Back in the days, Roderick would do anything for fame and respect. He wanted all the kids to respect him and adore him. He bragged about everything he had to his friends.
Julian on the other hand, was an outcast. He went through bullying from both classmates and his only friend.
Roderick was nice to him but since they both got into senior high school, he changed. Roderick started acting like a stranger to Julian, telling him that he would lose his friends if Julian acted like they knew each other. Julian was broken. He never thought that one of the people he loved so much would treat him like that.
He was always alone. Whenever someone approached him, Roderick would find ways to take that person and that was when he lost hope about having a good teenage life. Roderick threatened him that if he ever told their parents about it, he would make sure he was kicked out. Julian lived with this scar for so long.
They even fought over a girl.
Their grandpa's friend's child. Eliza who was years younger but came to visit them often. Julian really liked Eliza and he knew Roderick just needed something to brag about in school.
He decided to give up and let Eliza go. Roderick got bored and dumped Eliza afterwards.
He hated the fact that he didn't have a family of his own. He wanted to be as hatas the other kids. He loved Roderick's parents for sure. They treat him like their own child. That was enough but Roderick was blinded by fame and lust for popularity.
It went on for years until Julian got a friend who was an outcast like him too. Kevin was loyal to Julian even if he was two grades ahead. They were close. Roderick saw that and got anxious. Jealousy consumed him whole.
For some unknown reason, the whole school found out about what Roderick was doing. The way he treated Julian. They told him it was unfair. Roderick on the other hand said, "what are you all talking about? If not for my family he wouldn't have been here and you call that unfair. I'm only doing what all of you would have done" he was wrong. Not everyone would have been like that.
He quickly lost his friends and became more popular for the bad reason. He knew he was wrong but his pride wouldn't let him apologize.
Roderick went to study abroad and Julian decided to be in their country. They parted ways but when Roderick came back, they became inseparable. Nothing affected their relationship. Roderick finally saw him as a brother and not someone living in their house because of his parents.
Even if he didn't talk about what happened again, he still felt like he owed him an apology that's one of the reasons why he pampered Julian up till that day and now look what has happened to them?
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Roderick finally realized where Julian would be and he rushed to the school. He drove as fast as he could to meet his brother.
When he got there, he was torn. Seeing Julian sitting there alone and looking at the stars.
What has he done?
He was scared to go to him but he knew he had to make up for what he did.
"Hey" he whispered as he sat closed to Julian who didn't even look at him.
"I know you're mad at me'' Julian didn't reply. He didn't look at him.
"Sigh..... I'm sorry. I know I was wrong but too proud to admit it. Even now and then" he wanted Julian to say something. Or even make a sound but Julian remained silent.
"You must definitely hate me now," he closed his eyes to hide the pain he felt seeing that Julian was like that. For the first time, he wondered what Julian must've felt.
"There are so many stars tonight" Julian said not looking at him.
"I wonder which ones are her parents. But is it really true that the dead people turn to stars" he chuckled at his own words.
"..." Roderick was speechless. Who was he talking about.
"She must have been hurt" Julian stated again.
He looked at Roderick. "I'm talking about Giselle "
Roderick's heart skipped a beat a beat as he heard her name.
"She lost both her parents. I just hope she'll be alright "
Roderick was confused" what are you talking about?"
"She didn't come to work because her father died." He simply stated.
Roderick now understood why Julian reacted like that. It was before he was also a victim.
Roderick sighed out of frustration. He really crossed the line.
"You should apologize to her. Not me. I feel like you've already made up for everything. I couldn't bring myself to hate you. Not even that time." He looked at Roderick.
"I feel terrible" Roderick murmured.
"Try putting yourself in others' shoes for once and you'll know what they are going through".
"I'm sorry " now he felt really bad. He wanted to just disappear.
"Hey! Stop what you're doing. You're killing the mood"
"The mood already died before I got here"
Julian chuckled.
"Promise me you'll choose your words wisely next time. I don't want you to embarrass yourself like you did today, even if you deserved it" Julian noted.
"Yes sir. I'll apologize to her and never be so careless again" he promised and he meant it.
He felt like a heavy weight has been lifted off his heart. He was relieved. Thank God Julian didn't ghost him for days. He wouldn't have known what to do. He was grateful to have a brother like Julian.
Even if he was months older than Julian, Julian was like an older brother to him and he liked it.
"Let's play" Julian jumped from the fence and picked up the soccer ball on the field.
"Can you play ball?" Roderick asked Julian.
"You never played with me so you wouldn't know" to Roderick's surprise, Julian tackled and dribbled him like a pro.
They play till they got exhausted.
"This is nice"
Julian spoke first.
"Yeah. I was wrong again"
"At least you know that"
They laughed at what Julian said.
Roderick got up and stretched his hand to Julian.
"I'll be a better brother from now on" Julian smiled and grabbed his hand to get up.
"I know. Just save your love life first"
"I don't have a love life."
"Oh you do."
"She hates me"
"You love her"
"I don't"
"Keep lying to yourself"
"Stop teasing me"
"I'm only stating facts"
They drove home and Julian didn't stop with his teasing. And Roderick kept denying Julian's words.