THE UNEXPECTED WEEK

Day 6- Saturday

Ryan

Why? Why was I this nervous? It was ridiculous how I wasn't able to sleep properly last night just because I kept thinking about the lunch I'd be having today. I just had a maximum of three hours of sleep when the damn alarm rang and now my face looked groggy and unkempt. The tiny dark circles under my eyes were more pronounced. I was looking like a living dead.

As it was Saturday, there weren't any regular classes. Sebastian had gone out to bring breakfast for us. I had asked him if I could come along. He strictly denied telling me to concentrate my mind on the 'lunch'. Seb could act weird sometimes.

I was stupidly laughing by myself when the door clicked open and Ashley entered. Not the person I wanted to see first thing in the morning. Well it was afternoon but we woke up late.

"Hi there Ryan! How are you doing?" The cheerful voice seemed to fill up the dull room. I wondered if every female voice resonated in such a relaxing way. She came over to me and sat down on the study table's chair.

"I am great." I feigned a smile. Deep inside, every atom of my body was shaking with nervousness. I hated to feel this way. It was my very first time going on lunch with a family. A proper family. It was as if I was going for a field observation or something at an alien invasion sight. It all felt so weird.

"Where's your friend?"

"Um...he has gone out to get us breakfast."

"Oh. I am sorry I disturbed your breakfast time. We can leave once you both have eaten, okay?"

"Oh no. It's all right. I'll call him and tell him to cancel my share. We mustn't delay. Your...family might be waiting."

"Are you sure, Ryan?" She asked lifting her eyebrows at me.

"Yeah."

"Okay." She smiled, "And one more thing."

"What?" I ask.

"It's not my family. It's our family."

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I slept throughout the one hour drive to her home. She woke me up when we got there. My eyelids shrinked to the blindingly bright sunlight entering the car's window.

"We're here!" She shouted. It was probably meant for the inhabitants of the house. "Get up son." She patted me gently on my shoulder. I rubbed my eyes before nodding and stepping out of the car. Somehow, I suddenly wanted to go back to my dorm room and never come out.

It was a Victorian house with greyish paint plastered upon its walls. The place looked damp and dilapidated except her house. This house was the only one that didn't look ruined. We walked towards the porch. She opened the door and both of us entered in.

A male member was standing on the hallway. It was the father of course. He had to be at least five years older than Ashley. I smiled at him.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Ryan. I am Harold." We shook hands. And he shot me a cordial smile. Suddenly, a small girl no more than eight years old came running towards us. Ashley's face brightened as she crouched down and hugged her.

"This is Cathryn, Ryan." I gave her one of my best smiles.

"Who is he?" She asked pointing at me.

An awkward silence clouded the room. "He is your brother, dear!" Ashley spoke.

"Brother? But what about Troy?!" She thought of something and her eyes widened. I was guessing this Troy guy would be the big brother.

I was right. A guy appeared out of a room. He had a glass of water in his hand. He shot me a sharp smirk before approaching me. He handed over the glass to me. I had not even held it in my hands when he let loose his grip on it and the glass fell on the ground with the water spilling out and about the floor.