Things turned even worse for me.
Family isn't the only thing I was dealing with. Instead of burdening my parents further, I had to keep what's happening at school to myself. My problems were considered incomparable to Kyle's situation after all.
During middle school, I was bullied a lot because I was short and stupid. People always picked on me 'cause they think I'm just a weak pathetic loser. I can't even fight back since they're always in groups. Asking the teacher for help won't even do me good, they're always so busy with their jobs.
Though everything isn't that bad enough, I had this person with me. Someone who would comfort me through this hard times. She's a neighbor who I knew since I was a little child, and she's nothing more than a college student who's a part-time tutor.
"…you know Keith, you should focus more on studying. Games will only rot your brain and eyes."
"You sound like my mom, Kath."
She laughed and messed my hair up. "Well, aren't I like a big sister? Big sisters are like mothers they say. Though I don't know if that's true, I never had any siblings."
Katherine like a big sister? I snorted.
"You're not my big sis, we're not real siblings."
"But you're already like my younger brother to me!" She wiped her dry eyes as if she was crying. "How dare you say that. I've taken care of you since then, and this is how you treat me? Why did my cute little Keith grew up like this!"
"Quit teasing me!" I complained, and she just laughed it off again.
"Alright, alright. I'll stop now." And so, she continued being busy with some files while I was playing on my phone.
I'd often hang around in her house so I won't have to see my nagging parents at home. She'd take care of me no matter how busy she is when I'm at her house, and it felt nice to have someone take care of me.
Kath was the only one who ever cared.
Sometimes she'll even take me out to places we always wanted to visit, take pictures and buy souvenirs for ourselves for remembrance. It was always fun with her. And everytime we go out makes me feel like I'm going out on a date with my girlfriend.
"What's up with you Keith!? Do you feel sick, why are you so red right now?" She asked.
I can't help but feel flustered at the sight of her. She just suddenly looked so lovely when she tried on some plain hairclip. Everything she puts on always makes her prettier. "Err, no. You must be seeing things." I faced down to avoid her gaze.
"Hahaha, maybe it's time for us to go home now." She extended her hand, and I didn't hesitated to take it.
We walked home holding hands like a couple. It was the best feeling until some random fucker ruined it for me—"There! The big sister with her younger brother! Why not try this dessert? Only for a cheap price!" That damn saleswoman!
"Oh? You heard that Keith? She thought we're siblings hehehe."
"Tsk. Whatever…" I quit on holding her hand and walked on a faster pace.
"Keith? Keith! Wait for me!" She called. I didn't look back and just continued. From then on, I began to feel disheartened whenever she would treat me like a younger sibling. Though I can deal with it, as long as she's there for me, there's nothing else I can ask for.
Then something inevitable happened. I was too sure that it won't ever happen because I always believed that Kath was meant for me, though it still happened.
I was on my way to her house after school, and I saw her outside all dressed up. "Kath?…" I was going to approach and ask her why she's out here, and I got petrified seeing a tall handsome guy come near her and held her by the waist.
They almost look like lovers. "What the… fuck?" That was the first time I ever experienced what they call… a fucking heartbreak.
And she even smashed it more to bits when she searched for me just to introduce me to her boyfriend as her fucking younger brother. "Keith! This is my boyfriend, Josh. Josh, this is Keith! The little brother I'm always telling you about."
"Oh, nice to meet you! Kath told me a lot about you—" when the guy wanted to shake hands with me, I only stared at his hand causing him to put it away.
It suddenly got awkward and Kath got worried. "K-Keith? Is there something wrong?"
"I'm not your younger brother, okay!?" Then I slammed the door shut at their faces. That was the last time I ever saw her. And I never seek to see her face ever again.
That time, it felt like I was back to square one… I was miserable all on my own, again.
I couldn't care less anymore. I was like a balloon getting filled with water, and the water never stopped until I exploded. After all that, I began to fight back from all those damn shitty thugs who kept picking on me.
"Hey shrimpy! Got anything good today?" The three usual thugs followed me while I was on my way home. When they were about to take my bag, I fought them right on the spot.
I got to throw a few punches, but still got beaten in the end.
Then it became a routine. There was not a day that I can't fight them. They would always go after me, and it experiencing it over and over taught me how to fight back. "You fucking pipsqueak!" And when I was about to get hit on the face again, somebody was kind enough to stop it from happening.
"Woah there! Mess with someone your own size. The kid can't even fight back with all the three of you." A topless guy with a huge tattoo of a scythe showed up.
That was my very first moment to meet the person who I looked up to until today. "S-Shit! It's him!! It's Ren of the—"
"Shut your trap and run along now."
"Eek!" Then those thugs ran away as fast as they can. As for me, I was still on the ground, amazed by this guy infront of me. He glanced at me and grinned. "Hey! You can go home now, they won't come after you anymore."
"O-Oh thanks."
"No prob, see 'ya around!" He turns his back on me and got on his way.
"Wait! W-Who are you?!…" I yelled asking.
He faced me again and smirked. "It's Ren."