13. Little Rebel

Ryan's POV

“Let’s play Call of Duty tonight,” I suggested, walking down the busy hallways of my college with my friends.

I liked spending time with them; with my friends, I felt less lonely. When I first moved to this island with my family from New York, I thought I’d never be able to make new friends. It was hard enough the first time back in high school.

Even before my dad died, my mom had always been so protective of me. She always made it her life's purpose to keep an eye on me every moment, one or two guards always followed me around, scaring the others away. Hence no one at school wanted to talk to me since they knew very well what kind of business my dad was into. Life was painfully boring for me. I was never allowed to wander outside the house alone and play like normal kids.

I barely managed to make a friend back there, and that was only because Andy thought mafia families were “dope.”

I never understood why I had to be surrounded by guns and bodyguards all the time. I hated my dad for being the mafia leader and wanted nothing to do with him or his name all my life. Only it was impossible when I'm using his name after me.

It was a relief when we started living with a new identity, leaving behind the bloody legacy — or so I thought. But in the end, everything else stayed the same.

My mom’s obsessive need to protect me grows even more if not less. My constant struggle to gain some sort of freedom or escape were all futile.

I hated it.

So far, the only freedom I've managed to gain is the time I spent with my friends and learning and playing music.

And that was thx to my sister, because she chose to take over dad's business. I was free to choose a life with bloodshed.

“Won’t be able to join. We have other plans tonight,” Jimmy blunted before realising his mistake.

I frowned. Since when did they start making plans without me? That wasn’t fair. I thought we are a pack.

Chris smacked Jimmy on the head. They definitely hadn’t meant to let that slip.

“It was a slip of the tongue,” Jimmy passed apologetic look to Chris who glared him intensely to split his skull in half.

Looking all this I felt mix of sadness and angry raging inside me but I kept my face blank and said. “Fine. Some other time then.”

I started to leave. I better get out of here before I lost it. It would be embrassing.

“It’s not what you think!” Chris hurried after me. He stood in my way, not letting me pass until I hear him.

He rushed to explain, looking miserable. “We want to ask you, but we know your mom won’t allow you to hang out late at night with us. That’s why we didn’t tell you about it,”

Not that I hadn’t guessed the reason already, but I couldn’t help feeling angry at them even though it wasn’t their fault.

I signed. Letting my face muscles relex.

I have no business to be mad at them.

“I get it. Enjoy your night.” Keeping my voice light, I said, tapping his shoulder lightly before walking away from the group towards my car and the guard waiting for me in front of the college gates.

“If only there were a way to get you out late…” Drake muttered to no one.

I stopped and turned back to them. Chris, Jimmy, and I looked at Drake with admiration as if he’d shared a million-dollar business idea.

Drake looked back at us, uncomfortable. “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me with e-evil in your eyes?”

I threw my arm around his shoulder and chuckled. “You’re a genius, man.”

“Am I?” he asked, still not understanding what was going on.

Chris and Jimmy grinned, I could see the glints of mischief in their eyes. I dont need to ask them, they were in.

---

I had dinner with my family as usual. Midway through, I made an excuse about having too much homework and left early for my room.

Once inside, I changed my clothes and waited for the signal from my friends.

A text lit up my phone screen, and I jumped in excitement.

Keeping it down.

I pulled a black hoodie over my head before opening my room’s window.

The area was clear, but I still looked around to make sure, then jumped out, using the tree right outside my window for support.

I wouldn’t say I hadn’t tried this before, but I’d never made it out of the main gates. There were too many guards around the mansion; it was almost impossible to get past them without being detected.

But this time, I didn’t have to worry about that since Chris had taken care of it.

I didn’t know how, but he sent me a text to signal that he’d dealt with the guards on the back side of the mansion.

I felt a pang of guilt about sneaking out. I took one last look at my home, swallowing the lump in my throat.

I’d be back before anyone found out.

I turned away and walked through the back gates.

I knew Chris said he’d handled the guards, but I didn’t expect to find all of them dead asleep at their posts.

I had no idea how he’d pulled it off, but I was proud of him.

Although the guards were down, there were still cameras to avoid. Knowing every camera’s position finally paid off. I knew all the blind spots and how to exit the property without getting caught.

Making sure my face was hidden under my hoodie, I kept my pace steady and exited through the iron gates.

A red van with tinted windows waited a little distance away. As soon as I took a step outside my golden cage and toward freedom, the van rolled forward.

I shielded my eyes from the harsh light as the van stopped precisely in front of me.

The door slid open, revealing the familiar grins of my idiotic friends one by one.

Jimmy flashed a cocky grin from the back seat. “Hop in, princess. Your knights are here to rescue you.”

I snickered. “Knight my ass.”

Chris and Drake, sitting up front, threw their heads back, laughing, while Jimmy muttered something under his breath.

“Let’s get out of here,” Drake said, the fear of getting caught evident on his face. He was a soft-hearted guy.

Not wanting to raise his fear any further, I hopped into the back seat beside Jimmy and slid the door shut before Chris drove us away.

This was the first time I’d ever stepped out of my golden cage without security. I was brimming with excitement, though a hint of guilt and shame still nagged at me.

What would happen if my mom found out? She’d be livid. She’d turn the entire island upside down.

I shook my head. There was no point in thinking about the consequences now.

What’s done is done.

And so far, things were going as planned.

I’d be back before anyone even knew.

Right now, all I needed to focus on was having a lot of fun with my buddies.

****

It was all worth it.

All the trouble my friends and I went through to make sure we could enjoy one night together as a normal students group.

The pulsating bass echoed through the air, vibrating deep into my chest as they pushed through the crowd, moving closer to the stage. The concert hall was alive, every inch packed with people who were shouting and cheering, their hands raised high, capturing every moment on their phones. Multicolored lights swept across the room, flashing blue, green, purple, then red, casting a glow over the sea of faces.

I paused, taking in the energy around them.

There was something exhilarating about being here, surrounded by hundreds of people who were just as excited, who knew every lyric to the songs about to be played. This was the magic of live music—of being swept up, letting go, and simply feeling.

The lead singer’s voice cracked over the speakers as the band took the stage, and the crowd erupted, drowning out everything else. My hands instinctively shot up, and they cheered with all their might, adrenaline flooding their veins. The first notes of the song hit the air, loud and clear, and everyone moved, a single living, breathing entity.

Caught in the rhythm, I swayed and jumped with the crowd, feeling both a part of it and yet lost in their own bubble of euphoria. For a brief moment, I closed my eyes, letting the music take me somewhere beyond this hall, beyond this moment, to a place that was only pure sound and feeling. It was bliss.

When the song ended, I opened my eyes, breathless and smiling, glancing around to see others with the same expressions—a silent bond shared between strangers who understood exactly what this moment meant.

It was pure bliss. My heart felt heavy while my body was light as a feather.

This is the magic of music.

I'm glad I came here tonight. It was the best night of my life.

As much as I like to stay longer it's about time I should go back to reality, that's where I belong. Where I should be right now.

The drug Chris sipped into guards' water supply was about to be out of their system. It works only a few hours hence he knew it was safe.

After dancing and screaming for hours my throat feels parched. Thankfully Drake was right on que to get us coke. I get my can and drink the liquid in a big gulp before releasing a sigh and turning to my friends to tell them I am leaving now.

It would take me 30 minutes to get back home if I get the ride right away. If I am lucky I would make it inside the property before the guards regain their conciseness and start turning the place upside down in search of an enemy who invades the house security.

“Do you want a ride back home?” Chris shouted over the loud music and crowd, being nice to me.

I appreciate the offer but shook my head, smiling. They had done enough for me.

“What am I? Five. I can take a cab, man!” I joked.

The concert just started 2 hours ago and there are going to be a few more. I knew how excited they all were for this. I can't make them leave halfway because of me.

Chris didn't look all that convinced but nodded.

Making my way through the sea of crazy fans, I booked a ride back home.

My lucky stars still seem to be working. App showed that my ride was here before I made it to the exit.

Everything was going right until I made it through the last line of the crowd and the world started spinning around me.

A strong hand fell on my shoulder supporting my movement. “Easy there, bud. Are you alright?”

Blinking, breaking free of the dizziness, my eyes set on a pair of brown, recognizing the face of my friend.

“Why are you here?” I asked, confused. What he was doing here.

“I also had to leave early.” He replied right away.

Oh. I sighed. I don't like it if he was doing it because of me.

Thankfully that's not the case.

“You are sweating a lot. Are you okay?” Drake stared me in the face.

“Yes. It's nothing. Let's get back first.” I didn't want to give him worry.

“My ride's here, want me to drop you?” Changing the topic I offered him a ride since his home is on my way back.

“Thanks.” He smiled brightly. Making me smile. Something about him is smoothing, even when we first met I knew we were going to be friends.

Although today even his calm presence was not able to make me feel any better.

The headache becomes gruesome as we get to the cab. I heard Drake voice asking me something but I didn't understand a word.

I aimed to reach for his arm

to hold myself but never reached it.

Though I didn't feel any damage when I fell on the ground right before darkness ate my vision and my consciousness on the cue.