Expect the unexpected (◠‿◕)
Eleven-year-old Mark, wearing a red shirt and jeans, squatted in the elementary school backyard just in front of the playground. His legs drawn close to his chest, he watched other kids with dark circles around his eyes play around and have fun, the smiles on their faces contrasting with his somber expression. Why were they so happy? Why did they always seem so bright? Why did they always have smiles on their faces, while he didn't? Instead, he bore scars, reminders of the abuse he endured from his elder Halfbrother. And he carried pain in his lower body. It wasn't that he didn't want to join in and play. He simply couldn't, the pain wouldn't allow him. What was worse was that he had no one to tell, no one to trust. After all, he was just the son of a dead prostitute, and his politician father was forced to take care of him to maintain a good public image. Mark's stepmother despised him, treating him like absolute trash. His father hated him; he never wanted him in his house. The h
Lily finally reached her house after the failed attempt to obtain her necklace. Standing in front of the modern duplex, she sees her mother's grey car parked outside on the driveway.“Oh God!”She was too late. Her mom was already around and now she had to face her again.Slowly lily turned the front door knob, opening it. She walked inside and her eyes landed on the structure of her mother sitting down on the ash couch in the living. But her attention was focused on her phone. Lily took that as a chance. She took a deep breath and began to tiptoe her way to the stairs. But her mom did in fact notice her presence."Lily Davis" Mrs. Davis' stern voice cut through the air, freezing Lily in her tracks. Lily's heart sank; she had been caught. "Why are you home late? Where were you?” she said with her eyes still fixed on her phone.“Hey Mom" lily tried to play it cool but her voice obviously sounded suspicious. Her mother abruptly whipped her head around and her eyes widened at the sight o
"I have something to tell you," Lily's heart raced as she caught the seriousness in his tone. She turned back to Ethan, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "Uhm, I'm listening." "I think I –" "Okay, everyone, listen up," the teacher, Mrs. Tarr interrupted, her voice commanding attention, silencing the noisy classroom. "Today, you're going to paint the portrait of the person next to you. So, your partner is going to be the one sitting next to you. If no one is next to you, find someone who is seated alone and pair up." A cacophony of bustling footsteps and rapid chatter filled the room as students changed their seats and found partners. "For today's class, one of you will be the painter. In our next class, you will switch roles," Mrs. Tarr announced, sparking hushed conversations. "Alright, everyone, get into character. Grab your brushes, paint, and start right away." Voices reverberated as students debated over who
Ethan and Lily managed to slip away from the bustling lunch break environment at school. Now, they were seated in Ethan's car.Lily could hear her heart pounding loudly. What if they were caught? What if they got into trouble? What if her parents found out?“Lily,” Ethan's voice called her back, and she turned to him, finding his presence already calming her racing thoughts."Relax," he said, his voice soothing and appealing. "This is what you wanted, right?" He smirked."Yes, yes. I'm relaxed," Lily attempted with a shaky voice. "I'm just a little sc... no, I'm good," her words stumbled over each other.Ethan chuckled softly, his laughter like a comforting melody. Lily shifted her gaze around the well-designed car, her nervous glances darting here and there.Ethan turned the key, starting the engine, and accelerated out of the school compound. However, instead of heading towards his house, he went in the exact opposite direction. Not only that, but he was driving down the very street
Ethan and Lily found themselves upstairs on the balcony, enjoying the fresh breeze and taking in the scenic view of the mansion's compound. Lily had agreed to stay, and there was no turning back now. Besides, school was just closing, so spending a bit of extra time at Ethan's mansion wouldn't hurt."So, what do you want to do?" Lily broke the tense silence.“This is already quite relaxing,” Ethan replied casually, flashing a smile.“I was planning on watching a movie at night with Maya and Audrey, but… Maybe we could watch it now.”"I would really love to," Lily cooed. "But wouldn't that be betraying Maya and Audrey?""Don't worry about it; they never really wanted to watch it anyway," Ethan assured, running his fingers through his hair.Lily chuckled. “Okay, then I would love to... Where are we watching it?”“Movie room.”Lily nodded before a flicker of fear
Ethan's car came to a halt in front of Lily's house. During the ride, he tried to bring up what happened, but Lily immediately cut him off. As she stepped out of his car and slammed the door shut, she flashed a sheepish grin through the window, raising her right hand to give a small goodbye wave. Lily held the painting and the new phone he had gifted her with her left hand. Ethan nodded. "Bye, see you tomorrow." "Y-yeah..." She replied, her voice low and brittle. As the car zoomed off, Lily felt a heavy weight lift from her chest. "Aaaahhhh!" She screamed loudly, finally releasing the pent-up frustration that had welled up since that very, very embarrassing moment. She glanced around her surroundings to see if anyone had witnessed her outburst. She noticed that neither of her parents’ cars were in the compound. "Thank God," she mumbled and headed inside. Now lying on her soft, sinking bed, Lily pressed the pillow against her head, her screams muffled by the cushion. "I should j
'Mark is….' Lily couldn't understand how fast he was, or absentminded she was not to notice he pulled her in ... For a kiss! The next moment, all she could feel was Mark’s soft lips, pressed against hers as he devoured and nibbled on her bottom lip. One of his hands ran through her hair, his other hand cradling the back of her neck. It was against her will, yet she didn't want him to stop ... But he did. He parted from the kiss and Lily's eyes were still squeezed shut, but a sudden action made them open wide. In quick and swift movements, Mark rashly pushed Lily against the door to the classroom that was just beside them. The door flew open and Lily almost tripped into the classroom, but Mark caught her with one hand. "Mark, what are you doing? " Lily managed to say through her weak and shaky breathing. Her eyes searched his, which were already filled with lust. He pushed her in, turned around, and locked the door behind him. With a smirk gracing his lips, he turned back to Lil
"What was that about?""I don't know. I literally don't know what came over me," Lily answered Mark, her eyes glued to the ground. "I saw him, and then I started running, and he started running too. I didn't want to talk to him, that's why... that's why I kissed you," Lily blabbered."Why don't you want to talk to him?" Mark said, placing his hands on Lily and clutching them tightly. "Did he do something to you?"Lily's eyes remained fixed on Mark's. "No, I tried to kiss him, and he pulled away... I know, very embarrassing." She muttered, "Damn it! Why am I even telling you this?" She jerked Mark's hands off her shoulder and facepalmed."Lily, you have to st—""Lily Davis to the principal's office," the principal's secretary's voice interrupted Mark over the speaker.'What did I do this time around?'"Lily Davis to the principal's office," the speaker called again."Mark, I have to go," Lily said and started running out of the room."Lily, wait," she heard him call, but ignored it and