THE TRUCE

VIOLET

I hadn’t realized I’d dozed off after the call with Mom until a persistent knocking on the wall jolted me awake. The knocking continued, coming from the wall separating my room from Ryan's. Groaning, I shoved the duvet aside and shuffled towards the wall.

What is he up to now?

I wasn’t sure if the knocking was accidental or deliberate, so I knocked back once. In response, I heard three more knocks.

"I get that you're up, but can you stop, please?" I said loudly, hoping he'd hear me through the wall.

To my surprise, he replied, "I've been up for a while. Couldn't sleep again. I'm bored."

WTH??? How didn't I know he can literally hear all I say in this room.

"And I don't see how that's my problem," I retorted, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. "I was literally sleeping."

"I was too, until you woke me up," he shot back.

"I did? How?"

His muffled voice imitated mine in a high-pitched tone. "'Hello, Mom... how's the honeymoon? Fine. He's fine, resting. I miss you so much…'"

I punched the wall to cut him off, feeling my cheeks heat up. "I didn’t even say that last part."

I folded my arms across my chest, biting back a smile. I didn’t know why I was almost smiling, but when he talks back, I realize I’m smiling. It wasn’t often I got to hear this side of him.

Ryan knocked on the wall again, relentless until I asked him to stop.

"How are you feeling now?" I finally asked. It was surreal to think that the guy behind this wall was the same person I’d found earlier, slumped on the floor and gasping for breath.

"Fine now. Come out," he ordered.

"Why?" I questioned, crossing my legs

"Unless you find me knocking on your wall interesting, be out in five. Trust me, I can do this all night."

I groaned loudly. He really was annoying. Knowing him, he wasn't bluffing. If he kept at it, there was no way I’d be able to sleep. Begrudgingly, I stood up and made my way to the living room.

He was already there. He was wearing a black shirt and a gray T-shirt. He looked so much better now and relief washed over me

I rolled my eyes and took a seat beside him.

"So, why are we here?" I asked.

"I don't know. You came to me, so I should be asking you that," he replied, his eyes fixed on the TV.

"You told me to come out after knocking on my wall like a maniac, and now you’re acting like this is my idea?"

He turned to look at me, his hands covering his mouth to hide a grin. "Knocking? I've been here all night. I wasn’t knocking. Didn't my dad tell you this house is haunted? Ghosts everywhere."

"Shut up." I laughed, kicking his leg softly.

Ryan Jenkins was a complete mystery. One moment he was distant and brooding, and the next, he was playful and almost normal. A part of me wished this moment would last.

He passed me a tub of chocolate ice cream, and I couldn't help but notice the vein running down his left arm. Ashley and I gush about how attractive veins could be. Veins really are enticing…somehow

I swallowed hard, pushing the thought away as I took the ice cream.

"Chocolate flavor... How did you know this was my favorite?" I asked, scooping a spoonful.

"It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out," he said, leaning back in his chair. "You always choose anything chocolate at the cafeteria."

Heat rose to my cheeks. I couldn't believe he’d noticed that about me. He must’ve been watching me closely.

But then again, my love for chocolate wasn’t exactly a secret.

"Keep it up, though," he added. "Sugars aren't really good for you. You’ll end up with diabetes."

“It was suspicious really..you gave me ice cream. So, that’s it. You plan on feeding me more chocolates until I become diabetic? Easy way to get rid of your stepsister," I teased, taking another spoonful.

"Violet, just eat the ice cream," Ryan sighed, rubbing his temples. "And… Thanks for earlier."

My eyes widened,nearly causing me to choke on the ice cream. I blinked rapidly. Did Ryan Jenkins just thank me?

"Did you just… did you just thank me?"

He stared at me for a moment, then sighed again. "Yes, and now it's gone."

"Can you like.. say it again? I need to record this moment. Ryan Jenkins thanking me—definitely something worth listening to on repeat." I pulled out my phone, but he pushed it back.

"Stop being dramatic."

"First, you invite me here to thank me over ice cream. That's so not like you. Of course, I would be dramatic."

"No, that's not it." He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it, raking a hand through his hair.

We sat in silence for a few moments, the tension between us surprisingly comfortable. I ate my ice cream slowly, stealing glances at him whenever I could. He seemed deep in thought,his gaze fixed on the television but his mind clearly elsewhere.

"So," I broke the silence. "What is it then? If it's not to thank me, why did you drag me out here?"

He took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair again. I noticed the way his jaw tightened as if he was considering his words carefully.

"Alright," he said finally, turning to face me. "I asked you to come out here because... I want to call a truce."

A truce? I blinked at him, unsure if I had heard correctly. "A truce? I never realized we were at war”

"Look, things have been tense since... well, since everything” He exhaled slowly. “And it’s not like we’re going to magically become friends or anything. But I think, for the sake of not driving each other insane in this house, we could at least try to get along."

I stared at him, trying to figure out if he was being genuine. Ryan was always so unpredictable, his moods shifting like the wind. But right now, he seemed sincere, even a bit vulnerable.

""Get along?" I repeated slowly, trying to wrap my head around the idea. "You mean, like, not being nice one moment and then turning around to say terrible things the next?"

I gasped, realizing I had just laid it all out. Well, it was a relief to finally say it.

His expression faltered slightly. "About that day... I'm sorry.”

I pinched myself. Ouch. Okay, not a dream. Just an incredibly surreal encounter.

I wondered if aliens had abducted the real Ryan in his sleep and replaced him with a nicer imposter. Because no way he thanked me,suggested a truce and apologized today.

“It's okay” I replied with a small smile. “And the truce.”

I bit my lip, considering his offer. It wasn’t like I enjoyed our constant distance and I had to admit, there were times I wished we could just talk without all the hostility. A truce might actually be a good idea, especially since we were stuck living under the same roof and everyone already knew about our connection in school.

I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips. It was an odd feeling, sitting here with him, talking about peace. Maybe things were changing, or maybe he just wanted to make things easier. Either way, I decided to meet him halfway.

"Alright” I said, holding out my hand. "Truce."

Ryan glanced at my outstretched hand and for a moment, I thought he might just laugh it off. But then, he took my hand in his, shaking it firmly. His touch was warm, a stark contrast to the demeanor he usually displayed.

"Truce” he agreed, a faint smile playing on his lips.

For a moment, we just sat there, our hands still clasped together. I pulled my hand back, feeling a strange sense of relief wash over me.

"Okay then” I said, breaking the silence again. "So, what do we do now,peacemaker? Watch a movie or something?"

Ryan chuckled softly, leaning back with a more relaxed posture. "Maybe. But let's make one thing clear—I'm still picking the movie this time”

"Of course you are," I muttered with an eye roll, but I couldn't help the smile that lingered on my face. For the first time in a long while, it felt like things might actually be okay between us. Even if it was just a truce, it was a start. And right now, a start was more than enough.