Aiden’s phone vibrated in his pocket. It was a photo of an albino squirrel dropping its acorn. “You caught a picture of it after all!” he exclaimed, looking up to see Brendan level his phone to take a picture of him.
Pounding steamrolled his fluttering heart.
He raised his arms, almost throwing the water bottle aside, and covered his face. “No pictures!” He squeezed his eyes shut. “None whatsoever.”
“Oh geez—sorry. Truly. I didn’t think to ask—that’s on me. Sorry about that.”
He tepidly brought his arms down.Is he going to ask why?Aiden wondered.How do I explain?
“Are you okay?” Brendan shifted closer, now hovering in reaching distance. “I’m really sorry.”
His pounding heart refused to settle.
“Brendan!”
Jumping, Aiden snapped around to see Christina jogging over.
“We should’ve brought food here.” She stopped in front of their bench. “This would’ve been a perfect time to have a picnic.”
“Yeah, I know. I didn’t think that far ahead. We’ll just eat somewhere nearby.” Casually, Brendan moved away and stood up from the bench. “Where are all the others? I’m starting to get hungry.”
Aiden’s phone rang. He glanced at the name on the screen. His eyes widened, his breath quickened, and his shoulders stiffened at the sight of his stepmother’s number.
“Excuse me,” he mumbled, dashing out of earshot. He ducked underneath a hanging plant, looking around three times before answering. “Yin Mei? Is something wrong?”
“Where are you?”
“I’m out right now. With the photography club.”
“Come back.”
He blanched. “Buy a bus ticket now?”
“No. Come back to your place.”
Aiden blinked. “…why?”
“Because we’re waiting outside your apartment right now. Hurry up.” The phone clicked off.
The pounding heart transformed into a hammer on fire. He dug his nails into his palm, clenching and unclenching his hands, but the heat consuming his body only roared louder.What does she want? Is it about the will? Is she going to force me back? Maybe they found out who murdered my brother?
The questions drowned out the growing voices of the photography club nearby. With his hands in his pockets, he walked back as normally as he could, keeping his face neutral with steady control. Brendan gestured to him. “Is everything okay?”
He forced a smile.
Swallow first before you speak. It evens out the voice.
His brother’s training never failed him.
“Sorry, something’s come up. I gotta go.”
“Do you need a ride back?”
Aiden shook his head. He turned away from the group and walked briskly toward the exit.What if this is the last time I see him?He slowed, stomach sinking. With his years of practiced smiling, he turned and waved at Brendan. “I'll call an Uber. Thanks though!”
Aiden didn’t miss the concern flashing on Brendan’s face when turning away.
• • •
