Are you okay?

Lyre got ready for the day. He took his bathe and hit dressed in the clothes Rain brought out for him.

Just the day before, Rain didn't try to strike up a conversation with him. He only came in to wake Lyre up, and also arrange his bath.

That was what he has been doing since the day Lyre said his first word to the family.

Lyre sighed as he got dressed for the day. He was feeling lonely without Rain there with him. It was so unlike Rain who preferred to stay next to him any chance he got.

Lyre doesn't know what it was that happened, that caused Rain to cease coming to his room all the time.

He felt lonely without Rain there with him.

*********

Lyre went straight to his room after having breakfast.

Rain and Jewel left before they finished breakfast. And soon after, the parents left, leaving him alone with Clar.

"Brother, do you want to play with me?" Clar knocked on his door before she entered the room.

"I want to sleep." Lyre turned his back to her and proceeded to cover his body with his heavy blanket.

"This is what you have been doing for days now, brother. Come on, let's go out and play!"

"I don't want to."

The only person he hopes to spend time with is Rain. But for some reason, Rain has stopped speaking to him.

"Please, brother." Clar pouted, hoping Lyre will turn to look at her, but he did nothing of that sort.

With his back to her, he pretended to be sound asleep.

"Brother Rain and his friends are playing games with him in his room. And you are here sleeping, leaving me lonely!"

Lyre's ears perked up when he heard her call Rain.

"What do you want to do?" He sat up on the bed.

"Let's go downstairs and watch movies! Mom said we can eat as many cookies as we want, provided we leave some for tonight."

"Will Rain be downstairs?" Lyre asked as he tried not to sound as desperate as he was.

"He might come downstairs to take cookies when he needs them. But that's that. I'm the one spending time with you, and not Rain." She placed both hands on her waist, "stop talking about Rain with me, you are making me jealous."

Jealous?

Lyre tilted his head to the side.

"Let's go. It's time to watch my favourite movies!" Clar took Lyre's hand in his and dragged him downstairs.

********

Halfway through the movie, Clar noticed Lyre wasn't focused on the movie. He kept on glancing back as if there were something he was looking for.

"Do you need cookies?" Clar furrowed her brows.

"No, I—"

"Let me get some for you. Mother has—"

"Stay there, I will get it for you." Lyre rose from the cushion, and walked towards the kitchen, but not before casting curious glances up the stairs.

Sporadically, he could hear the excited chatters of Rain's friends as they played their games.

Lyre sighed.

Not speaking to Rain for days now, made him feel like he has lost a part of himself.

"Get juice for me!"

Clar called out from the parlour. She was excited that her brother was getting things for her.

Lyre got the cookies out and proceeded to get the juice he has seen Clar take.

He has only stayed with the family for four days now, and in that space of time, he has learned many things.

He's always trying out the new foods the mother prepares for him.

"Who are you?"

Startled at the unfamiliar sound of the voice, Lyre would have thrown the bottle of soft drinks in his hands, had he not held on tightly.

He turned to face the person who spoke, making sure to keep a notable distance between them.

Lyre's eyes racked from the head of the unfamiliar boy to his toes. His eyes took in the boy's red hair and green eyes.

The boy wasn't that tall, but he was taller than Lyre.

"Who are you?" The boy asked once more, with his brows raised at Lyre.

Lyre didn't say a word as he watched the boy.

"Who are you?" The boy took a step towards Lyre. "Do—"

"Chels, why aren't you back already?" Rain asked when he stepped into the kitchen.

His eyes immediately went to Lyre, who was plastered to the fridge as if it were some kind of shield.

"Lyre?" Rain immediately walked towards the scared Merman.

"Oh," Chels's eyes widened in realization. "Is he the one you have been talking about non-stop since we came here?" He asked bitterly.

"Yes, he's the one." Rain answered before he turned to Lyre, "are you okay? Did he scare you?" He tried to touch Lyre's cheeks; however, he realized what he was doing in time. "I'm sorry," he brought his hand down.

"It's okay," Lyre whispered.

"Are you sure you are okay?" Rain asked once more.

"I'm good," Lyre nodded.

This was the closest he has been to Rain for days now, and he loved it.

If only he can stay this way forever, then, it was the best for him.

Lyre's heart picked up a beat. His breathing was fast, and his palm was sweaty.

Yet, he didn't understand what strange feelings he always seems to have whenever Rain is in proximity.

"You—"

"Rain, come on. The others are waiting for us. We need to—"

"You can go up without me. I will be back when I'm through with sorting things out," Rain waved him off.

"Rain—"

"Go with him, Rain." Lyre gestured to the juice he has in hand, "This is for Clar, I need to give it to her."

"Lyre—"

Before Rain could say a word, Lyre was already out of the kitchen.

Chels watched him, with his arms crossed, and his face masked in a frown.

He might not know what is going on between the two, but there's one thing he was certain of. He's in one hell of a competition with the boy who happened to have pretty hair.