Chapter Text
When 9-year-old Exer met a blond boy in the Arcade room, he saw bright blue eyes and a shy, braces-adorned smile. He knew he wanted to stay by his side as much as possible (and even if that time was forever, he wouldn't complain). Fortunately, David, his new friend, started to feel the same way almost from the beginning. Exer, though unaware, would always receive the same affection in return.
Their friendship was based on meeting each other (every time the two kids arranged by phone, which was practically always) at a small park near David's parents' house. It had become a meeting point that turned into their sanctuary, where they could be themselves and enjoy special moments together.
Normally, David would arrive first and wait for Exer by swinging wildly on one of the park swings (surprisingly, he never fell, something Exer greatly admired). After a few minutes, David spotted a small figure in the distance and realized that it was HIS best friend.
They would spend hours playing whatever they could think of, and some days, David brought Brenda, his sister, his TWIN sister.
In reality, when David introduced Brenda to him, saying they were twins, Exer laughed, thinking it was a joke because David and Brenda were very different! According to Exer's knowledge, twins were supposed to look the same (Brenda and David weren't even the same gender), David had lovely wavy blond hair, and strangely Brenda had red hair (Exer always wondered where she got that hair color from, considering David's mom is blonde). Also, in height, David was a year younger than him and they were almost the same height, while Exer towered over Brenda by about half a head or more. So many differences...
But if Exer had to mention similarities that convinced him that David and Brenda WERE twin siblings, it might have been in the loud way they laughed, how expressive they were, or even in some small freckles on their faces that were barely visible (Exer liked paying attention to small details). However, if Exer had to mention his favorite similarity, he could say it was the bright blue eyes that Brenda and David shared, eyes that stood out at night and sparkled during the day. Exer liked the twins' eyes, and the Miller twins liked Exer.
The Miller twins.
Exer never expected the day he found out that was their last name to be so...
problematic.
*--------------------*
One Wednesday afternoon, they were in the same park, on the same 3 swings, the same 3 friends: Brenda, David, and Exer. Although this afternoon seemed like all the previous ones, it didn't feel the same. There was tension in the air, and most importantly, David looked sad, extremely sad. Exer decided not to say anything because if David needed something from him, he would say so (right?).
Brenda also looked downcast. What had happened to both of them? Had they fought?
No, usually when they fought, they reconciled with some cheesy hug in less than a week. Although now that he thinks about it, David and Brenda haven't been acting like... themselves lately.
Although Exer has known David for a long time and knows he is quite expressive person, he also knows that he doesn't open up easily and is not a big fan of crying in public. Honestly, Exer doesn't know very well how to handle David about that. He has never felt this way; he thinks maybe it's due to his father's (a therapist) explanations about 'proper emotional management.'
Perhaps it's time to share his knowledge about the thousands of talks his dad has given?
"And, Day..." Exer speaks hesitantly, catching David's attention, who turns to look at him with a distracted gaze.
Exer feels that David is analyzing him. "Yes?"
He pauses before answering, carefully choosing his words.
"David, I want you to know that I'm here for you. I understand that you may have issues with sharing your personal information, and I get it, but you should know that I'm always willing to listen and support you. I realize that something is bothering you, and I really would like to help you lift that burden off your shoulders..."
David looks at him for a few seconds and then lowers his gaze, making no sound. Exer continues, not understanding the meaning of these gestures, now speaking with more nervousness.
"You too, Brenda!" Exer raises his voice a bit while turning to look at the redhead who was already staring at him. "I feel like both of you have something hidden that's bothering you. If you feel ready and would like to, I would love to be able to listen and maybe even help..."
There is no response.
"Even though we've known each other for almost 4 years, I feel like you still don't fully trust me..." Exer blurts out.
The two twins are now looking at each other, and Exer begins to doubt if it is better to stay silent.
Now the atmosphere is even more tense. Exer internally blames himself. "Maybe if I had never spoken in the first place," he thinks. "They probably think I'm meddling, I don't even fully understand the point of 'emotional intelligence,' and here I am trying to teach it, god..."
"Exer," someone speaks, breaking the thread of thoughts of the aforementioned. Exer turns to see the source of the sound.
"Brenda," he speaks expectantly, impatient for what she is about to say because something tells her that what is happening right now is not just anything. Something tells Exer that what is happening right now will bring about changes, and Exer hates changes.
"Exer, do you remember that we had planned for a sleepover someday, the three of us?" Of all the responses Exer had imagined, that wasn't one. "Well, I think we're not going to be able to do it, you know, never."
"..."
Oh, so that's what it was about. Exer didn't expect this moment to come so SOON. He had imagined it a few times as a distant idea (when he couldn't sleep and was sad). But still, a deep sense of sadness settled like a knot in his stomach.
David and Brenda no longer wanted to be his friends.
Had it been something he had done or said? Exer struggled to recall recent moments, trying to find any clues, anything he might have done, anything that could have triggered this situation, but there was nothing; everything had been the same for the past few months.
Exer now found himself engulfed in overwhelming confusion, unable to think clearly. However, when he looked up, he noticed Brenda's expectant gaze. Was she waiting for a response? He took a breath before speaking, formulating a single question: "Why?"
Brenda opened her mouth to answer, but before she could do so, a new voice interrupted the conversation.
"DAVID." An adult, hoarse voice from the parking lot, a considerable distance from where they were, abruptly interrupted. Exer was sure he had never heard that voice, but apparently, David did. His body tensed, and in a swift motion, he got off the swing.
"Um... I think I have to go, sorry," murmured David, with a hint of sadness in his voice as he quickly adjusted his backpack.
Yes, this was not something normal.
"What? Why are you leaving alone? You and Brenda and n—" The male voice interrupted again.
"DAVID MILLER, ENOUGH WITH THE GOODBYES, I'M LEAVING NOW."
David Miller.
"I'M COMING, WAIT A MINUTE, DAD."
Dad.
David started walking quickly. However, after a few steps, David suddenly stopped and turned his head toward Exer, looking confused. Although he didn't say a word, the look he gave Exer seemed to say, "Sorry."
Finally, he nodded slightly at Brenda and continued at his pace, not looking back.
Exer tried to process the unexpected chain of events he had just witnessed. Was that David's dad? Why had he never seen him before? And perhaps most importantly, why hadn't Brenda gone with him too?
He looked at Brenda, who had her gaze fixed on where David had gone. Her eyes reflected a mix of emotions, but also a kind of silent understanding.
Exer was about to speak; he wanted to ask Brenda what the heck was going on, but before uttering a word, Brenda spoke, still without looking at him.
"David doesn't live with me anymore."
Exer stood stunned for a moment, assimilating the words. "What do you mean David doesn't live with you?"
Brenda sighed deeply, her shoulders tensing for a moment before responding. "Mom and Dad separated a few months ago. David moved in with Dad, and I stayed with Mom." She paused for a moment before continuing. "You know, Dad's house is quite far away. Honestly, I don't think we'll be able to meet so often in this park anymore."
Brenda's words resonated in the silence of the park, a knot in Exer's stomach tightening as he absorbed the news. "So... we won't see each other in this park anymore?"
"I don't know. Dad is quite strict, and from what I heard, David is going to join a football team. He'll probably be training in the afternoons now," Brenda commented while looking at Exer. "Well, we'll still see each other every day when we go to school, right?" She tried to lighten the mood, but Exer remained bewildered.
Exer didn't want to wait to see David at school; Exer wanted to see him as he had for the past 4 years in this park. Exer wanted everything to go back to normal. Exer wished David had told him instead of finding out like this.
As if Brenda could read his thoughts, she spoke, "David didn't know how to tell you, Exer. Things at home have been tough since he found out he wasn't staying with mom." Exer processed the information, feeling a pang of sadness for his friend's situation, but still, he couldn't deny that the sense of betrayal lingered in his chest. Was he being selfish?
"You both could have told me something. We're friends, right?"
Brenda sighed. "Exer, we didn't want to hurt you, but David and I are also trying to adapt to...this new reality." Brenda's words sought to explain the situation, but Exer couldn't help but sigh deeply.
"I guess things can't go back to how they were, can they?" Exer murmured, more to himself than to Brenda. Brenda looked at him for a few seconds but didn't speak. She got up from the swing, adjusted her bag, and uttered a brief "Goodbye, Exer. See you at school," before finally leaving.