Location: East Hallway of DownGolden High School
Date: 27th May 2035
Time: 1:18 p.m.

"Fucking bitch, bastard, son of the bi-"

"You are mumbling again..."

I heard Alexis say it and ignore him as I continued to check over my wrist that the bitch just almost twisted it! I groan, "Ugh... If only I replace all of his pens with water... That way, he can't write my name..."

"But then that would make the paper list wet."

"Shut up Alexis!" I shouted at him angrily and continued checking my wrist until my wrist was being held by a hand. I looked up and saw Phoenix with a worried face and his other hand holding a bandage.

Now, to recap everything before. I, Colby Ashton, confronted my step-brother, Ray Ashton, in the Student Council's room after I stumbled across my dad in the hallway and saw him get out from the Student Council's room.

Being the "immature" and "rebellious" kid, I'm supposed to be, go confront Ray and threaten him but then, his girlfriend save him by grabbing my FUCKING ARM AND ALMOST TWIST MY WRIST!

IT HURTS AS FUCK-

"There," my thoughts suddenly halt as I look at my hand that's already being wrapped up by the bandage. I look up at the voice, Phoenix, who gives me a warm smile.

"Thanks, Nix." I said and checked over my now bandaged hand. I sigh seeing no damage or any injury that might cost my life.

"It's just a hand, it does not cost your life."

"Shut the fuck up, Alexis. Would you still be knitting if your wrist got twisted by that bitch?" I asked him.

His response to my question with a smile, for all this time I've been friends with him, he always gives such intrigued expressions as his answer. Alexis' answer always ends up with more questions, while Phoenix's answer always has its end and conclusion.

I groan, "Just... Ignore whatever I said..."

"Oh, I'm just kidding. If it does happen to me, I might pretend to be kind to her." That's his answer?

Slowly I chuckled, "Yeah, right. Afuru is not a very social butterfly if you think she is. The only reason she didn't get expelled might be something related to something she's good at."

"...Might?"

I turn to the confused expression on Phoenix's face, "Well, yeah... No one technically knows the meaning behind her story..." When I said that, I felt a bit off when it comes to this kind of topic, especially if it's about her, "She was a transfer student from Japan, however no one knows which school she's from and where she lives... There's a lot of rumours about her if you ask someone from SilverUp Academy..."

"Rumours..." Phoenix said, as if he felt like it hit closer to him as if he sympathises with Afuru's situation...

You shouldn't feel pity for someone like her...

There's a rumour that when she first arrived here, she almost caused the school's football team, both DownGolden and SilverUp, to split up and almost leading to their death, 4 actually found dead.

Another rumour, she has mixed up some chemicals in the science lab and hidden them. Unfortunately, some so-called bad students break into the science lab and accidentally drop the chemical she makes, causing the floor to melt away. Turns out, the chemical she made is a toxin and a pretty strong one that the science lab had to be closed for 3 months...

A rumour said, she had made a violent scene and beat up some girls in her dorm, involving some seniors to stop her but they ended up getting more bruises and injuries than her. Almost leading to her expulsion but still, she remains here...

I have no idea, how can they still let her in here when this rumour can go so far...? I'm not a fan of rumours but... Why going this far-

"Speaking about the festival," I stop myself from overthinking and look at Phoenix, who started to change the topic, "Fiona had told me about it and she suggested that I volunteer making home cooking food to all the guests coming. I have a few ideas for what to cook!"

I was never one to be so excited about that festival, especially at this current situation... But there is nothing wrong with encouraging my friend, right?

"That's nice to hear, Nix." As I said that, I let out my usual playful grin, "Say, you don't mind giving me a free sample-"

"You do know it's Fiona that's in charge of the sale." Alexis interrupts me as I almost try to tease Phoenix.

Ah, that brings me back, Fiona hates Ray and I... it's not because of our skin or anything, she has once tried to get the President role of Student Council, it was decided by the vote. However, when it shows her opponent is Ray, who also tries to get the President role, it was then decided by both principals that Ray would be the President of Student Council.

This, of course, causes Fiona to think it's unfair and it should be followed fairly and not to mention, her vote was higher than Ray and yet, Ray was the one chosen. Not gonna lie, if I was ever in something that people need to vote for, and mine is higher than the opponent and yet, they win in the end, I would not hesitate to burn the building down.

And so, the aftermath suddenly took place as Mr. Jaxington, our Discipline Teacher, fired Fiona from the Student Council and let Ray do his job as he pleased.

Now, no one knows that the principal of DownGolden High School and SilverUp Academy were married and not to mention... They're Ashton. So, knowing how Ray got selected now makes sense as Fiona realises it and sees how life really is unfair.

She hates Ray for stealing the President's spot. Now, she hates me because I am Ray's brother... You know what, I give her that. Not to mention, after getting closer with Phoenix, I annoyed him by coming to his club and stealing his cooking.

Yeah, she has every right to be mad at me for that.

"Ah, well shit. Guess there's nothing I can do to visit you then..." I said, guess I can't visit and talk with him at that time...

"It's alright, Colby! I can visit the competition you're in before it starts!" Suddenly Phoenix's idea brings me back to remind me what that old man did. I was trying to discourage it but...

Those... Puppy dog eyes.... Phoenix, why...

"Y-yeah, sure, you can!" I said, trying to keep up with my grin. I can hear Alexis trying to hide his laughter, just you wait you bastard!

"Alright! It's a promise then!"

Promise...?

Just as Phoenix said that, he quickly turned around and went away. Right, he's probably late for his class... I turn to Alexis who is still standing beside me.

"I am late for my class as well, see ya later, Colb'." as he said that, he soon walked away, leaving me all by myself in the hallway.

I sigh and continue on with my things to do here...

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Location: Ashton's Mansion
Date: 27th May 2035
Time: 4:58 p.m.

"I'm home." I said and the echo of my own voice is all I hear.

That old man is probably still at work. But that woman-

"Welcome back, Colby."

I heard that strict and yet warm feminine voice, so I looked up and saw her. My step-mom, Lucy Ashton. Her real name however is Lucero Aguilera. Lucy is nothing but a nickname and another name for her while she's in the UK.

That old man let her keep her real name and surname despite the fact that she already married him...

I still stare at her with a deadpan expression, she never talks to me, she never says anything to me unless it's a question she wants to ask as "Have you eaten your breakfast?", "Is there anything you don't understand?", or "Makes sure to bring extra water for you to drink whenever you ran an errands, alright?".

...Why is she still talking to me when all I did was ignore her and treat her and Ray badly... Not much worse than the old man, but still... Why are you still trying to talk to me, despite the fact that I mistreated you?

I sigh, I really don't have any choice, "Hello, Lucero."

Everyone in this mansion or outside calls her "Madam Lucy", or "Miss Ashton". But I, the only one who calls her "Lucero", not mom, or mother...

I saw her flinch because she always did everytime I called her by her name. Yes, c'mon, get mad. Get mad at me, I don't care. I already push your limit, right-

"Hello to you too, Colby." She said, still remain calm and composed. Not a single anger was present on her, "I presume that Xever has a Fences Training for his extracurricular?"

"...Yes. He has an extracurricular activity today." Except, he's the only one attending because there's no extracurricular today...

Right, Ray is just his name while he's here. His real name is "Xever Aguilera". Now that he's in the Ashton family, Ray has to change his name. Till this day, I call him Ray... I just... I just don't know why I call him Ray but never Xever...?

"I see. Well, no matter, we still have time, right? Or do you have anything to do later?" Her question makes me halt. Why does this woman always give me a question that makes me think...

"No, I don't have anything else to do..." I said.

"Thank goodness, while your father and Xever won't be home at any minute, would you like to accompany me today?" Lucero said.

I tilt my head to the side as I look at her in confusion, "Accompany you to where...?"

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"... Doesn't my clothes seem a bit underdressed...?"

"Really? I think you fit just fine!"

Yeah, for you maybe but me?!

Recently, Lucero brought me to a restaurant... A 5 star Restaurant... With all these fancy things, fancy people, fancy food... Fancy.. Family...

Ugh! What the hell does she want from me!?

I glance at her as she continues eating her food, I look back at mine that was left untouched or eaten, "So... How's the art museum going...?"

"It was great. We got more visitors coming and some college students visiting to learn about the history behind some certain art. I say, most of the visitors are mostly young artists." She says that with a warm smile on her face and continues to eat.

"Must be suck having both sons that have zero clue on art, huh?" I said, still trying to find the button to press to make her trigger.

Unfortunately none of it worked as she looked at me with that gentle gaze, "I never force Xever to take any art class if he didn't find it interesting, all I did was to give him support and let him learn new things to think about rather than focusing on his study too much..." As she says that, she gives me the look of a mother trying to reconcile with her children, "I may not be your mother, but I won't force you to talk with me or force you to do something you don't like. I know how your father is, Colby..."

"...If you know, why do you accept the marriage...?" That's the question lingering in my mind, she knew and she accepted the proposal..?

"I accept the proposal, thinking maybe I can help your family to finally reconcile with one another but," Suddenly she sighs and gives a look of disappointment but not surprised, "It seems me being here only brought you guys apart... "

"...My father is nothing but a coward and wouldn't want me to know about your engagement with him, thinking I would throw a fit." I scoff at the thought, it is the same like that man, "Does he even realise hiding it from me is even worse than telling me he already engaged without my knowledge of the engagement."

That's not a question, that's a statement, even though she knows it.

"Yes, your father is a coward. And so are you."

...What?

I didn't even get the chance to say anything as she continued, "I do give you some time to get adjusted with my existence in your life, but have you ever considered Xever's existence?" She said, "I'm not going to force one of you to talk, but I'm afraid both of you have terrible communication skills when it comes to opening up your feelings."

Just as she said that, she took a sip of her drink. All I did was stare at her drink as it slowly started to flow away, and stare off in daze...

I call his mother by her birth name, yet I call Ray by the name that he has to use while he's here. I avoided her existence and didn't want to do anything with her, yet Ray and I were always fighting like cats and dogs...

Both of us are the same age and yet, we don't really have much in common at a young age...

It brings me back to our first meeting, at our parents' wedding...

I looked at the other side of the seats across the room, it was that woman's side of the family. It seems they also have some thoughts about this wedding and knowing about my father having a son...

I sigh, hopefully they won't come over more often. I look at the front of me, my father and that woman. Wearing what a groom and a bride were supposed to wear...

From what I heard, father actually met her from his company. She's a client. It was nothing special, it was 1 week after my mom's funeral. He is still grieving over her and tries to distract himself with work, leaving me grieving for her all by myself.

Father and that woman always stumble across each other after their first meeting, to the point they start to talk with each other and hang out. Of course, my father didn't say much about me other than that woman talking about his son.

At that time, father finally moved on from mom's death, and left me behind trying to cope and grieving over her death.

He came back home with that woman and told me, she's gonna be my step-mom... Why didn't he tell me who she is? Why didn't he tell me about the engagement? Why... He didn't comfort me about mom's death? How can he move on faster about her death?!

I was already lost in a daze in my mind as I didn't hear footsteps coming towards beside the seat of my own. Until I hear the word.

"It seems we're gonna be brothers."

Slowly, snap out of my thoughts as I look beside me. It was a boy around my age, blonde hair and dark skin. His eyes colour like lemon yellow. He looks at me, I can sense a bit of nervousness in him as he tries to avoid my gaze but still glance at me.

"Are you Colby? We're gonna be brothers! My name is-"

"What was your first husband like...?" I asked that so suddenly when I realised I said it. I didn't say anything and just look at her, I didn't mean it, I swear-

"Well, there's no harm in telling, right?" She said it so calmly and warmly, she is a woman who has experienced the death of a loved one and saw it with her own eyes, "My husband was a lawyer, you could say it's the kind job that sometimes keeps him away from me but I don't mind. I understand his work environment, he already told me he might not get home on time and always come at midnight. But after telling him I was going to be pregnant with his child, he started to tear up, and it was the happiest time of all as he knew he was gonna be a father..."

I was stunned and speechless by the story as Lucero continued, "He has asked permission to take a day off on some days. I am still doing my work but during my 2 months of pregnancy, I started to work at home and get more rest, and he tried all his might to get home early for me to rest up." She started to giggle, as if she remembered something funny, "He was never the one to do chores but he still did. He has set up a schedule for himself when he gets home or has a day off... And until that day, when I was finally given a birth to Xever, he finally met him, our dear boy. However, after the last 13th visit, he suddenly got into an accident... It was an assassination attempt... Because the cause of death is none other than a shot through his head as he tries to drive to the hospital when he's done his work..."

I didn't say anything as I let her continue the story with a bit of pause to let her cope with her previous husband's death, "Of course, I was left in devastated and despair over it, but I have to keep myself strong. I am a mother now, but a mother that has no husband? My family gives their condolences over his death, while I give my condolences to his family..." She said, and slowly let out a warm smile, "And now that I see, Xever is almost like him. Despite appearances wise, his stubbornness, his willingness and determination... He took a lot of it from him. That's how I would describe him and not to mention, his problem with being a workaholic! I guess without him knowing about his father, he still took after him a lot..."

I didn't say anything as I stared at the woman, who had moved on from her husband's death and yet still kept the memory of him in her mind... Is it really alright for me to move on?

That old man didn't pay any attention to me after my mom's death, I didn't know why and he didn't say anything until I knew it... I look a lot like mom...

...That was either the stupidest reason and yet, why does it hurt me so much..!?

Mom was a journalist, meaning sometimes she would travel the world to study and keep a record on what's happening. However, when I was almost 4-years-old, she died in a country that's been oppressed by the oppressor that committing a genocide...

The news caught up on us and her body was left in the country, it didn't say anything else, her body had just left in the country that I don't know about! I am not mad at the country she died in, I am mad at those oppressors! I am mad at them, I am mad at my father, I am mad at... myself...

"I guess we have to get back, huh?"

I looked up and saw Lucero look at me with nothing but the soft gaze of a mother, a gaze that says she understands how I feel, she knows my pain, and she cares about me.

I didn't even realise my own tears in my eyes as it continued to blur my view...

I sniff and try to wipe my tears away. Lucero stood up and grabbed her purse, as she went to my seat and gave me an extra napkin she had. I look up at her one last time, she looks at me with a warm smile and her words bring me back to reality, "Let's go home, my dear."