Zed told his parents that he would now agree for Katie to have her own car. Katie, though shocked, felt a sense of relief wash over her. It was a small step towards the independence she craved, and she appreciated Zed's gesture, even if it was reluctant.

Their interactions became less frequent, limited mostly to family meals. The once inseparable twins now found themselves drifting apart, each retreating into their own worlds. The silence between them was heavy, filled with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.

Their parents flew to Paris for a two-day business trip, leaving Zed and Katie alone at home. The house felt emptier without their parents' presence, and the twins' interactions were minimal. They ate together but rarely talked. Katie would only come out of her room for meals or when it was time to go to school.

One night, Katie noticed that Zed was not yet home. She glanced at the clock, worry gnawing at her. She called his phone, but there was no answer. Anxiety built up inside her as she waited, pacing the living room. Finally, she saw the headlights of Zed's car as it pulled into the driveway.

As Zed walked through the door, Katie's worry turned to frustration. "Where have you been? Why couldn't you answer your phone?" she demanded.

Zed didn't respond, his face a mask of indifference. He started to walk past her, but Katie blocked his path. "I'm serious, Zed. I was worried. Why didn't you answer?"

This time, Zed's eyes flashed with irritation. "It's none of your business," he snapped, pushing past her and heading to his room. He shut the door behind him with a finality that left Katie standing in the hallway, feeling a mix of anger and helplessness.

Katie stood there for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. She wanted to understand what was going on with Zed, but his walls were up, and she didn't know how to break through them. She retreated to her room, the silence of the house amplifying her thoughts.

Zed, on the other hand, sat on his bed, his mind racing. He knew he had been harsh, but he couldn't bring himself to open up. The weight of his own struggles felt too heavy to share, and he didn't want to burden Katie with them. He stared at the ceiling, wondering how they had come to this point.

As the night wore on, they lay in their respective rooms, lost in their thoughts. The distance between them seemed insurmountable, but deep down, they both longed for the connection they once had. It was a silent struggle, one that neither of them knew how to overcome.