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I didn't sleep that night.

I tossed and turned, back and forth, gripping my head, gritting my teeth to try and stop the intense, excruciating pain clawing at my skull. I shoved a pillow into my face and screamed into it, the pillow muffling the sound as it racked through my throat. I bit down into the soft material of my pillow and choked on my sobs. It felt like someone was hammering on the sides of my head, and I had just swallowed fire. Flames licked at my throat; my lungs burned. I threw the covers off me, stumbled to my bedroom window, threw it open, craving the cold air and stuck my face out of the window, breathing in the ice-cold air. Maybe I was coming down with something.

It must be a damn horrible sickness I'm getting, then.

I heard a knock at my door, and I jumped slightly. I turned my head to look at the door.

"Come in," I called, softly. The door opened, and Liana walked in.

She raised an eyebrow at me as she closed the door behind her. "You're up?"

"Clearly," I muttered. "Why aren't you asleep?"

"Why aren't you asleep?" she demanded.

"I asked you first," I said.

She rolled her eyes, and came and sat on the floor next to the window, her back resting against the wall. She hugged her knees, and stared at the floor. "I can't sleep. I have a really bad migraine," she whispered.

"Wait, you have a migraine too?" I asked, shocked.

She looked up at me, her brow furrowed. "You have one too?"

I nodded.

"What do you think it means?" She asked.

I shrugged, and looked out of the window. "I don't know," I said. "But Mom was acting really strange yesterday."

"Like, how?" Liana whispered.

"She was just acting really fucked up," I muttered. "There's something weird going on, Liana."

"You think?" she snorted, sarcastically. I watched her as she gripped her knees tighter, and rested her chin on one of her knees. "Should we talk to Aurelia?"

"Maybe," I said. I looked at the moon. It was a blinding white tonight, and partially hidden behind two dark clouds. "But I'm scared of what she will say."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not really sure," I admitted.

When I woke up, I woke up beside Liana. She was snoring softly, her face calm. My head was still pounding. I swung my legs out of the bed, opened my bedroom door, closed it behind me, and walked down the stairs.

"Aurelia?" I hissed.

"Yes?" I heard her voice from the kitchen. I walked into the kitchen, and saw her sitting at the table. Just sitting. Nothing else. She frowned when she saw me. "Are you alright?"

"No, not really," I said. She stood up from the table, and walked over to me, her eyes tracing my face. Different emotions flicked over her face, but I wasn't sure which ones. She pressed her hand to my forehead, and her eyes widened.

"What?" I asked. A flicker of recognition flashed across her face.

"You have a fever," she said, simply.

I watched her as she walked away from me. "Is that it?"

She looked at me, and raised one of her eyebrows. "Aurelia, there's something going on, and we both know that you're keeping something from me. Mother has always been on the strange side, but yesterday was just weird. What's going on?"

Aurelia's face remained impassive, and frustration bubbled in my veins; it threatened to spill over. "I don't know what you are talking about," she lied, smoothly. I knew her well enough to tell when she was lying and when she was telling the truth.

"Stop lying to me!" I yelled, and she flinched slightly.

"Ivana -"

"No, shut up. You tell me the truth, or I'm leaving. For good. I can't live in this house anymore! All the secrets, and hiding behind closed doors. It's not a family. We're not a family. It's not normal to live like this, in confinement, and being scared to talk to one another. I can't live like this anymore, Aurelia. I'm not stupid - I know there is something going on here. And if you don't tell me, I'm leaving," I snapped.

"And where are you going to go?" she said, her face still impossibly inscrutable. Lucas, I thought. Lucas would let me stay with him, right? When I didn't say anything, she sighed, and tied her long hair back into a high ponytail.

"Come with me, Ivana," she said. She walked out of the back door, and I followed her. I hardly ever went into the back garden, because it was so overgrown with grass. It was also very large, so when I was younger, I was always scared I would get lost in it. We had to wade ourselves through the ocean of yellow grass. I wasn't sure where she was taking me, but I followed her anyway. Maybe she was leading me to the answers I wanted, and needed. There was a huge tree in our back garden, and I was always scared of it when I was little. It was a damn creepy tree. It's branches curled around, twirling around each other like long claws, and it's bark was almost black in the early morning light, casting shadows and silhouettes around it.

"Why did you take me here?" I asked my sister. She looked up at the tree, and pointed to one of the branches. I squinted, but I couldn't see what she was showing me.

"What?" I asked.

"Do you see that indentation in that branch?" She said, pointing to the same branch she was looking at. I walked closer to it, and peered up at the branch. She was right. The branch looked like it had been worn down by something; a rope, perhaps? It had a dent in it, like something had been pressed down on the branch many times.

"What is that?" I asked, looking back at Aurelia.

"You know this house has been standing long before you and I, or even mother, were born. Our ancestors lived in this house, and this tree was still there then."

"And?" I pressed her.

Her face contorted in anger. "Our ancestors were hanged here," she said. I stared at her, frozen in shock. Hanged? Hanged? How was that even possible? Why were they hanged?

Questions span around my head like a whirlwind, and I felt dizzy. I felt Aurelia's hand touch my arm, and I looked at her.

"Why?" I whispered, quietly.

She walked over to the tree, and touched it's bark, bowing her head. "Ivana, you're right. There is something we are keeping from you and Liana. But mother cannot tell you yet, and neither can I." She turned her head to look at me. "But your time is coming, Ivana. It's coming, sooner than you think."

I sprinted up the stairs, to my bedroom, and slammed my door. Liana was no longer in my bed; she must have gone back to her own. I ran over to my wardrobe, pulled out a backpack, and started to stuff clothes in it. I grabbed my toothbrush and toothpaste from my bathroom, and put them in my bag. I got dressed quickly, and left my bedroom, running down the stairs, two at a time. I ran to the front door and flung it open. I hesitated before leaving.

Should I stay? For Liana? Should I bring her with me? Should I leave?

I slammed the front door behind me. I grabbed my bike, got on, and cycled away as fast as my legs could take me.

I wept as I cycled, the tears streaming horizontally across my cheeks as the wind caressed my face. When I reached Lucas's house, I dropped my bike onto the grass, and ran to the front door. I knocked, and Lucas opened almost immediately. He seemed surprised to see me, and his eyes lit up.

"Ivana -" I cut him off as I ran into his arms, and buried my face in his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around me, and I sobbed. I felt safe in his arms. Tears ran down my face, and dropped onto his shirt.

"Hey," he whispered. "You're okay." He stroked my hair softly. My body shook in his arms. We stood there for a couple of minutes, me sobbing, and him holding me. I finally broke away, and his face was full of concern.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft. He wiped a tear that was rolling down my cheek. I felt so weak. He took my hand, and we walked to the kitchen. I sat down at the table, and he made me some tea. He handed me the warm cup, and I wrapped my hands around it, grateful for it's warmth.

"Thank you," I said, my voice thick, like I had a mouthful of syrup.

He sat down beside me. "Of course," he smiled.

I took a sip, and placed the mug down on the table. "I'm sorry," I said.

He frowned, and took my hand. "Why are you apologizing?"

"For coming into your house, unexpectedly, and ruining your shirt," I said, eyeing the wet patch on his left shoulder.

He laughed and shook his head. "You didn't ruin it." He eyed me carefully. "What happened?"

What did I tell him? What could I tell him? That my relatives were hanged in my backyard, and my sister wouldn't even tell me why? Yeah..no. I couldn't say that.

"Family trouble," I muttered.

"I'm so sorry," he said. "You can stay here as long as you like."

I smiled. "Thank you so much." He squeezed my hand gently, his hands warm. "Is nobody home?"

He shook his head. "My dad has gone to the town hall for a meeting, and...well, my brother is somewhere. I never know with him."

"Are you sure I can stay here?" I asked, doubtfully.

He nodded. "Of course you can. I'll show you one of the spare rooms you can stay in." He stood up, and I followed him, into the white hallway, and up the white stairs. Everything was white. It was making me dizzy. I was used to black, and dark colors. It was like I was walking through heaven.

Ironic.

When we reached the top of the stairs, he turned right, and carried on walking to the end of the hallway. There was a door on the left, and he opened it. And, of course, the room was white. The only color different was on the bed, where there was a grey blanket folded up on the end of the bed. That was more my color. It was a huge room, with an en suite bathroom, and a massive glass window at the end of the window. I felt like the devil in heaven; black in white.

I looked at him, and smiled. "This is perfect. Thank you, Lucas," I said.

"Would you like me to bring your bag up for you?"

"Yes, please. Thanks." He walked back down the hallway. I walked into the room, and to the bed. I sat down on it, and stroked the soft material. I inhaled and exhaled deeply, breathing in the fresh smell of flowers. There was a vase of white lilies on the chest of drawers beside me. I looked up as Lucas walked into the room, carrying my backpack in his hand. He put it beside the wardrobe that was against the wall, and came and sat next to me on the bed. I looked down at my hands, and they were still shaking. I stuffed them under my legs so Lucas wouldn't see them.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?" he asked softly.

I looked at him, and shook my head slowly. "I...I can't," I whispered.

He nodded. "I understand. You know I'm here if you need me," he smiled, and I smiled sadly.

"Thank you."

"Are you alright here? I need to go and get something for my dad."

"Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry. Go," I smiled.

He stood up, and pressed his lips to my forehead. I closed my eyes. When I opened them, he was gone.

I sat on the bed for about ten minutes, then stood up, and walked out of the room. The house was silent, but not eerily silent like my own house. I felt safe in this house, like it was my own home. I walked down the stairs, and into the living room.

I almost had a heart attack.

Evan sat on one of the couches, one leg crossed over the other, his arms stretched out on the back of the couch. He was looking right at me, grinning.

"Well, this is quite a surprise," he said. My stomach flipped and my heart rate quickened. He stood up, and slowly walked over to me. He was wearing all black again today. He stopped in front of me and tilted his head, his lip curling. His eyes traced over my face. I walked backwards, and I felt the wall behind me. His fingers played with the collar of my shirt, and he bit his bottom lip, his eyes on me. I squeezed my thighs together, as my pulse throbbed. I pushed his chest, and he stumbled back slightly, laughing.

"Oh yeah, I forgot. You're dating my brother," he laughed.

"I am not," I snapped.

"It's okay. I wouldn't want to admit to dating my brother either," he snickered.

"Lucas said you weren't home," I said.

"I wasn't. I got back five minutes ago. I didn't realize we had a guest," he grinned.

"Sorry to disappoint you," I shot at him, and walked out of the room.

He grabbed my hand, and pulled me back to him gently. "I'm really happy, actually," he said, and traced my cheek, and then my jawbone with his fingers.

I flushed. I grabbed his collar, and pulled him against my body.

He looked surprised.

"I'm not like those silly girls you seduce. I'm not going to fall for your tricks," I whispered, with a smile, and pushed him off me.

He raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "I see my younger brother has been telling you things."

"True things," I added.

He snorted, and straightened his collar. "It's not usual for a girl to prefer my brother over me," he smirked.

"Really? I'm not sure why," I snapped. "You're a dick."

"Ouch," he said, sarcastically. "I'm insulted."

I turned around and marched out of the room. He didn't follow me. I wanted to strangle him, but at the same time I wanted to kiss his face off. I walked down a long hallway, where there was a door at the end. It was a red door, which surprised me. It was a splash of color in the white, blank canvas of the house. I touched the doorknob.

"Wait!" Evan shouted, from the end of the hallway. I turned around and frowned.

"What?"

"I want to show you something," he said. I looked at the door. What was inside there? I turned around, and walked back down the hallway. He seemed relieved.

"What's in that room with the red door?" I asked him.

He shrugged, his face smooth. "Not a clue. I've never been in there," he said.

He was lying.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked.

I'd been show too many things today; it was hurting my head.

"Our dog," he said.

"Your dog?" I snorted, and I couldn't stop laughing.

He raised his eyebrows at me. "What?"

"Nothing," I laughed. "But why would you want to show me your dog?" To get me away from that room, I thought.

"Don't you like dogs?" he frowned.

I shrugged. "I've never had one. But I guess I do," I said. We walked outside, and there was a black Alsatian lying on the grass, by it's kennel.

"What's his name?" I asked him.

"Duke," he answered. I knelt down next to the dog, and stroked him. Duke looked at me with his dark brown eyes.

"He's adorable," I smiled, and he licked my palm.

Evan chuckled. "Yeah, he is."

I stood up, and wiped my hand on my jeans. I looked around the garden. It was perfect, of course. The grass was cut short, and it was bright green. I turned around and followed Evan back inside.

"So, are you going to tell me what's behind that door?" I asked him, folding my arms, and following him into the kitchen.

He span around, rolling his hazel eyes. "I promise you I don't know," he sighed. "I think you're just too nosy for your own good."

"And I think you're a liar," I said.

He glared at me. "I'm not a liar. Keep your nose out of other people's business," he said.

I laughed. "Excuse me, shithead?" He flared his nostrils. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I make you angry?" I grinned, sarcastically.

"You're really asking for trouble, missy," he snarled. "I'm the mayor's son."

"And? What are you going to do?"

He grabbed my collar, lifting me off the ground slightly, and shoved me against the kitchen wall.

"Oh, I can do a lot," he whispered. His tongue traced his lips slowly, and my eyes followed the movements.

"Like?" I challenged.

He pinned his body against mine. I suddenly grew very hot. "Maybe if you weren't dating my brother, I could show you," he whispered in my ear, his deep voice tickling my ear. He let me go, and I watched him walk away. I breathed heavily, every inch of my body on fire.

"For the last time, I'm not dating Lucas," I hissed.

He smirked. "You like him though. And he likes you too."

I shrugged. "Maybe it's because he's actually nice," I said.

"And I'm not?" he grinned, pouring himself a drink.

"You're the complete opposite," I snapped, folding my arms.

"Ow...that was harsh. I'm hurt...truly," he said, sarcastically, downing his drink, and slamming the glass down on the table. "You're a beautiful girl. You can do so much better than my brother."

"I think you're just jealous, Evan," I hissed.

He chortled. "What? Jealous of him?"

"Obviously."

"You're right. I am so jealous of him. I'm green with envy," he retorted.

I rolled my eyes. I heard the front door shut, and I breathed out in relief. Lucas was home. I walked out of the kitchen, and when I saw him, I ran over to him, and hugged him. He laughed into my hair.

"Hello," he chuckled. "How are you feeling?" I pulled away.

"I'm better, thanks," I smiled. Evan walked slowly out of the kitchen, and Lucas sighed.

"He hasn't been annoying you, has he?" Lucas asked me, brushing my hair out of my face.

"Just a little bit," I said.

That night, while I lay in bed, I stared at the moon that was pouring it's white light into my room. I ignored the constant phone calls from Liana. After the tenth call, I threw my phone across the room. It bounced off the wall harmlessly.

I pulled the duvet over my head and let the tears flow.

---

A/N

I love Evan so much, haha.

Hope you enjoyed!

Olivia J. Clarke

(Gif: Evan White ~ Jensen Ackles)

© Olivia Clarke 2016

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