Page 28 of Rule
"Are you ready?" I ask Scarlet, my voice wavering slightly.
"Yes," she replies, smiling up at me like an Angel. "Don't worry, Tristan. I'm here for both of you."
With a deep breath, I push open the door to the living room, revealing my younger sister.
Raven's wild nature is immediately apparent as we enter the living room. Her jet-black hair cascades down her back in untamed waves, framing a face that exudes rebelliousness. She lounges on an armchair, one leg draped over the side, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the book she's reading. Her green eyes flicker up to meet ours, and I can see the storm brewing within them. But there's also a surprising sense of control - despite her fierce appearance, she remains composed and still.
"Raven, this is Scarlet," I say, my voice steady despite the pounding in my chest. "Scarlet, meet my sister, Raven."
Scarlet's eyes widen as she takes in Raven's appearance, her lips parting in surprise at the difference between us. But she doesn't falter. Instead, she steps forward confidently, extending her hand towards my sister.
"Hi, Raven," Scarlet says warmly, her smile as radiant as ever. "It's so nice to finally meet you. Tristan has told me so much about you."
Raven arches an eyebrow, studying Scarlet for a moment before reluctantly accepting her handshake. "Tristan talks about you a lot, too," she admits, her voice guarded but not unkind.
"Really?" Scarlet asks, her eyes lighting up with genuine interest. "I hope it's all good things."
"Mostly," Raven smirks, releasing Scarlet's hand and returning her attention to her book. It's clear that she's intrigued by Scarlet but also cautious about letting her guard down.
As I watch the exchange between them, I feel a mix of pride and gratitude. Despite her intimidating exterior, Scarlet's willingness to engage with Raven speaks volumes about her kindness and understanding. And while Raven may not be ready to open up fully just yet, I can tell that she's curious about the woman who's captured my heart.
"Raven, do you mind if we sit with you for a bit?" Scarlet asks, her voice gentle and warm, like the sunlight filtering through the living room curtains.
"Sure," Raven grunts, shifting in her seat. Despite her nonchalance, I can see the emotional strain etched across my sister's face - the dark circles under her eyes, the tightness in her jaw. Ever since our older brother's death, she's been struggling to keep it together, and I've been at a loss for how to help her.
When we’ve sat down on the couch adjacent to the chair, Scarlet leans forward, her elbows on her knees in a casual pose.
“What are you reading?”
Raven tilts the book so the cover is showing.
“Nietzsche,” Scarlet murmurs. “Interesting choice.”
Raven shrugs. “I get what he’s saying, you know?” Her piercing gaze is a challenge to see if Scarlet is knowledgeable.
“I do. What does not kill me makes me stronger.”
Raven snorts.
“Okay, that was too easy,” Scarlet says with a soft laugh. “How about: Is life not a thousand times too short for us to bore ourselves?”
Raven’s eyes light up, and I relax. Scarlet has won her over with a few words. Not that I doubted her, but the caution was still there.
“It is, and nice save.”
Scarlet laughs loudly as Raven giggles. This is a side of my sister that I haven’t seen for a while.
"Raven, I’m going to dive straight in with it because you know we aren’t here to talk Nietzsche. I know you've been through a lot lately," Scarlet says gently, her eyes full of empathy and concern.
"Tristan has told me about your brother," Scarlet says, "I'm so sorry for your loss."
"Thanks," Raven mutters, staring blankly at the coffee table. A moment of silence hangs in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions.
"Loss is never easy," Scarlet continues her voice soothing and understanding. "But sometimes, talking about it can help ease the pain. If you ever want to talk, I'm here for you."
Raven looks at Scarlet; her eyes are full of raw emotion that she struggles to suppress. Her lips quiver as she tries to find the right words. "I... I just miss him so much," she whispers, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
Scarlet reaches out, placing a comforting hand on Raven's. "It's okay to grieve, Raven. You don't have to be strong all the time."
