Four

"He's leaving now, April. The car is here. At least see him off, please." Mrs Caddel pleaded through April's door.

"I'm busy Mom," April yelled back.

The others heard her from downstairs and Orion sighed. She had refused to come out since last night even while others were helping him pack up and making sure the little time they had left together was spent meaningfully.

It wasn't until midnight that Orion and Mr Caddel finally entered their respective rooms to sleep. The duo stayed up late outside the house, discussing. The man who has been a father to him for over eleven years was really hurting.

It felt like he was losing his son and he couldn't do anything about it but he had to stay strong for his family. Orion stayed up late with him and after their discussions, Mr Caddel felt lighter.

"She's probably just upset, don't feel offended. She will get over it," Mr Caddel said to Orion.

Of course April really wished to see him off but she was scared. She was scared of her mask slipping, she was scared of losing control. She didn't want anyone to see through her.

They stood outside, Orion's things were already in the car his father sent. Not that he had much luggage to begin with. Iver who was beside Orion suddenly turned to him and hugged him tightly for a few seconds, releasing him hesitantly.

Orion patted his back in a comforting manner. They had a heart to heart talk after Iver had stormed off yesterday and now, Iver wasn't upset anymore. Still sad that he's leaving but he wasn't holding any grudge anymore.

Mrs Caddel's eyes were watering again. Orion understood her without the need to say anything. He walked to her and hugged her tightly. Mrs Caddel was full on sobbing now, she couldn't control it.

"I told you there's no profit in raising boys, Mom. You realize what I'm saying now," April's spoke, coming out of the house with her hands folded against her chest.

Mrs Caddel stopped sobbing, releasing Orion as she wiped her tears. She was happy her daughter finally came out to see Orion off, she really didn't want him to leave without all of them being there to send him off.

"Why are your ey-"

"Iver." Orion cut him off, signaling him with his eyes to keep quiet.

Iver quickly got the hint and remain silent. Everyone saw it, April's swollen red eyes, an indication that she had probably been crying.

However, they chose to overlook it because she would just revert back into her shell if anyone points it out, she hates anything that makes her seem weak.

April hugged her mom's right arm.

"Don't worry Mom, I won't leave you," she said and Mrs Caddel laughed.

"You won't give your brother a hug?" Mrs Caddell persuaded.

"Who needs it?"

Orion grabbed her arm and pulled her into his chest, separating her from Mrs Caddel. He hugged her tightly. April's hand wrapped around his torso, her fingers clutching his shirt at the back.

"Don't suffocate me, let me go. I'm not a kid, go give Iver a hug or something. He probably needs it than I do, he is the crybaby," April said.

"You are the one clutching his shirt, April," Iver informed.

Indeed, Orion was only holding April loosely now, ready to let her go but she on the other hand, clutched unto him tightly.

"He's the one clinging to me. You need a new pair of eyes," April replied Iver, letting go of Orion.

"We need to go now so we can catch up with the flight, Mr King," the driver informed.

"Mr king?" April asked in confusion.

She seemed to be the only one confused, which is true. While she was cooped up in her room refusing to join the others, Orion discussed every detail of his situation with them.

"That's their family name," Iver cleared her confusion and she nodded.

"Bye. Thanks for everything." Orion said.

"Talking as if he would never come back," April muttered, rolling her eyes.

"Take good care of yourself, Orion." Mr Caddel said and Mrs Caddel nodded in agreement.

Orion looked at them all one last time, turned around and entered the car. He didn't look back at them till the car started moving and disappeared from their sight.

"April, are you crying?" Iver asked in shock.

"Why would I cry?!" She screamed at Iver as a tear fell from her face.

She turned around and ran inside the house, going straight for her room. She entered and locked her door, sliding down against it till she was seated on the floor. Her jaw trembled and she hiccuped.

The first tear ran down her face and the rest followed hurriedly, she cried silently. Her nose immediately became runny while her eyes stings.

She never planned on going to school that day anyway and none of her parents came to disturb her either.

The rest of the week went by with everyone trying to cope with their own feelings. They would gather for breakfast in the morning and ate in silence, same goes for dinner.

April didn't know that Orion's absence could ever be felt in their house if he left, considering the fact that he doesn't even interact with them like that and loved being on his own.

She was wrong, there was a huge difference. Starting from his empty chair during dinner, her having no one to be petty with, her father in front of the house working alone, Iver coming and going out of his room alone when she was used to seeing them going in together almost every night, there was indeed a huge difference.

After that week passed, they started trying to live normally again, learning to get accustomed to the fact that Orion had really left and once again, there were four members instead of five members in the family, just like eleven years ago, before he joined the Caddels.

It was Monday of the following week, April unexpectedly woke up early even without the alarm clock.

She was surprised when she checked the time and contemplate whether to sleep more or just go get ready for school and be an early bird.

She ended up getting off her bed to get ready for school. She could already perceive the aroma coming from the kitchen, an indication that her mother was cooking their breakfast already.

She did her hygiene and was going to do her makeup as usual. She doesn't do heavy make up but the red lipstick she uses always highlight whatever minimal makeup she applies.

April made the red lipstick her favorite when ever since she noticed that she gets the most compliments from people in her school when she has it on.

She opened her make up bag and raised her eyebrow when she found a folded paper right on top of her items.

She picked it and opened it, immediately recognizing the handwriting as Orion's.