“It’s been just one day. Nothing weird about it.” Still, I saw something passing in his eyes. A lie.

“Yeah, right? it must be that.” He knows I didn't believe what he said. Still, I am going to leave it at that for now.

“Boys, time to eat.” Julia announces from what must be the dining room. I get up following Lucas all the way, until we hear his parents and my sister laugh. 

This room of the house does not seem to stand as much as the rest of it. It has a nice dining table with no ornaments on it. The walls are painted in bright white with golden patterns. Those must be red roses, I point to the dining table where the arrangement is located. Food is already served on plates that are quite weird. it is not that I think they are bad，It is just interesting the designs of these. All of them are unique in their own way. 

My sister has already taken a seat on the left side where Lucas is. She is incredible, what is she doing? Well，I think I will have to take a seat on the right side. I am about to take the one that is facing Karla but Julia says，“Not that one darling, you might fall from it，take the one that faces Lucas.” I vaguely respond to that with a simple “ok”. 

Now，l am facing Lucas who still has a glare on his face. I swear he wants to kill someone right now. My sister is blissfully unaware of his killing vibes while listening to one of Blake's stories about his time doing volunteer work for a foundation abroad.  

“Ok everyone，I want to make a toast for our neighbors.'' Julia announces, I think she is exaggerating a little bit，but I like it. This is a nice night I think to myself. I raise the glass that is in front of me，and take a big gulp of the wine that we brought. At that exact moment Julia says.

“It is so nice to see young people in love.” While looking at Karla and me. 

Everything goes so fast. 

“What?” I hear an astonished Karla.

“Yeah, you two make such a beautiful couple.” Julia says while I spat all the wine that I had in my mouth 3 seconds ago. I am about to have the biggest laugh in my life but I catch a glimpse of Lucas' face. Oh no, drops are falling from his chin.

Everyone is quiet, I caught the tip of my tongue between my teeth so I don't make any remarks.

“Ummm, we are siblings.” Karla says to an horrified Julia.

“Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry.” It's not that big of a deal I thin…

“HAHAHA” Lucas? He is having such a fit of laughter. What's up with him, I just spat a lot of wine on him seconds ago. I can still see some red drops on his face. I can't contain my laugh anymore as well. Blake is smiling as if we were just a bunch of children, while Julia is still embarrassed about what just happened.

Between laughs I say, “I am naturally blond like my sister.”

It seems this information caught someone's attention.

“Are you blond?”

“I…”

“LUCAS, go wash your face.” his mom announces. His shining eyes are still staring at me. I think the moment improved his mood a lot. He gets up and goes to wash his face.

“Sorry Lucas.” I say before he leaves the room.

“I am sorry Liam, Karla. Now that I can see you better, you really have similar features. But, where are your parents?” Ummm, I just look at Karla. This woman. 

I will answer, this still affects Karla a lot.

“They died ten years ago.” I say in a soft tone. This time the atmosphere is awkward and gloomy instead of funny. Julia does not know what to do. This evening is taking a turn totally unexpected. Lucas arrives in time to hear what I just said. He was smiling, but his expression takes a sad turn.

“So, what was that project you were working on Liam?” he says. Thank you. It might take this conversation to more interesting topics. It makes me feel nice to talk about what I do.

“It was a painting of our neighborhood. I wanted to portrait how tranquil this place looks at night.”

“It really is a nice place. There is something unique here.” Lucas says smiling.

The rest of the night goes in a blur. We talk about different things such as Karla's restaurant, my career and how this place has been for them. Julia's food surprised my sister. It seems the chef was pleased. 

We stay a little in the dining room talking about some other stuff before going to another place where Julia talks about her passion for languages. Something I realized is that Blake is a really quiet man. Still, he makes his remarks and supports his wife with a flaming attitude.

“Karla,” Julia says in an exciting tone. “Let me show you this kit of spices I brought from Spain. You will be amazed with the smells of these.” Ok, Julia is pure energy and she seems delighted to have a chef in her home. Karla follows behind her, though before disappearing she looks at me with a perplexed expression.

“Ok boys, I am going to see over those two, especially your mother Lucas. That woman could intoxicate your sister Liam.” And I believe him. Now I'm the one with a puzzled expression on my face. I look to see what face Lucas is doing, but he seems pretty unbothered to her mother being full on energy. Before I say anything he says.

“Are you blonde?” What? Why does it matter? He comes near me and takes a strand of hair and puts it behind my ear. I swat his hand away, like who gave you permission to do that dude?

“Yes, I am blonde. I just prefer my hair in black.”

“Just like him.” he says, totally unaware that I heard him. Who is he talking about? It makes him smile and I am thunderstruck with the realization that this man is unpredictable. He is talking about things that confuse me but I won't say anything. Time will tell.

We hear some voices coming and look to see that Karla is holding a box with some things on it?

“It's totally fine. You have to try these ones on one of your dishes. Just bring me a piece. I would die to know the wonders you can make.” Lucas looks at her mom with fondness, similar to the way Blake does. He interrupts Julia before she starts to tell Karla something new.

“Darling, it's late. Let the neighbors go. Remember this is a Monday night and tomorrow there's a lot of things to do.”

“Yeah, you are right. Excuse me if I have been a lot tonight.” She says in a more tranquil voice.

“You are fine Julia. Thank you for inviting us tonight. It was really nice of you.” It seems this phrase pleases her a lot. We say our goodbyes and leave.

When we reach home, I let Karla get in first. She seems exhausted but happy as well. I am about to close the door when…

“Liam” I hear Lucas calling me. I step outside and say his name as well.

“Sorry, I just wanted to say thank you for tonight.” It makes me laugh internally and I feel kinda warm.

“Ok Lucas, good night.”

“Good night.” 

Before reaching the end of the yard he trips over, he knows I watched everything. Still, he scurries back to his place.

I think it has been a nice day after all, I say before closing the door. Karla is already in her room, doing her night routine. I go upstairs and see her brushing her hair through the mirror. She looks at me and says. “ We should do this more often, don't you think?” I guess she is right. It is nice to go out sometimes.

“Yeah, good night Karla.” She responds back and I leave for my room. I am exhausted. I do my nighttime routine as well and get ready to go to bed.

Before going to sleep I think about everything that happened today. The project, the lemonade, the dinner. And a realization strucks me. I cannot remember Lucas' face once again.