Page 153 of Blue Gold

“Want to eat, too?” he bluntly asked, holding an extra plate in his hand.

“No, I already did.”

He responded with a snort and another shake of his head as he put the additional plate back in place.

“So how’s school?”

“It’s summer vacation,” he answered flatly.

The pot began to boil, so Aloïs moved to stir it while I stood aside and watched. The smell spread around us, and I shut my eyes, trying to ignore it, even though it made my mouth water.

“You’re so pathetic.”

I opened my eyes to see my brother looking at me with so much disdain.

“But you always were.” He averted his gaze back to the stew. “Now it’s just showing, and everyone else can see it, too.”

I never understood why he resented me so much. Ever since we were little, he seemed angry at me. And no matter what I did, nothing helped. I guess that the years I spent away didn’t make it any better either. Maybe he felt left out by his big brother? I wouldn’t blame him if he did, because I did leave him behind, just like I did with Daniel.

“We could maybe do something together later?” I offered, thinking it might help.

“No, thanks.”

“T-that’s fine. I guess you already have plans.”

“I don’t.”

“Oh.”

Turning off the stove, he opened the pot, allowing all the aromas out before he loaded a spoonful of stew.

“Here,” he said, holding the spoon in my face.

I frowned at him. “What?”

“Take a bite.”

“N-no.” I shook my head, only for him to shove it closer to my face.

“What are you so scared of, huh? Just open your mouth, and take a bite.”

Pressing my lips shut, I shook my head and watched his blue eyes darken with rage.

“Like I said, pathetic.” He took the bite himself, turned away, and filled his plate with the stew.

He might have been cruel, but he didn’t say anything that wasn’t true.

I am pathetic.

“Where are you going?” he asked after I began walking back to my room. Yet before I could answer, someone knocked on our door.

I had no idea why, but a shred of hope glinted in my heart that it might be Daniel. Maybe he came to find me after all? But why would he waste his time when all I ever caused was trouble? Not to mention how I left him, with nothing but a lame letter filled with lies that not even I believed. So many times, I’d called him a coward, while, in the end, it was me who ran away like one.

“Elliot,” Aloïs said, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Someone’s here for you.”

My heart leaped at my brother’s words, excitement tightening my chest that my wish might come true. I walked over to the front door as fast as my body allowed, praying in my heart it was Daniel⁠—

“Bonjour, Elliot.”