1:14 AMIt was already past one after midnight and being frustrated was an understatement. Khloe was probably sleeping already.My friends were still up and it looked like they were not planning to sleep yet. We were in the third series of Harry Potter but they were not even watching it. Well, neither was I because I was thinking about how to sneak out of this room without being caught. However, they were not making it easier for me.My captain brought an alcoholic red wine although she knew that she was light when it comes to the drinking game. Fortunately for her, Bailey was the one who drank most of the beverage. I had no idea if it was a good sign, seeing that she was dancing on the top of the bed like a ballerina. Quinn managed to control her girlfriend from drinking but Arisa seemed hyperactive at the moment as she hummed a classic piano piece, playing along with Bailey.Quinn was sitting on the other side of her bed, back against the headboard as she watched the two in amusemen
The harmonious chirp of the birds gradually woke me up from my sleep. The light from an unfamiliar window brought warmth through my skin but slipped in my untainted eyes, making me wince softly. Still, in my hazy state, I made a move from my spot but was halted by the arms around my waist.My eyes bulged out, fully alert now that I wasn't exactly in my own room but immediately calmed down once I recalled last night events.The smile on my lips coordinated with the rays of the sunlight, utterly in the bliss that Khloe and I slept together in a spooning position. I carefully rolled around Khloe's embrace, trying not to wake her up and looked at her unconscious form. Some of her coffee tresses were on her face. Their shades lighten due to the flickers of the sunbeam coming from her window. The long lashes of her eyes were noticeable with her hazel-green orbs hiding beneath her lids. The smooth skin of her face bloomed replicating her beauty. Contrary to her sister who had the sweetest fa
"I promise, I will make it up to you. Please forgive me, princess," the person who was the reason why I have invisible chains around my feet and who turned my life a bit miserable was kneeling in front of me, earning the attention of all the students in the hallway, making my life more miserable. He was trying to hand out the bouquet of roses and a plush teddy bear to me but I was still frozen at my own place.I really wanted to blame it all to Alec. It was the easiest for me. Because of him, I was grounded for a whole month. And it meant one modified mobile phone with just a few contacts and one laptop with the custom-built operating system. I wasn't allowed to go anywhere before and after school. My Dad even hired a chauffeur for me to make sure I would follow by his rules.It was all absurd. I was already a senior and he was treating me like a child."Can you please say something?" Alec insisted, standing on his feet with a heavy sigh.Ignoring the buzzing of the people around us,
"What's gotten into your foul mood?" Alec asked as he dribbled the basketball repeatedly against the concrete of the school track and field.Rolling my eyes, I gulped down the energy drink I was holding before I acknowledged his presence. "And why are you here? As I remember, you don't play any sports for our school.""I need to talk to you," he said, gripping the ball between his hands."You always need to talk to me. Tell me, Alec. You sneaked into my room not because of Xander, right?" I questioned suspiciously. Alec would never let himself get into trouble just because Xander asked for help. He was better than being his chained puppy.Letting out a sigh, he looked at me apologetically then he glanced over his shoulder. The cheerleading squad was on break, stretching their muscles before our dance routine so he was free to annoy me. Well, maybe it was good that he was bothering me, or else I would just stare longingly at the soccer field which was being occupied by the soccer team,
The night was already mysterious. The moon was hiding in the clouds like a shy maiden refusing to expose her beauty but some stars were confidently blazing between the massive mist of the nightfall. The autumn was fairly bitter, however, inside the tree house, the dancing flame warmed the air, bringing me a sense of protection.It was already two thirty-four and I was still wide awake, resisting to get any sleep because of wanting to appreciate the time with Khloe. It was already weekend so I wasn't bothered about getting up late tomorrow. Mom would always let me sleep until ten on a Saturday morning so it was safe to say that everything was going to be fine, I believe.Though I insisted to wash the dishes, Khloe refused and shoved me lightly towards the unfinished canvas of her father instead."Try to end my misery with that," she jeered before going back to her tiny kitchen.I scoffed, crossing my arms as I looked at her in disbelief. "I do the work but it's your misery?""Oh c'mon,
Did you ever have a feeling of never-ending joy in your heart? That no matter what terrible things come in your way, the enormous bliss is still in you, blooming and soaring in each part of your soul?Well, I was definitely filled with this unexplainable feeling.My weekend started at dawn. After that night out at the lake, driving back to the treehouse and then those dramatic confessions, Khloe and I had fallen into sleep with affectionate smiles on our lips, only to be bombarded with a call at five in the morning.It was my father who was asking me where I was and demanding me to go back home before he calls for a search party. Khloe was worried but I felt odd.Contentment with no regret— that's how I felt as Khloe drove me back home.Because damn, it was all worth it. I've got to hear her say she liked me too. My feelings were reciprocated finally and all I wanted to do once I entered our house, was to embrace my parents and tell them how happy I was.However, it wasn't my scene. D
Time.They say it's an illusion invented by humans dividing our present, past, and future. It was designed because of our need to measure the cycle of life. Who even decided that there are sixty seconds in a minute, sixty minutes in an hour, and twenty-four hours in a day?For me, it's the concept of reality, inspiring us to live. It's a system that resides before the day you were born and preserves even after your death. It's an endless indication of beginning and end yet time itself does not have a beginning nor an end.In summary, time does not exist.However, perpetual change does.Like how the petals falling off each day, the trees and flowers no longer bloom after spring, cold winds during autumn, grey sky, and harsh droplets against my glass window. Winter was coming with the dead.Because my mind was already begging to die of boredom.I'd been working my brain out about what I could possibly do on Wednesday of our first week of winter break. During this season, I would usually
"Are you insane?!"Giving her a sharp look, I gripped the ski poles in my hand, keeping my patience in check. We ignored Alec who was hollering in excitement as he slid through the snow surface ahead of us."Ry, this is Khloe we're talking about," Arisa exclaimed before detaching her boots from her ski plates. "She's-she's a bad news and of all people, you clearly knew that she loves to play tricks. I swear, Ry! I swear that you're gonna get hurt.""Love hurts, A," I defended, pulling the helmet off my head and carried my equipment.My best friend frowned. "Love? Oh gosh, Ry! Listen to yourself. You sound like a poet worshipping her lover."I rolled my eyes and began to head back to the luxurious chalet Arisa rented for tonight's party. Hiding my hands into the front pockets of my ski jacket, I roamed my eyes around the icy resort, hoping I could find my girlfriend. It had been two hours since the party started but I didn't see even a strand of her hair yet."You can't love her, Ry,"
Extraordinary.The day had become extraordinary since I'd met the person who completed my half-empty canvas. My life had changed so drastically as love and struggles forced us to bloom into a broad picturesque of a happy family. Khloe and I were led to a life of imperfect yet seamless routine. Our life opened up to countless possibilities and we created our future together through ups and downs. We both aspired to be a better individual, not only for ourselves but also for each other.After 'the incident', Khloe suffered greatly from trauma and we didn't have a choice but to seek help. I was traumatized too so we went together and helped each other to get healed from the past tragedy. Years had gone by and so we'd grown. Now, I was already the art director of a private museum, the Caslary Art Foundation, that was being financed by Quinn Blackburn for already two years. Not only did it showcase talented new artists, but it was also established for a cause, and that was to help the chil
The harmonious chirps of the birds lurched me out of my daydream, illuminating the polar night before my eyes. The painting had an emotional value in my heart. It was a hidden gem hanging inside a wooden treehouse, an art which was denied from the world. For me, this was more authentic than any art I have ever seen. Because it seen memories and growth. It was seeing the fruition of my existence through the age of time. Its original painter was no longer in this world, and yet every time I stare at it, it would always make me feel alive. Now it was watching me about to step closer to another chapter of my life."You need me?" the familiar voice asked, causing my eyes to avert from the magnificent painting.Mad stood a few feet away from me. And I looked at her dashing presence. She was wearing a long burgundy velvet dress enlightening her feminine persona. Her medium short curls were braided in style. However, I could still feel her menacing presence as she sat on the couch, next to me
*trigger warning*The rain poured out of nowhere, causing me to bolt into the cab in a hurry. Once I was in, I placed the box of art material beside me with a smile. I was certain that Hilary was going to give me an earful of rant for buying her another set of brushes. Last month, I had surprised her when we went to an art gallery of her favorite modern artist. She was so ecstatic to see those modern arts with me. She even managed to buy one of his masterpiece as a keepsake for attending a launching event for the first time.All I ever wanted is to make her happy. Since we moved in together three months ago, our relationship got stronger. Although there were some arguments, we wouldn't let it pass midnight and would just talk it out like a mature couple. We shared our dreams with each other and we adjusted our flaws according to our individuality. We both struggled to manage our schedules because she'd started her part-time job in a library near the university just two weeks ago while
The deadly silence of the room enamored the scene underneath my sight. I couldn't hear anything but I was seeing his bare body towering over me, his hands around my neck. The dark shades of his orbs were the roots of evil, anger was prominent as they stared at mine. The air was so rare, serenity was nowhere to be found. My lung wasn't functioning as it tried to seek even an ounce of life.He had a mad smile on his face, relieving himself using my damaged soul. It was sickening, how he moved against my body. I wanted to shut my eyes and just take all the illusion away. I was aware that this was just a nightmare I had no control with. The nightmare that could possibly happen afterward, if all else had failed.At least, there was no pain. But only deadly silence. And once I finally found a chance to breathe, I screamed at the top of my lungs, knowing it would be my key to reality.Once again, I jerked up and raced for a breath of air. Then I quickly moved my eyes to Hilary, but this time
I didn't want to admit it but I was saddened by the news that Mad was gonna leave today. Her job here was already done. Even though I'd only known her for a while, she'd already made a huge impact in our lives and someday, I would have the chance to pay her back for saving my life, that's for sure. Despite her assurance that we were going to be safe from now on, still, I was holding this poisonous threat in my heart. If I was to decide, I wanted Hilary's personal bodyguard to stay with us, like forever. I'd finally considered her as our friend already, despite my irritation towards her the first time we've met. She grew on me along with her insightful advice."Are you sure you don't want us to drop you off at the airport?" Hilary asked Mad, hugging her tight.As usual, Mad felt awkward at the gesture, causing me to smile endearingly at them. "You're squeezing her so hard, waltz. Let her breathe."Hilary stepped an inch away while pouting at her bodyguard adorably. "I'm gonna miss you,
"Are you sure about this?" Quinn asked, glancing at me curiously."I need this closure," I said faintly. It was still early in the morning and yet, the dark cloud was already blocking the rays of the sun. The weather seemed to match my mood at this moment— dreadful and dark. The wind caressing my hair and skin from the open window of my sister's car greatly sent the aroma of the cold daybreak.We were on our way back to our town. I had to do this so that I could see him with my own eyes— that he's gonna be there, confined with his life rotting away. My rage for him was so palpable but somewhere in my heart, I pitied him. In the first place, he was mentally damaged because of the life that was forcefully shoved into him. That Malum tortured and brainwashed Jet's whole existence like a trained lion in a circus. However, we all have choices and Jet chose to be consumed by his own insanity. He let others systemize his own beliefs and his own life. And those choices nearly called upon the
"Hey, you're still staring at your portrait? You love it that much, huh?" Hilary questioned, hugging me from behind. She gently swayed our bodies together side by side, toning the atmosphere into the essence of sweetness.With an unbreaking smile, I eagerly nodded. We were standing in my study room and I'd been gawking at the painting of mine since I came home from my last class of the day. It astounded me to the core that someone painted me for the first time.This work of art that Hilary had given me for my birthday was the best thing I'd ever receive as a present in my whole life. Aside from the fact that it was from perfect her, I was also overwhelmed by the smudges of bright acrylic dyes covering the grudges area underneath my whole feature. It was an absolute abstract of my face tinted with sophistication and beyond."I love it so much. I can't stop staring at it every time I come here," I said, beaming happily.Hilary giggled, kissing me on my shoulder. "I'm glad you do because
A soft caress stirred me awake from unconsciousness. Gently, I opened my eyes to see my gorgeous masterpiece who was holding my hand tightly on her cheek. Her eyes were already submitting to sleep but she was trying to fight it. I was about to reach out for her but a sudden pain at the back of my head halted me."My waltz," I groaned out, breaking her subliminal state to abrupt panic. Hilary blinked as if she was just dreaming. I squeezed her hand tightly to emphasize my presence while I lifted my other hand to touch my head. However, Hilary was quick to stop me, pushing my arm back down."No, Klo. They just put a bandage on your wound," she said, her tone was full of concern.That was my cue to scan the surroundings and I could tell that I was in a hospital room. My memories charged back in my head and it instantly produced a fear within my system. Pushing myself to sit up, my girlfriend carefully guided me as she stood up from her seat."W-What happened?"Hilary sat on the edge of t
"Happy Birthday!! Make a wish!"I timidly smile at them while Hilary raised the cake in front of me. I closed my eyes and only wished for the happiness of all the people I love the most. It was something general but would be worth it anyway in the long run. Opening my eyes, I blew off all the ninety candles and Hilary smeared my face with coffee frosting. I chuckled, giving her a warning look, to which she responded with a wink.Arisa and Quinn clapped as they seated on the other side of the table. We were in the VIP room of the dining restaurant that Hilary had booked for us. The place was already an old restaurant but just renovated months ago so the sophisticated interior looked fresh in the eye. It smelled like a scented paint mixed with the aroma coming from the kitchen. It seemed a popular dine-in stop as I noticed that the area was almost already full. I wondered how she had managed to reserve this private space, knowing that she had already spent half of her allowance for the