“Random things like what?” she pushed.
“Does it really matter?” I challenged.
She sighed. “Augustus, one day you are going to be in my position, trying to get to know someone you’ll be working with. Wouldn’t you want them to answer your questions?”
“Of course,” I said, slowly drawing my gaze toward the window. “But that’s different. They will need help. I don’t. This is just to pass.”
“You will be evaluated, Augustus. And in order for me to evaluate you, you must be compliant and willing to engage in conversation. If I cannot evaluate you, you cannot pass.”
And there it was. My crushing defeat. I could not simply get through these sessions with a stubborn attitude and dishonest answers.
“Okay,” I sighed, “I’m sorry.”
Dr. Rosewood’s gaze softened. “There’s no need to apologise, Augustus. Let’s talk about your art then, shall we?”
***
“Augustus?”
I was at my desk, the pale glow of my computer screen the only light in a room swallowed by darkness. Auden stood in thedoorway, still in his school uniform, headphones secured around his neck.
“What is it?” I asked gently, gesturing for Auden to switch on my light.
The room erupted in colour, my bedroom walls decorated with art I had accumulated over the years, some of my own, some purchased. Although my new room was much smaller than the one at Aunt Vera’s, there was enough space for a single bed, a wooden wardrobe, a single bookcase and a desk. I hadn’t purchased a set of drawers yet, so the clothes that weren’t in my wardrobe were still in boxes, scattered across the carpeted floor.
“Can we watch a movie?”
I opened my mouth to tell him that I was too busy, that my university work was piling up and I didn’t have time, but when I saw the hopeful look in his bright blue eyes and the nervous chewing of his lip, guilt barrelled through me. It had been quite some time since I’d dedicated time for Auden. We hardly saw each other outside of mealtimes. I missed him. And it was clear he missed me too.
“Yeah, of course we can,” I breathed out. “Go pick a movie and I’ll meet you in a few minutes, okay?”
His face lit up and he sprinted toward the living room, my heart aching at the thought of him spending these past few months alone, in a new city, without any ounce of attention. I was a bad brother. It was because of me we had to move, and yet I was selfish, failing to dedicate time to ensuring he was comfortable.
Slamming my laptop shut, I rose to my feet and met Auden in the living room, lips pulled upward at the bowl of snacks he’d gathered on the coffee table. Two sodas, a shared bowl of popcorn, and two chocolate bars.
“Where’d you get these from?” I asked.
“I bought them after school,” Auden said.
“You planned to have a movie night?”
“Yes, I bought snacks as an incentive. But you agreed before I had to beg.”
My breath hitched as if physically wounded. “I would never make you beg, Audie.”
Auden shrugged and reached for the remote, avoiding my gaze as he flicked through available movies on our watch list.
I watched him, the way he chewed on the inside of his mouth and drummed his fingers against his thigh.
“Auden. Look at me for a second.” He slowly turned his head. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit.”
“I just…feel like you don’t need me anymore.”
“What? Why would you think that?”
