LYNX P.O.V.
It's been 5 years since I've become close friends with Shiro but the first time we've met was the most memorable and clear in my head. I am in front of their house as I look at a silver gate that has been becoming my home, my safest place, and a little family has cared for me like I'm one of them for a very long time.
My parents are working abroad since when I was a kid so that I'm quite pampered by my grandmother who is widowed since dad was 10 years old. That's why I never had a chance to be with a guy in our home, as well as I am not open with my dad. My grandma and I like to stroll down near the vacant lot near the house with the silver gate which is Shiro's house.
The first time I've seen Shiro's dad, Uncle Galen he talks to my grandmother very polite and relaxed like they have met for so long. The time when my grandma stops in front of Fajardo's residence, I immediately catch a glimpse of Uncle Galen is working on something in front of their house while holding his wrench along with his amazing toolbox that was so cool in my eyes. As I am staring at his toolbox and curiously looking at those tools, I feel his hands patting my head, and I instantly turn my head up and glance at him. I was amazed as I'm glimpsing at him the morning sun shines more as I see him smiling and his calming voice convinces me to stuck staring at him.
"That Metal hack saw is cool right?" He calmly asked me as he picks it up and moves it.
"It's sharp! Would you mind me to exhibit this to you?" He said with his convincing voice.
At a very young age, I am truly fond of tools that is why my eyes are twinkling and bouncing my feet from the excitement I feel when he said those words to me. He shows me more of his amazing tools from his large toolbox and he even lends me those and makes sure I am safe but I know to myself that I'm good at this. I know that It's dangerous yet the more dangerous the tools will be, the more It is exciting to use.
Every time I went home, I cannot stop thinking about those tools; that is why I used to sleep very early and excitingly wait for the morning to see Uncle Galen fixing the gate and fences of their house. One morning I came alone without grandma for she is busy preparing some food for lunch. I also rejected the pandesal (bread with salt) and hot chocolate for I am very excited to fix something again. I sighted Uncle Galen and he is not yet starting for he instantly sees me running towards him. He breaks a smile and tapped my head and the morning became glower and luminous again.
"Shall we start?" He asked me and opens his toolbox. My eyes got wider as I saw some new tools inside.
"Wow!" I unintentionally said to him and I heard him chuckles because of my reaction.
"I bought this yesterday," He said and pick up the navy blue power hand drill and functioning it as he switches it on while it is connected from the extension inside their home.
"Help me to try this later," he said to me and smile.
I've been helping him since yesterday that's why I know already what I'm going to do or how to help him and I really enjoyed this. He even said to me that it's amazing for a six-year-old kid to adjust to this kind of work and he even said to me that I got the potential and I am also a smart kid. As we take a break he invited me inside their home and I eventually help him put all his things inside.
"Daddy!" A girl with the same age as I am gleefully called Uncle Galen and she runs towards him and he carried her.
"How are you my baby?" he asked her very gently and she instantly looks at me with full of curiosity written on her face.
"I'm fine but who is that?" She pointed her finger at me. Uncle Galen breaks a smile and also glimpse at me and pats my head.
"He's our very good neighbor, his name is Lynx!" He said to Shiro and still mystify as she deeply looking at me. She never responds and hugs her dad tightly.
"Have some lunch with us Lynx," he said to me and we amble our feet through the front door.
As I am inside their home, I immediately see Auntie Quennie preparing something on the table, this day wasn't my first time seeing her because yesterday she lends some water for us and Uncle introduced me to her. "Oh is that him again?" She asked uncle as he put down Shiro.
"Yes, let him have some snacks for helping me," He said and smiles at me. Auntie Quennie also takes a smile on me and she insisted us to get on the dinner table and help ourselves. Shiro and I are beside each other as she put the utensils on my plate. I exhibited a smile on her and she did it too that's why it makes me happier to eat with them.
The moments I had with the Fajardo family will always be the best childhood in my life that I could possibly have especially Uncle Galen. The way he brings sunshine to his family is always heartwarming, I even wish that he is my dad and I'm fond of him. Shiro and I used to play and talk at the playground near my house. Mostly, at night along with Uncle, we used to go in there playing as he is watching us and sometimes having some conversation with the neighbors. He gave us the idea of going here every night because the fancy street lights in here make Shiro very cheerful.
Those moments eventually end so quickly. When I turned 7, my parents decided that I have to study in the province for they got the hectares of land that came from my grandparents that already living in Spain with my Uncle who is my Dad's annoying brother. Grandma and I will live there and it makes me so sad that I cried even though I am not like a cry baby. That was the first time I witnessed myself crying and that's because I want to stay more years with Uncle Galen but I was really unfortunate.
The day I'm going to leave the village, I remember Uncle Galen smiling at me, and his bright as sun aura gives rise to yearn for him that's why I never help myself to cry.
"It's fine we will see each other soon, okay? Be a good boy!" Those were his last words to me and he hugs me and I hug him back tightly. How I wish to see Uncle Galen more to have some bond with him fixing something.
Eight years later, exactly I'm fifteen when my grandma longed for the village once more; we came back again. I became a transferee in high school which Shiro is in there too. When I signed up for a lot of papers that my adviser lend to me to handle my transfer here. I am inside of the faculty and when the male teacher arrived he is with a tall female student along with her ponytail and she's neat like an actual intelligent student in school.
"Thanks, Shiro." The teacher said to her and I turn my head up again and realized that was Shiro. As I turned my head up she also glanced at me and our eyes met as I think she is trying to recognize who I am. She eventually stays her glance away and smiles at her teacher after she gave some papers to him.
Since eight years have passed, we became awkward with each other, obviously. We never even glance at each other when we passed the streets, she is also never looking at me in the hallway. And honestly, I can't able to say hello to her and ask how Uncle Galen and Auntie Quennie are right now. As I am trying to have an open conversation with her, it seems so hard for me to do it. I already have my new set of friends and also I apply for the basketball team.
"We are pleased that you came to this school and became friends with you." One of my friends told me.
"You are right bro! Besides that, he is popular even with famous girls! The Grade 10th is also interested to know you!" He included.
"I told you I hate this kind of topic, I know I'm good-looking but I just hate this word FAMOUS! Sound so lame for me." I annoyingly told them while spinning the basketball on my pointer finger. As we were chatting and laughing too out loud, suddenly someone crooked the finger on my back, and as I turn around I was surprised to see Shiro in front of me.
"Ma'am Diaz is summoning you to faculty," She coldly asserted and instantly take off her feet in front of me.
"She's intimidating as always," My friend told to us as I am half listening to them for I am looking in Shiro's direction.
As my days are coming in grade 9th, I still never had a chance to talk with Shiro. I used to see their residence when I'm riding on a bike and I am honestly disturbed by the sensation of I did not know. Maybe I never see Uncle Galen yet in front of their house fixing something or maybe he got abroad too for its very in-demand nowadays, specifically, Shiro is getting older and university fees are really something someday. I never heard the news from them and even though I am curious, I can't stand talking with Shiro for maybe she forgot about me, and it might be embarrassing to introduce myself suddenly. Her eyes are not the same as I met her for the first time and approximately 7-8 months stay in the village with them was way too short for a deep connection before. Besides that, my grandma having a hard time strolling down these days and I don't know if she still remembers them.
A year has passed when finally she became my classmate. When we were finally in Grade 10th that was the time some terror teachers are in here and some of them are just annoying. I have noticed that Shiro is quiet and rarely talks to our classmates. We have a chance to talk when we have the same day of being cleaners in the class. Since this is a high school being naughty and not obeying rules is inevitable.
"Would you stop playing right here and do your task. Stop wasting time." Shiro coldly asserted to us as she exhibited her death glare on us.
"Tss." One of my friends said to her and grabbed a broom near the door. I instantly stand up as I am sitting at the teacher's table earlier. I showed my smile as I try to have an open conversation with her.
"Hey Fajardo do not be that serious that's why no one wants to talk with you. Don't be in a hurry!" I said to her and gets the eraser as I'm going to erase the writing of the board. I heard my friends chuckling as they heard what I said to Shiro.
"Lynx is right Fajardo why are you always in a hurry? Is your sweetheart waiting for—"
[BLAG] He instantly stops talking when Shiro aggressively drops the armchair. She exhibits her gaze again that makes us all quietly look at her.
"As expected from a famous for nothing. Lame brains, lame statements," then she quickly mends it, grabs her backpack, and takes off herself from the classroom. My heart rapidly beats when I continue cleaning the blackboard and basically mad at what she said. She probably forgets about me and all I am trying to do earlier is to talk with her but she interpreted it wrong for I have popular friends. But how can I explain I am not like that? Damn it.
When I came home, I saw grandma in the kitchen and she is preparing for dinner. As I went near to her, I've noticed that she is sobbing while wiping her tears.
"Hey, ma why are you crying?" I hastily panicked asking her.
"I can't believe this happened to Galen, he does not deserve it," She said without looking at me. I frowned at the same time I'm anxious.
"What happened?" I asked forcibly.
"I had a chance to visit him and I saw him that he's paralyzed and currently having medications at his home. I sympathize with him so much for he is such a bright and good person but this all happens to him. He has been suffering for 4 years now. His wife and daughter are depressed for sure" She said to me that's why I get dumbfounded and left her in the kitchen. I realized the reason why Shiro is always in a hurry to go home and also she came to be grumpy. I instantly felt I'm such dumb not realizing it and felt guilty for what I have said to Shiro earlier.
I woke up not getting enough sleep last night, I wanted to see Uncle so bad and I was thinking Shiro as well. I will have the courage to talk with her right now. When the time for school has arrived I purposely waited in front of their home. The gates that we used to make seem nostalgic for me, I clearly remember again the moment I made this with Uncle. When I heard the front door open I hastily grasp the handlebars of my bike and when the gate is opened I immediately see Shiro and Auntie Quennie. Shiro and I got surprised when we see each other that's why Auntie noticed us being awkward to each other.
"Who is that?" She asked her.
"I'm Lynx... Auntie, remember? I was the kid who used to help Uncle Galen 9 years ago." I confidently said to her and she instantly observed me and her face makes a sudden realization, "Oh, your grandma came here yesterday. You are so manly right now that I've never recognized you." She said in a calm manner while lending Shiro's lunch bag to her.
"Share this with Lynx," She said and smile at me, "See you later," and kiss Shiro's head.
When Shiro is coming in my direction I tried myself not to get stuttered and proudly convince her to join me going to school. She just did her thin smile and joined me and wave goodbye to Auntie Quennie. I never knew this was the open conversation we will going to have after a lot of years we've never seen together. I am really happy that I got a chance for I wanted to be friends with her so bad. As our friendship got deeper I had an opportunity to see Uncle again every day. I felt sad but at the same time I am very happy to see him again and even though he's in a wheelchair he still has his happy personality that makes us enlightened and it gives us hope that soon he will be alright in time and they go back again in normal life. Though he is struggling to talk clearly, I can see that he is positively trying his best to be okay just to make sure we don't worry about him that much.
As Shiro and I get closer and closer, we never leave each other starting then and I even study with her or watch anime with her and being influenced by her nerd stuff. I even followed her in Senior high school and graduated together. And when we decided to enter college and she got her full scholar at Cháo Yáng because she's in High Honors I eventually try in there too with the same course she had and luckily I passed the entrance exam because of Auntie Queenie's help.
We entered our first year together and basically treat each other as a comfort zone like we have our own world when we are together. We rarely met some friends for we all know we are busy taking care of Uncle Galen and even my grandma. Shiro and I have high hopes for uncle for we can see he is getting better each day and even chatting with us, trying himself to get up to eat with us, and preaching to us like we are siblings listening to their dad. We've been so happy within that days but we never knew that was the calm before the storm.
On Sunday afternoon, when the air seems so cold and gloomy we still go to school for the final examination for NSTP and Shiro received a call from Auntie.
"Ma?" Shiro said while her voice is shaking that's why I immediately went to her. When she widens her eyes and looks at me.
"Dad... h-he's in the hospital!" She hysterically said and Professor Lina instantly noticed her and he gave us a chance to pardon ourselves in the class.
We decided to commute on a bus and hastily run so fast when we finally came to the hospital. As we swiftly run towards the room that the nurse led to us, we directly see Auntie Quennie hugging Uncle Galen tightly and she's crying out loud and screaming his name all over her chest. Shiro tremendously shudders as she walks towards her dad.
"Dad..." she said with her weak voice and she cannot help herself to get weak, that's why I instantly carried her while holding her shoulders.
"No dad no!" She helplessly cries and I hugged her while my tears are falling on my cheeks.
In Uncle Galen's wake at their home, I was disturbed and worried to see Shiro come back from her state again, she never cried again and she even still taking the exams even though the professors are giving her considerations. As she was already done talking with her relatives I hastily grabbed her to the second floor to her room. She looks at me in shock as well as she cannot compose some words from her mouth.
"Now we are alone, show your true self now," I said to her while holding her shoulders.
"What are you talking about? I'm fine," She said.
"YOU ARE NOT!" I shouted to her and I take a deep sigh.
"If I never grant Uncle Galen's last request to me, I will never forgive myself! Shiro... don't lie to yourself! It's not time for that meaningless pride you always—"
I immediately stop when I noticed her sobbing and her tears this time are falling continuously.
"I'VE THOUGHT HE WILL BE OKAY! HE SAID HE WILL WAIT UNTIL I BECAME SUCCESSFUL BUT WHY? WHY HE SUDDENLY LEAVES LIKE THAT?! WHY? WHY?"
She hysterically screams at me while hitting my chest several times. I cried also while she's still crying loudly and yelling her frustrations. I hugged her tightly and began to recall Uncle Galen's last words to me: That I have to protect Shiro no matter what happens, that I will stay by her side when she needs me, and also love her like my own family. I have to keep my promise and I wanted to be her loyal brother that will stand against those people who might hurt her feelings. I promise to uncle Galen that until the very end... I will guard Shiro.
.
.
.
.
.
"Lynx!" My sense unexpectedly awakens from my drifting when Shiro called my name.
"Are you okay? You are tired today to study, aren't you? I think you need to rest," She said to me and pats my head, and she immediately goes back to writing the answers to our assignment.
"Go home, let me handle yours just for now but next I will never do that anymore" She stubbornly said to me, and I crack a smile whereas I aggressively rub her hair.
"Okay, master!" And I exhibited my eye smile on her as I am trying not to tear up from what I've been thinking lately.
On the last day of the weekdays has come, I lied to Shiro that I will still have my practice for UAA that's why she went home alone this time again. As I hastily open the gymnasium, I immediately see Austin with his black coat above his cream turtle neck long sleeve and I walk towards him as he gazes at me from the door.
"What is it? What do you want to talk about?" he said to me authoritatively.
"It's all about Shiro," I directly said to him that's why he rapidly moves his eyes and he got agitated for he is not looking at me anymore.
"What's your intention to her?" I never hesitate to ask him.
"W-what do you mean?" He asked me while he is stuttering.
"You know what I mean, what are your intentions to Shiro? And why are you that interested in her? Isn't that so hard to answer? Hey, I'm warning you to stop playing, or don't you dare to do something that will harm her, or else I will never forgive you!" I persistently asked him all over again.
"I LIKE HER!" he recklessly said to me that's why I widened my eyes and face him.
"WHAT?" I annoyingly asked him.
"Don't think about something weird! I mean I want to be close to her! I want to know her more, I want to tease her because she looks so— AHHHHHHH WHATEVER! Hey, are you really her boyfriend? Why are you acting like her dad right now?" he said like a kid while pointing his fingers at me.
"IDIOT I AM NOT HER BOYFRIEND YOU NASTY BRAT!" I shouted at him which echoes to the gymnasium.
A sudden smile cracks on his mouth and he instantly looked at me with excitement written all over his face, "Then what, what's your relationship?" He excitedly asked me that's why I rolled my eyes at his odd behavior.
"She's like a sister to me that's why if you messed up with her I will make sure you'll be dead afterward!" I warned him that's why he immediately changes his mood and face me again more confidently and convincingly.
"Lynx I seriously have good intentions on her, I've never been this way to anyone that's why I'm telling you that I am serious about this and I even honestly want to make her happy and I can be able to be with her if she needed me!" He recklessly said again that's why he began to panic again.
"Even Ash, Nana, Mark, and Yangyang! They are serious about Shiro too!" He continued.
I took a deep sigh and look at the ceiling and eventually scratches my head from his behavior again. I am also confused about to conversation we had right now, like what he said I sound like Shiro's dad right now as if Uncle Galen's spirit is inside my body and controlling my thinking. I directly look at him again and he is now confident again to face me.
"Hey, you dumb what if I am his boyfriend? You must be thankful that I'm not!" I nagged him once again.
"I-I apologized about that, I was just not good at making friends... that's why..."
"Enough excuses." I interrupted him. "But I'm warning you again if you messed up with her I will never let to lay your finger even to her shadow! Ha!? Do you get it now stubborn?" I said to her while pointing my fingers and quickly veered around from him and swiftly ambles my feet through the exit.
"WAIT!" he shouted that's why I immediately stop.
"What?" I asked.
"Tomorrow, may I... I mean may we have some time to bond with her?" He asked me like I am Shiro's parent that needs to accept permission from him.
"Just don't forget what I had said put that on your head forever because if you forget about it, I will never help myself to interfere." I lastly said to him and finally takes off.
I ride on my bike and decided to go home. As I driving my route to Shiro's house I immediately stop on the playground that turned on its lights and I noticed Shiro on the swing. I instantly smile and take off from my bike and go near to her. She got surprised when I suddenly sit down on the other swing beside her and I quickly pinch her cheeks.
"What are you doing here?" I asked her and she steadfastly breaks a smile at me.
"Nothing," She answered back.
"It's getting late now shall we go home?" I said to her and she agreed on it and I walked her home. I can't believe that my friendship with Shiro will be deeper than before, the playground we used to play when we were kids became our sanctuary to talk about things we have to vent out from our hearts. Tonight's quite different as if we talk to our minds already and her smile will always be important for me because I know Uncle Galen wants to see that as well.
Monday has come and Asher hastily runs towards us and catches her breath.
"Shiro!" She called Shiro with her high-pitched voice. Shiro smiles at her and immediately noticed Austin and the others behind Asher.
"Would you mind joining us? The two of you?" Asher excitedly asked Shiro.
"Ahm..." Shiro shyly response and will probably alibi her excuse again to them.
"She said she will join you now," I interrupted her quickly and she glances at me with full of confusion on her face.
I grab both of her shoulders and push her gently towards them, "I have my practice and Coach Minghao said he will treat us to lunch so take care of this stubborn penguin okay?" I teasingly said to them that makes them chuckles and makes Asher blush.
"Yep! No worries Lynx!" Asher said and she happily clings her arms to Shiro.
"See you later Shishi," I said to her and tap her nose.
"Uhm." She responded to me but was still confused about what's happening.
"Make sure to join with us next time Lynx," Austin suddenly let out and that makes Shiro more confused and startle her a bit.
"Yeah if you insist," I responded and turn my back from them.
I left having mixed emotions inside me like I don't even know too what I'm going to react to this. How silly am I to think Uncle Galen is inside me; If he's really inside my senses he will probably strangle Austin or maybe talk to him in a calm way, not like mine? I am delighted to fight with Austin for he triggers me a lot from his odd possessiveness to Shiro that's why I never hesitated to confront him. But on the other side of me, I used to think that it is wrong that my world almost turns around within Shiro, that even she never had a chance to meet new people. If this is the way to make Shiro heal from the pain she's carrying, I think Uncle Galen will also approve as long as it will make Shiro genuinely happy again. As long as she's getting alright and delighted, I think I will be happy for her too.
Maybe we had 5 years of friendship and some people might think that wasn't enough to make me a loyal friend to Shiro. But for me, she's the one that I need to protect because without her, Auntie Quennie, and especially Uncle Galen, I don't think I will become that Lynx that people used to know right now and I don't think I need more years to authenticate my genuine intentions with them because when the first time I saw the light from Uncle Galen was also the time I confirmed to myself that they are already part of my life.
And that's unstoppable.