Cracks Between Us

"Shaun?"

"Hey Shaun?"

"Shaun? Hey,"

After hearing his name for the third time, the male turned his head. He met Lilith's frowning brows, almost touching her nose.

"We're here already," the girl unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the car door. She leaned on it and said, "Come on, move.."

Shaun jolted and immediately did what Lilith told him. He stepped out of the car and yawned, "Uwaaah~ I'm still sleepy," he snorted, walking on the pavements with Lilith.

He's the one who fetched the young lady and sleeping in the car was still not enough for him. It's Monday, so they are told to come early. Being a part of a student council is indeed a responsibility.

They headed straight to the council office to report on their attendance. They already saw Liechael there, reading a book. The young master of the Ross family nodded his head. "Morning…" he greeted.

Lilith flipped the page of the attendance notes and mumbled, "Morning," while writing her name and Shaun.

Liechael watched the school escort take his seat near the table sluggishly. He yawned for the last time and buried his face in his arms.

Lilith put down her bag beside Liechael and whispered. "He's like that since weekend,"

Last weekend Shaun barged into their house saying that he wanted to bring Lilith to the weekend fireworks display. It was not the right time when she said yes. She just blabbed it out of her will.

Lilith knew, Shaun hated fireworks because of that nightmare and yet he insisted on watching it. Is it because his older brother came home?

Even though Liechael wasn't asking, the young lady already got what he wanted to ask. He glanced at Shaun before returning to his book.

Liechael also recalled what happened that weekend when Justin invited him to come with them. Alaena was there too. Feeling the warm feeling inside his chest, Liechael smiled.

The bell for the first period rang, and they all went to their respective classrooms.

The professor arrived and Shaun remained in his posture until lunch time. He didn't even listen and forgot to take notes. He wasn't planning to.

Shaun, who's always noisy and bragging about the game last night, was quiet today. He didn't even bring his Nintendo, the one he's always playing during break.

"Oi, you shouldn't go to school if you're sick.."

Lilith put a sandwich and canned soda beside Shaun's head, which was still buried on the desk. She sat beside him and sipped her chocolate drink.

"I'm not sick," Shaun's voice was muffled under his arms. "I'm just sleepy." His eyes peaked above and he poked the sandwich. "What flavor is this?" he asked.

"Your favorite, bacon with egg and cheese," Lilith answered, tuning her gaze to the window outside. "If you don't want to eat, I will shove it right in your mouth," she added.

"So cruel," Shaun pouted and rolled down the wrapper.

After a second, he's already eating it, almost in half. With his budging cheeks, he said his thanks.

"I didn't come here to babysit you, Shaun," Lilith emphasized the young man's name.

Shaun gulped the soda and remained silent for a while. He didn't want to bother Lilith that much, but today was a bit cloudy for him. "Sorry.."

Lilith frowned, but she remained composed. This is not the right time to say something nonsense. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said, trying to lighten up the mood.

Liechael approached them and took his seat quietly. He didn't want to ask nor interfere between the two. He's still new at this time and he didn't even know how deep he's bonded to these people here.

Even him was looking for something he didn't know.

The class finished in the afternoon. Since it was Monday, the teachers left them some homeworks for tomorrow.

Shaun exited the classroom with his bag on his other shoulder. He loosened his collar and opened the two buttons above. He suddenly felt suffocated.

Lilith asked him if he wanted to go home with her, but he declined. And the reason why he declined was because of the car in front of the gate.

There was a familiar car who just got out of a car wash. It was his brother's red Mazda CX-30. It was the first time for him again to see that vehicle moving. Since his brother left, it has been stuck in their garage.

As he got closer and closer, his heart grew heavier. When he was only an inch away, he gripped his bag and smiled.

"Brother, you don't need to fetch me. You know we have drivers, right?" he said, rubbing the back of his head, making sure that he wouldn't sound awkward.

Sean was leaning on his car. Wearing a formal black suit with his hands in his pockets. "Your mom asked me to fetch you." he replied shortly, opening the car door on the driver's seat.

Shaun immediately hopped in, he buckled his seatbelt next to Sean. "Don't worry, I'm going to tell mom to stop bothering you," he smiled again.

"I didn't ask for your explanation." Sean turned the air-con and started driving.

Shaun put his eyes on the road. Silence filled the atmosphere the whole time. This is the first time for them to be in a situation like this for a long time.

Of course, he misses his brother. He already had so much he wanted to tell him, but his lips couldn't even utter the word.

Shaun lowered his head. The air-con was much colder than the ones at their house.

"B-Brother..I–I'm sor—"

"Stop talking to me, you're annoying.." Sean cut him off immediately, not even looking at him.

Shaun's eyes feel blurry and his chest suddenly became heavy. That's the first word he wanted to tell him. He gathered all his courage and yet he failed again.

Sean made a U-turn. He drove faster. Their house was nearby and he couldn't stand sharing this small space with his younger brother. He felt like he was about to puke.

He was on his way to a business proposal arranged by his dad. Since the investors are here in their country, he will meet them.

Shaun's mom asked him before going out to fetch Shaun since their driver got sick and needed a week's leave.

Just the thought of it made him nauseous. It's like he's taking this punishment forever.