Green Eyes

“Are you okay?” the boy has managed to get to me. He flinched when he moves so I carefully sat beside him.

Traces of blood is evident on his face. His shirt is ripped from the back, exposing the bruises from the whip. I can feel the pain in my body, too. But this time, I’m more afraid for the boy beside me.

“Is he gone?” I whispered; too afraid I will be heard.

“Yes.” He answered, “Hey, don’t cry.”

As if on cue, my tears well my face, making it sting. It’s raining again. I don’t know how long have I slept. I’m not hungry anymore. I silently prayed that Mom will come to pick me up.

“Hey, you okay?”

My hands caressed my arms. The smell of antiseptic filled my nose before I can even open my eyes and look at the one talking to me. The room is white and sterile. I’m in the hospital again.

I inhaled air before focusing on the person sitting beside my bed. Yuan offered me a glass of water before I even ask him.

“Why am I here?”

Yu raised my bed so I can sit. The wall clock shows it’s eighteen past four. I’m not even sure if it’s afternoon or morning. Yu is still wearing the same clothes he wore when we’re at Kori’s house.

“You freaked out, we needed to sedate you.” He apologized, “We heard you screaming and found you in the garden with Kori’s cousin. What happened?”

That explains why I felt someone stabbing my neck. I absentmindedly touch my neck. I glared at the blood in the I.V. cord they put on my left hand. I can feel the needle they put on my vein, making me cuss inwardly.

“I almost slip on the mud, Akira tried to catch me…” I need not explain further. Yuan heave a sigh of relief.

“That’s what Akira has said, I just need to confirm it if he’s telling the truth.” He nodded in understanding. “But the doctor insisted on you staying here until tomorrow.”

“Let’s agree to disagree,” I pouted, “I’m not in pain. I’m fine—fine.” I hissed when he glared at me.

“I’ll go home for a while to grab some clothes. Do you have anything in mind you want to eat?”

I shook my head and dismissed him.

I’m busy browsing through the channels when the door opened. I didn’t pay attention, knowing it’s just Yuan. Maybe he forgot something.

“What again, Yu?” I asked without paying attention.

Then a masculine smell filled the room. I slowly peeled my eyes from the TV to look at my visitor. He’s wearing a yellow hoody and denim ripped jeans. He put the basket of fruit on the table and slowly approached me.

“How are you?” he asked.

I’m too stunned to answer. He must have seen my reaction so he went to the couch and made himself comfortable.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

Akira shrugged and focused on the TV. “I don’t know. You just freaked out. It was my first time seeing someone freak out. I don’t even know what I have done but you have acted like I’ve violated you.” He stated without looking at me. “What have I done to you, Roux?”

This time he stares right through my eyes.

Then the boy from my nightmare is staring back at me. Those same green eyes. No. That’s impossible.

He snapped his fingers in front of me, making me almost jump.

“You sure are a weird person.” He mumbled, “Anyways, I’m sorry if I freaked you out.” He doesn’t even sound like he’s sorry. What a dick.

“I’m fine. You can go now.”

“How cold.” He smirked, showing his deep dimples. “I’m bored. Lucas is whoring around Luna. I have nowhere to go.”

“So?” I asked the most obvious question.

“I’ll just stay here until your brother comes back. Don’t worry, I won’t touch you.”

Then as if he’s home, he kicked his shoes and made himself comfortable on the couch while watching the TV. I can’t even focus on the cartoons he’s watching. He’s too animated with the show.

I’m not sure but when I heard him laugh, I find it relaxing. It’s like I’m safe. The boy’s face comes into my memory. I can’t remember the boy’s name. I’m not even sure if the boy really existed. My doctors said our brains can play us tricks.

I’m not even sure if those nightmares really happened—or all of them happened.

When I woke up in the hospital thirteen years ago, parts of my recollection were wiped out. I can’t even remember my name and what happened to me. I’ve got ugly burns, wounds, and bruises all over my body. I freak out whenever someone touches me. Then after few months, I’ve started having nightmares. They were like broken records—until now. It was just recently when the faces in those nightmares become clear—not as crystal—but at least they somehow look realistic.

My parents send me to school but I don’t last an hour because they said I keep on shouting and crying. That’s how I ended up being homeschooled. I took up online classes. Whenever Yuan and I go out, he makes sure it will be late at night so there will be less people. I sometimes feel bad for him but he said not to worry.

***

I wasn’t even aware that I fell asleep. When I woke up around seven, Akira’s gone and Yu has come back. Kori checks on me after two hours since he’s on duty. He’s a resident doctor in the hospital but he also has his clinic. Since he’s a psychiatrist, he stays in his clinic most of the time after his shift in the hospital. Yuan is an orthopedic but he prefers to work in the school. He said that he likes it better there but I know that he just insisted on working there because I’m studying there.

“I was planning to cook but it will take me time so I just ordered in your favorite restaurant.” He explained while taking the sushi out of the paper bag.

“Thank goodness, you didn’t.” I let out an exaggerated breath which made him chuckle.

“You’re heartless.” He chided as he took the seat beside my bed.

“She’s just being honest.” Kori interrupted.

Yuan glanced at him and Kori, being himself, took the opportunity to snatch a bite from Yu’s chopsticks. I laughed when Yuan pinched him using the same chopsticks. Gee, gross.

Kori looks good wearing a scrub suit. He’s rocking the ponytail on top of his head. He looks like more a model than a doctor. His stethoscope is resting on his neck like a necklace. He’s fit for a busy person like him. Yuan is good-looking, too.

I wonder how many hearts they have broken and girls they have ruin when they were in college. I know Kori is a Lothario and he has girls coming in and out of his life but I never have seen Yuan date anyone.

“You feeling good, Roux baby?” Kori playfully asked.

Yuan elbowed him. “Don’t baby my sister, dumbass.”

He glared at Kori but the latter just laughed. Kori checked my I.V. and my blood pressure.

“I’m good. I need to go home now.” I mumbled while chewing my food.

“Uh, uh, uh.” Kori waved a finger in front of me. “You’re still under observation, darling. Just wait until tomorrow.”

When he’s done checking me up, he pulled another chair and joins our dinner.

“I didn’t know you’re classmate with Aki,” Kori mentioned.

Yuan watch me with interest. I shrugged, dismissing their malicious smirks. Now they’re acting like I was not hospitalized because of him.

“Didn’t know you have a cousin,” Yu said.

“He’s a cousin from mother side. He’s from North Carolina. I don’t know why he doesn’t want to stay at their mansion. He studied his junior years here but went back to North Carolina last year. Their family is quite a mess. Can’t blame the boy.” Kori shrugged like it’s not a big deal. “He’s a good kid, Roux. You don’t have to be afraid of him and I’m sorry I forgot to tell him about your situation. You being here is practically my fault.”

I just smiled at him. Kori’s a nice guy. Why am I going to get mad at him? He never put me into a hard situation. Just like Yuan, he puts me on top of his list first and treats me like her own sister. I’m so thankful I have them with me.