Free Opheliac by J. F. Jenkins Page B

talking about than me ?”
    â€œI was only inquiring into your whereabouts and what the two of you were doing together,” Alan stated.
    A slight flush of color spread across Angela’s cheeks. Before she could say anything, Orlando spoke first.
    â€œNext time, you can just ask me if you want to know so badly. As much as it looks like a scandal, I promise it’s not. A guy and girl can hang out without it meaning something.” His voice was a lot more tense and defensive than it should have been for something as innocent as family dinner. Either there was more to the outing than Angela had let on, or Orlando was getting himself in a tizzy over something else.
    Alan’s jaw tightened. “If you were here to ask, I would do so. It was only a question.”
    â€œThe question isn’t the problem.”
    â€œThen what is?”
    â€œTalking about my issues with people. If I want to be psychoanalyzed, I’ll see a therapist.”
    Taking in a deep breath, JD tried to think of how he could defuse the situation before it blew up. “Okay, sorry, didn’t mean to do that.” Apologizing was the last thing he wanted to do when he hadn’t done anything wrong in the first place, but if it got Orlando to take a chill pill, he’d suck up his pride and deal.
    For a moment, Orlando gazed over at him before nodding. “Fine, apology accepted.” He licked his lips. “My parents got me on edge, okay? I’m trying to not explode all over the place, but my whole routine is messed up. I’m pretty sure they’re trying to do everything they can to ruin my life too. They just need to go away. Plus Tait…”
    â€œSave your concerns for her until we all arrive. She’s part of the reason we’re having this meeting,” Alan said. He leaned against the window, taking a moment to gaze out at the small forest behind Orlando’s mansion.
    Orlando nodded, sitting down in his chair and tapping his hands on the armrest.
    The deep, sad frown Alan had worn before returned. “As for your parents, I can respect they cause a lot of unnecessary stress in your life. I’m trying to remember that you’re still youth despite your desire to be treated like adults. It’s a hard balance to find. Please, try to remember that if we’re discussing anything, it is only because we’re concerned, and I will do better to remember to not discuss something you would rather I talk to you about first.”
    â€œFine, that sounds fair.”
    JD cracked a small smile. “For the record, parents are supposed to try and ruin your life. It’s what they’re good at. Usually, it means they’re trying to keep you from doing something stupid.”
    â€œNoted.” Orlando rolled his eyes and slouched further into his chair.
    Glancing over at his sister, JD noticed she was still a bit pink. Slowly, Angela made her way into the room and sat next to him. “It’ll be nice when things stop drastically changing on all of us. I’m all for shaking things up, but too much at once is headache-inducing.”
    Alan winced after she said that. “We’ll talk more once Cadence gets here. I wonder what’s taking her so long. She’s usually not this late.”
    â€œShe can take all the time in the world,” Orlando mumbled. “All of my homework is done for a while and I’ve certainly got nothing better to do with my time. Maybe when we’re done we can all go out to a movie or something.”
    JD shook his head, knowing his parents would never allow it on a school night. Besides, his friend needed to stop avoiding his problems. “Just bite the bullet and do your obligatory family-bonding thing. Maybe they’ll leave faster, man. It’s clear they’re compensating for the guilt after you disappearing. Humor them, and they’ll get their fill and be ready to head off again.”
    Right when Orlando was