“The real lover is a man who can thrill you by kissing your forehead or smiling into your eyes or just staring into space.”– Marilyn Monroe"What kind of A+ student skips lessons?" Raphael's voice reached my ears and I internally groaned, I wanted to be left alone. "Leave her alone." Emilia warned before opening her arms in an attempt to give me a hug but I was quick to move away. "Please don't touch me." I mumbled pulling onto the long sleeves of the grey and black hoodie I had worn, it was quite warm outside but because of the terrible red patches on my skin I had to cover myself up. She looked hurt by my words but still took a step away from me and thankfully didn't speak about it. "Isn't someone in a mood?" Raphael commented. "A sour one at that." Leo spoke. "Come on babe, she clearly doesn't want you here." He added while glaring at me. "It’s great to see that you're alright now." She told me with a small smile. "I'll see you around." With that she waved and her and Leo w
The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus. ~Bruce LeeRaphael “Marcus.” I called as we wound up with our practice secession.“Yes cap.” He answered turning to look at me.“I need to speak to you after this.” I responded rather casually so as for him not to think it was a really big deal or something of the sort.“About?” He frowned as our teammates turned to look at us.“Nothing overly important.” I shrugged playing it cool.“Alright sure.” He nodded and we went back to finishing the few plays we had to learn before the game that was happening a few weeks from now.Upon freshening up and changing out of my gym clothes, I stepped into the locker room where Marcus was standing, it was only him and I, everyone else had left.“You wan-”Before he could finish his sentence I punched him square across the face, the impact was so intense he stumbled into one of the metal lockers.“Fuck!” He cursed holding onto his cheek. “What the actual fuck Raphael!” He snapped eye
When you realize nothing is lacking, the whole world belongs to you. ~Lao TzuRaphael As I moved around the big elegantly decorated hall filled with prominent people I couldn’t help but loath my sister even more for putting me in this position. It had been a whole week and I had been doing everything my father had demanded of me, I had attended almost every meeting and because of that I had skipped a few classes, I never even got to see Lyra and that didn’t sit well with me.“Smile.” My stepmother whispered and I rolled my eyes at her.“Go bother someone else mother.” I spat bitterly. I had never fancied this woman and if it were up to me she would have been out of my father’s house long ago.“Your father will not be hap-”“I’ve been doing your husbands bidding since before you came into our lives, I know exactly what is demanded of me, you need to back the hell off.” I whispered back rather harshly. Her chestnut eyes burned with fury but she said nothing, instead, she just curled h
Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it. ~Maya AngelouLyra. I hated this gathering, I hated that I was forced to socialize with strangers and most importantly I hated having to have been pulled out of my comfortable bed despite not feeling too well. All three of them knew I was unwell but still made me attend anyways, they claimed that if I could handle hours of school then I could do the same here, after all it was only going to last a few hours.Barely enough second after we had gotten here, even my mother, the woman who was always supposed to be by my side granted my condition disappeared on me to socialize with heaven knows whom. She didn’t even bother to tell me anything aside from the fact that I should behave and do nothing that would embarrass either her or my grandparents, basically, what she did was make sure I never forgot the warning my grandfather had given before disappearing, neither of them wanted to be seen with me and I honestly di
Each man has a built in kind of resentment against any kind of authority. ~Major Reisman [The Dirty Dozen]My blood run cold as the words left his mouth and his eyes bore into mine with a mix of different emotions flashing through them. I could tell he was thinking but couldn’t quite find the words to ask what exactly without triggering me. Quickly I tried to pull my arm out of his hold but he wasn’t having it.“Is it Marcus?” The question flew past his lips following a growl.“What, no.” I finally managed to pull my arm away and take a step away from him.That didn’t sit well with him because he took a step forward.“Just tell me, is it him or any of the guys at school.” He told me and I couldn’t believe his words.“No.” I retorted.“Then why the hell do you have bruises on your arm!” He whisper yelled narrowing his eyes at me. “Your neck too! Geez Lyra who the hell is hurting you!”My head was now spinning, the headache intensifying as I thought of a response that was anything apar
The most beautiful thing in the world is, of course, the world itself. ~Chuck Noland [Cast Away] “Hi.” I smiled greeting Emilia who stood by her locker. “Hey.” She beamed pulling me into a hug. One thing I had learnt over the past couple of weeks was that she was a hugger, she loved receiving and giving hugs. I was never one to enjoy physical contact but I was gradually learning to accept it for what it was, she wasn’t going to stop hugging me or holding my hand every chance she got no matter how many times I told her not to. But yet again, I did realize maybe the only reason I hated physical contact was because I never really got any, I found myself meting into her hugs, they made me feel all warm and fuzzy. “I have practice, you should come watch.” She told me, I wanted to decline but I knew she was not going to have it. That was another thing I had learnt, she was never one to take no for an answer, if she wanted something she was going to have it. “Sure.” I nodded with a sm
Take a chance! All life is a risk. The man who goes the furthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. ~Dale CarnegieLyra “Hey.” Raphael said as he put his bag on the table and slid into the booth.“You’re late Raphael.” I frowned.“I’m sorry, I had a lot to do.” I sighed running a hand though his already messy hair.“You’re lucky my driver won’t be here until later.” I grumbled.“I’ll make it up, promise.” He told me and I rolled my eyes.“Whatever.”He called the waitress over and she happened to be the same one from the first time we came here.“Hi.” She greeted in a flirty tone but he didn’t seem to pay her any mind, his eyes were glued to his phone.“Raphael.” I cleared my throat.Looking up quickly, his eyes met mine for a brief second before I shifted mine to the waitress standing beside me, he followed my gaze.“Oh, right, a black coffee please and a strawberry green smoothie.” He told her and she noted everything down.“Anything else?” She asked leaning to hi
Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, “What’s in it for me.”~Brian Tracey RaphaelLyra kept lagging behind as we walked out of the café and for some unknown reason it didn’t sit well with me that she was walking behind me. Turning back I got a glimpse of what seemed to have been the reason for her lagging, it was the waitress, she was eying her so intensely making her uncomfortable.Feeling a sudden urge to protect her, I tugged onto her sweater clad arm and pulled her to my side, if she was going to stare at us then I sure as hell was going to give her something to stare at. My actions clearly took Lyra by surprise because her cheeks turned red and she shifted her gaze from the waitress to me, then the floor.Opening the door, we exited the small building and made our way to campus grounds.“Did you sleep with her already?” Lyra’s voice came out so quiet I almost missed it.“What?” I asked not having clearly
When you're doing the work you're meant to do, it feels right and every day is a bonus, regardless of what you're getting paid. ~Oprah WinfreyLyra It was strange, everything was strange, from how he ignored the constant calls to his expression when he went away to answer it and the jovial expression he held upon returning. I thought my family had bipolar people but I was wrong, Raphael Vicario topped the list.After escorting me to the car like he always did, I expected him to call me later in the night―like always. I anticipated his call but I never came, after all the effort he had undertaken to get a hold of me I thought he would call, Bria did to but he never did, maybe he was done with me.Shifting my focus from Raphael to the upcoming makeup test, I studied hard, I even woke up extra early just to patch up on anything I had missed while I studied the previous nights. When it was almost time for school, I took a quick shower and dressed up.◘“I’m sorry I’m late.” I apologize
He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life. ~Muhammad AliRaphael “What is this?” My stepmother growled looking between me and the guard that carried my unconscious brother.“Is the doctor here yet?” I asked one of the house helps and she nodded. “Good, have him set up in his room.”“Raphael!” Stepmother growled angered by my decision to ignore her.“Also,” I continued to converse with the young help. “Have the chef prepare something for him to eat when he wakes up.”“Raphael Oliver Vic-”“Can you not take a hint lady!” I snapped. “Do I need to spell it out that I’m ignoring you, is that what it will take for you to understand.”She was taken back by my reaction, I never raised my voice and that shocked her.“You, take him to his room.” I instructed the guard who nodded curtly before taking to the staircase.Rotating my shoulder blades, I made my way to the kitchen, I thought after yelling I would be left alone be left alone but no, the heels cluck
You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do. ~Henry FordRaphael Replacing the navy shift on my body with a black one, I changed my shoes and added a jacket before moving to grab two large duffle bags and stuffing them with paper and a few dollar notes on the top to make it see as though they where filled entirely with money.I had waited until my tutorial session with Lyra was over and she had safely gotten into the car before making my way to Leo’s, he had everything in place and I had less than an hour to rescue my stupid brother.“Crates are in.” Leo told me as he walked into the room.“Thanks.” I nodded zipping up the last bag and dropping it to the ground. “If you have something to say just come out with it already.” I grumbled.Since I got here he had been watching me intensely, he only ever did that if he had something to say and after this damn rescue mission, I was not going to be in the mood to have a conversation.“I noticed you and Lyra.” He said quietly.“
A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others. ~Ayn RandRaphael She hit me, Lyra Colburn had just balled her small hand into a fist and hit my chest. It did not hit hard enough for it to hurt or leave a mark but it was enough to make me notice. When I averted my gaze from her little fists to her face, I noticed her entire demeanor had changed, she was no longer uneasy and her eyes where calm despite her best efforts to glare at me.“Did you just hit me?” I smirked finding her small action amusing.“Yes.” She raised her fist and hit my chest again twice.“I will report you for assault.” I suppressed my grin.“Go ahead.” She scoffed hitting me again. “Don’t you ever threaten me or Bria.” “Bria?” Grabbing her arm and holding it in place. I repeated the name confused as to who she was talking about.“Yes, the girl you threatened.” She stated pulling her arm away.“Clarify, I threaten a lot of people you know.” It came out as a joke but it was t
Everyone can master a grief but he that has it. ~William ShakespeareRaphael“Glad people with emergencies could join us.” Jasmine’s voice came sharp and taunting as her eyes trained on Lyra who in turn drew a deep breath.Her fingers flew to the hem of the cute peach sweater she had on that went really well with the soft tone of her skin and the rest of her outfit which consisted of a dark jeans, a white button down―I assumed based on the collar and the bottom that peaked out of the sweater and a pair of converse. Even though her outfit was basic and simple, it looked perfect on her―everything did.“Leave her alone.” Leo grumbled beating me to it. He held an irritated expression at Jasmine’s words to Lyra.“I was just-”“Leave her alone.” He repeated this time with more authority than the last.“Alright, geez, y’all are coming to her rescue as though I’ve even attacked her.” She scoffed after Leo had interrupted her.“You are picking unnecessary fights Jasmine.” Pedro chimed in, cle
Great occasions do not make heroes or cowards; they simply unveil them to the eyes. Silently and imperceptibly, as we wake or sleep, we grow strong or we grow weak, and at last some crisis shows us what we have become. ~Brooke Foss WestcottWalking through the halls of the school, my heart thumped louder and louder blocking out all the chattering noises from the students present, it was packed with people but what did I expect, for the first time in forever, I was dropped off late―My mother happened to have overslept but I did not complain, the longer I took to get to school the more time I had to come up with a proper explanation as to why I had been ignoring Raphael, knowing him, he would be by my locker waiting for me to explain.‘You aren’t that important.’ My subconscious scoffed.“Calm down Lyra, calm yourself.” I took deep breaths and rubbing my hands against the fabric of my seater, I wiped off the seat that had formed on my palms.Calmly I continued to walk until my eyes lan
Character is what you are in the dark. ~UnknownLyra It had been a week and so far so good, I had managed to steer clear from Raphael and any trouble that came with him―I couldn’t find myself getting attached to him, not now, I needed to focus on school, he was a distraction, after a careful analysis and receiving my B+ graded paper, I knew my mother was right, I paid little no concentration on my school work since he had come into my life and the big letter marked in red on my answer sheet proved that.Every time I saw him in school or when he called my heart could skip a beat. I wanted to speak to him, to go back to having our late night conversations but I couldn’t, especially not after my encounter with that girl, he was taken―had a girlfriend that was willing to fight tooth and nail for him and I was never the type to ruin people’s relationships hence, I was going to stay away from him.“Are you awake?” Bria asked quietly shutting the door to the study.“Yes, I am.” I nodded ra
The pursuit of truth will set you free even if you never catch up with it. ~Clarence DarrowRaphael It had been a good weekend, one I hadn’t experienced in the longest time and it was all because of one person. Small as she was, she held so much power and could turn even the shittest of days into the best with only her words.Over the past 3 days we had spoken, I found myself smiling and chuckling at memories of our late night conversations that would flash in my mind every now and then. I rarely smiled or was happy to talk to someone the way I did Lyra.Lyra Colburn, without even knowing it was slowly breaking down every wall I had built up and melting away the ice around my heart, she made me feel emotions I had trained myself never to experience and I had been doing a great job until now.This girl had me excited to go to school, the only reasons I ever did attend school were Leo and Emilia, they made it worth sitting in a classroom for hours listening to a teacher blubber about
A promise made is a debt unpaid. ~Robert W. ServiceRaphael After spending the rest of my day with Lyra, I couldn’t seem to get enough of her. Her presence brought a certain calm to my life and I wanted to feel that at all times. Especially after getting back to my parents― my father and biological mother at each other’s throats as my stepmother tried to step in and my older sister quietly watched them sipping on her margarita, it was never too early to be drinking in our household.“There you are.” My sister announced and all eyes snapped to me.Great, just what I needed, I knew my sister had probably been trying to get away from our parents and whatever where arguing about but had failed miserably, but now that I was here, she had her opportunity and was not going to let it slip away, it was always like this.“Raphael, where have you been?” My mother went straight to scolding.Unlike most parents and children, mine and I rarely shared pleasantries when we met, it was always some s