Adrian bits his bottom lip in thought.
The dreams were taking a toll inside him. Every single time, he runs for his life. And then, Lucas is always present with no further ado. His presence annoys him too much. Is not that he has prejudice against him but their first encounter left a bad taste in his mouth.
His haughty look is what he despises about him. The glint gleaming. Shivers run into his spine.
Adrian scrunches his nose as a memory resurfaces.
His childhood. The childhood he had forgotten . However, this particular scene, he remembers.
Little Adrian holds another boy's hand. Dirt on their feet as they change their hiding place. Little Adrian hiccups. Tears rolled from his eyes. The little boy with him was in the same state as him minus the tears.
''Don't cwy.'' The little boy said. Rubbing his hair.
Little Adrian cried even more. He cannot put a stop on his feelings. The scary bad guys chased them after they escaped from them. The fear of not seeing his parents scares him.
''I'm sowy. Because of me-'' Little Adrian ought to say more yet, a finger clamps his mouth shut.
''Shhhhh. They awe coming.''
Various sounds of footsteps getting near. They hold their breath. Alas, everything they did was futile. Little Adrian with eyes wide watches his companion being grabbed by the shoulder as a hand clamps his mouth to keep away from screaming.
The scary looking uncle grins at them as they were once again held hostage. Although his playmate tries to fight off, his strength was no match towards them.
Fear overtaken, little Adrian bites the hand, running towards his playmate. No other thoughts inside him but to save him.
Save him. Save Lu-.
Little Adrian slows down, his movements sluggish. From his blurry sight, he sees his playmate watching him with wide eyes. Panic on his face. That was the last scene he could remember.
Smack.
The loud hitting of flesh on his desk catches his attention. Adrian pulled away his consciousness from the memory.
''What are you doing?''
''Oh my Adrian. Daydreaming again?''
''What is wrong with day-'' Adrian did not have the time to finish his words when he was pulled by Kristoff outside the classroom.
They bypass a lot of students. Adrain slightly smiles towards his schoolmates in greeting. He ought to since they were greeting him. He has to give back as a sign of respect. Not awkward for him, a normal occurrence integrated in his life.
''Before you can scold me, you have not heard what the teacher had announced did you?''
''Huh?'' The reply made Kristoff scoff.
''Heh. I did not get it wrong.''
Adrian did not hear any further explanation from Kristoff. He follows him, waiting where he would take him.
The bell rang. Recess.
Their class had their early dismissal since they finished the lesson. Adrian did not listen to what their teacher had announced.
''Here we are! Let me first find my name.''
Adrain retracts his arm from Kristoff, rubbing his skin. He confusedly looks at Kristoff as Kristoff bends, trying to find his name from the long list of names pasted on the bulletin board.
Oh, was it today the results of their test?
Adrian waits. The flyers and posters of the academy attached on the board. Unknown students he does not know smiling in triumph while they receive their awards and trophies. Pure happiness radiating from the photos.
One particular picture gains his attention. Before he can be engrossed and backtrack who the person was, Kristoff talks.
''Sheesh, I am in the first section.''
'' You finally found your name. How about mine?''
Kristoff let out a snort. The area becomes crowded by the second. Students are scrambling to find their name on the list. Pushing their schoolmates, Adrian moves slightly to avoid being pushed.
''My dude, we will not have a hard time to see where your name will be. Here, look.''
Kristoff drags his finger on the paper. The position where Adrian's name is. Though one name is above him.
''What the hell? You're second?!'' Kristoff exclaims.
He jabs an elbow on his side. Adrain, knowing all too well Kristoff will be doing that, he takes a step aside. He did not expect to bump and step on someone's foot.
Before he apologizes, a breathy chuckle entered his ears.
''Seems like we meet again.''
The voice… Adrian whips his neck.
Lucas stands right behind him. Hands on his pockets. His companion beside him with an expression he cannot describe. He looks annoyed? Appalled?
Adrian takes steps back. Shoulder to shoulder with Lucas as he watches the happening in front unfolds.
He shuts his mouth.
''Hey, move. " Owen remarks, zooming in, bumping Kristoff's shoulder. Hard.
Kristoff frowns.
''The heck man?''
Owen, satisfied that he was included, ignores the noise he hears. He finds Lucas' name on the list. He did not have a hard time locating his name.
''Lucas, you are still top 1 eh?''
Owen rapidly blinks his eyes. One. Two. Three. Multiple times. Making sure he sees it right.
''You're not the only top 1 Lucas. Someone is with you. Adrian Ventura. What the fu-'' A hand grabbed his shoulder.
The weight of the hand is not familiar. Foreign. He cranes his neck, eyes narrowing towards the person who dares to.
"So what? Lucas is not the only one smart enough to clinch the top 1 classmate.'' Kristoff beams.
Owen curls his lips upwards. His hand reached for the person's shoulder too. He learned from Lucas. What he receives, he needs to pay it back no matter what the cost is.
''Ah, classmate. That is not what I meant.'' Owen displays his full set of white teeth. Kristoff gasps. The strength on his shoulder is too much.
He grits his teeth.
''You-''
Amidst the start of the quarrel between the two, Lucas snickers. He faces Adrian who at the same time faces him too.
''Your friend started it.'' The two speak as they stare down with each other. Hard smiles imprinted on their faces while they face off.