Chapter 18

"Have you packed?"Grams asks as soon as Irye enters the house. Irye becomes surprised.She seems not to have processed the question yet.Grams widen her eyes at her waiting for an answers.

"Oh right!"Irye finally gets it."It's way too rash to pack now. We'll be leaving on vacation holidays.Why are you in a hurry?"

She chuckles and Grams smile watching her walk to her room. School has been fun with Blake making her laugh and teachers cracking jokes in class. She wouldn't want miss any of them. She changes her dress and walk out from her room.

Downstairs,somewhere between the kitchen and the dining hall,Mae and Claude talk of Irye's personality. Not that she is cold to people but that which lives is in her.

"I heard Grams talking to Joey. There is something with Irye and for all these times,she's been sturdy around Anne."Mae breathes for while and continues"I fear something will happen to Anne if she doesn't take time"

"Or maybe us"Claude cuts in.

"Or maybe us"Evie mimicks him walking out of the kitchen. She had been overhearing the two angrily that staying there any longer, she would feel suffocated.

She stops at the gate and glares at them.

"So haven't you stopped with this.She is just a human with a cold aura. And it's not like she doesn't have a reason to."She shouts.

"You should shut it"Mae commands turning from the big glass window to face her sister.

"I wonder if you really are our sister.Am looking out for you."Mae continues.

"I don't want you to. All you know is to boss us around and take praises for things you aren't supposed to do."Evie talks back.

Mae's mouth opens slightly in surprise. Claude chooses to stay out of it. The door opens and Gerrard is seen standing on the stairs confused on what's going on.

Mae keeps her remaining words to herself and breathes deeply.

"Irye is a better friend than you are!"Evie doesn't mind and spits the words out,running up to her room getting out Gerrard's reach on the stairs.

Mae becomes hurt by Evie's words and couldn't help but feel regretful.

Even the more when Irye comes out of the kitchen and stares at them inexplicably. She sighs and walks out of their presence.

Knocking, Irye enters Evie's room. She sees her on the bed angry or sad. She can't explain.

"She cares for you Evie"Irye says quietly."You should stay away from me."

Evie raises her head and stares at Irye with a scowl.

"Whoa okay. Am not supporting her or something"Irye giggles,waving both hands. "I mean I don't know why you were like that back then but you gotta stay away from me."

Evie turns her back towards Irye."And you say you are not supporting her"she murmurs.

"Am not. Its just my own opinion am speaking out."Irye answers,hearing Evie.

"I know what I am,how dangerous I can be and how..."she pauses and inhales."wicked I can be. You may not have experienced it yet but I know, you'll see it one day or another how I deadly I am to you."she continues.

Evie turns to look at her and Irye walks closer to her bed.

"Really,thanks for being a friend but I don't deserve it. Even if it's for a while,I can say,I really enjoyed feeling the love and care from my family for the first time in 11 years."Irye appreciates.

She taps Evie's shoulder to comfort her and walks to the door.

"I don't care how dangerous or wicked you can be"Irye stands,listening to Evie.

"All I know is that,you are my cousin and best friend. And for all this while I've been with you,I've seen and felt how caring you can be. You just don't show it"Evie says.

Irye doesn't turn and continues walking. As soon as she holds the knob,Evie speaks.

"No matter what anyone says, I'll still a a good friend..no, best friend to you. Mark that."

Irye let out a tear and opens the door,getting out of her cousin's room.

Next day at school and Mae's words keep resounding in her head. She sighs, Blake noticing something wrong. He taps her and gestures a 'whats wrong?'.

Irye shakes her head and returns to listening to the teacher. She casts a glance when Blake is not looking and wonders if she really deserves his friendship, If she won't really end up buying trouble for him.

During break in the cafeteria,Irye separates herself from the group. For the past year, she's been with Blake and his friends wherever they are in school except for when they go into different classes.

She sits at the last end of the cafeteria picking at her food.

"I fear something will happen to Anne if we don't take care....or maybe us"she recalls Mae's words while she sips on her drink.

She feels bored and unappetitive while she plays with her food.After a while, she gets up with her tray in hand and after dumping the leftovers,she walks out all with Blake's eyes on her.

The day passes by fast as she hoped and lessons are over She packs her things and storms out as fast as she can.

Blake let her be,knowing she'd want to be alone but can't stop himself from worrying.

At the door step of her house,she glares at Bethel who's purposely blocking her path. Nonetheless,Irye pushes her aside and opens the door.

"You should be careful with yourself nowadays."Bethel warns."I won't say still if something happens to my sister."

Irye closes the door and looks at her unfazed.

"You really think so huh?"Irye looks into the air relaxed."I also wanna know what Bethel can do. Am I right?"she mocks, smiling widely.

Soon, the smile pulls out and she puts on a serious and threatening face. She lowers herself to Bethel's height.

"Don't you ever think of threatening me. It makes me wanna gag."Irye clenches her teeth and reopen the door, entering.

Bethel is left furious, planning her next move with bad thoughts.She stays calm for the past year so she can get more information on her suspicions.

She is not going to back down just because of Irye or anyone else. She huffs and enters the house.