Aaron's POV
I stood there, chest tight, fingers trembling, not sure whether I wanted to run after them or just curl up in the hall and disappear. My brain was a mess of questions, anger, guilt, confusion. Broken? My sister is… broken?
Ace nudged me, voice low. "Dude… you okay?"
I shook my head, barely noticing. No, I wasn't okay. Not even close. Every memory of Sarah at home flashed through my mind her quiet laughter, the way she always seemed to fade into the background, the nights she spent alone in her room while I got the spotlight. And now this. Seeing her tears, hearing her words, feeling the raw hurt she'd been bottling up… I realized I had never really seen her at all.
Alex cleared his throat. "You… you should talk to her, man. She didn't… she's not mad at you. Not really. She just…"
"Just what?" I snapped, even though my voice cracked. I hated that I sounded weak. "She's angry? She's hurt? That's all you got?"
They didn't answer. They couldn't. None of us could have guessed what it was like, living in a house where your own parents barely notice you, where the 'heir' gets everything and the other… doesn't exist.
Anger burned in my chest, and before I knew it, I was already walking out
Alex's pov:
I didn't follow the guys this time. Instead, I slipped out to the balcony my usual spot whenever I wanted to breathe without all the noise. The air was cool, but my head was anything but.
I kept replaying that look on Serena's face earlier. Man, it killed me. One second she was like, "ugh, it's him," and then just like that "oh, thank you, my dear sir." I swear, the switch was so fast I almost choked. I couldn't stop laughing to myself. The way her eyes widened, the way her voice softened God, she's something else.
I leaned on the railing, shaking my head. "What are you doing to me, Serena?" I muttered under my breath, still grinning.
And just when I thought I'd finally get a moment of peace, Ace's voice cut in.
"There you are. Hey, come on, Aaron's getting out of hand in the game room again."
I groaned. Of course. My peaceful five minutes ruined. I didn't really have a choice, though. With one last glance at the quiet night sky, I pushed off the railing and followed him back inside.
Serena's POV
Back at the dorm, things weren't so calm.
Sarah had completely broken down, and my heart hurt just watching her. I sat close, not sure if I should touch her or just… let her cry it out. After a while, I whispered, "I'm really sorry you had to go through all that. I know I'm new here, but honestly, it feels like we've known each other longer than a day."
Sarah sniffled, wiping her cheeks before giving me this small, watery smile. "Thanks, Serena. You don't even know me like much, but… thank you."
I nodded, smiling back. "That's what friends are for, right ?I'll be back okay? my queen"
I was about to stand up, thinking she needed some space, but suddenly Sarah grabbed my wrist and tugged me back down.
"Don't go yet, Please stay with me. Don't leave" she said quickly, her eyes still red but softer now.
I blinked, a little surprised, but then I laughed. "Alright, alright. I'll stay. But only because you asked nicely."
That finally made her laugh through the tears, and for a second, the heavy air in the room felt lighter.
Aaron's POV
The walls in the game room had taken more punches from me than anyone else in this house. My knuckles stung, but I didn't care I didn't even know why I was this angry. No, that's a lie. I did. It was Sarah. It was always Sarah.
Her words replayed in my head like a broken record. They shouldn't hurt this much, but they did. And I hated myself for feeling it.
My fist slammed into the wall again. Hard. I could almost hear her voice layered over the sound: cold, distant, disappointed.
Why am I like this? Why does she always get under my skin?
I slammed my fist into the wall again, the sting barely cutting through the storm in my chest. Sarah's words wouldn't stop replaying. I didn't even know why I was so mad at her? At myself? At everything?
And then, just like that, my mind dragged me back. Back to when we were little.
I could see it so clearly.Sarah clutching that stupid teddy bear with both hands, her brows all scrunched up the way they always were when she tried to be tough.
"Mom, it's mine," she said, her voice tiny but firm.
I was standing there, reaching for it, because I wanted it. I always wanted what she had.
"Give it here, Sarah," I remember whining, tugging at the bear.
She shook her head stubbornly. "No. You already took the red one. This one's mine."
And then Mom walked in. I'll never forget how fast it happened. She barely looked at Sarah,just plucked the toy from her arms and shoved it into mine.
"Aaron's the younger one," Mom said flatly. "You're the oldest twin, Sarah. You should understand and act like one,you silly kid"
Sarah just stood there, lip trembling, her tiny fists clenched. But she didn't say a word. She just let it go. She always did.
And me? I grinned and hugged the bear like I won some battle. Back then, I didn't understand. I didn't care.
Now… the memory cut me open in a way I wasn't ready for.
I pulled my arm back, ready to punch the wall again, but Alex's hand caught mine midair. He stood in front of me, eyes calm but sharp, like he'd been waiting for this.
"When we were kids, we didn't get it," Alex said quietly. "None of us did. But now? We're older, Aaron. You can't keep letting old patterns decide how you treat her. You'll only keep hurting Sarah if you do."
He didn't wait for me to argue. He just let go of my hand, turned, and walked out.
The second the door shut, I dropped onto the couch, my chest heaving.
And then the tears came angry, messy, uncontrollable.
Serena's pov:
I swear, Sarah looked like the most tragic little drama queen alive. Her eyes were all red and puffy, her cheeks sticky from tears, and there she was shoving spoon after spoon of ice cream into her mouth like it was some kind of medicine. I tried, I really did, but the sight of her with chocolate smudged on her lip and her hair sticking up made me crack.
I burst out laughing right there at the stove while stirring the ramen noodles.
She whipped her head toward me, spoon halfway to her mouth. "Stop laughing!" she said through a mouthful of ice cream.
That only made it worse. I doubled over, clutching the counter to keep from falling. "You have no idea how cute and funny you look right now, Sarah. Like..like a panda who just got dumped!"
Her eyes narrowed dangerously, spoon raised like a weapon. "Oh really? You think this is funny? Fine. You're cooking for the both of us for the next month. Every. Single. Meal."
I gasped dramatically. "A month? That's cruel and unusual punishment!"
She stood up slowly, still holding the ice cream like some kind of evil wand. "Punishment fits the crime, Serena."
And then, like the absolute menace she is, she lunged at me.
"Sarah! Nooo!" I yelped, abandoning the ramen and bolting across the tiny living room. She chased me with wild eyes, spoon pointed like she was about to smear chocolate across my face. We ran in circles, knocking pillows off the couch, laughing so hard my stomach hurt.
"Say I'm adorable or the noodles are doomed!" she shouted, almost grabbing me.
"You're.. okay, okay you're the cutest panda I've ever seen!" I screamed, dodging behind a chair.
Right then, the doorbell rang. Both of us froze mid-chase, panting like maniacs, my hair a total mess and Sarah still clutching her ice cream spoon like a weapon.
We exchanged a look.
"You answer it," she whispered.
"No, you answer it!" I hissed back.
But curiosity won, and together we cracked the door open. Standing there was a girl who looked like candy and cherry all rolled into one bright smile, glossy hair, the whole package. She dropped her suitcase dramatically and grinned.
"Guess who's your new roommate?"