Chapter 8

Celine thrust her hand forward in the dimness, commanding the silent yard with an iron fist transformed into an imaginary beam of light. A stone's throw away, her younger siblings were rooted in place, imitating sculptures crafted from marble.

The night served as the perfect backdrop for Micheal's cherished escapade. In this nocturnal drama, Celine stood vigilant as the guardian of the twilight, while Ella and Micheal played the part of crafty statues trying to outwit her. The moment she spotted them stirring, they'd be vanquished. If they succeeded in touching her, she'd be defeated. Juliette was usually Micheal's co-conspirator in these games, drawn into the role by memories of Doctor Who's Weeping Angels. However, with Juliette entangled in love's complexities at Rosedale, Celine had nobly stepped into her shoes.

Crouching before Ella, Celine waved a playful hand before her sister's unwavering gaze. No reaction – Ella's composure was as solid as Rushmore itself. On the cusp of launching into a comedic performance to shatter Ella's concentration – and inch closer to triumph – Celine was distracted by the rattle of the gate swinging wide open and then slamming shut. She spun around, directing her faux beacon toward the unexpected guest—all in vain since no real light shone from her clenched palm.

"Who dares encroach upon the cavern of marvels?" Her voice cut through the shroud of night. "Step forth if you bear the mark of the diamond in the rough!"

"It's Taylor."

Celine's grin spread wide. "Truly, a diamond in the rough you are, Taylor!" she acclaimed.

Bathed in porch light, Taylor emerged with a familiar chagrined smile at Celine's relentless adulations—an act he'd long given up on dissuading—and that Celine suspected he never really wanted to end.

"Is Rachelle here?"

A flicker of hope danced across Celine's features—could this signal a step towards mending broken bridges?

"You're seeking her out?"

"More like hoping to dodge her," Taylor confessed.

And just like that, any prospect for reconciliation between the estranged lovers dissipated like mist.

Taylor seemed oblivious to Celine's crestfallen look as he continued matter-of-factly. "I've been locked out; I need your backup key."

It was such a classic mistake within their circle that it almost bordered on tradition—and it certainly wasn't going to smooth things over between him and Rachelle. Directing Ella towards their home with a subtle gesture to fetch the key made perfect sense—after all, an encore of today's bitter exchange with Rachelle was something they could all do without.

Complying without hesitation, Ella left behind her impersonation of still art at Celine's instruction.

"Ha!" cheered Celine triumphantly. "To move is to forfeit!"

Shocked at being outplayed during a pause in their game, Ella halted and planted her hands firmly on her waist.

"You didn't declare that our game was still on."

"Celine never conceded defeat," she stated with a smirk.

Ella, in a playful huff, retreated to the sanctuary of the kitchen, her tongue out in mock defiance.

"You play dirty, Celine," Taylor accused, shaking his head. "That's a foul if I ever saw one."

"No rules were trampled upon," Celine declared, puffing up with pride. "My honor remains unblemished."

"A true Juliette move."

Celine accepted the comparison with a graceful bow, basking in the drama of his claim.

Taylor's mind wandered to Juliette. "She finally made her way back to Rosedale?"

Celine's nod was solemn.

"And she's facing things with Hunter?"

At that moment, Nala, the cat, poked through the kitty door. Sensing his beloved human friend was near, he sauntered over to Taylor, affectionately nudging against his legs with a soft purr.

"Hopefully mending bridges," Celine said as Taylor hoisted Nala into a comforting embrace—the absence of Taylor had been felt by all. "But time will tell. Their relationship is treading on thin ice presently."

"She spoke to me about embracing cosmic energies."

Juliette often used this mystical reasoning as her excuse for eluding Hunter's advances—a cautious dance they have tiptoed around for years. Yet Celine was losing patience. She wanted Juliette to realize that love and cosmic destiny could indeed twine together harmoniously.

"And you?" Celine deftly shifted focus to Taylor's own entangled romance. "What's the forecast for you and Rachelle?"

Taylor peered toward the house and caught sight of Rachelle immersed in her culinary tasks. "A mere dialogue would be a welcome start; but ultimately, it's her call."

Celine felt an empathetic pang for him—this wasn't their first rough patch. With heartfelt certainty she believed they were destined to be entwined. Since childhood, Celine had envisioned their reconciliation—and even penned vows for their future nuptials.

"I'm uncertain this time," Taylor confessed with a heavy heart. "I'm like a ghost to her now."

"Trust me," Celine reassured him confidently, "She still harbors love for you. Her aversion is but a shield guarding against the resurgence of a profound ache."

With that sentiment hanging in the air, Taylor gently placed Nala down on the grass where the cat promptly shifted his attention to an enthralling firefly – his disappointment quickly forgotten in light of new wonders.

"Seriously?" Taylor's voice dripped with disdain as he recounted his breakup with Celine, who offered a dismissive wave.

"You can't always rationalize love," she quipped.

Before Taylor could retort, Michael emerged from the shadows, pouncing on Celine with a victorious cheer, "I'm the champ!"

Celine tossed him a playful glare. "We were just pausing the game, you goof."

Michael scoffed, puffing up defensively. "You didn't declare a timeout!"

Taylor chuckled at the scene. "Points for Michael," he declared.

Celine tossed in the towel. "Fine, fine – victory is yours."

Michael let out a triumphant yell, darting past them to brag to Marissa about his win.

Shortly after, Ella returned, suspiciously delayed in retrieving Taylor's key. Celine surmised she was either entwined in preparing dinner or cleverly distracting Rachelle on Taylor's behalf – her young wisdom shining through. Handing over the key to Taylor, she relayed Rachelle's call for dinner.

"Dinner together?" Celine extended the invite with a hint of hope.

Taylor declined with a wistful shake of his head. "Not until Rachelle aligns her mind and heart." He raised the key in appreciation.

Once alone, Ella's curiosity sparked to life. "What was that about?"

"He yearns for Rachelle's return," Celine deciphered from Taylor's silence – she knew him that well.