A Syndrom of Neurotic Insecurity

Chapter 2 : Lack of documentation

Aiden was always amazed by how quiet their little flat seemed when the boys were not here. There was this strange mixture of heavy silence and loud clock's tick-tock. She strived to focus on her reading, but she was becoming more and more uncomfortable. Something weighed on her chest. It was hard to breath, as if no mattered how deeply she breathed in, the air just couldn't reach her lungs.

And then suddenly someone's keys was jingling in the keyhole, and the door opened, familiar voices broke the silence, and everything became brighter. Loneliness was only a bad memory.

She leapt in the corridor, towards the door, shouting:

- Took you long enough! You said at least two hours! I hope you have my...

Aiden interrupted herself when she noticed that there was a third person with them. A young man with brown pulled-back hair and striking eye's colour. Rafe. The "just Rafe" who wasn't friend with her brothers but who spent most of his time with them. A smile spread on her face.

- Rafe! Just the man I wanted to see.

Oh, these three same astonished airs of them. They were priceless.

- You wanted to see him?

Sam and Nate had spoke at once.

- I simply wanted to thank you for last time. I mean, I really didn't wanna face your dad. He seems like one hell of a... hem! Well, he's got quite a temper.

- To say the least, agreed Rafe under his breath.

- Okay, we have a lot of work to do, said Sam, indicating the living room to the two other guys. A, don't you have homework?

Uh. He got her. She winced and returned to her room. Now that voices was droning again in the flat, it became far easier for her to regain her concentration. Though it was strange to hear a third voice mingled with the two others. Aiden found herself listening this unfamiliar tone, pen in the air, eyes drifting on the wall more than once. So much so that it took her more time than usual to finish her homework.

It was dinnertime and yet, Rafe was still here and no smell of cooking was spreading from the kitchen. Aiden let out a sigh while heading for the living room.

The three guys were sitting around the low table, which was covered with books, papers, maps, pens and sticky notes. The Avery's stuff, of course. Unlike her, they surely lost track of time.

- Sooo, what's for dinner?

Her brothers wrenched their eyes away from their work, giving her a distressed look while Rafe smirked.

- Um..., was all Nate managed to say

- Wasn't it your turn to cook? attempted Sam.

- No, it was yours actually, she replied crossing her arms.

- Damn it.

He breathed out loudly then rose a hand in a gesture of compromise:

- What if I order pizzas?

- Sushi, she bargained.

- Deal.

- Okay, but guys, we're not done, pointed out Rafe, leaning forward.

Nate rolled his eyes.

- We've done enough for today, I'm in favour of a break.

Aiden caught sight of Rafe's darkening look. A glimmer she knew all too well wafted by his eyes.