping her fork. Kelsi bit her lip and stared at the glass of water suspiciously. "It was just a headache, Mom." She answered to dismiss the worries.

"Young man, I've heard that you're also expecting to become a representative of the school for the annual kick this year?" David Van Dorschner asked, pointing his fork towards Ezekiel. Sylvia raised her right eyebrow and looked at Ezekiel with disbelief.

Ezekiel's parents smiled and patted his shoulder, showing their utmost support. Ezekiel swallowed a piece of carrot and grinned.

"Yes, I am."

"I thought you didn't want to?" She asked him before her father could speak up.

"People change their minds, Sylvia."

Sylvia's father laughed and clapped his hands. "Oh just look at my daughter's competitive side! I hope you could win over that." He bragged and patted her head like a dog.

Ezekiel drank a sip of red wine and licked his lips. "Ezekiel doesn't have a competition, he's the best." His mother decided to respond in his behalf.

As if! Sylvia thought and snorted with her remark. She smiled and winked at Kelsi who was giving her glares. "What about you? Aren't you going to join too? Oh wait! You're just stuck with cheerleading," she said with a fake awe. Kelsi bit her tongue and stabbed her piece of lamb with the fork.

Felicity suddenly stood up and caught everyone's attention. She excused her own self and left the dining hall quietly. Sylvia drank her glass of water and placed it back to the table with a thud. She immediately followed Felicity and left. After a few seconds, Ezekiel decided to follow her.

Cherie Van Dorschner looked down on her plate exasperatedly. Everyone else excused themselves to leave the awkwardness. Cherie stayed on her seat and buried her face on both of her hands. She didn't expect the night to be so dire.

-

"Are you aware that Chesney is the only one that could possibly stick with you til' the end?" Ezekiel broke her moment of silence. Sylvia turned around and saw him leaning on the door of her room.

"That's not true," she replied in a small voice.

Ezekiel opened the door and looked at her for one more time. She stared at him and remembered three years ago, he wasn't the same person who would go against the world for her.

"Good Luck, Sylvia," He said before leaving her alone. Her phone began to vibrate and its screen lit up. She immediately picked it up from the beige pillow and looked at the screen happily.

CHESNEY CURTIS

WHAT'S WITH THE CALLS? WAIT IN A MOMENT AND I'LL BE THERE

For a moment, she agreed to Ezekiel's statement. The most comforting thought about it is that she wasn't truly lonely as she desperately thought.

-

Sorry for the long wait~ I was rlly busy because I participated on an indie film contest at school.

Thank you @-enduphere for making me such lovely banners to my second chapter and fourth chapter!