I decided to drop the subject.No matter what I said, he would keep debating.I was halfway through my beer when I saw him finish his.
“Want another one?”I offered, about to stand.
“No, I'm fine,” he replied, suddenly serious, as if bracing himself for my questions.I cleared the plates and set them in the sink, planning to wash them later.I started walking toward the living room, but he didn't follow.Instead, he rolled up his sleeves and began washing the dishes.I was taken aback.
“What are you doing?”I asked, almost offended.
“Let's not leave a mess for your dad.He might ask questions you would rather not answer,” he replied.I watched him clean with surprising care and skill.I found myself captivated by his movements.As he dried his hands with a towel and approached me, I noticed some bruises on his arms, which he quickly covered with his sleeves.
“How did you get those?”I pressed.
“Not relevant,” he said dismissively.
“So what?You won't tell me anything?”I asked, frustration creeping in.
“I'll tell you what you need to know.”
“And how much is that?”I shot back, feeling angry and desperate to understand him.He didn't answer but moved to the couch, sitting down with a scowl.“Zane, what do you want from me?”I pressed, but he turned away.“Is this another game V made you play?”
“She didn't make me do anything!”he snapped.
“Then why are you here?What do you want?”He stood up, remaining at a distance.
“You,” he said softly.“I want you.”
And just like that, my heart melted.It became lava, burning me from inside.He said what I had longed to hear, but his actions told a different story.At school, he acted like I didn't exist, flaunting his closeness with V.I felt confused about his behavior.
“I don't get it.You say you want me, but what does that mean?You ignore me in front of others and kiss V in secret.”
“Kissing V?What are you talking about?”Zane shouted, clearly angry.
“I saw you two the other day.You looked pretty cozy.I feel like an idiot,” I admitted.He shook his head, as if battling with himself, wanting to say something but holding back.“Zane, I just… I want to understand you, to know you, but you won't let me.”
“I'll tell you everything you wish to know; just ask,” he said, inching closer to me.I sensed his sincerity and knew this was my chance to finally get through to him.I decided to start with the question that had been nagging at me.
“Do you love V?”I watched him closely, bracing myself for his answer.
“Yes, I do… very much.”My heart sank.I would rather not hear any more.I wanted him to leave; this was too much.But then he continued.“I love her because she's my sister.”My mouth dropped open, and I was left speechless.I wanted to laugh at how absurd it sounded.
“Sister?Are you kidding?You're the same age, have different last names, and don't look alike at all!”
“I'm a year older; I have already told you that, and I'm adopted,” Zane explained.
“What?”I needed to sit down; this was more than I expected.I craved honesty, but now I wasn't sure I could handle it.He started to speak, and I listened intently.
“My parents moved here from the North.After years of trying for a child, they decided to adopt and were lucky enough to find me when I was just two months old.I don't know anything about my biological parents.A couple of months later, my mom got pregnant with Valentina.The doctors said it's common, and my parents were thrilled to have two kids after thinking they would never be parents.But when I was eleven, my mom had an affair and left my dad.She remarried quickly and moved to London.V went with her, but I stayed with my dad.V took her stepfather's last name.Things didn't go as she hoped, and she returned.I try to stay close to her—that's why I switched schools.”
As he spoke, pieces fell into place.
“But she's so mean,” I blurted out, regretting it as soon as the words left my mouth.
“She has… issues.Some secrets I can't share because I promised her.She wasn't always like this, and I still hope to get my sister back—the one I played hide-and-seek with, the one I danced with.I miss her.But life is tough, and we don't always get what we want.”
I was at a loss for words.I had no siblings and knew nothing about family issues or divorce.My parents’ temporary separation felt trivial compared to what he had endured.
“I really want you to trust me, but I know I need to trust you first.It won't be easy, but I promise it will be worth it,” Zane said, his words resonating deeply within me.I wanted to trust him, and perhaps I already did.Blindly and unconsciously.
“And those bruises on your arms—do they have anything to do with your sister?”I asked, testing the waters to see how much he would reveal.
