19 Chapter 19: Midnight Snacks

Wednesday

The moment my eyes opened my entire body felt like disintegrating into bits and pieces. I don't know why, but my back was aching a lot and I felt numb. I sit on my bed and realize that it's around nighttime. I checked my phone and more specifically, it's around midnight. Everyone in the house should be asleep right now, so I don't think I'd have some sneaking to do. I'm tired to do so anyway.

Before I leave my room, I pass by my bag by the door and I remember the book I borrowed from Haku. I think I might just skip school again tomorrow to read it.

I go downstairs and it was quiet and empty. I make my way to the kitchen to check the fridge if there was anything, and there was a burger inside with a note that says 'For Rhys: I hope we can talk things out soon. Please.' I roll my eyes. Even if I am hungry as hell right now, I can still be stubborn about the smallest things like these. I grab some cheese and mayonnaise. When I close the refrigerator, there was a shadowy figure behind me.

I jump, once again, and almost yell, "Who's there?" I squint my eyes to make out that it was just Rose.

She yawns and says, "Rhys? You finally came out your room!" she runs toward me and hugs me.

I pat her head, "Yeah, I'm here now. Did you eat the food I bought you?"

"I don't feel like eating." Her tone of voice changed, and her embrace became softer. That's right, I also haven't talked to her about what happened.

"Well, I'm making a sandwich right now. Wanna have a midnight snack with me?"

Quickly in a change of character, she looks at me with her sparkling eyes, "Really! You'll let me stay up?"

"But after this, straight to bed, okay?"

While we were making some classic ham and cheese sandwiches, I asked her about her day. She says that she's been having normal fun in school and that she's been writing stories with her friends. I tried my hardest to pay attention but it's difficult when you're half-asleep and hungry as hell. Then she mentions that the inspiration for her writing stories was Jacob's books.

"Like, seriously! Great Grandpa Jacob wrote really pretty stories and poems. I want to write pretty things like he does!" Rose rambles on and on about how much he inspires her until, "Wait, have you read the book that I let you borrow?"

"I did read a little bit and you're right. It is interesting. Do you even know what his poems mean?" I say that as if I do.

She finishes making her sandwich and responds, "Kind of. All I know is that they look meaningful, okay? It's what makes me feel!"

"Whatever you say."

"And you better finish reading the book already. I'm reading another one of his book, but I really liked the cave story better!"

"Yeah, I will finish it." I mean, I have to reread anyway. Tomorrow is a big day and a lot of secrets might be unfolded. Wait, did Rose say she was reading another book of Jacob?

"You suuure? I know how slow you read books, Rhys."

I gasp, "That's mean! I can read well enough, thank you very much." She giggles and I roll my eyes, "Now eat up before gran or Aunt catches us!" I take a bite of mine, but Rose just stood still and spaced out for a bit. I ask, "You okay?"

"Hey Rhys… how do you feel about… what Aunt Maine said?"

I look at her and she has this anxious look in her eyes. I answer, "I did get mad at dinner yesterday. I mean, of course, you know why. I don't want to see him. I just can't tell Aunt Maine that yet. Because I did want to move out of here, but to think where we'd go… I just couldn't believe this would happen. I already know my decision. But gran talked to me about it all. She told me about her emotions and that this might help make things better. I know this won't be good, but I don't want gran or anyone else to feel hurt anymore—"

"Me too!" Rose suddenly raised her voice, "Sorry, I mean. I talked to Gran about it yesterday when you weren't here. She told me to give dad another chance and I want to. I always wanted to give him a chance. To give this family a chance for it to be better. But I just wish he was here for us. I'm scared everything will go bad again, but I'm hoping that maybe if we move, maybe, it can change." Her eyebrows furrowed, "Can it change, Rhys? I don't know. It's all so confusing! I want to leave but I don't want to leave. I don't know what to do." She abandons the sandwich and hugs me again, "What should we do?"

I also froze for a while because I didn't have an exact answer. "I'm sorry, Rose. Your big brother is also confused right now." I kneel gently and we meet eye-to-eye, "But listen, whatever happens, I'll always be here, okay? We'll go through it together."

"You promise?"

"I promise." I smile, "And hey, we don't really have to think about all of this right now. It's the middle of the night and we both have school tomorrow. For now, let's just finish our sandwiches and go to sleep. Come on, I'm already done with mine but you're halfway yours."

"Actually…" She avoids my gaze, "I'm still hungry."

I scoff, "Grumbly."

"Hey!"

I laugh then look at her warmly, "Listen, we'll talk to Aunt Maine when we're ready, okay?"

"Sure." She smiles back at me, "Now, let's make another sandwich!"