Chapter 187: Growing Up
It’s been days since Caleb was back and indeed staying here and taking care of the pack activities helped him stay distracted. On one of these days when he was about to leave the house he heard shouting at the front porch.
“No!” Ava shouted at the girl in front of her. “I don’t need your advice! You don’t get to pretend that you get what I’m going through. This is none of your business!” She stormed out as soon as she was done, almost hitting Caleb in the process.
Caleb looked at Ava’s back with shock before turning his gaze slowly at Ariel. “What’s... happening”? He asked her reluctantly.
“It’s not a big deal, she just broke up with this guy. More like he dumped her” Ariel shrugged.
“No wonder she is upset,” Caleb mumbled. “But why is she taking out on you? Did you say something? I mean... I know she is upset but she never lashed out like that on you”.
“It has happened before” Ariel mumbled awkwardly. “It keeps happening more and more these days” She whispered with a hint of melancholy.
“Are you okay”? Caleb asked her instead.
.....
“I am fine”. Ariel brushed herself before forcing a smile. “It’s her who is grumpy”
“You do realise you can talk to me right? I know, I am not Ashton, but as his mate and your friend, I am kinda like your brother” Caleb offered.
“Yeah, cause Ashton is such a people person” Ariel snorted sarcastically.
“Well..” Caleb sighed. “That’s why you have me here” He smirked.
Ariel sighed before she mumbled, “It’s just that... I think we are...”She sighed. Taking a deep breath she admitted, “growing apart”. Caleb continued to stare at her as if he was waiting for her to continue. “When we were young, we used to do everything together. We used to stick together, play together... share secrets with each other” She paused. “It feels like everything is changing”.
“And why do you think that?” Caleb asked.
“Well...” Ariel took a deep breath. “For instance we have completely different friend circles now. Not to mention, we even have our own rooms. I just... I know she keeps a lot of secrets from me... and on some levels I think so do I” She shrugged.
“Wow” Caleb mumbled.
“I know it’s silly, but I miss the time when we used to do everything together. I miss us. I guess not all twins share the same brain cell” Ariel chuckled half heartedly.
“You are right, they aren’t,” Caleb declared. “I know it’s hard... no matter what you always had each other’s back. Since you guys were toddler you were each other’s best friend. It’s normal to feel like this. But..” He took a pause. “You have to remember that just because you two look the same doesn’t mean you are the same.”
“Yeah... I am starting to get that”, Ariel admitted with a gloomy face.
“Things like this will keep happening to you. It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad. Maybe she is not involved with your life so much, but I am sure she still has your back when you need her.” Caleb patted her arm. “And just because things are like this doesn’t mean you guys are growing apart. It means you are growing up. You are becoming people of your own” Caleb shrugged.
“I know... I hear you,” Ariel sighed. “I just... hate that we are growing into two different kinds of people. I guess having a twin doesn’t always mean you will have someone similar to you”. She snorted.
“Yep, it doesn’t” Caleb sighed. “But, if you are really upset about her growing apart then maybe you can make some effort on your part.” He suggested.
“You don’t think I have tried?” Ariel scowled. “It’s like every attempt I make pushes us further apart.” She groaned. “Take this for example. I was trying to console her. I told her that just because this guy was an idiot to dump you doesn’t mean you will end up alone. And then you pretty much saw her reaction” She pointed at the door where Ava vanished.
“Why do you think she reacted that way?” Caleb asked her carefully.
“I dunno... she is crazy” Ariel rolled her eyes.
“Ariel” Caleb said sternly. “Try a little harder”
“She is hurting” Ariel sighed. “I get that she is irritable because it’s hard not because it’s hard not to feel that way, but what am I supposed to say to her”? Ariel asked.
“Nothing,” Caleb shrugged. “She will get over him herself if needed. She doesn’t need you to tell that. Maybe that’s why she was mad because you didn’t consider her feelings.”
“I did,” Ariel insisted.
“Did you?” Caleb folded his arms. “I know you wanted to make her feel better, but did you consider how your words are going to affect her before you said them”?
“Well...No” Ariel sighed. “I guess, I get what you are trying to say,” Ariel sighed. “Thanks for the pep talk, that really helped.” She flashed him a smile before disappearing off to the kitchen.
Scouring the entire fridge she finally found the thing she was looking for and headed straight off to the door upstairs and knocked at it. When she didn’t receive any response she tried to unlock the door and surprisingly enough it worked.
Ariel found her sister sobbing on the bed with her head burning below the pillow. “Ava” Ariel called her sister.
“Go Away!” Ava screamed at her sister.
After a moment Ariel spoke, “I brought ice cream”.
“Ice cream”? Ava finally looked up, ” You think having ice cream can fix this? I am not a child, Ariel!” She huffed at her sister.
“I know,” Ariel admitted, maintaining her calm. “And I don’t think ice cream can fix this. I just... I really wanted to eat this with you” Ariel whispered.
“I am not in the mood”! Ava spat and buried her head back in.
“I’ll have it by myself then. I am here if you need some” Ariel declared and sat down on the chair of her room. Ava didn’t respond to her anymore and continued to sob on her own.
Ariel simply sat there with the ice cream in her hand unable to eat it. Nevertheless she didn’t leave her sister’s side and remained there quite and let her sister sob. After what seemed like an eternity when Ava finally looked up, she went ahead and snatched the ice cream from her sister’s before digging in. After a few huge bites she shared it with her sister as well and somehow the quiet evening turned out to be quite nice for the sisters.
Meanwhile, Caleb, who was standing at the door, who decided to check on the sisters on his way back, smiled as he saw them bond. He was glad that in absence of Ashton he was able to deal with the sisters.
It’s been quite long since they last talked. It’s been almost a week, 8 days since he even heard from him. Caleb assumed that Ashton was either busy or somehow unreachable at the moment. Ashton promised he would be back in a few weeks and thus he promised himself that he would not pester him unless it’s absolutely required. After all, it’s just been 8 days right?
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