14. Secrets Kept

Chapter fourteen

Secrets Kept

R unning back from work left me drenched in sweat, a strange thought crossing my mind about pigs and their supposed lack of sweat. I chuckle, wondering if Oliver, with his array of random facts, knows about this. After a hurried shower filled with paranoia about the unlocked door—which thankfully, was double-bolted—I find myself rummaging through my suitcase, scattered across the spare bed, in search of a suitable outfit for tonight’s party.

I’m considering a pair of pleather pants but lacking a suitable top when there’s a knock on my door. It swings open before I can respond.

“Hi, you decent?” Hendrik peers in with a playful grin.

“Well, if I wasn’t, it’s too late now,” I reply with a smile. “Are you guys back already?”

“Actually, my brothers and I went elsewhere. They’re still out, but I was beat, so I came back. What’s up with the fashion crisis?” he asks, eyeing the mess of clothes.

I hold up the pleather pants. “Got invited to a party, but I’m struggling with the top. This is all I’ve got,” I say, feeling slightly defeated.

Hendrik picks up the pants and then gestures towards a checkered shirt I had dismissed as too casual. “Why not pair it with this?”

“That? Really?” I’m skeptical, but he insists, showing me how to style it by tying it at the waist over my singlet. “Switch to skinny jeans, though,” he advises, standing back to appraise the effect.

I’m taken aback by how good it looks. “Wow, you’re really good at this,” I compliment him.

He steps back, almost as if startled. “Oh, well, we have a sister back home,” he explains, a bit awkwardly.

“Cute. How old is she?” I ask, curious.

“Um, eight?” His uncertainty is amusing.

“You don’t know your own sister’s age?”

“I’m just a brother, you know? I don’t keep track of that stuff.”

“And yet you have an eye for what a teenage girl should wear?”

He laughs, “Well, of course, I look at girls a lot.”

“I’m getting the feeling that you don’t look at girls for the same reasons that your brothers do.” Hendrik’s eyes drift to the floor, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his jeans. His hair, a tousled mix of colors, falls forward, reminiscent of the restless, patchy fur of a cat. There’s a vulnerability about him that I hadn’t noticed before.

“Can you keep it a secret? I mean, it’s a house full of guys. I don’t want them to start treating me differently,” he murmurs, his voice tinged with a mix of apprehension and earnestness.

In a spontaneous gesture of support, I wrap my arms around his shoulders. He’s surprisingly smaller than his brothers, more delicate in build, though he always tries to match their boisterous energy. I can sense the weight of his facade, the burden of conformity pressing down on him.

“I promise, Hendrik. Your secret is safe with me,” I assure him gently. “But you know, it might feel good to share this with someone else too, when you’re ready.”

He gives a small, rueful smile. “I guess I just did, with you.”

“But what about when I’m not here anymore? Don’t you think your brothers would understand?” I ask, hoping to encourage him to find comfort in his family.

“They might. But it’s not easy, you know? I’m... scared,” he admits, a flicker of fear crossing his eyes.

“It’s okay to be scared,” I say, trying to offer comfort. “But hiding who you are, that’s not okay.”

Hendrik looks up, a hint of defiance in his gaze. “Isn’t it? Everyone hides something. Like you with Oliver. You’re afraid of vampires, yet you spend time with him, even if you’re reluctant. Isn’t that similar?”

I pause, considering his words. “Maybe, but fear and hiding your true self are different. Your fear doesn’t define you.”

He nods, absorbing my words. “I guess you’re right. But it’s complicated. For now, this is how it has to be.”

I release him from the embrace, hoping that my support, however small, has given him some comfort. “Just know, Hendrik, you’re not alone. And when you’re ready, I’m sure your brothers will surprise you with their understanding.”

He smiles, a genuine, heartfelt smile. “Thanks, Amelia. It means a lot.”

As he leaves my room, I’m left with a sense of connection, a shared understanding of hidden truths and the courage it takes to face them. Hendrik’s secret is safe with me, but I hope one day he finds the strength to share it with those who matter most.