-KEN CÉILIDH SEBASTIAN-
I was sat in front of the computer, leering at black screen, because it's off, yet I could see pictures, I clamp my eyes tight;
What was on my mind last night?
I sigh, sitting under a hazelnut tree gentle gust of wind can never settle my thoughts, clamorous bamboo trees, dragonflies touching lotus petals, before the morning gong--,"Ace!" I snap back in my physical existence, Maximus stood as straight as an arrow, if he was a solider I wouldn't have laughed.
His face was as if he stood on pins and needles, I got up from my seat the leather squeaks and wheels roll away from me. I pull the chair back, grab the books and iPad, I zipped my bag on exactly 4:37am, then alighted down the stairs. Max followed with my shoes in his hand. Victoria brought the neatly ironed uniform blazer, I look at that midnight blue colour, then the embroidered school badge just two inches below the right shoulder. "Thank you for the breakfast Victoria" she smiled and pinned the name badge below the embroidered one. Then I put my tie on "Please get your lunch on time--"
"Don't pick on food and look out for cucumbers I know!" She giggled as I repeat her daily lines. I stopped in the middle, Victoria held her head low.
"I saw your daughter around, um Hailey? Is that her name?" One question and she was shaking like a leaf, "Y-Yes she was here to help me a little.." Lance steps in with his hands full with grocery, "Then what was she doing in my room?" She ate her words and sat on her knees "Hey, Hey! Get up, just don't bring her back". Lance is sailing under false colours by saying he is cook, but I know he use to work in forensic department, everytime I think of him I could visualise him hissing at me like a snake, one day he will bite me; without being aware that I'm immune to all toxins and poison. When I'm gone, he's ferreting around for something "have a good day Sir!" He smiled.
I took my car key and hit the gas. They say you don't know what your future consists of, I think it all bullshit and it's all about thinking backasswards to get the future right. Abruptly Darwin and his 'Glutton Club' cross my mind, the way he use to taste all the exotic meat, and the way he described it into his books, something quiet captivating yet vulgar.
I crave for rabbit recently, and I will have one for sure.
I pass a look in rear view, Max was right behind me. I had to stop due to red light, the daily traffic with fretful crowd blaring their motor horns, to my left is a delivery man. I wave at him he does the same with a neat smile to my right is an extremely fat lady with her two pomeranians jumping on seats.
But when I saw at front, I look at the board, Cidan.Jizho park (street 27). My heart palpitates unevenly. I'm getting short on breaths, hands feel sweaty. She was chewing a gum, wearing a black helmet and ironed uniform with her side bag, I am blessed today. I don't hanker after walking to her, but I wish she notices me. Signal falls green.
I grabbed the wheel my hands were trembling "Fuck" this happens everytime I see her. I get her without further ado still not the right time, school is not too fun, rest of my years were better than this. I pass a glance at Opal and the diamond I gave her; she's been flaunting it off immaculately but whenever she look at me, her gaze wavers, She smelled like Nate and she's still so audacious to face me.
I am sat with no-cheese sandwich, sweet and salty salad, small amount of brown rice and duck soup also the extra banana milk I bought through vending machine. I barely touch anything, Sam is sitting in front of me he's been looking at my watch "let's go fishing today!" He choked and the juice he grabbed to stop coughing came out of his nose which spurt straight into my plate "you alright?" He gave me look that always entertains me, I couldn't help but smile. "Yeah" he hit me on the shoulder then wiped his nose, we gave away our plates.
Around an hour later, I sat on the wooden bench opposite to the founder's statue; I took my graphite chalk and traced the outline, when it started again boys pushing each other 'Scorpions' I sigh those bunch of fat-headed fools are really getting on my nerves. Nate look at me, he smirk at me and kicked one of them.
They started their daily fights, I don't understand their antagonistic behaviour. Those kids have no idea what earthly concerns are almost nothing about human life. They just pound each other like some ill-mannered creatures, Fifth Symphony starts playing in my head Beethoven was really was gifted. It is playing loud and clear, I remember what was it! I want to get my violin strings this time a good one .
I hope Nate stays safe, I got and left to wash my hand which now black because of graphite chalk.
A girl bumped into me, I know her she's Yomi Heathcliff. I call her the flute girl a friend of Jen, last time I finished her off on a piano, not something I would chase. She smiled mischievously then bend over to get her books a lucid sign to follow her. I quietly did until she stopped I look at the classroom that black engraving on steel plate 'G-341' the classroom was used by Scorpion delinquents. She opened the door for me all desks and chairs are just hurled away in corner, Shit, I don't have it with me. I turn around but she hugged me from behind "I-I have it", I smiled on remembering her quivering voice a timid cute, innocent, Yomi. "What if he knows?" I asked while sitting half on the desk she stood in between my legs "told you not ask" I removed my blazer "come here" her eyes reflect the hurt but she's opportunistic and selfish. Just when she was about to kiss "no kissing Yomi" I touch her neck a pounding pulse was felt. I picked her up squeezing her thighs "you are rough you know that?" I laugh at that, then set her down on the desk "I know, Opal always complains" her hands behind my head pulling me in she says softly into my ear "I hate her" like last time she was about to pass out even now, I could still hear students barking at each other she was still shaking and I am deeply despondent.
She raised my shirt "what's this?" I puff out the smoke "birthmark" she traced it but I caught her hand "don't touch" then put the half burnt joint away "Eden is a good guy he's just mad for you take notes Yomi" She shakes her head "What if I say I want you?" She pulled my shirt. "I love Opal" she let it go, I took my blazer and stomp out straightaway into toilet washed my face "I couldn't even finish". I look at the two stalls, but my erection is gone, Yomi smelled like fruits the scent that nauseates me. I walk out gulp down the raspberry and pomegranate juice. Now it feels fine!. Willow was passing, holding a pile of books I immediately took half from her "Oh-oh Thank you so much" she was blushing, bought another can for her, "you know Jen's party?" She asked bashfully, I said yes eventhough my cousin said nothing to me, maybe she's just inviting girls or she doesn't want me there.
A warm hand squeezed my shoulder from back, I could tell by the scent it was Isuel the student council head "no you are joining us" I look at him queerly, Isuel is tall, has small monolid, light brown eyes, fair skin and beauty spots somewhere on his face, he often licks his full lips and push his glasses up his nose bridge every now and then. He's Ziggy's eye candy.
"Where?" He smiled "We have planned a trip to sanctuary" before I could speak anything Sam called me from behind but when he saw Isuel he came running towards us, Isuel's eyes change he took his hand back and put them in his pockets, so Sam is the one who gives him heebie-jeebies. "What are you upto?" He asked to him directly, Isuel is leaner and shorter than Sam, this brat has grown precious to me, I feel protective of him especially to tease him.
Isuel starts unfolding the sanctuary plan, I almost lost the sense of hearing. I'm fully aware of this chimera I've created.
I've caught her sticking the gum she chews on others cars, but she's kind, probably sweats a lot, loves sun, and is extraordinarily observant always alert.
It is black Kawasaki Ninja, I've touched it she got something engraved on the bike 'Dead inside' I traced those bold black letters as if I was tracing her curves.
My shrink calls me 'a masked doll' and she keeps repeating human values and morals so much that I sometimes want to tape her mouth and lock her into my basement. Anyways I've stopped visiting her but I have a gift for her.
"KEN?" I look at Sam and then at Isuel, I somehow and I was done with school for today. I can't stop myself from keeping an eye on her- as if I was keeping a pet or like some crazy scientist I'm keeping myself a subject that I will experiment on. I didn't even know since when I got so obsessed with this but she's the most fun thing in my life. Plus I have a massive reason to put her under my wing so I gave a ring to Dexter, he arrived late. I told him to follow me in study since this is something Max must not hear. "Speak!" He stands confident "She's alarmed I think" I poured a glass of warm liquor for him "well I can't change that" I gesture him to sit "She excessively cunning it's even good if she walks in by herself isn't it?"
He shook his head and took a small sip "I don't think she will do that, ah she met you bosom friend Sam" the moment he said that, my lips quivered a panic wave ran over me.
"She was saved by him from that accident" I sat on my seat and look at the vase mom kept on my table it was beautiful white porcelain with fine detailing of clouds, and dragons, today there are yellow roses with green hypercium berries in it. This reminds me of four leaf clover which grew up in her backyard, I plucked a few and now they are spread around on my table. I look back at Dexter he was staring at me "Keep your eyes open" I lean back "So should I approach Austin for that?" I thought for a bit "No!".
When I woke up my pillow was wet I smell it no drool but tears. Fuck. Not again.
Max stood next to Victoria she's holding a tray which has warm water and herbal tea, I quickly drank the warm water and brushed my teeth then took three sips of herbal tea, the taste never varies. I got ready for school Max gave me the bag "Victoria packed your sports clothes" I look at him, dark circles, seems like he didn't sleep well "Hey Ela what's special today?", The AI voice assistant flickered bright yellow after recognizing my voice.
[It is National holiday in Arabic countries, today's weather will be sunny, temperature is around 22 degree celcius, dust will be--]
"Oh Shut up!" I snatch the bag and walk out, the stupid machine was specially made for me and only me but it never sometimes messes up. I skip breakfast but had to stop by to get a sandwich, people always stare at me because I look out of this world that's what Sam says. I put the last bite into my mouth and got a fresh grapefruit juice, my taste buds are very sensitive. By the time I reach school there's a crowd at the front gate I had stop, "you fucking cunt" I heard him screaming his hair curly blonde hair and that smudged black makeup around his eyes, which makes him look like a psychotic movie villain, loves showing off his father's money and has a crappy fashion sense on top of that he loves extravagance. My cousin Jen look at me with concerned eyes, the kid lying on the ground was thrashed on such a beautiful morning.
He was sobbing, his was nose bleeding which has stained his shirt, he can't fight back because Nate was not someone to whom he can't even ask WHY?. This stupid fellow is a mighty bully for kids the leader of Scorpion hooligans. "You had one job to take care of you shit your pants huh?" He kicks but I grab his leg "Behave Nate these are school premises" I throw away his leg then help the guy up, I made sure his blood don't stain my clothes, I wipe his nose "Are you alright?" He starts crying "if he comes at you again just call me" he nods I pat his head "come one guys there's no need to create a ruckus in the middle of the path".
They all still stand there, he was about to kick my back when Sam stop him "Find your own sheep Ken don't steal mine" I try to keep my cool "I don't need sheeps Nate when I have you.." He loses his mind in a snap "Fuck you--" Sam pushes him back.
The boy walks ahead "Sam!" Jen screams. I have to return, "I hope you stop here before I get started" He look at me with a weird face but stops pushing Sam, he look like a puppy running away with his tail hiding his ass.
I sat back into my car, can't believe he's my family. That clumsy ass, mannerless ostrich, will never learn how to behave unless his ass gets kicked. He didn't stop there he came at me again but Max stopped him straightaway pulled him by collar and threw him away, he falls on his butt and this huge monkey is bird brained so he pointed his gun at Nate "Hey Hey! Calm down alright, he's quite a dim wit but we don't need this" I look around Marco was standing at the third gate, he's staring at us especially Maximus. I put his hand down "Clam down Max!". Max will be punished for this but school has few people moving which got me curious; Isuel informed it was new batch of students arriving like every year.
I quickly took out my phone, he picked on second ring "Maximus make sure she takes the exam" I text him the details.
I sat in library after an hour, a small blue canary sat on a fragile branch, its chirping relaxed me my eyes got heavy.
I love disguising myself, Dad was overprotective of me warned me not to saunter around but, I couldn't sit still and Maximus was annoyed by me for running away. I sat inside a eatery stuffing mouth with dry-ass sandwiches when it suddenly started raining, a shaking old lady was walking across the alley when she came running gave her the umbrella, it was ridiculously dark that day and thundered so loudly she turned around our eyes met, the cola spread across my table when glass slipped from my hands, I felt a sharp stab, the sandwich was stuck into my throat. I couldn't breathe that was the first time I felt my heart beating as if that part of me existed. The nerve behind my ear twitched, those eyes.
Those dark eyes were creepingly familiar!
I knew without even digging up, I found a chest waiting for me to open it up. I followed her all the way down it was pouring mercilessly, my makeup was dripping away, I walk closer to her got a whiff, the scent was different a little mix with sweat and something mild floral and woody, like sandalwood. Everytime I put my hand out she was walking a step faster than me, she ran away into her cozy looking house "are you really what I'm thinking?".
"KEN?"
I opened my eyes to see into his green ones, he smiled "you were sleeping?" I shook my head, after that we met two more times but ironically she can't remember ME!!. "Come on we have same lecture together" I follow him, Sam wants to go shopping he told me this over and over but he keeps telling me that he liked the hot air balloon I sent him.
I return home, Victoria took my bag and told me that she wants to leave early today "yeah fine" I reply to her. Max was meeting dad which means it will be late for him to return meanwhile Lance decorated the table with all sorts of delicacies.
Should I tell him?.
That there's no use of poisoning my palate, since I'm immune to it. What a dimwit can't see that I haven't showed any symptoms yet. He just keeps doing it I ate everything it never tastes different I can tell it was the thick soup that tasted so good. I want to reward him, "Lance?" He keeps the glass aside, I put a beautiful champagne bottle on the table "yours" he look at the bottle "oh no Sir I can't accept this" he refused but the moment he saw the brand I saw it in his eyes he wants it but he's confused.
Stay bewildered Lance that is what I want, he took the bottle with him. I watch him leave, not single person to trust--. At times like this I feel like this beach house is too big for me and that I need to shift to somewhere small much, much smaller.
"Ace!" Just his voice heals my scarred self, I turn around to see my favourite huge monkey he looks like a mess, he changed into his night comfy clothes. But I want to send him back "Everything is settled just like you wanted" I nod "I want you to go back" he opens his mouth to speak but he knows there's no use.
I sat in my lounge chair and open the same book I was reading, my garden looks neat and beautifully arranged. I wonder how my parents are?, I miss both of them, when mom let me put my head on her lap and dad read me a story book. World don't know that Sebastian family has a son, my father is the best elite in the whole country yet he's like a monk, no greed at all, and my dearest mother takes anti-anxiety pills.
I am the most worrisome thing ever happened to them. I was ten when they separated me from them, my cousins, teachers, and home. Terry was the most trustworthy person so he was my fake father and later Maximus was brought to me as a gift for life my shadow. Sam use to visit me, he also send me books, Opal was introduced much later to me. She adopted daughter of Oliver Hyde. I can still smell that wet ground, see my father practicing golf while mom sits inside white marble pavilion enjoying her favourite tea, our Thursdays were always peaceful.
I wanted a sibling, mom tried a lot and luckily she conceived a baby girl, but she was weak by heart. She was five years old, I stood at her tomb, I cried and cried when her warm embraced me, it was Opal, we promised to get married and I have to return until two years back, every year I pay my respects, she was so small had same eyes like mine, same hair like mom's, we called her Kia, my frustration sometimes crosses the line and sometimes I am rough with Opal she complains but I see it in her eyes that she only desires my body and my background.
I keep the book aside, my parents don't mention Kia anymore, because mom can't handle it. My eyes drifted off to the big photograph of mine and Sam's we hired the best photographer from Paris to do the shoot. The room looks darker now. Everything is fine between us but Sam has a total different mindset from mine.
He cares for me but sometimes he has that look in his eyes which screams,
'Monster'