<O> Payne Residence: 8:28 PM <O>

It was official. After ten minutes of sitting at the table, no one had eaten a single bite. The Payne family dining room was admittedly a nicely decorated area. The table was a clean dark oak, the sconces on the walls gave the room a nice honey glow, and the sliding glass doors behind Aaron gave the family a nice view of the backyard and the shining night sky. 

Really the only thing Aaron hated about the room was the seating arrangement that had him sitting across from Eve.

While everyone else had eyes focused on their plates and were building up the courage to take even a single bite, Eve had her sights locked on Aaron with that same enigmatic dissonance.

Aaron wasn’t sure what she was hoping to get out of him. Did she want a reaction? For him to blow up? All she was accomplishing was making him more and more confused. 

Those emerald eyes…it’s like she’s looking through me and not at me. What is she trying to see? Is it because of my tie? I know it’s not fixed right but it would be super awkward if I started re-tying it at the table. Plus my mom might throw a fit.

Eve’s fingers with blank painted nails curled around her golden plastic fork almost sensually as she stirred the bile on her plate and Aaron did his best not to add more to his own. Despite his mother demanding that he save his appetite, Aaron had a snack before coming to dinner and he was grateful he did. 

He came here expecting his mother’s food to be inedible, the woman decided that salmon casserole was a humane way of feeding someone. What he wasn’t prepared for was the Payne family to cook macaroni and cheese of all things. 

If nothing else, Aaron wanted to see them make some spicy foreign dish that would leave his mother on the toilet for hours but instead, they served day-old mac and cheese that was so cold there were little dew droplets on the crust and so congealed that every scoop came out like cinderblocks.

“So um…” Eve’s father who sat at the head of the table furthest from the doorway cleared his throat as he tried stalling for time before someone was forced to take a bite. He had darker skin than his wife and daughter and a thick black beard, unlike his head which was completely bald and sheltered by a flat newsboy cap. 

What he did have in common with his family though was his green polo sweater. Maybe it was a coincidence but the Payne family’s love of the color green when it came to clothing was a bit uncanny. 

“Aaron…how is the school here? Eve was nervous about her first day so maybe you could give her some closure.” Mr. Payne had the thickest accent by far but the thinnest hide as he shivered at the glare Eve shot him for outing her like that. 

<!> Samraat Payne; far stronger than he looks and socially awkward like his daughter. Claims to have moved to the U.S. to escape a war back home. <!>

“The schools here suck. And the people do too.” Aaron shrugged, stabbing at his plate.

“Aaron!” His mother eyed him to no effect, he didn’t feel a shred of guilt for what he said.

“What did you want me to do? Lie to her?” Aaron’s focus drifted toward Eve who to no surprise was eyeballing him this whole time.

“By the way. If you can don’t catch the bus to school. You’re better off walking.” The memory loaded into Aaron’s head but he quickly pushed it away. She’d listen if she were smart.

“But what about MY school? Is IT at least okay?” A little boy at the right end of the table, closest to the doorway asked. He had dark bronze skin and short black hair and like the other Payne’s had on a green puffer jacket even though they were inside the house. 

<!> Yuva Payne; the youngest of the Payne family. Childishly nosy. Claims to have come to the U.S. on a flying rock. <!>

Aaron shook his head at the boy somewhat sympathetically. “Sorry kid, your school sucks too.”

“Awe…” Yuva hung his head dejectedly and Taara rubbed his back affectionately.

“Anyway, can I use your bathroom?” He didn’t have to pee, Aaron just wanted an excuse to exit the conversation before he gave his mom an aneurysm, or even worse he was forced to eat something. 

“Up the stairs and first door on the left.” Shockingly the silent Eve spoke up but didn’t bear any emotion in her mechanical statement.

“Thanks…” Aaron slid his chair back and rested his hands in his pockets as he left the room. He could feel Eve’s eyes on his back the whole way out. 

What a strange girl…I mean the whole family is weird but she still manages to stand out.

Aaron walked out of the dining room and into the living room before turning at the front door and walking up the carpeted stairs (he was right). The upstairs wasn’t nearly as clean as downstairs, the Payne’s must’ve scrambled to clean before Aaron and his mother arrived but couldn’t get the second floor done in time. There were toys in the walkway and the floor could use a good vacuuming but other than that it wasn’t too bad.

Beyond the bathroom door and further down the hallway were the bedrooms and the hallway closet. Yuva’s room was easy to spot, it had baby blue walls and the door was wide open where even more of his toys and clothes were sprawled on the floor.

<!> Yuva was told to clean his room earlier. <!>

Aaron could just barely make out what was likely Eve’s room at the end of the hall where his mother’s room would have been in their home. The door was slightly cracked open and the walls were painted a vibrant orange. 

He could see the edge of her wooden bedframe and what looked like a green beanbag off to the side near an oak desk. The master bedroom’s door was completely shut and while most people wouldn’t have noticed from this distance Aaron could make out a lock on the doorknob.

A lock on the outside? Okay, I'm gonna pretend I didn't see that...

Aaron walked into the bathroom and shut the door behind him, taking extra care to ensure it was locked. The white tile floor was wet and the mirrors were clouded with steam. Someone had taken a shower not too long ago. Judging from the pair of black lace panties on the floor, Aaron guessed it was one of the girls…unless Mr. Payne was hiding produce in that bedroom. 

Aaron walked over to the panties and pinched them with his fingers as he examined the waistband for the size. 

Nine and a half. It read. So it’s probably, Eve’s…

<!> Aaron fought an intense battle with his conscience but gave in to the wild chemicals coursing through his brain and crying out to his soul. He knew what he had to do. <!>

Aaron crumpled the lacy briefs into a ball and stuffed them into his jean pocket. He then pulled the ill-fitting polo as far down as he could so that the bottom of the shirt covered his waist. 

When it fits this badly, Aaron wondered how his mom even thought he looked like his father with it on. 

The teen pulled down the toilet cover and sat down while he calculated in his head how long it would be before it was safe to go back downstairs.

“I’d give it about nine minutes. Long enough to notice I’m gone but short enough to stop anyone from coming in here for me. I don’t want them to think I have diarrhea or something.”

Aaron thought about the tangible depression upon his plate downstairs and his stomach bubbled at the idea of eating it. “Then again I’ll probably end up with it anyway.”

<O> Payne Residence: 8:44 PM <O>

<!> “Pyaara?” A womanly voice called from behind the girl with a thick Indian accent. “Is someone at the door?” The girl perked up and stepped aside allowing a taller, older version of herself to greet Aaron and his mother at the door. <!>

“Pyaara…” Aaron whispered. “What does that mean?” 

“It means love.” Eve’s voice crept through the door and gripped Aaron’s heart, forcing it to skip a beat.

He hadn’t even noticed the shadow cast by her feet standing outside the door. “Why are you just standing there?!” Aaron lifted his feet onto the toilet and hurried back, his arms wrapped around his shins. 

“Why are you whispering to yourself?” She mocked before rapping on the door three times. “Come outside and I won’t hurt you.” 

Hurt me? Aaron stayed cuddled up on the toilet. “Piss off. I’m taking a shit here.” Aaron took care not to be too loud and alert the others downstairs.

“No, you’re not. You haven’t eaten anything.” Even with a door between them, Aaron could feel Eve rolling her eyes. 

“That’s the thing with quiet people; they don’t say much so when they do talk it’s blunt as hell.” He stalled. 

“Are you trying to be funny? Because you're not.” Eve said sardonically.

Aaron jokingly held a hand over his heart but noticed that his heartbeat had gotten faster without him noticing. “Now you’re just taking shots at my pride. Hey tell me this; has anyone eaten anything yet-”

“Come outside.” Eve cut him off with that same robotic ideation. She wasn’t at all interested in what Aaron had to say but even worse…he was standing up.

Those words were spoken with such authority that a strong desire washed over him to open the door and see her face-to-face. His legs moved almost subconsciously and the caution Aaron’s mind so fervently demanded was being suppressed and he could feel it.

He undid the lock and twisted the doorknob open, immediately being met with Eve who despite being only a few inches taller than Aaron felt imposing as if she were towering above him like a titan.

<!> Aaron wishes he was taller. <!>

She smelled nice, in fact, Aaron thinks he recognizes the perfume. His eyes drifted to Eve’s nose ignoring the deadly expression around it. “I like your nose piercing-”

Before Aaron could finish his sentence Eve’s hand was against his shoulder and pushing him into the wall. Her strength was surprising and her palm felt like it was vibrating as it made contact with his shirt and then the sensation spread to his skin. 

“You’re strong…” Aaron took Eve by the wrist and struggled to pull her arm off him. Her face was hardened with resolve and her emerald eyes shimmered under the dim hallway light. 

<!> All his life Aaron had always been naturally stronger than others, a gift from his mother. This was the first time he’d ever lost a contest of strength against someone his size. <!>

Eve’s emotives felt far out, the touch of her hand sent a foreign energy through his nerves. It was hard to describe but the feeling of her hand left on his body was like touching a fish tank and feeling the water ripple inside except the rippling feeling came from her hand and skipped over the fabric of his shirt to reach his skin directly. 

He’d never felt anything like it. 

“What the hell!? Do you have a joy buzzer on?” Aaron shoved Eve away and felt a twinge of regret as he forgot to check his strength in doing so. Shockingly the girl barely moved, only stepped back a couple of inches.

“You could feel that?” Eve’s mouth opened a little as if caught off guard. Whatever that sensation was Eve just confirmed she was aware of it. “Why didn’t you stop me then? You just let it happen.” Eve broke character and scowled at Aaron, clenching her fists.

“Are you toying with me? You think I’m weak!?” Eve pressed toward Aaron who backed away with his hands raised in surrender. 

“Hey! Hey! If this is about the panties I’m not even completely sure they’re yours!”

Eve squinted. “What?” She asked irritably.

“Uhh…” Aaron started backtracking. “Forget about that. I’m not sure what’s going on here but I’m suddenly feeling hungry…I’m going downstairs now.”

Aaron sauntered away from Eve and down the first set of steps leading back to the first floor. He had half a mind to book it to the door and not look back but his mother was still in the dining room, he wouldn’t abandon her so easily. Eve followed somewhat closely but stopped at the top of the stairwell.

“You didn’t answer my question.” Eve put her right hand on the wooden railing, prepared to follow. “If you knew what that was just now then why didn’t you stop me?”

Aaron stopped his escape halfway down the stairs and slipped his hands into the pockets of his black jeans. “Simple. I didn’t know what that was.”

Aaron raised his chin at Eve who made no move to approach. Her legs rubbed against each other and her left hand timidly crawled up her sweater collar and pulled at it. 

“But now I’m curious. What was that?” Aaron asked.

“It was nothing.” Eve hastily insisted which did little to convince anyone, even herself. “Maybe it was…static.” 

Aaron scoffed at the blatant lie. “Static? Come on even you don’t believe that. You seem like a smart girl.” Aaron smiled smugly as he turned toward Eve fully. “Come up with something better.”

Eve’s grip on the wooden railing tightened. “Are you mocking me?”

“I’m asking you.” He retorted. “What did you do just now? It was super creepy and you're acting all weird about it.”

<!> When her eyes traveled over Aaron her body made the tiniest motion backward as if she wanted to step away. <!>

“When I first walked in here you thought something was off about me right?” Eve’s eyes widened into saucers and Aaron knew he was right on the money. “Right from the beginning…you looked at me and saw something you didn’t like.”

Eve pulled at her sweater collar mindlessly and her hand clutched the railing even tighter.

“Am I right?” Aaron flashed a tiny smirk and this time he could see Eve rolling her eyes.

“Okay fine. You are right. But what does that get you?”

“Don’t know. You tell me, greenie.”

Eve cringed and raised an eyebrow at the insult. “Greenie? Seriously? Even I know that was lame.”

“I think I liked you better when you were quiet. Now listen.” Aaron advanced up the stairway and Eve backed up to allow him to ascend. Her face had the faintest honey glow and her mouth had become a thin line to hide her frustration. 

<!> Even though he’s never been much of a people person, Aaron has always been great at reading them. Right now he could tell that Eve Payne wasn’t someone used to being read.<!>

“If you tell me what you thought of me back then and why you’re suspicious of me now, I’ll leave you alone. Promise.” Aaron proposed.

Eve gave him the once over as if to decipher how much she trusted what he was saying. It wasn’t much but it was enough for her to eventually relent with a sigh. Her guarded posture loosened a bit and her arms lowered to hug her body as she spoke.

“People here only understand as far as they can see and prove so I don’t need you to value what I’m about to say, or even validate it. So don’t give me any grief, okay?"