━━━ 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐘

𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐰𝐨

TW : Mentions of abuse

This is sure going to be interesting. 

It wasn’t long after when I heard the doorbell ring. 

“I’ll get it!” I yelled as I got off the couch. I straightened out my clothes, a pastel pink tee paired with denim jeans and opened our front door. It wasn’t my aunt Abigail’s friend, Julia, as I had come to know, with her kids but instead Joaquin.

“Hey,” I hugged him and let him in. Joaquin had spent so much time in this house that it had become partially his, so there was no need for any formal welcoming. He greeted my aunt and the two of us helped her set up the table as I told him that we’d have company. As we did so, the slightly livid bruise marks on his arm and left cheek didn’t go unnoticed. I knew aunt Abigail noticed them too, but thankfully didn’t address them. 

Like I said before, Joaquin’s home life was kind of complicated. He didn’t like talking about it, but I’m sure the only person he’d ever confided about it was me. I remembered our conversation that night perfectly. 

It was a few days after Halloween, and Joaquin had texted me if I was free sometime before midnight. He knew well that me, being a night owl, would definitely be awake then. Over the phone, I could tell that he was hesitant about whatever it was that he had to tell me. 

I couldn’t dwell on the fact any longer though, because the doorbell had rung once again. This time my aunt headed to open it up and I took that time to stop brothers from stretching their arms on to the table and getting a taste of the food. As I lightly scolded them and asked them to behave, I noticed Joaquin grinning. I mean, it was my habit to do the same but at least I knew how to act in front of visitors. 

And then they came. Julia, Issie, and that must be Louis. 

Inez wasn’t wrong. They were, dare I say, a good looking family. In an attempt to not be awkward for longer than I already had, I extended my arm to their mother with the brightest smile I could muster up. “Hello, Mrs Partridge, nice to meet you.”

Aunt Abigail introduced Joaquin as a friend of mine and I headed on to greet Issie and Louis. Unfortunately for me, I was way too awkward in socializing with people my age. I mean, I’m more comfortable with them If we’ve known each other for a while, but It was safe to say that my first meeting with the Partridge siblings was nothing less than gauche. Thankfully, though, they didn’t seem to mind. 

Aunt Abigail did the talking for the most part, Julia and her conversed like the good old friends they were. My brothers were off doing their own thing and Issie talked with me too and I quite liked her, she talked, but not enough to be irritating. She seemed to have a great sense in fashion too. Louis, however, didn't seem to engaged in our conversations. He’d occasionally check his phone, told my aunt that the pie she made was delicious, and run his fingers through his hair. 

But other than that, he remained silent. 

“I'm so glad I’m back here.” said Mrs Partridge looking around the table and then directly towards Issie and Louis. “I can’t wait for the two of you to get to know the countryside more. It’ll do you both more good than you might think.”

Aunt Abigail chimed in too. “Yes of course it will. And I’m sure Betty here would love to show them around.”

Would I? Perhaps not then. I nodded in agreement.

“I heard they have one of the most beautiful lakes here .” Issie said in her perfectly identifiable London accent.

“Windermere Lake is our specialty.” I said with a prideful smile.

This made Louis finally look up. As he did, a strand of his hair fell over his forehead. Damn

“You know what,” Aunt Abigail announced. “Why don’t you all visit it. Issie wants to go, and It’s the summer so what better time!”

Aunt Abigail and Mrs Partridge said they'll figure out the tickets all. Everyone seemed to be excited for it, so It was planned. Day after tomorrow, on Saturday, the four of us will go to Windermere lake for the day. 

This was going to be exciting.