Ninety Five

Elen's ears caught the distant angry voices of his stepmom Ashanti and his sister Maya from upstairs.

Although Ashanti was very busy and tried to make time or compensate by buying gifts for Maya, Elen knew that Maya needed more.

He could intervene, but he had learned that sometimes it was good to let people thrash out issues without involving himself, and more importantly, he longed to initiate a relationship with his sister's friend. He felt a strong awareness of his heartbeat, and his fingers ached with the need to touch her.

He stole glances at her, admiring the way she sat with poise as she waited for her friend. She sipped her juice softly, but when Maya's voice echoed again, she became uncomfortable while Elen pretended not to hear his sister's voice. He could tell Beatrice was curious about what was happening.

"It sounds like they're arguing," she shifted in her seat, fidgeting with her fingers, and Elen chuckled lightly.

"Oh, that's just the usual banter between mother and