Oh, hi. Sorry for not introducing myself. If it wronged you.....I don't care. Hi! My name is Alexis, but I prefer to be called Alex instead. From my tone, you can actually hues how old I might be. And pretty much my life. Okay, I'm a teen, who has the straightest grades in class. So, anyone would picture my life as a spartan life. Living simple and disciplined. Um-pause. In reality, I hate doing house chores and spend 60% of my life playing video games. (Proud) Fair enough. I live in the cold cities of Gregory....Gregory city....not to make it awkward. Among all the other cities in my country, this is the one that has the fastest development ever. Schools are of low fees and affordability, good social amenities, good education system, clean streets and good water and food. The markets are_ WHY AM I EXPLAINING THIS IN THE INTRODUCTION!!? I'M SUPPOSED TO BE TALKING ABOUT MYSELF!! And besides, I hate this place. It's so noisy. Then we have our noisy neighbours, who start blowing a free concert from 5 to 8 am in the morning. I turn my head fumbling with my pillow. Holy crap. Did I commit a crime in my past life to deserve this sort of torture?
Even if I did, I pray all the time, don't I? So why can't you forgive med and kill those people ifc you have to!?
"Alexis! Can I come in? "
A low voice suddenly called out to me from outside. In a hoarse muffled tone, I responded,
"Yes, but don't..." *BANG!!*
He slams the door open with so much force that the loud bang made my almost jump out of my skin in panic.
"I SAID YOU CAN COME IN, NOT GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK!!! "
He ignored my comment and walks into my room with a slow pace. He wore a very innocent smile all through, but I just couldn't help the feeling that he was holding back something mischievous. On his way, he suddenly licks his lips seductively...which...somehow..made me cringe. As if that wasn't disgusting enough, he climbs on the bed, pressed me down and brought his face close to mine in attempt to-
"HOLY GOD~STOP~ I CAN'T! NOT WITHMY SIBLING! "
Suddenly, he pauses, then surprisingly starts laughing.
"💢Rena, this isn't funny. You nearly made me die of shock. "
He tries a few more times to hold his laughter and it made me even angrier. He was clearly enjoying this, and it's not like it's the first time either. How annoying.
"Are you done?"
"Sorry. I just wanted to wake you up, but I couldn't find a better way to do it, so I..."
"Selected a method from you BL novels. How creative. "
He flinched. It's obvious he didn't know I know he has a liking for BL novels.
"Wait, what? I-I didn't.."
"Forget about that. Why are you here? "
"Like I earlier said, I came to greet you. "
He replied with an innocent smile again. I should probably give it a name, because it's starting to creep me out. But after his reply, his smile was replaced with a look of worry. What was it again?
"But, this is so unusual. You always sleep and wake up late, but today, when I barged in ,it seems you were already awake. "
Oh, is that so? Then all the anger started rushing back. And with twitchy eyebrows, I responded,
"Well, thanks to our future band next door, I had a blast of a morning"
"Oh, dear."
"But you know it was partly your fault right?"
"Eh? Me?"
"Why didn't you shut the windows before you went to bed yesterday?! "
"Um, I....."
"Don't give excuses and take responsibility for your actions! You understand the condition of our neighbourhood, yet you completely forgot about it!"
"I'm sorry~"
I look at him again, and he looked really sorry as his words said, judging from his softened look, tears clouding his ocean blue eyes, sniffling, and fidgeting with his fingers and trying to avoid my gaze. Man, if you can't tell the correct variation, you might mistaken him and his mother for siblings. Soft, feminine, and cute. Unlike me who takes after my father with the hard looks, that I think scares people away. Who cares? It wasn't my fault to be born from a father with fierce looks. And besides, even after my fierce appearance, there's still one person who loves me, cares for me and humbled himself before me, even though it's like we're from two different worlds. How can I stay mad at you? I gently raise my hand and caress his soft blonde hair lightly, as if touching something that might easily break. He responds by smiling brightly at me.
"Am I forgiven, big brother Alexis?"
"Yes. But you gotta stop calling me Alexis. It's more masculine when it's called Alex. "
Gee, why do I sound like frickin lecturer ?
"Okay. Hurry and get out of bed. I've made you breakfast. We don't want you missing your escort to the museum ~"
"Give me a break. "
"It's understandable that you didn't sign up for it, but Sir Josef just assisted you as his bright student, y'know. "
"I don't wanna hear about it. It's already annoying enough that I woke up today against my will. Talking about this will rather rot my mood. "
He smiles knowingly. "Sure. Just don't go late to avoid problems"
He stands up and walks out of the room leaving me again to myself. I look at my hand which I used to rub his head with. I felt the feeling again. The feeling of an old wound opening with a very irresistible pain. I clutch my chest, trying to suppress my emotions. Every time he's in my presence, he brings back memories of the past that I keep trying to avoid. Except, right there, at that time, in his face, the memories are rather pleasant and heart warming. Like the images appear frozen and they make me...feel safe. But the moment he leaves, I feel a sudden breeze of emptiness rush through my veins, leaving me...afraid and alone. Distant. Depressed. Every memory starts piercing through me like swords, from all angles, every image, a rather frustrating sight. No. What am I doing? I can't be like this. Everyone is gone, and now, it's just the two of us. A two man army. For his sake, I have to stay strong. No matter what. I need to face it head first, and forward. Rena, don't worry. Big bro...will always protect you...
🎶And the flower died from a heart attack!🎶
Ugh!!!
"DO YOU MIND!!? "
*A few moments later *
"Uh...Um...Sir, is this a mistake? It must be the a nearby shop's capital receipt, right "
"Actually, no. This is your bill for accommodation. "
I look at the paper again. 5000.56¥ ? Up to this much?
"I'm sorry, but you've been living here for a total of six months, and the conditions provided were convenient. Good water supply, good electricity, and an undisturbed environment..."
I flinched. 💢Oh. Undisturbed environment. The free concert I get every morning isn't disturbing enough for someone to fix it. How convenient.
"I'm pretty much aware of how comfortable your environment is, so you should even add an extra to the bills to match up."
Are you crazy!? Add extra to the bills my butt. Go ahead and strip me naked because I live in a 'comfortable environment ' . As if my life hasn't killed me enough.
"Listen, old man. I don't know where you imagined this your undisturbed environment from, but if it's convenient to you, it's not to me. I didn't ask for a straight up four hour concert, but you kindly gave me one. Haven't you heard of sound pollution? Should that be one of the reasons I hand you this huge amount of money? No, you go ahead and tell me!"
I talked his head into his throat, giving every word with the anger I saved up since morning. But deep down, I was rather in deep prayers that he accepts the words. I didn't have a dime on me, and spent just about everything taking Rena to the hospital for the past few months and giving him a healthy diet. I'm so helpless at this moment that I feel like crying. Please, accept my words, old man, I beg you.
The old man calculates for a moment, then suddenly looks up at me who quickly arranged my pitiful face to a serious one again.
"Well, young man, you might bed right. Even I, myself, can back up you experiences from your neighbours. But truth be told, I just couldn't bring myself to forbid them. I heard they're really aggressive and beat people up without a second thought. "
He whispered to me with a cautious tone. And it's pretty much the same rumour I've been getting from all the other tenants. BUT WHO CARES ABOUT THAT!!!? If you don't feel comfortable about someone, you tell them about it. If they refuse to hid and resort to violence, you call the police. They're not in stations to eat donuts and get fat!
"Young man, I suppose the blame is on me. I've let my cowardice bring discomfort to my tenants, so I'll take responsibility for it. For this reason, I'll deduct...100¥ from your bills. "
I froze in shock. In my imagination, I was squeezing the life out of him, but in reality, he just walked away while leaving me with a couple of words ." Go ahead and pay it by next week. I'll be waiting. "
Waiting!? What's the difference between then and now? My head dropped in anguish, but I just swallowed my emotions, and proceed my journey to school.
The next few moments were silent and solemn. The atmosphere was active and bright. The sun was beginning to rise, and it washed the streets which were filled with people moving back and forth to their various work stations. The air was a mixture of exhaust fumes from cars on the road, the smell of coffee, cakes and, sweet scented tea. One could see all the lounges filled with people in responsible attire. People usually had breakfast in lounges before going to work, which was entirely normal since they don't have time to eat at home. Traffic lights switching, honking of cars as they packed up, waiting for pedestrians to cross the road. Cyclists rode by with whooshing speed on the cycling track. My school bus just rode past me, but my head was down. I couldn't hear a single sound, because it seemed that my mind had drowned in an ocean of darkness. I felt myself walking in a void space with just me and my thoughts. Why wouldn't I? Why wouldn't I? It seems that the world has turned it's back on me. My life is such a mess that I feel so ashamed of myself. Ashamed of being born. Ashamed to even have become a brother to someone like Rena. He deserves everything but all this humiliation. But even after all his love for me, I still see myself as a burden to him. As the daisy who wants to suck the rose dry. I feel so pathetic. So pathetic.
*******
KINDERGARTEN DAY OF GRADUATION CEREMONY.
"Rena, where is your adult? Aren't you going to take a photo?"
"I...Uh.. "
The little blonde boy flinched nervously as he tried to conjure an excuse, but nothing came. It was almost the end of the ceremony, but the celebrants and parents stayed back to take photos. Some were eating and others praising their kids for their hardwork. The little boy, carrying a load of prizes, was frustrated, when he finally succumbed to his thought.
"He's not going to come, is he?"
Tears clouded his eyes, and he starts sniffling. Shortly enough, he starts crying, holding his flower in one hand, while the other tried to control the tears flowing from his eyes.
"Boo hoo! Brother 's not comingfor my graduation. "
A young lady came up to him and noticed him crying. She looks at his side and saw all the prizes he received. He was the first of his class, and was awarded the best off all. Unlike him, everyone else is having a blast, but here he is, crying? She wondered all to herself, and she couldn't help but ask.
" Hey, young man. "
The child looks up, and she was immediately stunned. Her eyes glowed as she stared into his with sudden admiration. His ocean blue eyes stared into hers with so much innocence, though the tears continued flowing out of them. She gently crouched to his level, then slowly held out her hands and cupped his face lightly.
"Little one. Why are you so troubled? Look around you. You have the best prizes than anyone else here, yet they look happy. But you're rather sad. Why is that? "
He looks down sadly, then with his soft timid voice, he respond,
"Good miss, you're misunderstanding something. Everyone else didn't have as much gifts than I did, but they're having a blast more than I. It's simply because the people they love came to witness their victory. What could be more pleasant than that? Having all the gifts in the world cannot compare to those people who always want to see your success and smile with you in your victory."
She is taken aback by his explanation. She blinked a few more times to process the fact that it was actually a child who just spoke those words to her.
'He looks so small,....barely even 10, I suppose. But, he just said something even an adult won't be able to understand. But it makes so much sense. It makes me wonder the person who raised him. I need to speak to his parents. I can't believe a family can actually raise such a masterpiece. '
"Tell me, darling. Who are your parents?"
He blinked.
"Parents? Like a mother and father? "
She nods to approve the question, but he surprisingly gently shook his head in denial. She is shocked again, and this time, couldn't believe it.
'What? No parents? Then who could've raised him?'
"Rena!!!"
A loud voice called from a distance, as it's position was constantly changing till it got to the both of them. A young boy with red-shaded-brown hair, and piercing red eyes stopped before them. The woman was confused at first but doesn't say a word, but when she turns to the little boy, his eyes sparkled and a look of excess joy washed over his face that instant.
"I hope the party hasn't ended, so I can celebrate my champion. "
[Random waitress] "The party is left 13 more minutes to close. "
"Oh, come on! Seriously!? Am I always late? Gee, I'm so sorry. I didn't...."
But before he finished, the small boy ran to him and embraced him tightly as though preventing him from Leaving. He then burst into tears, crying loudly and holding unto the young man's neck. He was taken aback by his reaction, and the celebrants and parents were quickly attracted by his loud cry. They all turn around confused, but the little boy didn't care. He holds on even more unto him, and cried even more. The young man smiled, then placed his hand behind his head in a comforting way, and embrace him too.
"It's okay. I'm so glad you waited for me."
*********
But for how long? How long will he keep waiting for me? Just how much more time do I have before I can close the gap between my fortune and I? Tears start running down my eyes in the middle of the road, but I bowed my head and silently bled. Life is way too hard. It's just too much for me to bear. Not for me, but for him. If there's a God up there, how long should I keep waiting?
The journey continued, from the train station, to the bus stop, then finally, to my school.' LEONARDO'S ART INVENTORY '
I roll the door open, then step in. The corridors were mostly empty, so it was my own footsteps that echoed in it. My peripheral vision could spot the walls, covered in words written in red markers. I shrugged them off. It was almost like a tradition for George to pick on me like this. Absolutely nothing new. The only thing is I wish I had parents just like him. Even if I wanted to fight back, I'd have people to back me up. I want to try as much as I can to keep a good reputation, and not trouble Rena's life.
I come to my locker, and start parking my stuff and taking out my history textbook. I close the door and turned my head to leave, but I paused. I turn back to the locker and stared at it again to see if I wasn't mistakened. Wait, did he.....
********
A tall handsome man, with shoulder length silky black hair, with dark brown eyes, wearing a charcoal grey slim-fit dress shirt, accompanied with tailored black trousers, and quality leather black shoes to match. He had a perfect jaw line, and smooth flawless skin, and a fair complexion. He looked slim and broad shouldered, but his physique could barelybe avoided from the fit shirt. He lifts his glasses up his long nose bridge, then sends his focus back to his wrist watch. He squirts his eyes, and a look of impatience flew across his face. He sighs softly, then puts both his hands in his pocket, while staring at the door. All the students stared in silence, but there was a hint of tension between them. The man didn't seem to care, and rather kept his focus on the door. He suddenly hears the faint tapping of the table, and he adverts his gaze to the rest of the class.
He else everyone in the class, to scoop out who called his attention, but no one seemed to be in a suspicious posture. He fully turns to them, and nonchalantly says,
" Yes, miss Juliet. Is there a question you wanted to ask?"
The timid girl in the back flinched, her body trembling. All eyes turn to the back, and she couldn't help but whimp. Regretting calling out in the first place, she reluctantly stands up.
"Sheesh, how were weak people like you even born? So timid and disgusting. It seems you all just came to occupy the space. Good as you're weak, so you can die soon."
A young boy blurted out