CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

"Well I don't think so." Mira blurted out.

Ethan raised his eyebrows at her.

"Why?" He asked slightly confused.

"I just....." Mira paused then shrugged.

"No, you have to tell me why." Ethan persisted.

I watched Mira carefully as she tilted her hair down and played with her hair.

"She just feel like that. Probably her instinct." I told Ethan as he was still waiting for Mira to speak.

He just furrowed his eyebrows still perplexed.

"But why? I want her to talk." He said running his hands through his disheveled hair.

I stole a quick glance then quickly answered again.

"It's her instinct and besides she has been with you people for so long. Presumably like I said before, it what she thinks."

"No, I said that because I know you're a very good player and I think you'll win no matter what." Mira rushed blithely.

It was my turn to raise my eyebrows at her. She looked down and I washed as a little blush crept on her already red lips.

I just sighed.

For the past ten minutes, I've been sitting in this kitchen having breakfast with Nathan, Alex, Mira and Ethan as they were discussing about their different house. Rather, their house and other houses because everyone in this kitchen belonged to one house which was sapphire.

And yes, Mira big crush for Ethan did not go unnoticed by me. The way she talked to him and her reaction screamed the word 'crush'. So now I know Mira has a crush on Ethan but do Ethan also like her. That, I'm not aware of and I'm still trying to get.

"But Alex you're such a good runner like Nathan." Mira said. "So why didn't you run that day for our house?" She added.

Alex just shrugged.

"Why should I? When there was actually miscellaneous sports." He spoke.

"But running suits you more?" Mira still said.

"No, a lot of things suit me." Alex responded wiggling with his white hair.

"Like going after a babe." Ethan winked at him.

Alex just glared back.

"Why do I feel we left Aurora out of this discussion." Nathan muttered calmly eating his food.

"I'm actually not left out. You know sometimes it's better to be a listener than a talker." I replied smiling.

"Sure." Ethan replied and we all ate in silence.

Is Lizzy not supposed to be here too?

"I remember when I told my mom how I hurt my feet during the game. She was kind of angry at me and started rambling and ranting on how I shouldn't have joined sapphire of all houses." Ethan said smiling.

"Sapphire uh?" Nathan said returning the smile.

"Yeah, she was pretty mad and blamed it on the house. This was how she said it...." Ethan paused ready to mimic his mom voice, "for crying out loud son, why on Earth will you even join the so called sapphire house, when there was emerald, gold. Gold! You could've joined gold you idiot."

We all burst out laughing and honestly, I wasn't even laughing because of what he said. I was laughing because of the way he changed his voice.

"My mom wouldn't even give a shit if I joined sapphire but if I had joined topaz. I'm sure, I would literally be able to see real flames rushing out of her nostrils." Alex said.

"My mom wouldn't even care. All she would say is; all the best sweetie." Nathan spoke up.

"Me too." Mira shrugged then stole a quick glance at Ethan who was now looking at me.

"Aurora what would your mom reaction be." He asked. "Let me even try imagining her reaction when you eventually mention topaz." He said trying to picture it.

Nathan narrowed his eyes at him.

"You can't tell because you've never even met her mom." Nathan responded.

Ethan just rolled his eyes.

"So?" He asked me.

I released a long breath then quickly feigned a little smile.

"I lost my mom but I'm sure if my mom was here, she would be happy as long as I'm happy that I chose it." I said keeping my eyes on the table.

"I'm sorry for your loss." Alex said sympathetically.

It's really my loss, uh?

"It's going to be okay." Nathan spoke in a reassuring way.

It's never going to be okay.

I just faked another smile to Alex and Nathan.

"Sorry!" Ethan are Mira said the same time. Mira quickly glanced at him then looked down again as her cheeks was already turning to the color of a tomato. She did well in using her hair to hide her cheek.

I just smiled at the both a them. A genuine smile at their stupidity, rather at Mira silliness and shyness.

"Ugh! When is party even coming up." Ethan said changing the topic.

Alex grinned then winked at him.

"Very soon." Mira said as a little smile played on her lips.

I had a slight smirk on my face.

"That's even true, where in this world is Lizzy?" Nathan asked.

"I don't know but I know she's in this world." Mira replied.

"You don't know where she goes too. Aren't you suppose to be your sister keeper?" Nathan asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

Mira rolled her eyes at both of them.

"But do you have any guess on where she could be?" Alex persisted on knowing.

"I said I don't know. Hmph!" She said.

"But Lizzy doesn't have much friends apart from us. She doesn't even have, so where could she be?" Alex asked pondering.

There was a long silence.

"I never know where she's headed." I heard Mira muttering to herself.

"She could be anywhere." Ethan joked, answering Alex. "Besides, we're having business class now." He stood up ready to leave.

Alex looked unsure, Nathan had a blank expression, Mira looked worried, Ethan looked carefree and I'm confused.

We all walked out together since we had the same business class. I walked close to Mira and heard her uttering some words not caring if I heard it.

"In this life, you must learn to mind your business." She picked up her pace and left me behind.

Learning to mind your business could be something good but staying ignorant, would be more dangerous Mira.

Besides, do Alex also have a crush on Lizzy just like Mira and Ethan?

I shook my head, chasing away unnecessary thought when I noticed I was the only one behind. I walked fast to join them.