"I have noticed that,
if you look carefully
at people's eyes,
the first five seconds
they look at you,
the truth of their feelings
will shine through,
for just an instant
before it flickers away."

-Sue Monk Kidd

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Kate watched Max gently patting Sarah's brother's back before letting him go. She waited for him to join her so that he could explain more about vocalizing.

She felt somewhat less scared when Max's hand held hers. She also felt that the way he encouraged her, would let her get rid of her fear once and for all.

She bet anyone would feel positive and cheerful in his company.

But, was he included in that list? She couldn't tell.

She caught his green eyes resting on her golden ones with a smile that struggled to push its way through sadness.

It seemed like a spring gushing out of a mountainside after pushing its way out through the rocks.

She could tell that the smile wasn't genuine, it was forced to show that he was cheerful, but she knew it meant otherwise.

After all, one pained soul could definitely identify the other.

She sauntered towards him in order to ask the reason for his watery eyes.

To ask the cause of his withheld tears.

To ask why he blinked repeatedly as he noticed her penetrating gaze.

She noticed him shuffle his feet as he tried to keep the smile on his face steady.

"Why are you crying?" Kate asked, unable to keep the question at bay for any longer.

"I'm not, why would I be?" Max answered her with a chuckle.

She could say that his chuckle was outlined by sadness as well.

"Don't lie to me, Max," she whispered, her eyes locked firmly with his. "You can tell me."

He closed his eyes momentarily and let out a sigh. A small smile danced on his lips as he stared at her serious gold-like gaze.

"Max... tell me... tell me everything."

Ivan's yelling interrupted Max from speaking further as they both noticed him and Elena arguing.

Max shook his head with a smile and moved forward to join them. Kate noticed this and held his wrist firmly.

"Tell me what's bothering you."

Kate found Max's finger smoothing the wrinkles on her forehead. His finger then moved to the corner of her lips, where he dragged each corner upwards.

Kate couldn't help but chuckle at his gesture. She found him gazing at her softly, his green eyes circled in red. His smile returned, a genuine one this time as he whispered, "Marigold."

He gave her another glance and joined Ivan's side, noticing him and Elena glaring at each other.

Kate, puzzled by what Max had uttered, walked towards them as she had nothing better to do.

"How long will you deny practicing your lines?" Ivan asked exasperatedly. He looked straight into Elena's dark eyes, which stared back in rebellion.

"As long as you don't clarify about what you had said," Elena answered him in a clipped tone. Her arms were folded against her chest, a scowl marring the cuteness of her usual mischievous face.

Ivan chose to be quiet, his jaw clenched as he turned his face away from her.

"You may take a break," Ivan informed the students who were learning their lines. This was met by unanimous cheering and most of them rushed out of the auditorium before he changed his mind.

Left behind were the Russo twins, the ice king, the cheery boy, the queen bee who didn't seem like a queen anymore, and the trio of Sarah, Riva, and Ruby.

Once the students left, Ivan held Elena's arm and handed her the script grimly. "Repeat your lines."

Elena ignored him and tried to open her backpack with one hand.

"El," Ivan spoke softly, making Elena glance at him hopefully. "You know this is important--"

"So is my question, Van," Elena replied bitterly. "I need an answer."

Ivan's eyes hardened as he knew deep down that Elena was adamant. He ran his hands through his hair frustratedly as the twins gazed at him keenly.

"I need an answer," Elena repeated softly.

Ivan frowned at her as he wasn't sure how to answer her. He did the only thing that he was best at-- putting on an icy mask to hide his emotions.

Kate frowned at this and grabbed Ivan's arm as she noticed the defeated look in Elena's eyes. "El needs an answer, Van."

Ivan removed her hold and glared at the twins. "In the name of Astronomy, I've no idea about it."

He reduced the volume of his grim voice to a whisper and shook his head. "I don't know..."

Elena not convinced by his answer, ripped the script placed on the carpet near her.

She tried to open her backpack but stopped when Ivan snatched it away from her. She returned a fiery glare to attack his icy one.

"I'm hungry. For God's sake, Van! Stop being so annoying."

Kate smiled as she watched them. She was reminded of the quarrels the two had had over the smallest of things.

Ivan sighed as he passed the backpack to her defeatedly.

Elena took out a plastic container that contained many special fried rolls. The twins' mom had made these for them, extra ones for the other students as well.

Kate noticed Max stuffing two rolls in his mouth immediately, his eyes closing automatically in delight. She knew he had heard the talks between her sister and Ivan, but he didn't meddle in.

Ivan looked at the rolls warily and then glanced at Max who was grabbing the third one.

Kate couldn't help but giggle at Ivan's suspicious frown and she showed him a thumbs up.

Max wiped his lips with the back of his hand and glanced at the twins with a grin. With a chuckle, he raised the fourth roll he had taken in the air. "The token of our friendship."

As soon as he uttered these words, Kate glanced at Ivan who appeared deep in thought as he gazed at the alien-themed backpack.

She found Elena gazing intently at him as well, trying to look out for any sign of recognition in his baby blue eyes.

But, his gaze was still fixed upon the big, green alien printed in the middle of the black backpack.

Max's chuckle shifted the twins' attention towards him. "I still remember that roll," he said with a shake of his head. "It was the most disgusting thing I had ever eaten in my life."

Kate looked at him amusedly. "Then why did you say that it was delicious?"

"I wanted to see the sudden shift in your mischievous smiles," Max answered with a small laugh. "You guys looked so funny that time."

Kate smiled at this and offered the rolls to Sarah, Riva, and Ruby.

"No, thank you," Sarah declined with a tight smile. "These are too oily."

Riva and Ruby giggled at this and spoke in unison, "What she said."

Before Kate could say something, Ashley who had been standing quietly near them, spoke sarcastically, "You never said that before cutting yourself chunks of cake."

This made the twins look at her surprisedly. They had never imagined that someone like Ashley would speak on their behalf.

Ashley scooted closer to the twins as she sat down uncomfortably. Her short dress was pulled upwards, exposing her bony, upper thighs.

Kate placed Elena's backpack on Ashley's thighs to cover them and noticed her smiling at her gratefully.

Elena handed Ashley the container, which still had six rolls. "Have one?"

Ashley looked at the twins and at the rolls with widened eyes.

Elena slowly took to the container away from her but stopped when Ashley placed her palm on top of her hand.

"What if I take them all?" she asked, her voice choked as it was thick with emotion.

The twins gazed at her sad, blue eyes, which were glued to the rolls. With tears brimming in her eyes, she grabbed a roll hurriedly and finished it in within two bites.

She took the second roll, unaware that the twins were watching the tears on her cheeks confusedly.

The manner of her eating made them feel as if she was denied food in ages.

In between the continuous chewing, Ashley managed to ask in a quivering voice, "Who made these? They're so delicious."

"Our mom," the twins replied with identical smiles.

Upon hearing this, Ashley burst into tears and buried her face in Elena's backpack.

Elena touched Ashley's back hesitantly as Kate did the same from the other side and the two engulfed her in a hug.

The twins hugged her tighter as her sobs grew louder. They glanced at the others who looked at the queen bee with their mouths hung open.

The twins noticed Ashley snivel while rubbing her right eye.

"Are you okay?" Kate asked her gingerly.

"I will be," she replied quietly.

Kate noticed Elena glancing at her with a raised eyebrow and pointed at Ashley. Kate nodded and waited for Elena to say what she wanted.

Elena removed her arm from Ashley's back and gave it a pat. She was careful with her words as she asked, "Is your mom..."

"No," Ashley answered her quickly. "She's there... but not there..."

"For me," she spoke too softly. It looked as if she was trying hard to accept the harsh truth.

The twins found her rubbing her eye again, her sobs resuming once, making her frail body shake heavily.

Before the twins could hug her once again, she sprinted away, sobbing all the way.

Though Ashley was gone after leaving them dumbfounded, she had left behind a part of her fake personality.

The blue lens from Ashley's right eye was stuck to Elena's backpack and the twins regarded it with bewildered expressions.

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Hey, people! 💓 How are you all doing? I'm a little late, but I'm back with a new chapter.

So, what do you think of Max? Kate is sure that he was crying, but he didn't tell her why. He just said one word: marigold. Why do you think he said it? I'd love to hear your theories.

The big question: what do you think is wrong with Ashley? She broke down in front of the twins and let them hug her as well.

What do you think is going on in the twins' mind after seeing Ashley's fallen blue lens? Do comment in your opinions. :D

Was this update good? Yes/No/Maybe? Please let me know if I can improve in any way.

If you like this chapter and the previous ones, kindly do leave a vote by clicking on the star sign below. It'll take a second to vote and it will let me know that you appreciate what I write.

TAM (The Alien Memory👽) has crossed 4K reads! 💖 Thank you so much to all you wonderful people who have read, supported and encouraged me and my writing. This wouldn't be possible without your amazing and unwavering support. 💝

Sneak-Peek of Episode 26:

Stay tuned to know what Elena has in store for Ivan. 😆

Keep smiling! 💕
Lots of love ❤💙
Sakina

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