Leah
I thought a lot for days, spend time laughing and smiliing with the new friends I got to make and they were not bad at all.
'Who knew I could blend in well with these wackos."
We shared our own little secrets. Nita may seem like an extrovert. Her appearance are really just deceiving one. From within, she was more of a environmentalist and nature lover.
Now it was clear why she was always gazing out in the gardens, even to participate in fixing the botanical park.
Alfron used to do gym or shorts but now due to his physical injury in his last training he had to give up to find a hobby of his liking which he couldn't make up his mind. But he did take interest in coaching for some reason: supporting his juniors who really admires him.
Paulette, she loved gaming the most and got the dozens of sets to game. I don't know what she plays endless list of games. She's mostly focused on her studies: typical beautiful nerd girl with beautiful accent and natural look.
For some reason, she has been asking about my brother.
'Why do you ask?' When I try to get her to open up, she would dodge around, beating around the bush and reply, 'nothing. He seems familiar to me. That's why.' |ʘ‿ʘ)╯
I know she doesn't want to make it obvious but it's so obvious something was up. (↼_↼)
She's sus. I huffed knowing her she would never tell me about it.
Casper haven't shared it yet. But in time, he might do it.
It was peaceful, free from noises, hustling and rustling of the stomping shoes of the students but in the back of my mind I'm always drifting back thinking has the time ever passed so slow.
"Leah?" Casper snapped his finger in front of my eyes, "you ok? And what's with this note? What are you sketching?"
He passed me the stick pad I had left on my desk notifying friends that I would be out and into the green house. Casper found me right where I was hiding away.
"It's... dandelions and daisy." I said shading the remaining parts with the sharpened pencil without stopping to look at Casper but I know he was amazed.
"Woah... can I check your other sketches? I don't mean to pry but I have always envied great artist! " He must have seen my other sketches scattered to my side. I just nodded not wanting to stop my hands from working.
Usually he would be noisy but now he seemed so quite... and calm. Is this calm before the storm?
I left him in his own demise, scheming through my 'Utopian Dream' book.
"Silhouettes? Quite detailed and remarkable," he traced the darken shades embarked on the hard sheet, the shadows seemed lost in their moment.
"Reminds me lot of my mom and dad," he said warming up to the pictures. I'm sure I heard he got both his parents. I was confused to see him talk as if they're dead.
"Don't you talk with your parents?" I bend over picking my dark bold pen to outline the shades as well as keeping my ears perked listening to him chatter for once in a while.
"We... don't hit off well ever since I came out as... gay. They treated me like a sick person for so long until they finally gave in after my twin sister died. After they lost her, they reluctantly had to take me back in with them." I guess everyone has bad past to share.
I couldn't pry into his sentivite topic, so I kept on hearing him out. He would sit by my side, talk all his concerns and share his memories.
"She had been bed ridden for years, but she loved to sketch like you and mostly playing out dragging me out from my shell inside my room. You might not believe this but I used to be a total loser nobody bang hanging down pricking my eyes!"
"No way!" I yelled out not hiding my astonishment, "you?? A loser?!"
Who in the world would believe this when a guy like him say he's a loser?
"It was until she... passed away. Two years ago..."
I was lost for words.. I dropped my pen on the hard board hovering closer looking into his eyes. I couldn't ask what happened hoping he would tell me on his own.
"You know what? She had that daunting look, pretty mischievous child, always waiting for me to sneek into her room telling her bedtime stories... but there is on thing I regret not doing one simple request she had.." Casper plucked the grass in his palm letting it blow with the wind.
"Which is?..." I asked.
"Taking her into her dream palace where she wished to end her final breathe. Somewhere far, where a prince could reach out to her and say it is alright to feel scared. She always wished to dance in a ball like those princesses.. mostly she loved that twelve dancing princesses.... are you listening?" He was looking at me but I only replied with, "uh huh."
He would gently laugh and keep on talking to himself. 'She deserved so much better than me. Unlike our parents, she was closest to me, shared tonnes of secrets. Mom didn't like the fate her body was weak and let the maid and house workers take care of her. Now that they have a 'normal' son, they don't deal with my matters anymore. They are just unreasonable."
'I know.' I didn't voice it out though.
"....okay... I will just leave." He must have thought I wasn't paying any attention to him.
"Take this with you before you leave!" I offered him with a folded sketch leaving him behind to let him smiling at the drawing I drew for him in memory of his sister in how he decribed, though I didn't know how she looked like. It's only shading effects.
"And don't forget you got me, all your friends with you who accepts you!" I cheered him. It's the truth. Others were good in heart even though they can be crazy sometimes.
"Thanks Leah! I'll cherish it and make sure she gets to see it too!" He yelled catching up to me and the rest where they were waiting for us to join.
"I think he'll be back in few more days," I said checking his message and everyone siffened.
"Is... something wrong?"
It must be something unpleasent for them. I scowled at them, who ignores me when ever this topic is brought up.
"Wh- ehay problem? Phuuu! Nuthinl!" Caspered were failing miserably to speak.
"It's been so long. just let it be," Pal said indiferently, though I can feel the discomfort and sudden shift of the mood.
"I can't do that if you all go apprehensively dreaded when ever I mention his name," I stated.
"No way," Alfron was in good mood and scared on the other hand, he's not yawning. He's now putting more effort to hide.
I have a hunch that something is not right.
"Oh, look a surprise. He's here!" I gapsed in a convulsion manner, covered my mouth.
Everyone ran behind me, putting me in the front.
"I was kidding. See, I told you. Something is wrong with you guys. And Casper? Why did you make your finger into cross?" I said, as I turned my eyes to them.
"I- I believe in exorcism! Devil shoo shoo!" He stood upright trying to not make fool of himself which he already did.
We were heading towards or next class, Mathematics.
We were in the same class, except for Nita. She skipped the class for today to do something. I hope she asked permission from the teacher about taking her leave for today. No, she isn't layed back to bed. She just said she needed an urgent planning to do.
"Oh! Look at the time! We can't face the warth of the great Sir Isaac's class!" Then they dragged me with them, with me clutching the books in my arms tightly so it doesn't fall out.
We were last one to reach the class, but we were excused since it was our first time that missed. As I said, the teachers here are something else.
So, everything was good and well, except for some of students who seemed lost in the middle of questions sir was solving. I don't get why maths looks like a foreign object to them. I get that it is difficult, but it's not impossible.
Try and try until you success. We all say that right? Why not apply it here?
This can be out last class for the day, so I stood from my sit and left the room, but they had already left without me.
And Nita. She appeared like a magican! Boom!
"Hi!" Nita waved, then requested, "please can you come with me for the shopping at the mall?"
"But-" "please! I beg you! I NEED YOU! Casper is useless when it comes to picking out gifts and presents for someone. Paul...? She doesn't show. She will say, 'whatever'. Alfron. He will just yawn and drop dead anywhere he find some place to nest! Please!" She literally caught my leg pulling it.
"Ok! Ok! But only if it nearby!" I had to or else she would not let me go.
Friends. ┐( ´ д ' )┌
She brightened and shrined, "thanks Le! It's just.... just a further? But I promise it won't take long!"
I must give a thought to it. Haze said I couldn't leave. And I had to keep it. She says it's just further, and it won't take long. She has grown up here and she is familiar with the new places. I did as he asked for almost a month, so I can now go out right? I have a fellow friend with me. I can't leave a friend in need. So, I settled on going with her.
"Hurrah!" She leaped in the air as a victory on her side.
"Only for the time being ok?"
"Not a minute to lose then!"
An hours later.....
"Uh.. Nita?? Can't we just leave now? My hands are already full." I hung every shopping bags on my arms and around my neck.
"No! We- we need more! Yes! Rush to the neighbouring stores."
"Nita? If this is all the things you are buying for yourself, why are you asking for my opinion?" I enquired her.
"You understand me right, Le? Others opinion matters to me, that's all," she gave me general abstract answer.
She kept on asking my choice of gifts about what I would like along with her clothes and makeups.
"I don't want anything, I can buy it myself if I want it."
Even then, she didn't stop buying whole of the stores and kept me busy.
Third point of view...
Nita distracted Leah to buy others the time to prepare for the surprise for him.
Leah was new here, while they has been together almost for years. To make him feel welcomed, they wanted to throw him a party for five of them.
He never liked jostling and pushing in the crowd. It scares him. He already explained about his mental health issues with the social gathering and that he has trouble with remembering things related to his past. All his friends were understanding and accepted the way he is.
While Leah was stuck with Nita in the mall, Haze had his people of the gang keeping an eye on Leah in the crowds. Haze had ordered them to keep him save if he ever steps out from the protected boundary since Taylor was still on the run to get Leah for a reason.
"Shit! We can't even get close to him, even if he is so close! We can get caught!" One of the guy disguised in normal clothes cursed.
"Then, the only option is to get in, Rob, get ready for plan B," the other guy spoke through his microphone.
"Roger."
The rest of the friends were decorating the Leah's room, they ordered out some foods from the outside rather than the cook of the school. They wanted the best for Leah.
Cake was ready, drinks were ordered out and preparation will be kept simple as preferred by Leah.
On the other side, the spy had already started the operation to get in. The spy knew almost inside out of this place, its dirty secrets and the guards too well. The least focus they would give was to the boss's close people. And he was one of them.
"Oh, hey! Robin!" Gabriel, on of the guards, who is also his friend said, "where you been? The boss isn't here right now, so we are to-"
"I am here to see over the work in steed of the boss," Robin replied, and he had free pass to enter.
"Now, I can seek revenge. Leah, you will pay." Rob is to rely on his last hope even if he to get into trouble. He had lived for this day.
Leah
Finally, we were returning to the top floor. Nita has been giggling all the way, acting strange.
"You are going to love this!" She squeeled.
"Am I? You guys have been acting out of ordinary. What are you guys planning?" I dropped her bags in my room, and I didn't even get to close the door. She pushed me in blind folding my eyes with her hands from the back.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Surprise!" She exlaimed extremely excited. Alfron and Pal was on the ground, and the room was adorned.
Casper should have hopped onto me by now, but he remain fixed on his place without uttering a single sound.
Then I felt the sound of the metal clicking.
"I finally got you, Leah Cameron. Or I should have said 'Luis Devon'." I turned to the direction of the voice. A middle aged man was sitting the arm of the sofa at the corner of the room, with a gun.
"Sit." He grimly commanded. I was scared, my breathing became abnormally, but I complied and did as told. I dropped on the floor, shaking.
"Do you know why you are in this situation?" I shook my head, repeatedly.
"Simply because of your idiotic daddy of yours messed with my life and killed my whole family," he growled, much like a wild beast.
"B-but my dad never even lay a hand on the gun. One time I even saw him cowering into his bedroom after hearing a fake gun shot prank. He almost called for his mommy." I squeaked.
.... silence was the louder than ever. Others were controlling their laughter.
And the scar man disgusted asked, "did you have to tell me that?"
I smiled inwardly. "Thought you might wanna want to know. Dad's actuall--"
"Ha! Do you even know who your real dad is, kid?" He gave me snarky look.
"Ryan Cameron??" ( ؕؔʘ̥̥̥̥ ه ؔؕʘ̥̥̥̥ )?
"Wrong," his eyes were darkening, "Falkrik Devon, he's the fucking bastard of a dad of yours who slaughtered my whole family! The mafia boss, or more like ex-mafia boss of Serpent. He ruined my life, my baby girl, died before my eyes and I couldn't do anything! Anything at all!!" He banged the walls with his bare fist in frustration. He lashed out on me, pulling my hoodie from the front and took all the anger on me only to roughly throw my down on my butt.
I was going through an internal turmoil, shocked, sad and apprehensive. I didn't know everyone hid such a truth from me. I wasn't even the real son. That must be the reason they never loved me as such as they do to their own children. My heart stings.
"My only hope and light died because of your stupid father!" He ranted, "that's why I promised I will never spare any of his blood! And that includes you!" He pulled the safety catch off and then-
BANG!
"Leah!" Casper shouted.
I closed my eyes lids sqeezed it closed.
Drip drip... the blood wets the floor....
And his gun drops.
Everyone's words were stolen from their mouth. I wasn't the one who was injured.
The man was injured on his right arm, and he was bleeding, dripping bloods flowing non stop.
He groaned painfully holding his arm from further bleeding.
"Well well." The mocking snicker echoed the silent room, "I was hoping to give Leah a surprise, but I didn't think I would be the one to receive it." The tone was familiar, and letting terror fill the room.
He sneered. "What did I tell you about involving the innocents." That voice came from the side, steps pounting closer and closer from the dark side.
"....Haze?!" I saw a different version of Haze standing before me. It was overwhelming shock for everyone, especially me.
He carried his hand gun which he shot the man and approached him, rage filled Haze, looking down upon the helpless guy, got hold of his neck almost to choke him.
"Speak," the tip of Haze's gun raised the man's head up and angrily flared, "or else you know."
"Boss," the man tried to recover from the shock, "you didn't tell me that he was that bastards son."
"...." He said nothing. He loosen his grip and dropped him.
"And I have all the right to take my revenge! And I don't regret this." The man was determined to get his answers. He didn't fight back nor did he move from his place on the ground.
As if he knew there was no way to escape it and nor was he planning to plan anything stupid. The man only waited for him to speak.
Haze withdrew his gun from the man, finally said, "I have done my research for this past days."
Haze handed the man with a sheet of files, and the mans eyes widdened, mixed of emotions flashes. "So he.... has no fault??"
"Nope." Even thought he was clearly not happy with this, Haze pat Rob's shoulder, "we talk about this later. So leave. And get yourself treated."
The man looked gutted, much ashamed of what he did. He gave me one look before he dropped his own weapon only to look like he was regretting something saying 'that son of a bitch! I'm going to kill him!'
In the end, the heavy tension was lifted.
None of my friends nor did I move from our place.
"Did we just witness an action scene? Wat that was intense! Never thought we were almost dead. Again. Does anyone need a water? I definitely do." Caspered cracked some jokes again, and Haze approached me to lend me a hand to stand straight.
I was staggering, his hand never left mine and pulled me in a hug. He was doing what he had said to me, take me in a bond crushing hug. He.... I don't get him. At all.
He is scary one moment and another... my old Haze.
My????? (๑ಕ̴ _̆ ಕ̴) ﾝ?Why am I not surprised? Pardon me but when did I claim someone as my own?
"Ahum!" Nita faked a cough, "I think we need an explaination?"
"I didn't know the president's into guns," Casper pointed out whispering little louder for not to hear.
"Boss!" A well build man with rough appearence came barging in the room, "what ha-"
"Grey," Haze said as he holding me in his arm, lovingly, "you can return now. Take Rob under interogation and get him to speak."
"Yes," that scar faces guy left the room as soon as he had entered.
Finally, he lets me out from the hug but not my hands.
"So, he was not joking was he guys?" Casper glupped, as his body stiffened like a statue, so did the rest.
Haze turned to them, suspicious when he heard them say that.
"I was dead serious," Haze said, smirking coolly at Casper.
Caspered hitched and looked at me for help.
I was reluctant and filled with questions, can I really trust him?
My heart throbbed after hearing I didn't have a family in the first place. Again and again I'm getting hurt.
But with him again it felt calm and saved again, like everytime. From his expression, I can see he.... is concerned and sad?
Ah right. Then I realized.
My decision could change with how he showed the side he didn't want me to know.
I must give him the answer, if not, I think I will not catch him ever again. He is the one... my heart finally gave in.
"Haze?" I smiled ear to ear, gently touching the side of face which amused him, "I lost the bet..."
"Bet?" Pal and others wondered to themselves, then turning to me confused. They didn't have the slightest idea about what has transpired between us.
He did nothing but stare at me, unreadable emotion plastered over his handsome face.
My heart raced a million thoughts, his persistent declaration of his feelings, our little time we spent together for almost two month, I can't believe I lost the bet even before it hit the due date.
Is he having the change of heart in the last minute? I was uneasy with his silent treatment.
I moved away, getting my heart was played again, the second time I was fooled, silly me. Ahaha. I sadly forced the corner of my lips to smile.
"Sorry I-" I couldn't even take it back, and he already kissed me straight holding back of head and my waist in his warm arms.
"Wa- mphhh!" I couldn't even close my eyes and he shoved his tongue into mine, passionately sucking me into his sensual act.
My knees gave in, still he held me in place without letting my fall as I let him do as he please. I shakingly put my hands on his arms.
I pulled away after, panting heavily.
"I will not let you regret this decision!" Haze was over the moon that I finally said yes. There was also one more thing I didn't know about my dangerous man: he treasured me the most.
"B-but you have lot more to get me to give up got that?!" I can't let this get to my head just because I said it and I haven't said those three words to him, yet. So he has homework to do on that.
"I guess that will do for now," he said.
"Kya! I love happy ending!" Eh?? Nita blowed her nose with Casper's jacket, wipping her tear of joy with her sleeves.
"Hey! Ew!" Casper pushed Nita away from him with his hand on her head towards Pal.
"We also got to see a romantic scene with action scene," Alfron looked away blushing. Now even I feel embarrassed.
I hid my face in his chest in my current position as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Now can we get the explanation??" Pal pleaded, with a question mark written all over her face.
"Where do we begin?" I asked, bashfully.
"From beginning off course."