Chapter Three: Outside

He woke up at 5am, a sigh on his lips. And a smile, too. It was a brand new day and though the sun wasn't out yet, he felt that it would be a sunny day.

  Syne rose from his bed to pick up his cellphone, wondering if he had any notifications. Two messages. He wondered who it was that would be texting him at such a time. 

  Chris: 

  Good morning.

  I really hope you're awake to read this so I can continue with my plans.

  So, I just wanted to give you a little information.

  Syne had to smile at that. Chris was never good at writing so formally, so what was his influence on such an early morning?

  Chris:

  I don't want to disturb you or anything but, would you mind going somewhere with me today?

  I mean, we went for your thing yesterday, I think it's only fair.

  Syne raised a brow at everything he'd just read. It was quite surprising, he'd admit. He knew that Chris was on some weird mission of liking him back but there was no how he could stop him, the man was serious.

  Chris was being sweet and all, but Syne knew that the man didn't like him the same way. He knew this because… well, just because.

  As he thought deeply about Chris' proposition, he realized that it wasn't such a bad idea. Now that the air was clear between them, it was unlikely that things would be back to normal, but they could try. He could just use the opportunity to see what he had planned.

  He shook his head as he felt drowsy.

  What the hell are you doing being awake by this time?

  He sent the message and then added:

  And sure, we could go somewhere.

  He didn't stop to see his response, or if he was awake, he just switched off his cell and went back to bed. He'd look at his phone when the sun shines.

 *****

  Syne got out of the bathroom with a smile on his face and that stunned one of his younger siblings, Kayne who'd just stepped into his room– probably to cause chaos.

  "What's got you so happy?" Kayne asked, plopping onto his bed.

  In no mood to say anything, Syne simply shrugged. He knew Kayne would figure it out anyway. And he was right because a few seconds later of silence, he suddenly smiled widely.

  "Is it your boyfriend, Chris?" Kayne teased.

  Syne rolled his eyes. "He's not my boyfriend, Kayne. He belongs to Aunt Sophie and don't you forget that".

  Kayne clicked his tongue at that. From the onset, even before Syne admitted his fancy for Chris, he'd never liked their Aunt. He and Jayne. But their pretence in her presence was always so amazing. They were really good actors and their entire family could attest to that. No wonder they wanted to be actors.

  "I wish they'd officially break up already", Kayne said, eyes to the ceiling as Syne sat on a stool, facing him. "I don't even know if they like each other at all".

  Obviously, they didn't. 

  Syne knew that Chris wanted to break it off with his aunt but didn't know how. Basically, he was terrified of her response which also meant that he was being a pussy. Of course, he didn't say that to his face the other day when they were having dinner.

  Aunt Sophie was as manipulative as anyone could get. She slept with anyone possible and then when tired, she'd call onto Chris with fake tears and beg him to take her back– stupid Chris would agree. It was an annoying cycle and everyone in the family came to the conclusion that Chris Kistler was an idiot. A big one. That was why Syne was reluctant to be in a relationship with him and just wanted to confess his feelings in peace.

  Chris wasn't very strong-willed but he was an amazing person. He'd said he needed time to break up with aunt Sophie but Syne wasn't feeling very optimistic. 

  He felt his brother turning to face him, a serious expression on his face as he hugged him tightly.

  "Is something wrong?" Syne asked, a bit worried, though patting his back a bit as they separated.

  "Nope", Kayne whispered. "Just that, if he hurts you in any way, I'll castrate him and then leave Jayne to finish him up".

  Syne burst into hysterics, holding his belly.

  Kayne looked at him in confusion but a small smile on his face. "I'm not joking though, just so you know".

  Syne nodded, finally calm. "Trust me, I know you're being serious".

  Even if his brother wouldn't do exactly what he said, he was going to do something similar to it. Kayne and Jayne were horrors and he appreciated how much they loved him not to attempt to hurt him nor let anyone hurt him.

  Syne couldn't help but feel sorry for Chris. Everyone in his family was going on "Operation Protective" mode just because of him. His parents said nothing when he talked about how their dinner went but he could tell that they didn't like Chris' whimpiness. He could almost see his father writing down how he'd ruin Chris' life if he hurt him and then his mother… Mom was more of an action woman so she'd most likely attack Chris when he was least suspecting.

  Chris was in big trouble and for once, Syne found it amusing.