College

JACK

A soft knock on the door interrupted the thoughts raging in my mind as I lay shirtless on my bed.

I didn’t respond, hoping whoever it was would take the hint and leave me alone, but no the person didn't, as the knocking persisted.

“Mr. Jack?” came a voice from the other side of the door. It was Mary, one of the younger maids. “Your mother asked me to call you. It’s time for dinner.”

I stared at the door, my fists clenching in frustration. Dinner.

The thought of sitting at that table, pretending everything was normal while that girl……Vivian…….sat there as if she belonged, made my stomach turn.

I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to face them. Not now. Not ever. But I knew I had no choice.

In this house, family dinners were non-negotiable. It was a tradition my mother held on to fiercely, especially after Lily… after she was gone.

With a resigned sigh, I pushed myself off the bed, put on my shirt and walked out.

I opened the door to find Mary standing there.

“ I'm coming,” I said, my voice sounding more harsh than I intended it to.

She nodded and quickly stepped aside as I walked past her.

I made my way into the dinning and immediately I entered, my eyes immediately got drawn to the girl sitting at the table, right where Lily used to sit.

Vivian.

She looked up as I entered, her eyes meeting mine and then immediately looked away.

My mother’s smile widened as she noticed me.“There you are, Jack,” she said, motioning to the empty seat across from Vivian.

“Come, sit down. We were just about to start.”

I took the seat opposite Vivian, feeling the tension in the room like a heavy weight pressing down on my chest.

Vivian kept her eyes focused on her plate, doing her best to avoid meeting my gaze, but I couldn't stop staring at her, at…..this stranger trying to take my sister’s place.

Every time I looked at her, a mix of anger and sadness twisted inside me.

My mother’s voice broke the silence. “Lily, darling, try some of the roasted lamb,” she said sweetly, reaching over to place a piece of meat onto Vivian’s plate.

A surge of anger flared up inside me the moment she called her that name. Lily.

She wasn’t Lily. How could my mother do this? How could she look at this girl and pretend she was my sister, even calling her by her name?

I bit my lips trying to hold myself from talking, from saying anything that I would end up regretting.

Vivian’s face paled as she stared down at the lamb. “Thank you, Mrs. Anderson, but... I don’t eat lamb,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“ Excuse me?” My mum shouted, slamming her hand on the table.

Her smile vanished and for a moment, the warmth in her eyes disappeared. “ That was Lily’s favorite. So I don't care whether you like it or not. You must eat it.”

Vivian’s hands shook as she picked up her fork, hesitating before she brought it to the plate. I could see the distress in her eyes, the way she struggled to force herself to obey.

“Go on,” my mother urged, her eyes narrowing as she watched Vivian.

I sat there, trying to ignore, trying to convince myself that I didn’t care. But the more I tried, the more I felt pity for her.

Vivian cut a small piece of lamb, lifting it toward her mouth with trembling fingers.

Without thinking, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the white handkerchief I always carried.

I coughed loudly, letting the sound echo across the room.

The familiar burn ignited in my chest, the pain that accompanied each cough, and then just as I knew it would- blood appeared on the handkerchief.

The sound of my coughing immediately drew everyone’s attention and then my mother’s head snapped toward me.

“Jack!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling as she rushed to my side. “Have you taken your injection today?”

I nodded weakly, turning my gaze to meet Vivian’s. She had already dropped her fork, her hands still shaking as her wide eyes stayed locked on me.

“Let me see,” my mother demanded, her hands reaching out to take the handkerchief from me.

I handed it over, watching as her eyes widened at the sight of the bloodstain.

She had always been overly concerned about my health, and seeing the blood was enough to make her forget about everything else, at least for the moment.

“I’m alright,” I said, taking the handkerchief from her. “I’ve just lost my appetite. I think I’ll go back to my room and rest.”

My mother opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say anything, my father, who had been silently observing the whole time, finally spoke up.

“Sit down, Jack,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“There’s something important we need to discuss.”

I hesitated for a moment, glancing at my mother, who gave me a slight nod, indicating that I should do as he said.

With a sigh, I slowly lowered myself back into the chair.

My father cleared his throat, his eyes shifting briefly to Vivian before he continued. “Your mother and I have been talking,”

“We’ve decided that when you go to college, you won’t be going alone.”

I frowned, confused by his words. “I don’t understand. What do you mean?”

He pressed his hands flat on the dining table, “You and your sister will be attending the same college. We believe it’s important for you both to stay close,”

What! Firstly, I don’t have a sister.

Secondly, what in the hell is this man talking about….me going to college with someone I’ve been trying to avoid since she walked into this house?

Vivian’s head snapped up at that, her eyes widening in shock. Panic was already creeping into her face, and I could feel the tension building in the room.

My father continued, ignoring our reactions. “Not just that,” he added, his gaze shifting to my mother.

“Given your health issues, you’ll need someone close to monitor your condition. Someone who can ensure you get your routine check-ups since your mother won’t be there.”

He leaned back slightly. “So, we’ve decided that you and your sister will not only attend the same college…you’ll live together. Just the two of you.”

“Excuse me?!” I burst out.

“What?” Vivian gasped at the exact same time.

Our wide eyes met briefly in mutual disbelief as we turned to my father, both of us staring at him like he’d just lost his mind.