Confusing, Isn't It?

pt. 9 One More Night🌙

A few minutes later you arrived home with Colton.

"Hey sis, I don't wanna be the bearer of bad news, but you're in some deep shit".

You glared at him and then rolled your eyes. He didn't need to state the obvious, what you needed was a solution. Thankfully, that was what he offered up next.

"You can either take the heat now or, and hear me out, spend another night with the Smith's so I can try and calm Mom down", he said squinting with an akaward smile on his face.

"Um, it's Moday, and I can't go another day without my stu-"

"I know, I know so here's what I'm gonna do", he began, cutting you off.

"Go around back and I'll drop everything you need from your bedroom window", he finished.

You agreed and went around back to wait. After 10 minutes of sitting against your house you felt something hard hit you on your head, causing your head to bury itself in the grass. You stood up, spitting out grass and other ground matter that had attached itself to your face, and looked up in the direction of your window, where you saw a snickering Colton. You grabbed the bag, flipped him off, and began trudging toward the Smith's home.

You made your way up their porch and, to your surprise, Mr. Smith was already outside on the phone.

"Hold on Garrison, let me put you on hold- go on inside dear, I'll pop in in a bit- mmhmm yes", he continuing his call.

You make your way inside the friendly atmosphere and removed your shoes. After setting down your bag by the entrance you make your way into the kitchen where you found an arguing Arum and Mrs. Smith, as well as a nonchalant Orchird.

"MUM, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU STEPPED ON MY BLOOMING FIRE LILIES, DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH HIGH-POTASSIUM LIQUID FERTILIZER I HAD TO BUY SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE ", he cried with furrowed brows.

"Son, I've said It MULTIPLE times, I accidentally stepped on them on my way to the radish bed. It was just a mis-step, dearie-"

"HOW DID YOU NOT SEE THE BRIGHT ORANGE BUDS", Arum yelled, his voice straining.

"Oh boy", Mrs. Smith sighed, now massaging her temples.

"Forget it", he said turning to face you, who stood in the kitchen entrance. You could tell he hadn't noticed you until he turned due to his shocked expression.

His expression quickly reverted to its former angered glare as he stalked past you. Right before he disappeared from view, the tears the boy had so desperately held back were finally released, visible only to you as he left. Poor Arum, sure you knew he was passionate about his gardening, but this was an entirely new definition of caring. That's when it occurred to you that Arum had all kinds of sides that you didn't know about. This one,.....the one at the water fountain. You'd always known there was more to just the "nice" Arum but this really did trigger a disturbing feeling.

One that informed you that you didn't know the real Arum at all.

After Arum stormed out, your presence was made quite clear.

"Oh! Y/n, when did you arrive?!", Mrs. Smith jumped.

"Oh...uuh...just a few seconds ago, actually", you replied rubbing your arm akawardly.

"Then I suppose you heard all of our ruckus", she said, lips pursed.

"Mum stepped on Arum's lilies and now he's miffed", Orchird spoke, not even bothering to face either of them.

"Oh quit spouting tosh", Mrs. Smith retorted. "And what are you doing here? It's Monday night".

After learning about you and Colton's plan, Mrs. Smith offered to let you stay the night, in exchange for help in yhe kitchen.

"What are we making", you quizzed.

"Tonight we're having pot roast with green beans and mash. The roast has been slow cooking for 6 hours, so it should be done by now. We just need our beans and mash".

The tasks she had you preform were relatively easy, it wasn't anything you hadn't done before; peeling potatoes and boiling the water for the green beans, mediocre tasks like that. Once everything that was asked of you had been done, you took a seat at the family's bar.

"While I'm touching up, could you go fetch Arum, dear", the slender brunette asked.

You nodded and made your way up the stairs to the hallway.

*knock* *knock*

"Um..Arum..dinner is ready", you whispered.

There was no response.

You slowly twisted the door handle and carefully swung the door open to reveal a sleeping Arum.

His slight snore is just audible as you walk towards his bed.

"Arum, it's time for dinner, you gotta eat", you whispered, gently shaking his arm.

He didn't stir.

"I know you're awake", you spoke, sitting down on the edge of his bed.

He didn't reply.

"You really should forgive your mom, it was an honest mistake".

"Maybe", he whispered, his tone still slightly angered .

"You know I hate seeing you cry, on the rare occasions that you do", you say softly.

No response...

"You're such a happy person".

"I dont think thats true", he states.

"Huh?"

"No, its nothing ".

"Well dinner is ready, so perk up", you said as you gently pushed his arm.

Your work here was done so you got up and made your way to the door.

"Today isn't a dining table dinner so I'll be eating in Orchird's room, you're welcome to join us, if you please", you say before walking out and closing the door behind you.

After getting your food and setting in on Orchird's you began to ponder. What had he meant by "I don't think that's true". This only confirmed the your suspicious further; you really didn't know him at all. Sure it hurt, but it wouldn't be enough to stop you from getting to know the real Arum. You care about him too much not to.

"Uuuhh what a fucking day", you sigh.

People are so confusing sometimes.