Ch 2: THE PAST

EASTON

September 2009—Crestview City

It had been over seven weeks since the stray had been staying with us. Dad didn't have any problem with him being a grumpy little boy; Mom loved him for being a well-put-together kid. As for me, I liked him because he was really beautiful.

I had never seen a boy look so beautiful before. I secretly called him an angel, because that was how beautiful he was.

His long blonde hair was always tied up in a lazy bun, and the way his nose wrinkled at the side whenever he wasn't pleased with something made him look even more beautiful than he already was.

His name was Ilya Lermontov. Mom told me he was a Russian boy when I asked her why he had such a strange yet unique name.

I had read a lot of things about Russians in books, and what I read about them wasn't at all pleasant. But I didn't care, Ilya was different from what the books said about them. He was quiet, but not a bad kid. Plus he was beautiful.

Leaning against the banister, I watched from upstairs with a small smile on my face as Mom helped Ilya fix his hair. Mom always fixed his long hair for him every morning before we left for school.

I should have been jealous of the attention this stray was getting from my mom, but unlike before, I didn't mind it at all. In fact, I enjoyed watching Mom fix his hair for him. I wondered what the texture of his blonde hair would feel like against my fingertips.

After Mom was done fixing his hair, with a few strands leaving the band, she stepped back from him and offered Ilay a warm smile that melted my heart into a puddle.

As usual, Mom glanced up and she grinned at me when our eyes met. "Easton, get your butt over here. Your brother is ready for school."

"Yes, Mommy!" I beamed, rushing downstairs, taking the stairs two at a time.

My backpack felt heavy pressed on my back, but I didn't mind it. I had stuffed my backpack with a lot of comics I wanted to share with Ilay and I can't wait to secretly dump them in his locker during lunchtime.

Apparently, I noticed that Ilay loved reading comics during lunchtime and I had spent all night digging out my old comics. I couldn't wait to see him read my favourite comics at lunch.

"Goodbye, Mom." I smiled, blowing my mother a quick kiss before running out the door, chasing after Ilay who didn't seem to act like we were going to school together.

"Hi, Ilay!" I smiled, entering into the backseat of the car, sitting next to him.

Ilay frowned, his eyebrows knitted together as he glared at me. "Stop smiling so much, you look like an idiot."

"Okay." I said, giggling. I hugged my backpack to my chest, patting it gently.

I should be offended by his remark, but Ilay didn't usually say much to me and I couldn't help but appreciate the little he said to me. Even if they're mean, I still felt like it was a privilege to have him say more than two words to me.

The drive to school was in total silence and I didn't like it. I had so much funny things I wanted to say to Ilay, but he wouldn't even act like there was someone sitting next to him and I didn't want to embarrass myself.

"Okay, have a nice day you two." Gregory, our driver, said to us as we stepped out of the car.

Ilay was already walking towards the main building without acknowledging Gregory's greeting. I chuckled, craning my neck to stare at the man.

"Thanks for driving us, Greg. Please don't forget my cupcake when you're coming to pick us after school." I reminded the man, giving him my best smile.

I loved cake so much, and Greg was the only person I could ask for cake since mom was hell bent on making me eat healthy food.

"Whatever you want, kiddo." Gregory returned the smile before speeding off.

I turned towards the building, but as expected, Ilay was already out of sight.

"Grumpy little angel." I whined, marching towards the building.

Even though Ilay was a year older than me, and he was a little taller than me, I still couldn't help but call him 'little' because if he was to be my brother, then he would be my little brother since Mommy and Daddy had me first.

I knew it was silly, but I loved it that way.

"Hey, my Easton!" Someone called my name with so much joy.

Without turning around to check who it was, I already knew it was my best friend, Maria.

Maria Watson and I had been friends since elementary school. Although I was quite popular among the kids here - apparently, everyone wanted to be friends with me because I was top of my class, played football, volunteered regularly, and participated in music class - Maria still remained my best friend.

"Hey, Maree." I smiled at her, waiting for her to catch up to me and we both headed to class hand-in-hand.

Classes went in a blur, and I was so happy when lunchtime came and Ilay was the first person to leave the classroom. Murmur filled the room once Ilay was already out of earshot. Apparently, every kids in my class loved him.

I meant, Ilay was beautiful and charming, he was brilliant even though he barely talk in class. He only talk when our teacher asked him questions.

I might be the top of my class, but I almost felt like a fool whenever Ilay answered questions. He talked with so much confidence and I shouldn't be jealous of him, but I heck, I was. Ilay was perfect. More perfect than I could ever be.

If only I were a little braver and had his confidence, I would have stood up for myself when those two idiots bullied me.

"Perfect brain." Ash and Henry grinned, waving at me when our eyes met. It was as if they could read my mind because I had just thought about them.

"Those idiots!" I grumbled, shoving the comics into Ilay's locker and ran out of the classroom before my bullies could get to me.

I didn't understand why those two think bullying me would make them brilliant. It wasn't my fault that I was the top of our class and they were... Well, dummies.

If only they could challenge their energy into their books instead of bullying me, who knows maybe they might become half as brilliant as I was.

"Running is pointless, Easton. We'll still find you and beat you." Ash called after me, but I didn't wait around to listen to what he was saying.

I have music class after lunch period and I wouldn't let those idiots mess with my head so I wouldn't be able to concentrate in class.

Music was my everything, and I won't let them ruin my voice by making me cry so I wouldn't be able to sing in class.

I entered into the bathroom and rushed into an empty stall, I was about to close the door when I felt a hand yanked it from my grip.

"Ashford!" I grumbled, letting out a shaky breath when I saw my two nightmares entering into the stall with me.

"Seriously, why are you guys so obsessed with me? It's not my fault that you both sucks at school work and your Daddies are ashamed of you both." I snapped, anger surging through me in waves as I stomped my foot on the tile floor. Pouting.

Maybe I shouldn't have said that. Maybe I should have just let them bully me and go away like they always did because the look in their faces as I snapped back at them was anything but friendly.

My stupid mouth!

Both Henry and Ash were much bigger and taller than me. They could easily crush me with their bare hands because I was just too tiny and... Short.

"What did you just say, little brat?" Henry yelled, and I felt my eyes snapped shut when I saw him raised his hand to slap me.

"How dare you raise your voice at my brother?" A deep grunt came from the doorway, startling me.

Huh?

Slowly, I cracked my eyes open and my eyes widened in shock when I saw Ilay entering into the stall with us, locking the door behind him. His eyes were burning with rage as he grabbed both Henry and Ash by their collars, smacking them against the wall.

I was really shocked to see Ilya.

But the fact that he was about to beat up my bullies, regardless of their size, should have scared me, yet it didn't. What was even more shocking was that he had called me his brother.

Ilay Lermontov had called me his brother!

Or did I heard wrong?

My lips curved upward into a bright smile. "He... he called me his brother."