“Are you sure you want to go to school?” Yuan asked for the nth time. He’s standing at my doorway, wearing his baby blue long sleeves and fitted trousers that make him look more of a model than a doctor. He looks a hell of handsome but his eyes tell it that he haven’t slept since my revelation yesterday.
“I want a life, Yu. I’m suffocating in my own room already. I’m good, okay?” I am if you’re going to ignore the fact that I'm NOT.
He heaved a sigh and took my bag from me as we both navigate our way to his car.
The trip to the school is awkward. He didn’t say a word but I know there’s a lot of things he wants to ask. I never saw him break down like yesterday. He’s the cool one yet he cried for me and I know he would take away my pain if he could.
Luna texted me that she’s in the Principal’s office, having a meeting with her Mom. Yuan walked
"What's taking you so long?" Yuan barged into my room while I'm putting my laptop in my bag. I glanced at him and check the time on the digital clock on my table. It's only 6:00 in the morning and our class starts at 8:00 am. My brows creased and gave him an annoyed glare. "As far as I remember, my class starts in two hours. I have plenty of time." I continue packing my things and putting everything I can put in my bag. "Ah-huh." he nodded in agreement and rest his shoulder at the door frame, "I'm well aware of that, genius. Someone's waiting for you downstairs so might as well hurry up, yes?" Before I can even compre
KirianLuna threw one of her fries at me. It hit my nose and dunk straight to the glass of iced tea I’m sipping.“The heck?” I pushed away from the glass and took her yet untouched Slurpee. Lucas is busy consuming his giant burger to care about his girlfriend’s upcoming death. Luna smiled maliciously at me.“You like her. Admit it already.” she probed.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I sip noisily at the Slurpee intending to annoy her.“Eww, where're your manners, Sadoche?” she rolled her eyes, “Don’t pretend you don’t know. You always look at Roux like she’s one of your greatest possession.”I pick lettuce in my burger and waved it in front of her. She backed away, shielding herself with her small hands, too afraid for me to throw it to her. Lucas, being the pig-like he is, took the lettuce
I’ve been seeing a black car in our neighborhood. I haven’t mentioned it to anyone yet because I might be just being paranoid. I found Kirian standing by my locker when I decided to dispose of my books. He’s casually leaning on it, with his hands in his pocket. His coat is hanging on his shoulders while his long sleeves were rolled over his elbow. “Are you okay?” he asked when I opened my locker and arranged my books on the shelf I put in there. This is the first time he speaks to me after three days. Well, we stayed at Lucas' place a few days ago but we didn't actually have a proper conversation. He reached for my hand which surprised me—not because I’ll freak out but because I feel safe when he’s around. He rolled my hoody up to my arm and I instinctively flinched. He touched my scars like their work of art. His touch is hot, sending butterflies into my stomach. Without saying another word, he pulled me for a hug. I should be fighting against
Kirian“What got you so riled up?” Kori asked while removing the bandage on his hand.I ignored him and continued punching and kicking the punching bag until I collapsed on the floor. He threw me a Gatorade which I immediately catch.The conversation I had with Ronan flashed back to my mind.“Isn’t it weird?” I asked but Ronan didn’t even spare me a glance.He put the beer in front of me as he drinks his. He brought me to a pub and when we entered, they didn’t even look for my ID. Of course, I’m with a Politician.“How are you sure about your assumptions, kid?” he probed.“I heard it from his own mouth the night my brother went missing. He’s very gritty about removing us from the world. But what I can’t understand is the fact that Roux’s there, too.”I&
Kirian “Hey, boys!” Mom smiled as soon as she saw Aki and me walking towards the car in the school parking lot. “Why so sulky again, Kir?” Mom asked when he saw me walking behind Aki. Aki turned his head and stopped so we can walk together. He wrapped his arm around me and giggles. “Stop it,” I warned but he only made him burst out laughing. Mom and Dad looked gave us a confused look. “What happened? What did you do to your brother, Aki?” Dad asked as soon as we got into the car. “Huh? Why do you always think that I did something to Kir whenever he gets sulky?” Aki’s betrayed voice filled the car. Mom and Dad laughed, “Shall we do counting of how many times you pulled a prank to your brother?” Dad asked, Aki giggled and waved his hand in the air to dismiss Dad’s thought, “Nope. Let’s pretend I didn’t ask that,” he then sc
One thing I noticed in my two years at Southshire Academy, they don’t take foundation day lightly. Lucas’s grandfather’s monument in front of the main building is newly painted. “It feels weird staring at that,” Luna mumbled beside me. We’re sitting on the bench in front of the main building. I followed where she’s looking and just like me, she’s staring at the monument of Lucian Southshire, the founder of the school. “Why?” I asked in confusion. “It looks like I’m looking at Lucas and it makes me cringe.” She caressed her arms like she really is having goosebumps. I didn’t mean to but I laughed out loud at what she said. Luna is wearing a yellow sundress like she’s just going to the beach, while I settled for a yellow turtle neck and black dress that flows down my ankle. “Why yellow?” I asked her, “We look like bunches of baby ducks.” “I don’t know. I’m just disseminating memos. Better than when we’re sophomores.” She s
Kirian The whole world stopped spinning. My damn heart stopped fucking beating. I always wonder how it feels if things in the past didn’t happen. I always dream about having my brother with me. Akira is five minutes older than me. When we were young, he used to be the protective one. He might be cunning sometimes and the one who is most likely to get in trouble, but he’s sure the best brother anyone can wish for. He’s the cool city kid while I was the cold one. He got more friends because he’s easy to be with but he never treated me as an outcast. He won’t even play with other kids our age if I’m not included. I always crave a brother. We’re supposed to be best friends until we grow old. We dreamed of managing our businesses and become one of the most influential people in the business industry. But everything has changed when he was kidnapped. All this time I thought he’s dead. I fucking grieve for him until now but what the actual f
Hearing that voice again sends memories I tried to forget rushing back to me. The boy we all thought dead is alive all this time—and my dad was the one who helped him.Dad and Mom stay in New Zealand most of the time and we never talked about what happened in that warehouse after I was discharged from the hospital. We all tried to live a new life.Just when I decided to finally move on from the ugly past, why does it has to happen again right now?I have a lot of questions and I don’t even know who to ask them. It feels like I’m in a loop. Why are they after me? Why did Dad help Aki and why didn’t he tell us?We all gathered in the dining area. Dad has left a while ago, telling Mom has no company at home, while Yuan stayed with us.Luna has finally calmed down when she was able to talk to her Mom. While Lucas’s parents assured him that they’re fine. They had to close the school for a while, though. There are no c
I perfected the art of pretending I’m fine when in fact, I’m bleeding inside. I perfected the art of not showing that I’m greatly affected by all the things that happened to me. I perfected the art of not showing too much emotion but I still can’t keep the tears rolling down my face while staring at the black dress Yuan put on in my closet last night. Someone knocked on my door but I’m too tired to answer. I smell jasmine filling the air and I slowly look at my mom who’s already in her black dress. Her hair is slightly curled in the end, the small black hat covers half of her head. “Are you okay?” she asked, squeezing my hands lightly. How am I supposed to be fine when the only person I want is not here with me right now? “You think everyone’s going to move on, Mom?” I asked, hoping she has all the answers to my question. “Everything will soon be alright, honey. Time will heal all wounds.” She pulled me for a hug and I
I hate blood. Every time I see blood, I am reminded of the things that happened to me. I hate hospitals. I hate the dull color of the walls and the antiseptic smell of the air. I look down at my trembling hands and find dried blood smeared on my body. Yuan touched my hand, stopping me from drifting back to my nightmares. He forced me to look at him, wiping the tears from my face. “We need to get your wounds treated.” He said softly. I don’t feel my wounds and the burns on my skin. I’m physically numb from everything that happened. I look around the waiting area outside the operating room. Mom is sitting next to Mrs. Sadoche while Dad’s sitting across from them, the nurse checking his wounds. Good thing that the bullet only grazed his skin. “You think they’ll be fine?” I asked him. Yu just smiled at me then squeezed my hands. It’s been almost an hour since they put Kirian and Lucas in the operating room. “They’re strong. Come on, we nee
“Touch my daughter and I’ll kill you.” We all turned to the voice and found Mom standing by the entrance of the warehouse. She’s wearing a peach sundress and her hair is done like she’s attending a party. Everything about her shouts class and sophistication sans her usual whiny act. Right now, she’s standing straight like she’s a boss, her face serious. “Shit, Mom! I told you to stay out of here!” Yuan growled but she just rolled her eyes at him. Mom is usually calm. Gets whiny if she didn’t get what she wanted because Dad spoiled her so much. I remember her almost getting a heart attack when she saw Yuan using his LV wallet as a placemat that she gave as his graduation gift. Right now, I can’t even recognize the woman I’m seeing. “Victoria.” Halliday regarded her like she’s the worst thing he has ever seen. “I’m glad you join our reunion. I see that Mayor Patterson topped his job for making you his trophy wife, huh?” “Watch it,
Yuan “Stop your nonsense now, Rick. I’m here now. Let them go.” Uncle Ronan greeted his teeth. His hands are in his pockets but I know he’s clenching them. Halliday’s laugh echoed in the room. The wine glass snapped when he gripped it too hard. He regarded Uncle Ronan with his hard face. “How does it feel, Ronan? How does it feel to lose someone you love? How does it feel when you know you can’t do anything to save them?” My brow creased. I watch as the two of them have their glaring competition, except only Halliday is the one who’s glaring because Uncle Ronan keeps his cool. “Vicky married you, Rick. She chose you over me but all you did was hurt her.” Uncle Ronan's voice is full of emotion. When it comes to Mom, he suddenly changes into a different person—like he’s willing to unleash hell if it means protecting her. “She did bu
Yuan I flip the bird at the car across me. I’m a fucking doctor and I’m usually cool in front of everyone but I don’t give a shit about anyone else right now. I’m not letting things that happened ten years ago happen again. I never had a perfect childhood—well, not until Celeste Roux Patterson was born. When I first saw her in the hospital, I realized that angels do exist. Mom and Uncle Ronan smiled at me while they hand me, my baby sister. She’s so small I was afraid I might break her. I don’t know how long I held my breath until she smiled—and since that very moment, I promised myself I’ll protect her with all my life. I witnessed how my father ruined our lives for money. We used to be happy. Dad is working in the company of his best friend while Mom stayed home to take care of me. He used to be a good father and a husband—until things went off. He started hitting Mom and w
Kirian“You think she’ll talk to me now?” Lucas asked without looking at me. He’s busy counting the roses he bought in the flower boutique we passed by.“I don’t know. Why ask me? You know your girlfriend more than me.” I tapped on my lap patiently while waiting for Lucas to get into the car. We’ve stayed here longer than I thought. I wasn’t even aware that it has been three hours because this idiotic excuse of a human I’m with can’t even remember his girlfriend’s favorite flower.I got tired of trying to work things between them. Everything that I try only ends up backfiring to me. I’m only being the bestest best friend that I am but it always ends up me and Luna fighting.My heartbeat suddenly sunk as we appro
It’s been three days since Akira left for New Zealand. It’s also been three days since Luna and Lucas had their cold war. Luna keeps on avoiding Lucas and I think Lucas is also doing the same.They even had another fight when we had a barbecue party the night Aki left. It was actually Kirian’s fault because he kept on teasing the two.We got bored in the rest house so we decided to have a night picnic outside and have a bonfire. Yuan went back to the city because he needs to talk to Kori while Mom and Dad are busy. The four of us were the only ones left in the rest house, guarded by Dad’s men.The boys are fueling the car while we’re in the mini grocery store. We run out of food since Lucas and Kirian kept on eating. We planned to make pasta and barbecue so Luna and I are the in-charge of the grocery while the guys will do the cooking tonight.“Are you okay?”
Kirian“Take care,” I said as I watch Aki hop into the van.He smirked at me and salute.“You should be the one to be careful. Remember what I’ve said, Kir. Keep an eye on Roux. Rick is not the only bad guy here.”You know it’s a serious situation when Aki’s smiley face turned into a grave one. I nodded at him and watch until the van disappeared in my sight.Before we get here, someone was after Roux and according to Aki, it’s the same person who almost gets her killed in that warehouse. Akira doesn’t know his face—because just like Roux, he also suffered from trauma.Akira might look tough on the surface but what happened in OKV back then is still haunting him. He has also undergone therapies and until now, he’s still trying to move on from that horrible past
Kirian might not say it but I know how hard it is for him to see his brother leave again. They just met a few days ago and here they are again, bidding goodbye to each other. Yuan helped Akira to bring his bags in the van while the twins talk to each other by the staircase. I'm sitting pertly in the living room, pretending to focus on the TV series though I can't even understand anything. Looking at the twin, people might think that the scene is just a normal day for siblings who have to say goodbye to each other. It's heartbreaking and knowing that it's Akira and Kirian makes it more frustrating. I know Kirian doesn't want Akira to leave. Akira doesn't want to, either but they've got no other option. The two of them suffered so much than anyone can imagine. "What are you thinking about?" Luna asked out of the blue. I almost forgot that I'm with h