Topaz and Citrine

Chapter 3

The radiant blue waters of the ocean were different than the ones of the great lake, but similar enough that i got an odd feeling.

"Are you OK Paz?" Rin asked, apparently noticing my discomfort. I guess it's odd we took the ends of both our names as nicknames, but it fits. 

"Fine, Rin," I reply, forcing a smile. She snorts, unconvinced.

I resume staring out the window. I wonder what Cristen meant. What did she mean, Rin and I had fiery spirits? What did she mean, I would want to avenge my parents? What did she mean, we would have to slay IT? What was IT anyway? My mind swirled with questions.

Another glimpse of a clique brings me back to more conventional matters. My heart pounds, thinking of going back to middle school as an 8th grader, but nobody knowing me. I thought of Rin and cringed. She would be starting middle school. What if she offended some 8th or 7th grader? What if she annoys her teachers with her constant singing? Heaven knows it's happened to her and I often enough.

Then I think back to Luke. For the first time ever, he'll be alone in elementary school. Felix has almost never been in the same school as him, but he's used to having Rin or I with him. What it he can't cope?

I sigh. Being so far apart in age has its difficulties. Felix was already 6 when Luke was born, so he never saw much of him in early years. I was 4, and Amber was only 2. I know it was hard for Rin when I went to middle school 2 years ago, but even then, she had Luke to take care of.

I must have turned white with all my worrying, because Rin shot me a look of concern.

"Are you sure you're alright?" she whispered.

Although I knew she was only trying to help, her concern had really gotten on my nerves. "I'm fine, alright?" I snapped at her.

Her eyes filled up with tears at my sharp retort. "I was only trying to help," she murmured, echoing my thoughts. I turned away, trying not to feel guilty for my actions.

"We're here!" Cristen announces happily. Having been so caught up in my thoughts, I had failed to notice the driveway of the small house we had pulled into. It wasn't a full 2 floor house, but it wasn't an apartment either, I admitted grudgingly.

As we walked in, I turned a critical eye on the place. We walked into a medium sized living room, with space for our couch and cabinets. Next, we went into a reasonably sized kitchen with a fridge, microwave and oven already installed. This was attached to a small dining room with just enough room for our 7 person table and chairs. We then toured the bedrooms. One master bedroom and bath for Cristen and Paul, one bathroom, and 2 bedrooms. I would have to share with Ivy and Rin again. Felix and Luke, being boys, ran into their room.

I surveyed my new and shared room. A window seat, one that I knew would hold Ivy or I in the foreseeable future for reading, was padded with purple cushions. The closet was big enough that I knew we would manage to put our clothes in it. There was enough room for 2 beds and 2, maybe 3, if it was small, dressers.

Each new house we lived in, Ivy and Rin rotated for the bunk bed with me. Ivy and Rin both needed their space occasionally, but I didn't. I was content to hear someone breathing both below me, and on the other side of the room. If nobody wanted to be separated, we put the beds in a corner, so that we were next to each other. Ivy straight out called the separate bed. Rin hesitantly smiled at me, hoping I wasn't still mad at her. I allowed a small smile to escape my lips. Her gratified face was all I needed to know that I had done the right thing.