pte

ing up. For the second time,

" She sat down as if sh

a sudden, Francine? I mean, your a

s. I cried a lot last night. I cried all nig

from our teacher, even though there

but I managed to persuade her. Until I saw Brother Khai's car. I

forehead. He opened the door for her and helped her get in. He quickly moved t

t understand why she was at our school and it looked like... I realized that I had

touching my drawing tablet. I quietly sat

ar. The door opened, and he got out. He looked straight at

He immediately smiled and stopped walking when he saw me a

ne?" he

e, Brother,"

s. I was doing this to avoid talking to him. For the first time, I didn't want t

s. I only opened my eyes when one of my earphones

quiet today?" He seemed numb if he

idn't believe me. It was only then that I realized we were already home. I took off my seatbelt and opened the door. I waited

d, his voice c

lf just counting the cars as they leave," I said, hoping his mouth would drop in surprise.

anc

er house, right? So, don't bother taking me to school or coming back

the long wait. He could have just told me to go home early and that he couldn't take

won't share things with h

greeted me with a smile. She hugged

times. "Thank you, Pressy

Pressy. "Go up to your room and change. I

asked, and

True, pasta is my favo

frowned. "But I'll still eat it because you cooked it, Mommy. I'll go downs

up high. I headed straight to the kitchen. They weren't i

to her as she was co

r godmother," she said. The large tupperware co

their highchairs, busy eating the pasta

pointed to myse

d it over to your godmother," she s

taken it since I knew he would come righ

fraid I might lose my balance and spill the pasta. It would b

it to Ninang J, I would leave. I didn't want to see Brother because I was e

tting on the stairs near their front door, still in his uni

down on the grass and approached me. Without

," he fin

ve this to Nina

wait for her to give it to her," he said, and I frowned. I had

ng. I'm leaving now," I said, and befor

r Fran

reeted the two littl

Mommy and Daddy," I said, ruffling their hair before t

et's eat the pasta!

aid, pointing to Brother Khai. He turned awa

heir good Brother was also eating. He was still in his uniform and s

nt any, Siste

since the pasta is for you

" Jessey asked. I looked at Ninang

aid, taking a napkin to wipe Seth's mouth. He smi

?" brother

ood," I said without looking at

he said, shrugging, an

hai offered to wash the dishes, and I

. Just as I was about to leave, he c

t?" I aske

rom inside and take it home with you,"

uh

" I didn't ask any more questions and walked toward the fridge to open it.

Brother" I said, and

on?" Mommy asked as

there, but their brother was," I stated.

ought is just right. Let's eat i

aight to my room. He hadn't cha

k, and hugged his arm. "Are you still worried

w you can handle it, honey." My father has a lot of trust that I ca

family driver to pick me up, but when I went outside, broth

door. From the way he looked at

e didn't need to drop me off at scho

, didn't

e with me," he informed my dad

Contin