Silence

{28} Composure

{Aspen's POV}

"Mafia... yeah that's a good one." I try to hide my concern.

"Seriously though Aspen, it makes sense." Arlo replies.

I suddenly hear a knock at my door and I hang up while hiding my phone under the blanket. The door knob starts to wiggle and some choice words can be heard through the door.

"F*cking lock... stupid Cas... Privacy my ass." 

The door swings open to reveal an annoyed looking Sorin and my jaw drops. How did he-

"How did you-"

"Cant hide your secrets from me dear sister. Why would you anyways? I'm your favorite, remember?" Sorin says, closing the door behind him. 

"But hey! That's supposed to be part of our deal!" I exclaim.

"I never agreed to such a deal, Cas did." Sorin replies shrugging one of his shoulders. "Anyways, I come bearing gifts." 

I sit on my cloud, slightly astounded at Sorin's words. Sorin acts as if it never happened and casually sits beside me. He pulls something from behind him that makes my jaw drop once more. A mini figurine of an aspen tree with a sun carving on the bark is in his hands. I gently take the figurine from his hands to examine it closer.

"The Aspen tree represents you, and I'm the sun on the carving. I want you to know that where ever we are, I will always be with you. Even when I go on little trips like we just did, I'm always with you. I love you Aspen, even if I'm sh*t at showing it."

Speechless.

H  ow     t o        fo   rm     w  ord s?

Ah

whaa

Looking at the figurine and back at Sorin, I almost repeat the words back. I love him. I do. But thinking back to what Arlo and I were talking about makes me hesitant. How can you love someone if all they do is lie and keep secrets from you.

How can you love someone if you only know half of them.

"Sorin.. this is incredible." I say.

"I'm glad you like it." He shows off his dazzling smile.

I almost tell him I love it but refrain from doing so. If I say I love the gift and not him, it would be a bit strange in my mind.

I suddenly look up at him and smile widely.

"You're just a big softie."

Sorin scoffs and removes the smile from his face.

"No wait smile again! It looks better." I exclaim but Sorin emotionlessly gets up from my cloud and walks to the door. I frown. "You're ugly now."

"Correction, I'm the most handsome brother you have." He says blankly.

Ambrose is conveniently walking by the door and scoffs.

"Handsome my ass. With this face?!" Ambrose says pinching Sorin's cheek. Sorin quickly swats his hand away and frowns deeper.