Chapter 4

I thought I'd be up all night, but to my surprise, I slept straight through until morning.

It wasn't until someone knocked on the door that I finally woke up Chloe, who was sprawled out across the bed like a starfish.

After we finished getting ready, we walked out to see Charles in his comfy loungewear, bringing out a plate of breakfast from the kitchen.

"All set? There's breakfast on the table. It's just cooled down enough, so you can have some now," he said.

Chloe's wild, nonstop screaming was practically assaulting my eardrums.

"Charles, are you really my brother?" she yelled, rushing to the table and snapping photos like a maniac.

She yelled, "Unbelievable! I'm sending a video to Mom and Dad right now. This is literally the first time in eighteen years I've ever had a breakfast made by my brother."

Charles's expression didn't change one bit. Unfazed, he put the plate down on the table.

"Enough with the theatrics and just eat," he said.

Even after breakfast, Chloe kept eyeing Charles with curiosity, as if she was trying to spot some sign that he wasn't really himself.

But unfortunately for her, Charles was still the same old Charles.

"Done eating? Wash the dishes when you're finished," Charles said to Chloe, then got up and headed back to his room with his usual nonchalance.

I'd just let out a sigh of relief when Charles suddenly turned back around.

"Oh, and just so you know, my sleep is precious. You dragged me out in the middle of the night, so you have to pay up," he said.

As he spoke, his eyes stayed fixed on me.

I blinked, pretending not to get it, and looked away.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Charles give a resigned smile.

"Charles, I'm telling Mom and Dad you're even charging your own sister. Hmph, don't pay any attention to him, Corrine. He's just being difficult on purpose," Chloe said.

But even though Chloe said that, we still obediently washed the dishes.

It was the first day of the month, and the school was on break. I really didn't want to go back and deal with all the drama surrounding Ryan.

I needed some time to clear my head.

What Ryan did felt like he made me eat a fly. It was seriously gross.

Chloe didn't want to go back either, so we decided to hit the mall in the morning, then head out to an old town in the neighboring city for a two-day getaway, and only return to school on the third.

We were in the middle of making plans when Charles jumped in.

"Driving to the old town is way more convenient. I'm free for the next couple of days, so I can take you. Besides, it's not exactly safe for just the two of you girls to go alone," he said.

I wanted to turn him down right away, but honestly, I couldn't think of a decent excuse.

Chloe crossed her arms and gave Charles her best detective stare. "Charles, you're acting super weird today. Are you sure you're not possessed or something?

"Get out of Charles's body, you evil spirit!"

Charles flicked Chloe right on the forehead, making her hop up in pain and stomp her foot.

"Ouch! Charles, why did you flick my forehead?" Chloe complained.

"Chloe, what goes on in that head of yours all day? If Mom wasn't always texting me to keep an eye on you, you really think I'd be doing this out of my own free will?" Charles said.

"Alright, alright, if you really want to come with us, fine. But let me warn you. We girls can be super slow when it comes to makeup and taking selfies, so you'd better get impatient," Chloe said.

After Chloe said that, for some reason, I found myself hoping Charles would say no. But obviously, that was just wishful thinking on my part.

Charles just raised an eyebrow and said, "Okay."

By the time Charles drove into the old town, it was already five in the afternoon.

We parked at the guesthouse we'd booked ahead of time, and the three of us decided to find something to eat first.

We figured we'd chill for two hours, and then head out again once it got dark.

I'd heard the old town was doing three days of different fireworks shows for New Year's, so the place really came alive at night.

Even after dinner, I was still in a great mood.

Before the fireworks show started, Chloe and I had already picked out and booked the traditional clothes we'd wear tomorrow.

Charles trailed behind us the whole time. Chloe even picked out a set of traditional clothes for him, and he didn't object at all.

Chloe kept marveling, saying Charles was like a whole new person.

I found myself glancing at Charles more than once, and every time, our eyes just happened to meet.

Suppressing the strange feeling inside, I took Chloe with me to the arched bridge in the old town.

With the fireworks show about to begin, the bridge was already packed, and it was getting pretty crowded.

Chloe and I squeezed into the throng and looked up expectantly, waiting for the fireworks to burst into the night sky.