POV: André
– Stop stepping on my shoes.
- move .
– I can't move forward, you're blocking me!
I turned to Adèle with a murderous look. Even though he was my twin brother, he possessed a remarkable talent for making my life difficult, even when all it took was climbing a flight of stairs.
He stopped abruptly on the next step and I almost ran into him.
– fuck!
– Chut!
He immediately pressed a finger against his lips.
I looked up at the ceiling. We were on the third floor. Just a few more steps and we'd be at our door.
I am exhausted after this endless relay race, which has worn me out.
– 'Move it, you idiot'
whispers.
Adele took out her phone and checked the time.
00 h 47.
He showed me the screen.
I stared at him
Don't show me that. Move along, damn it.
Don't yell at me. I just wanted to... and then go to hell.
he said to me, putting away his phone.
We resumed our ascent.
Finally.
We were very careful, each of us making sure to place our feet in the middle of the steps, away from the edges that creaked.
Crack Clark!!
A key turned twice in the door just above our heads.
We both stopped moving at the same time.
Adèle slowly turned her head towards me.
I signaled to him not to move.
It was a false email alert. We waited a moment longer because the gentleman wasn't sure.
"Is it good?" he whispered.
– No, we're going to camp here.
He nudged me with his elbow and carried on.
Arriving in front of our apartment, I took the keys from his pocket. They clinked together in my hand.
– no
I stopped immediately.
Adele looked at me as if I had triggered an alarm.
"Give it," he whispered.
– What are you going to do?
– Open the door, Einstein.
I handed him the keys.
He's even worse than me, he would randomly insert keys into the lock and turn them with so much noise.
– idiot
I pushed him to the side and took the keys from him. The mechanism resisted a little but went smoothly.
I lifted the door slightly to avoid the usual creaking.
One little click and it was good, but with all that noise, I didn't really believe it anymore.
I pushed.
We stuck our heads inside.
Tac!
The living room light comes on.
Adèle froze.
Me too.
Our mother was sitting on the sofa, her hands clasped in front of her. The television was off. A cup sat on the small table next to her phone. She wasn't even looking at the screen.
She was looking at us.
– Good evening. Owner of this house.
Adèle gently closed the door behind us.
– Good evening, Mom.
I closed my eyes for a second to pray for our souls.
We are dead.
– You can come in. No need to stay in the entrance. This is your home, isn't it?
With obvious sarcasm
She pointed towards the living room.
We exchanged a glance. Adèle discreetly pushed me with her elbow.
Go.
I retaliated.
Why me?
He pursed his lips and gave me a second, more insistent blow.
Our mother followed the exchange without intervening.
– Are you finished?
We straightened up immediately.
– heeeee….~, I replied.
– Good. Put down your things and come sit down.
Adèle hung her jacket on the back of a chair. I placed my keys on the hall table before joining her.
We sat down opposite her. Adèle crossed her legs. I gave her a little kick under the coffee table.
He uncrossed them.
Our mother picked up her phone, looked at the screen, and put it back down.
Silence
Only their eyes spoke.
– Do you know what time it is?
Adèle immediately began her spiel
– yes… but it's… so ouch-
I discreetly crushed his foot.
"I'm so sorry," he corrected.
– Very well. And can you explain why you're coming home at this time?
Silence fell.
I looked at my brother.
He looked at the ceiling.
– we are not…we wanted…we know…lost. At football…we play football, I finally said.
She inclined her head slightly.
Adèle coughed to hide a laugh. I glanced at her.
(Why are you being so stupid?)
He sat up on the sofa.
I ran a hand over the back of my neck.
– It was just a small match. We wanted to spend some time there…But…
Our mother observed us in turn.
I wanted to add more, then I just closed it.
Eyes lowered.
Our mother let out a quiet sigh and bent down to retrieve her phone.
Lord, she didn't scream.
I looked at our mother's hands. She was gently fiddling with the edge of her sleeve. Her face remained calm, but her eyes kept shifting back and forth, as if she were trying to give herself a reason not to break us in two.
– Put your things in your room. Then you will take care of the kitchen.
She indicated the room with a nod of her head.
– André, you're going to sweep the floor and take out the rubbish. Adèle, you put away the dishes, wipe down the worktop and put the chairs back in their place. You also check that nothing is lying around in the living room.
Our mother stood up, picked up her cup and turned around.
– After that, you will wash up and go to bed. I will wake you up at five o'clock.
I thought I had misheard.
– Five o'clock?
She simply turned her head towards me.
My back bent double.
– Yes, five o'clock is very good.
And don't think this discussion is over. Tomorrow, when you're thinking more clearly, we'll resume this conversation. You'll explain exactly where you were, who you were with, and why you thought it was normal to come home so late without letting me know.
She retrieved the dishcloth and hung it near the sink, then went back into her room.
Adèle cautiously raised her head.
I let out a long sigh and slumped against the back of the sofa.
– So that's the end.
Adele's Whisper
I threw the cushion right at his head.
– Go to hell.
He grabbed her against his chest, then shuffled to his feet.
I retrieved the broom from the cupboard as he disappeared into the kitchen. He began stacking the plates in the sink with deliberately exaggerated slowness.
"Are you planning to do this all night?" I asked.
– I work at my own pace.
– Your pace will lead us straight to the boarding school.
He accelerated immediately.
I smiled as I began sweeping the living room. The sweeping motions made the dust particles squeak against the tiles. In the kitchen, the water started running and Adèle began to hum softly.
"Don't sing," I whispered.
– I don't sing.
– I can hear you.
– Leave me alone.
01 h 28.
I looked at th
e time on the wall.
– We don't even have two and a half hours.
Adèle turned towards me.
– I wash myself first
– no
– and
Her feet were already turning.
– I'm going to hit you if you come into the shower.
I threw myself after him.