Selena and Conrad do their best to avoid each other. They knew each other's routines by heart, after all, sneaking around to steal time together had become second nature. But today, neither of them made a move.
When dinner time came, the Peterson family's strict rule kicked in; no matter what, everyone had to be seated at the table by 7 p.m. No excuses. No skipping.
Selena quietly served the dishes as usual. Everyone was already seated. She moved around the table, placing plates in front of each family member. When she reached Conrad's seat, she leaned in to set his plate down. He tried to brush his fingers against hers. Softly, like it was accidental, but Selena didn't even flinch. No reaction. She just kept going.
Across from them, Theodore didn't look up from his book, but his eyes moved. He watched the interaction carefully, taking mental notes. And he wasn't the only one. Mr. James Peterson had also caught the tension in the air between Conrad and Selena.
"Selena?" Mr. Peterson said casually.
"Yes, sir?"
"Why don't you sit and eat with us? It's been a while since you joined us for dinner, hasn't it?" His voice was warm, a smile playing on his face.
Selena returned the smile, glancing briefly at each family member. This wasn't unusual. She'd grown up in this house. Her mother had worked for the Petersons since Selena was just a baby, and she and Conrad had been the same age. Inseparable since childhood. Eating together didn't feel strange. Not really.
"Thank you, but I already ate and I've got some schoolwork I need to finish," she said politely.
"Oh?" Mr. Peterson raised an eyebrow. "If you have homework, then Conrad probably does too, right?"
Conrad glanced at her, but she didn't look his way.
"You should eat first, Conrad," Mr. Peterson added, "then help her with whatever she's working on, or you, Sel, the one who needs to help Conrad?"
Conrad nodded and picked up his fork. Selena gave a small nod and disappeared back into the kitchen.
Once she was out of earshot, Mr. Peterson leaned closer to his son and spoke in a low voice. "Something going on between you two?"
Conrad hesitated, then shrugged. "We had a small argument, and that's it, Dad. It's nothing serious."
He glanced quickly at Theodore and his mother, who were both clearly listening even if they didn't say anything.
Mr. Peterson cut into his steak and said calmly, "Well, you should still talk to her. It's not good to live under the same roof and act like strangers."
"You're right," Conrad replied quietly.
No one spoke after that. Only the soft clinking of silverware and the occasional scrape of a plate filled the room. When Conrad finished eating, he stood and asked to be excused. His father nodded, and Conrad left to find Selena.
As soon as he was gone, Theodore looked up with fork and knife still in his hands.
"I think there is something going on between them two," he said.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Peterson turned toward him slowly, but neither responded right away.
"I've seen Conrad standing really close to her," Theodore went on. "Multiple times, Dad!"
Mrs. Peterson put her utensils down, interest sparking in her eyes. "Now that you mention it… I've seen him hovering around her, too. Always showing up when she's alone."
Mr. Peterson took a long sip of water and smiled faintly. "Come on, you guys. Don't let your imaginations run wild. Selena's like family. Like a sister to both of you."
"That's the point, Dad," Theodore said. "I treat her like a sister. But what's Conrad doing? That's not how brothers act. It's nothing like a brother-sister kind of thing, Dad."
Mr. Peterson gave a short chuckle and stood. "Enough, you guys, I'm heading back to my room."
He walked away, leaving Frederica and Theodore sitting, staring at each other in silence, watching him go.