Liam

The red lines grew thicker with each stoke as the black thinner strokes blended with it. The darkness of the mind- its too much. My breath was stuck in my throat as I craved for air. My head felt light as I gripped the wall for support. My eyes closed- fighting with the beast hunting and torturing me. It was a powerless beast. Almost having no physical strength. But it had the ability to knock me out of my sense, just enough to push me to an edge.

"I told you not to do that!" I heard Yuna's stern voice from my void. "He might be your brother, but he is also my friend."

"He deserves to know about it." Oliver replied in a dark tone. "We can't lie to him forever."

"You are in no position to make judgements for your brother. It's his decision."

My knees felt weak as I fell on my knees. I slowly opened my eyes as Cecilia's face came in my view. Her eyes looked into mine as she carefully held my palms, scared to break me even more. I slowly looked back as watched Yuna and Oliver getting into a physical fight.

Yuna's left cheek was bruised and there were signs of scratches on his neck. Oliver wasn't in a good state either. Her lips were bleeding a bit and her knuckles red. They lunged on each other, beating each other in every possible way.

"Guys, stop!" Cecilia screamed at them, but they ignored her cries. I looked at her as tears were slowly forming in her eyes.

Cecilia was always a sensitive person, caring and helping us in whatever way possible. Fights and violence were something that her delicate eyes can't handle. Too much kindness became her weakness. Well, that's what I at least remember about her. Or was it?

This is too much.

I sprinted on my legs as I ran back into the school. The only thing ringing in my mind was Oliver and Yuna's heavy breaths, Cecilia's cries and-

My hands grabbed the door and pushed it open with all force.

"I-"

Stopped. My heart dropped as brown eyes found the green ones.

"What do you want now?"

Fogs of darkness filled my vision as a rush of wind went by. My hands started to shake as I clenched them. Blood was gushing through my veins as I stared into the dark. The only thing I could see. The only thing in front of me. Brown eyes. Brown eyes of Leah Gardenia.

I snapped out of my thoughts as my hand rose, grabbing Leah by her collar as I pushed her into the classroom. She grabbed my hand, struggling to free herself as I pushed her to the lockers. My predator eyes saw nothing but her. Her back made a harsh contact with the lockers as she dropped to the ground. She looked up at me as I pulled her up. Her face showed an emotion. Fear. Her eyes widened; her face turned pale as I pushed her near the window. Half of her body was hanging out of the window, her legs barely on the ground. She frantically moved her hands to my grip as she tried to free herself.

The woman knew that she was trapped. She ran through the dark halls as the figure followed her, his heavy steps being audible to her ears. Dead end stood in front of her as she finally faced the figure. Her legs felt jelly as she crashed to the gravel ground. Fear flowed from her blood as her eyes rose to the figure. Mouth dropped in horror, the shadow to the figure grew large, overshadowing her as she let out the final screams-

A large hand gripped my hand as it pulled me back, leading to me to collide with the chairs. I groaned in pain as I turned to the person.

"No need to use violence. There is a thing known as 'talking things out'."

A tanned man towered over me, his hands resting in his pockets. His eyes lighted with fire. His face held a stern expression as he shielded Leah from me.

The woman took a breath of relief as her knight in shinning armour had finally appeared. The beast made no other move. He just stood in its place.

"What do you want?" I spoke in a rudely. "No need to poke into our matter-"

"Do you want to talk to him?" The man ignored me as he turned towards Leah. Leah's eyes fell on me. Perhaps it was my red glare and frightening expression that made her flinch.

"Ignore him and answer my question." The man rested his hand on her shoulder as her body slowly calmed. She took a deep breath as she looked away from me.

"I have nothing to talk to him about."

The beast felt a huge spear pierce through his heart as he felt agonizing pain. He stumbled to the ground as he continued to look at the woman, rather than the knight who had actually attacked him. Maybe because she was responsible for it.

"He suddenly came into the room and held my collar, slamming me into to the lockers."

"Hmm, I see." The man only glanced at me for a second. But that one glance for enough for me to feel a shiver down my spine.

Words weren't needed for that moment. The human body language and expressions were enough for me.

Was that a glare?

"Let's go, young lady." The man grabbed her hand as he pulled her out of the room. He bumped into me before looking at me with superior eyes as he closed the door shut.

That man . . . . I don't want to see him again.

Leah

"What was that?" I asked Evan calmly as he wore his seatbelt. "What were you doing at my school?"

"Is it bad that I wanted to visit your school and see how you are doing?" He threw a smirk at my way as he started the car.

"You never cared about how I was doing at school before. Why now?" I fiddled with my fingers, my gaze out of the window.

He didn't say anything as he silently drove the car through the various small buildings. I let out a large sigh as I looked at him.

"It's because of Liam, isn't it?"

He slammed his leg on the brake as the car came to a sudden stop. He tapped his index finger on the steering wheel as he slowly looked at my way. He didn't have to say it out loud. I already knew the answer just by looking into his eyes.

"I can handle it." He started the car again as drops of rain slowly fell on the glass. The drops picked up speed as it slowly started to rain heavily.

"Thank god I had decided to pick you up. Otherwise, you would have been soaking wet in the rain right now."

"I already had my umbrella in my bag. I had checked the weather forecast."

I knew that I had touched his nerve. His sensitive-

"Can't you at least let me act like your brother for a while? I am trying to be a good brother."

-brother instincts.

"Just . . ." Words stopped coming from my mouth as the memories flooded my brain. I snapped out of them as a thunder fell. "Act like the head of the family."

"But isn't that father-"

"At least for me."

He zipped his mouth shut as he drove the car to our house, the silence settling between us.

I am just done with everything.

Liam

"Achoo!" I sneezed into the tissue for the nth time as I rubbed my red nose.

"Achoo!" Oliver sneezed as she turned towards her right side.

"You kids." Mom said as she wiped the warm cloth on my body. "Who told you guys to run in the rain?! Now I have to take care of your sick ass!"

"Mom. . . No cussing." Oliver whispered as she got under the covers.

"Shut up woman!" Mom threw a deadly glare at her as Oliver drifted to sleep. "And you! Why didn't you just go with Cecilia's parents?"

"Ah" I scratched my head as yesterday's events came into my mind. "I was with my teacher. You know, the club thing."

A tight chop landed on my head as I groaned in pain. "Next time, be alert. You never may know what might happen."

Yeah, like betrayal.

"You both really love to make me worried, huh?"

"Sorry"

A sigh left her lips as she pecked my forehead.

"I might be a little late since we have a lot of work today. I have kept a stock instant noodles in the kitchen. If you feel hungry, you can just boil the water and eat it."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine."

She smiled as her fingers ruffled my hair. I gave her a cheeky smile. She got up from my bed as she took her bag. She glanced at me as she left the house.

Today's going be a tough day. Running back to house in the rain wasn't a good idea.

Heading back to them after my meeting with Leah, I only saw Oliver. Apparently, Yuna and Cecilia had to go back home. Oliver wasn't in the best condition. Her uniform looked as if it was thrown and stamped on the ground. Her face had cuts and bruises as she lightly smiled at me.

This girl. . .

If Oliver was looking like this, I bet Yuna was no different. Violent fights were common between them. As they grew up, the number of bruises on their bodies also grew. It wasn't like our parents didn't intervene, they did. But that wasn't a great choice since the after results weren't the best. Yuna had a bruised knee while Oliver had a swollen cheek.

I don't remember how their fight had originally started but it was about someone. I wonder who...

Ding dong.

My ears perked up as I slowly sat up on my bed. Is it mom? Did she leave something behind? Usually, Mom prepares everything beforehand and double checks everything. Those are the perks of having a busy lifestyle.

"Coming." I whispered to no one as I slowly got up from my bed and took small steps to the door. A sneeze escaped from my mouth as I unlocked the door.

I entered the passcode, the door buzzed as I opened it. I rubbed my eyes before they fell on the figure standing in front of me.

"No . . . way."