"Come here!" I yelled as I tried to keep pace with Chester. He was fast on his feet, barely giving me time to breathe. He danced across the green lands as his laughter echoed throughout the lonely woods. It's hard to comprehend that a seven year old boy could outrun my brother, a fourth- grader. 

I giggled slightly as he turned back and stuck out his tongue. The cool breeze sent shivers all over my body and my teeth slightly chattered. He happily skipped over pebbles and tiny rocks and jumped swiftly over a pool of mud.

I followed his track but immediately stopped as I was met by the puddle. I turned silent and looked at the mud with disgust etched on my face.

"El—," he stopped mid-air, noticing the situation I was in. He quizically tried to raise a brow but failed. I laughed again but he huffed out air as he extended a hand towards me.

"I am not jumping!" I said as I looked back and forth between him and the dirt. He shook his head.

"Just grab my hand."

I bit my lower lip and taking in a deep breath, I firmly nodded. I felt my hand pressed against his and with a little tug, I was pulled to the other side.

"Wasn't that bad, right?" he asked, twirling his short brown locks. I shrugged and made a face.

"That thing was disgusting."

"Drama queen."

I pouted and hit his arm playfully. He rested on the grass blades and laid his head on his arms. I followed pursuit. I looked up at the orange hues slashed across the pale sky. Large clouds covered the canvas, aiming to shield it from any disaster. Another cold breeze hit me and I immediately hugged myself. Chestnut turns his head towards my side.

"Nice weather," he commented, picking on a grass blade absentmindedly. I gave him a shocked expression as I shook my head in denial.

"It's very very cold!"

He smiled slightly and denied my claim. I chewed my cheek, not knowing what to say. Immediately, a thought struck.

"Why did you not apply for the Spellbee contest?"

He looked back at me with a surprised look but quickly collected himself. 

"I- I am not interested," he said with slight hesitation. His gaze drifted around everywhere but my face. I narrowed my eyes and slapped his arm playfully.

He squirmed under my firm glare and immediately gave up. 

"Fine...  I just don't think I can win. "

I parted my lips to protest but he quickly stopped me.

"I know you won't know what I am talking about but just don't force me to enter that contest," he said softly as he began to get up. I widened my eyes as I grabbed his arm to stop him.  He met my eyes and slowed down. 

"But I don't want to go alone. Please, Chester? Just try! I know that you can do it, " I extended my words. He looked away.

"You won't understand Eline."

I held his hand tighter and got up, meeting eye-to-eye with him.

"Why not?"

He swallowed as he looked down. He looked down at my hand still gripped on his arm and takes it softly. His brown eyed searched my face and he murmured.

"Will you keep a secret? "

I nodded my head.

"Eline... I am dyslexic. "

And with that, he walked the other direction, leaving me confused.

*

"Ma? " I yelled as I entered the house. I knew that Max wouldn't be at home today. No wonder it was so silent. From my view point, I could only see the tiny kitchen at the corner and a pretty old dining table sitting next to the back door.

"Ma," I sang out as I frolicked around the room. I immediately noticed her sitting on the corner-side sofa as she watched the television. She noticed my presence and smiled softly at me, gesturing me to come to her. I grinned and walked towards her, playing with the daisy Chestnut gave in my left hand. 

She enveloped me in a hug and placed me on her lap. I looked at the television screen and shut my ears with my hands as the news reporter yelled. I heard her chuckle behind me. After a few seconds, I heard the volume being lowered. I turned back to smile at her.

Her dark rich pupils shrank as she softly smiled, ruffling my hair in the process. 

"Did Chestnut give you that? That's sweet of him," she said as she twirled the daisy. I shook my head.

"He hates me."

Ma immediately turned her attention to me. Taking a few seconds to compose, she asked,  "Why do you think so?"

I lowered my gaze and answered softly. 

"He doesn't want to come with me to The Spellbee contest."

She widened her eyes before turning completely silent. I felt silence wrap its wings around us. I looked back at her in confusion. She swiftly avoided my gaze and cleared her throat. I kept looking at her despite the obvious awkwardness.

"Ma?"

She immediately met my gaze and softly patted my hair down.

"He is dyslexic, Eline."

I knitted my brows in confusion. She sighed. 

"He can't read or write properly," she explained as I fold my arms.

"Why not?"

I heard her sigh loudly again. My cheeks were deep pink as I realized how little I knew.  I didn't like the feeling of being unaware. That's not a good thing. 

"You won't understand. Just don't bring it up again in front of him, alright?"

I bit my lower lip again and when she looked at me with a stern gaze, I just couldn't not nod my head.