Shan trudged through the front door, his exhaustion evident on his face. His auntie greeted him with concern etched on her features.
"Shan, are you okay? Do you have a problem?" she asked, her voice laced with worry as she grasped his hand.
Shan forced a weak smile, attempting to reassure her. "Uhm... no, auntie. I'm just tired, I guess."
Auntie's eyes lingered on his face, sensing his fatigue. She nodded, releasing his hand. "Okay, shan. Get some rest."
Shan nodded, relieved, and began to ascend the stairs. His body ached for the comfort of his bed.
As he settled into his mattress, a sigh escaped his lips. "Ah, I missed my bed."
His eyelids drooped, and his thoughts drifted to the piano. He imagined his fingers dancing across the keys, the melodies soothing his weary mind.
The stress of the day melted away with each imagined note. His breathing slowed, and his muscles relaxed.
In his mind's eye, music swirled, a calming balm for his soul.
The bullies' taunts, his father's anger, all faded into the background as the piano's symphony enveloped him.
Shan's eyelids grew heavy, and his imagination merged with reality.
Sleep's gentle embrace wrapped around him, carrying him away from the turmoil of his waking world.
The piano's final notes echoed in his mind as he succumbed to slumber, his heart at peace.
~~
Shan woke up, feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep. He stretched, yawned, and swung his legs over the side of the bed. School awaited, and he was determined to face the day.
As he rushed down the hallway, he collided with Avikiel, who was heading in the opposite direction.
"Watch where you're going!" Avikiel snapped, his eyes narrowing.
"Sorry!" Shan apologized, but his curiosity got the better of him. "Avikiel, what's wrong? You seem upset."
Avikiel's expression darkened. "Nothing, Shan. Just leave me alone."
But Shan persisted, following Avikiel down the corridor. "Is everything okay? Did something happen?"
Avikiel stopped at the comfort room door. "Why are you following me, Shan?" he asked, exasperated.
Shan hesitated, then replied, "I need to go to the toilet."
Avikiel's annoyance was palpable, but Shan trailed behind him, asking more questions.
"Avikiel, do you have classes today? Are you feeling okay? Did you eat breakfast?"
Avikiel's patience wore thin. "Shan, can you please—"
But Shan continued, undeterred.
"Avikiel, what's your favorite subject? Do you have any hobbies? Do you—"
Avikiel's anger boiled over. "CAN YOU SHUT UP?!?!" he thundered.
Shan froze, his heart racing. The sudden outburst transported him back to his father's violent outbursts.
Memories flooded his mind, and his hands trembled. He rummaged through his bag, retrieving a small bottle of pills.
Avikiel didn't notice as Shan downed the medication, his eyes fixed on the floor.
The pills' calming effect slowly kicked in, but Shan's mind still reeled.
Avikiel stormed out of the comfort room, leaving Shan shaken.
As the door swung shut, Shan leaned against the wall, struggling to breathe.
Why did Avikiel's words affect him so deeply?
He knew Avikiel wasn't his father, but the fear lingered.Shan took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself.
He splashed water on his face, the coolness reviving him.As he exited the comfort room, Avikiel was nowhere in sight.
Shan continued to his locker, his heart still heavy.The encounter left him unsettled, but he vowed to face the day.In class, Shan's mind wandered, replaying the morning's events.
I trudged back to my room, my mind reeling with confusion. The pills I took earlier had yet to kick in. Why weren't they working?
As I entered, I spotted Avikiel sitting on his chairs, engrossed in his phone. He didn't even glance up.
"I'm..sorry I bother you earlier" I ventured, hoping he'd acknowledge me.
But he ignored me, his fingers flying across the screen.I felt a pang of frustration. Didn't he care that I was struggling?
I tried to focus on my studies, but my eyes kept drifting back to Avikiel. His indifference stung.
My fears, temporarily suppressed by the pills, resurfaced.
Dad's angry face flashed in my mind, followed by Avikiel's thunderous expression.
I shuddered, my heart racing.Why did Avikiel's words affect me so deeply?
I couldn't concentrate on my books, my thoughts consumed by the encounter.
"Avikiel, can we talk?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.But he remained absorbed in his phone, oblivious to my distress.
I sighed, feeling isolated.
The pills' ineffectiveness worried me. Were they losing their potency?Or was my anxiety too entrenched?
I rubbed my temples, trying to massage away the tension.Avikiel finally looked up, his eyes locking onto mine.
But instead of concern, his expression was neutral.
"Shan, I'm busy," he said curtly. My heart sank
Avikiel was the reason why I'm like this..or did I make something wrong decision? I just wanna be friends with him but I think he don't like me?
Shan!! What are you thinking???!! You're just wanna be friends with him okay? Friends.
~~~
Narrative/3rd person
Shan sat silently, his usual chatter absent. His friends exchanged concerned glances.
Gian, who sat beside him, noticed Shan's eyes welling up. Tears trickled down his cheeks, but he didn't wipe them away.
(You guys didn't know but Gian and Shan are slightly closed - Author)
"Hey, Shan, you okay?" Gian whispered.
Shan nodded, his gaze fixed on his book.But his friends knew better. Something was wrong.Avikiel, sitting across from Shan, observed him with a mix of curiosity and wariness.
He seemed to sense Shan's vulnerability and chose not to probe.
The group respected Shan's silence, allowing him his space.
As the day passed, Shan's tears dried, but his somber mood lingered.
Gian tried to engage him in conversations, but he responded with monosyllables.They didn't press him, sensing his need for solitude.
At lunch, Gian placed a reassuring hand on Shan's shoulder.
"Is there something wrong Shan?" he said softly.
"I-m okay," Shan answered like he fears everything.
~~~
I watched Shan from across the room, his usual vibrancy dulled. His eyes, once bright, now seemed veiled,my conscience prickled. Had I contributed to his withdrawal?
That morning's outburst still lingered in my mind. "Did I do something wrong?" I wondered,but I couldn't bring myself to approach him.
I observed Shan's interactions with gian friends. He responded in monosyllables, his smile forced.
Gian's reassuring hand on Shan's shoulder only highlighted my own hesitation. Why couldn't I muster the courage to reach out?
Shan's tears earlier had shaken me. I'd never seen him so vulnerable,regret gnawed at me. Maybe I should have been more empathetic.
As the days passed, Shan's introversion deepened. His laughter, once contagious, was now a rare occurrence.
I felt a pang of responsibility. Had my harsh words triggered this?
But I couldn't erase the past. All I could do was silently worry,at night, I lay awake, my mind racing with concerns.
How could I make amends without scaring him off?
Shan's pain was palpable, and I felt powerless.
In the darkness, I whispered, "I did something wrong" Avikiel why are you hruy someone feelings?! I hate my self
But the words remained trapped in my mind.
The next day, I caught Shan's gaze. For a fleeting moment, our eyes locked.
I searched for a glimmer of forgiveness, but his expression remained inscrutable.I looked away, my heart heavy.
The silence between us grew, a chasm I dared not cross.Yet, my concern for Shan only intensified.
"Kiel! What happened to Shan lately?" I remain silent,I dare not to answer.
Gian is still asking and gave some theories,he's theories was nonsense
Gian said he might be heartbroken or his girl broke up with him.
~~~
As the new music professor, Professor Ryu, entered the room, a palpable sense of dread settled over the students. Whispers circulated about his notorious strictness.
Shan, still reeling from previous criticisms, felt a knot in his stomach. But his eyes landed on the piano, and a faint smile crossed his lips.
"Piano?" he whispered, his heart skipping a beat.
Despite the instrument's comforting presence, Shan's mind lingered on the professor's reputation.
"This teacher is going to be tough," he thought.
Professor Ryu's stern voice snapped Shan back to attention.
"Okay, where's Shan? Ah, yes, you'll be playing the guitar." Shan's gut twisted. "I couldn't even play guitar."
He anticipated the professor's scolding, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios.
Professor Ryu handed Shan a guitar, his expression unyielding.
"Play," he ordered, his voice firm.
Shan's fingers trembled as he strummed the strings. Discordant notes filled the air.
The professor's face darkened.
"Not like that, Shan. You're not even holding the guitar correctly." Shan's eyes dropped, expecting a barrage of criticism.
But he maintained a facade of calmness, hiding his fear.
The professor's words cut deep, yet Shan kept his expression neutral.
Avikiel's scolding still lingered in his mind, and now Professor Martinez's harsh critique.
Shan wondered if he'd ever find solace in music again.
As the lesson progressed, Shan's anxiety intensified.
Each mistake earned a harsh rebuke from Professor Ryu,The students exchanged nervous glances, sensing Shan's distress.
Gian offered a reassuring nod, but Shan's confidence was shattered. The guitar, once an intriguing instrument, now felt daunting.
"Can I survive this class?" Shan wondered.
And finally his done playing guitar until.
"Uhm..Where Avikiel? Can you teach Shan to play piano?...his tone make me freak"
Avikiel and Shan staring at eachother
Avikiel seen his eyes full of fears and doubt
And now he doesn't even know how to approach him and tell what happened,he ignore that feeling that ,he actually cared about him.