Charades

Chapter 9

     I woke up and gasped when I realized how late it was. The clock that hunt on the wall was stuck on noon and I sprung up and my eyes flew to the kitchen, where I heard the clinking of glass. Devan was there. He was pouring himself a drink.

     "Oh, shoot," I said. "Devan, is Ronan still home?"

     Devan turned to face me. His face was expressionless, his eyes full of questions. Devan and I rarely spoke. He was the exact opposite of Indira and not quite like Ronan. He was someone I couldn't figure out.

     "No, he's at work," Devan said.

     "Whoops," I said. I smiled sheepishly. "Looks like I slept in."

     Devan didn't crack a smile as he watched me. Ours eyes were locked and I wondered why Devan seemed off around me. He was always so tense, always so quiet.

     "How are you?" I asked. "What are you up to?"

     "I'm fine. Nothing really."

     Devan's eyes searched my face then. They glanced around, full of curiosity and I stared back. My heart began to pound as I wondered what was on his mind.

     "I think you're hiding something," Devan said.

     My eyes flew wide and I quickly concealed my expression. Keeping my eyes on Devan's, I tried my best to remain expressionless.

     "Why do you think I'm hiding something?" I asked. "What do you think it is?"

     "I don't know," Devan said. "But, I plan on finding out what it is soon."

     Devan grew serious then. His eyes hardened and I gulped. I hadn't done anything suspicious. I was sure of it. But yet, Devan had a feeling that something wasn't right.

     "I'm not hiding anything," I lied. "I don't understand why you think there's something off about me. I just came here to find a new life."

     "Don't take it personally." Devan shrugged. "I just find it hard to trust people after my family's past. I don't know who to trust anymore."

     I frowned. Wondering what he meant, my eyes remained on his, searching for what exactly he was thinking. But, Devan was emotionless. He was a rock, hard and stiff - unmovable, and I was left to worry.

     "What are you saying to Amara!" Indira exclaimed, throwing her bedroom door open.

     She marched towards us, her hands in fists and shot her brother a glare. Devan narrowed her eyes at her, but he didn't say anything.

     "Leave Amara alone!" Indira said. "The poor woman just left everything she knows behind. She's like us. There's no need to interrogate her."

     Devan rolled his eyes and he walked off, carrying his glass with him. He slammed his bedroom door shut and I winced. Straightening myself up, my eyes went to Indira.

     "I'm sorry about Devan," Indira said, her eyes gentle. "He's just like that sometimes. I think... what happened to us really got to him. I mean, it got to all of us, but it got to him in another way."

     "Don't worry, I didn't take it personally," I said. "I understand. He's just trying to protect himself and his family."

     Indira wore a sad smile and she nodded. I smiled back, grateful she was with me now.

     "Are you bored?" Indira asked. "I know Ronan's at work"

     "Um, not necessarily," I said.