I knew dinner was going to be uncomfortable the moment Mrs Hale said it was compulsory.
Apparently, this was how Mr. Cole "caught up with his family."
I would've skipped it if I could, but skipping things had consequences now. I'd learned that the hard way.
So I kept it simple. Wore the largest shirt I could find, tied my hair back so it wouldn't fall in my face. Anything not to catch attention.
When I stepped into the room, Mom was already there.
She sat straight beside Mr. Cole. Her shoulders were tense, and i noticed the faint tremor in her fingers when she reached for her glass.
Alex sat across them, slouched in his chair, stabbing his food with his fork like he resented it.
I chose the farthest chair instinctively. Distance had become my survival instinct.
"Evelyn," Mr Cole said, looking up from his plate. "Don't sit so far away. Come closer."
My chest tightened. I nodded, even though nodding felt like agreeing to everything.
I hesitated, then stood and moved to the empty seat nearer the center.
That was when footsteps sounded behind me.
Seb walked in first.
He wasn't wearing his glasses. His hair looked slightly damp, like he'd just showered. He had on a tank top, and I tried not to stare at his arms.
I stared anyway.
He smiled when he saw me, showing off his dimples.
Then Drew walked in. He didn't smile at all.. He only pulled the chair beside me, and sat down.
Seb took the seat on my other side.
Their closeness made the air feel heavier, and harder to breathe.
I started tapping my fingers against my thighs. I wasn't nervous exactly. I just couldn't stay still.
Stop.
They didn't stop.
Drew leaned back lazily in his chair.
And that's when he looked at me.
Stop tapping. Why are you tapping?
He can see that. He can see everything.
He didn't say anything. He just watched.
I looked back down quickly, pressing my palms against my thighs, trying to hold them still.
"So, Evelyn," Mr Cole said, clearing his throat, snapping me off the chaos in my head. "Have you had a chance to look around the house yet?"
No. It's too big. I don't even know where I'm allowed to stand.
I shook my head slowly.
Talking still felt impossible. The words lived somewhere deep inside me, but they never made it out. Silence had become easier than trying and failing.
Drew leaned forward slightly then.
"Does she not talk?" he asked, casually.
Mom's hand slid onto my arm under the table. Her fingers were cold.
"She's been through a lot," Mom said softly. "She just needs time."
Drew hummed quietly, like he was filing that information away.
His gaze dragged down my hands again, then looked away.
Mr Cole cleared his throat. "Drew can show you around after dinner."
Drew turned his head toward his father slowly.
Then back to me. "And why should i do that?"
"Because you live here, and i make the rules." Mr cole replied.
He pushed his chair back and stood.
"Assign one of the staff. Or…." he glanced at Seb. "I'm sure Seb here would love to play tour guide. I don't babysit."
Seb leaned back, smirking. "Relax. I don't mind taking her around."
Drew looked down at me one last time before walking away. Like he already knew exactly how uncomfortable I was.
I stared at his empty seat.
Alex finally broke the awkward silence, flicking his eyes towards me. "Great. A mute girl living here. That won't be awkward at all."
I wished I could fold into myself, become smaller than I already felt.
"How long are they staying anyway?" he added, looking at his dad.
Mr Cole's jaw tightened. "Alex. Eat your food."
Alex pushed back his chair, standing so fast it scraped loudly against the floor. His face was red and furious, like everything inside him was too big for his little body.
"I'm going to say a bad word," he announced.
Seb burst out laughing, covering his mouth.
Mom looked horrified. Mr Cole stood halfway out of his seat.
"This is bullsh…"
"Alex!" Mr. Cole snapped. "Go to your room. Now."
Alex stormed out, muttering under his breath.
No one spoke after that.
I stared at my plate. My appetite had vanished.
We were burdens. Mom and I.
Uninvited guests breaking a family apart.
I wanted to apologize for everything
Instead, I sat there quietly, wishing more than anything that I could become invisible.
Because in that moment, being unseen felt kinder than being unwanted.