Did something happen yesterday? This morning, the atmosphere between you and Uncle Jake looked weird.
Maya asked, tilting her head as she hugged her arms.
Isaac scratched his cheek and muttered,
—Hmm, nothing happened… anyways, how about this?
He reached over to a shelf and lifted up a roll of toilet paper, holding it like it was some sort of rare treasure.
Maya blinked at him, narrowing her eyes. For a moment she couldn't tell if her brother was being serious or just joking.
—We're going to visit someone sick… there's no way toilet paper would be a good "get well soon" gift.
Isaac sighed, grumbling as he shoved the roll back onto the shelf. He turned and started walking lazily toward the aisle's end.
—Why do I have to visit those guys?
His voice was low, but not low enough. Maya's sharp ears caught every word.
—I can go by myself, you don't need to come too. You're still hurt.
Her eyes flicked down to the bandages wrapping around his arms.
Isaac froze, then snapped his head toward her with exaggerated disbelief.
—WHAT?! Do you expect me to let my adorable sister visit the house of two teenagers alone?!
His voice echoed so loudly some customers glanced their way.
Then Isaac grabbed Maya gently by the shoulders, lowering his head until his eyes were locked with hers. His face was unusually serious, his gaze burning with sincerity.
—Maya… listen to me. All guys are wolves. You don't need to trust them. You don't even need to worry about them.
His words dripped with honesty—too much honesty.
Maya, instead of being touched, looked at him with a face full of disgust.
—…Gross.
Isaac cleared his throat, letting her go, pretending he didn't just embarrass himself.
—Sigh, it doesn't matter. I got the fruit. Let's just grab one of those "get well soon" cards over there.
Maya pointed at a counter near the cashier.
Isaac grumbled under his breath and walked toward it. But halfway there, he froze.
He couldn't believe his eyes.
Just a few feet away stood a girl wearing baggy blue pajama pants covered in cartoon lions and a pink hoodie with floppy cat ears. At first, the hood covering her head made it hard to recognize her… but the strands of shiny red hair peeking out betrayed her identity immediately.
Isaac stood still, one hand clamped over his mouth, his face burning red—not with embarrassment, but with the effort of holding in his laughter.
Why are you just standing there?
Maya asked, walking past him. Then her eyes followed his gaze, and she gasped.
—Sister Claire?!
Her voice rang with such joy that the girl in the hoodie jolted like she'd been struck by lightning. Slowly, awkwardly, Claire turned her head to see Maya rushing straight at her.
Before she could react, Maya threw her arms around her.
—Wow! It really is you! What are you doing here?!
Claire, face hidden under her hood, stiffly pointed at the cards on display.
—…Getting something for Liam.
Maya beamed.
—Oh! Me too! I was just looking around with Isaac to get them something.
At that word—Isaac—Claire froze. Her eyes darted past Maya's shoulder. And there he was, standing just a few steps away. His hand was covering his mouth, his cheeks flushed from the effort of not bursting into laughter.
Her confusion only lasted a second. Then she remembered. The pajamas. The hoodie. The ridiculous cat ears.
Her favorite pajamas.
Her face turned scarlet. She yanked herself out of Maya's hug and stammered,
—Umm… umm… I-I need to go!
And without waiting, she spun around and bolted for the door.
Maya reached out, trying to stop her.
—Wait! Sister Claire!
But Claire was too fast, already disappearing into the crowd.
—…What's wrong? Why did she leave?
Maya turned to her brother, baffled.
But Isaac was gone—completely lost to his laughter. He was bent over, clutching his stomach as his chuckles echoed through the store.
—Pfft—cat ears and lions! What happened to the witch's dignity?!
He wheezed between laughs, nearly tearing up.
Maya just stared at him blankly, unsure how to respond to her brother rolling around like a maniac in the middle of a store.