Back then, the only word that could describe my life is chained. It's like I was inside in a dark abyss, locked up and restrained. It's like chains are enveloped on my wrist and ankle, hindering me to break free from this cage. I was stuck and I have nowhere to go. I felt nothing and I had no one.

This is what it takes to have such ability— the ability to see the dead.

I remembered how my parent's face distorts in confusion everytime I randomly say something that is peculiar that doesn't make sense in the naked eyes.

"Mom, I saw Lola today. She said that she was delighted that I am going to have a baby sister." I remembered how my eyes sparkled in enthusiasm as my skinny legs joyfully ran towards my mother who was preparing snacks for the visitors.

The thing is, it was Lola's funeral at that time and the snacks that she's preparing is for the guests of the funeral.

My Mother tried to brush off what I said with a laugh. "What are you saying? Our Dino is very silly now a day. Come, help me carry these trays, will you?"

"Okay. Mommy, Lola also said that I should help you with chores so that you won't get tired and so baby also won't get tired and so also will be safe." I beamed.

No one would really believe the words that are coming out of a toddler's mouth and my mother treated every word that I said as a playful figment from my imagination.

Now that I am older, I realize how I didn't make sense especially when they are still unaware of my ability.

But it soon made sense when one day, it was one of the days of the funeral, when my Mother suddenly experienced morning sicknesses and weird food cravings. From then on, the news of Mom having another life in her womb bombarded our household.

I remembered how everyone rejoiced and congratulated my Mother but there is one moment that left a huge impression to me.

It was my Mother's confused gaze at me. I remembered how her eyes pierced right through my soul, as if I am a foreign specimen that she was trying to fathom.

But since I am still young, I didn't understand why.

I found myself being pulled by her inside my room upstairs.

"Dino, Mommy is going to ask questions and you must promise me that you would answer me truthfully." My mom looked at me, dead serious.

My head tilted in confusion.

"Okay, Mommy."

"How did you know that Mommy is pregnant?"

"I told you. Lola told me about it." I frowned.

"But how? You Lola— your Lola is not here anymore. She's in peace now." She paused in mid-sentence.

"No, Mommy. She's still here. She's at the bed as we speak." I beamed and looked at Lola who was seating at the bed, smiling at me.

It was as if everything happened in slow motion. How my Mother's lips trembled, how her hands lost strength that was holding my thin shoulders, and how fear danced in her eyes as a horrified expression displayed on her face.

"W-we should head back down stairs now Dino. Let's go." She frantically said as she pulled me out of the room.

I let her do anything even though I was having a hard time keeping up with her pace. My legs are not as long as hers in the first place.

"But how about Lola—"

"No, Dino! You are forbidden to talk about your Lola from now on." She hardly said that made me flinched.

My heart hammered as I didn't know what to do. The only thing I remembered is how scared I was when she raised her voice.

She stopped on her tracks and heavies a deep sigh.

She kneeled down to level her face in front of me.

"I'm sorry, my love. Mommy didn't mean to raise her voice. It's just, Mommy is shock of what you've said." She mellowed down her voice that somehow made me at ease. I love it when she talked to me using that voice. I hope she does it everytime instead of raising her voice.

"But why? Did Dino say something wrong?" I pouted as tears brimmed at the side of my eyes.

"No. . . Dino didn't. But Dino said something very unusual."

"What?"

"I'll tell you when you're older but promise me that you won't tell anyone of what you saw. Please, Dino. This is for you too, okay?"

I didn't understand. I didn't understand why it has to be when I'm older, I didn't understand why I can't tell anyone, I didn't understand how unusual it is.

But now that I'm older, now I know. I finally understood.

Learning the truth was never easy. As a child, I had to take it all in. How I am not normal, how different I am from other kids in my age, and how I can't enjoy my youth because a headless man just suddenly appears in my way.

I vowed to myself that I won't let anyone know about my abilities, because of that, I cannot help but distance myself from others and pushed myself farther towards the abyss.

But for some reasons, she pulled me out of there.

Kezia Lautner.

We are polar opposites. I'm quiet while she is loud. She has a lot of friends while I barely have one. I settle at the corner of the room while having a sad and gloomy atmosphere while she has a bright and vibrant light that is surrounding her in her seat. My head is stuck on a book that I'm reading while she's on her phone, blasting her favourite song.

We were just strangers, but somehow our fate intertwined with one another that led us to this point.

I found myself kilometres away from Kezia's house, hands dugged inside of my slacks while patiently waiting for her.

Then I saw her, clad with our school uniform, looking adorably majestic in her ponytails. A smile made its way on my lips as our distance from one another grew shorter.

"Kezia!" I called.

She looked up and our eyes met. Her eyes immediately widened then frowned. She's probably confused as to why I'm here.

"Do you want to grab something before going to school?" I asked from a distance.

"Huh?"

I didn't wait for her response and just grabbed her wrist and carefully pulled her

"Let's go! Classes are about to start."

After that I never left her side, I didn't know why but I just found myself always by her side after that. It's like I finally had someone who knows me, someone who also knows the skeletons in my closet.

The people around us suddenly teased us, giving romantic meaning to the moments we shared with each other. I didn't mind, but Kezia on the other hand does.

I always find her adorable when her cheeks redden and on how a scowl immediately appears on her face every time they tease us.

I was contented with everything. I wasn't in the dark anymore and I was able to live my remaining youth joyfully.

But the only thing that was constant in this world is change.

"I have a crush on you, Louis."

My forehead immediately formed a knot when I heard Kezia's voice from a distance. It was our vacant as of the moment and I was supposed to go to the bathroom.

"Huh? What? How? I mean- why?" The next thing I heard is Louis' voice.

With a few steps, I was able to found them. Kezia's back is facing in my direction and it seems like Louis didn't notice my presence.

"What do you mean why? Dzuh! It's because you're handsome, sporty, and kind. So will you be my boyfriend?"

I mirrored Louis expression as he looked at Kezia as if she had grown two heads. I honestly would've done the same. Kezia's mind is complicated as it is but I didn't know that it is complicated as that.

"What? You just confessed and you're literally asking me that?"

"Huh? Why? Is it not supposed to be like that?"

"Ofcourse not!"

"Okay-okay, you could've just decline."

"I can't believe you. I'm out." then Louis turned his back and was about to leave.

"Wait! Are you really sure that it is a no?"

Yet Louis didn't respond and just continued storming off, leaving Kezia alone.

I discreetly made my way towards her.

"Tsk! What a rude guy. he could've just declined nicely." she murmured under her breath.

"Poor you, I guess."

She flinched with my sudden appearance. When she turned to look at me, her eyes are wide opened and her mouth went agape.

"Dino!" she utter in surprise. "Since when were you here?"

My lips formed a lopsided smile and looked at her meaningfully.

"Ever since you've said I have a crush on you-"

Kezia immediately covered my mouth with her palms as she stared at me in horror. The colours of her face vanished. Then her eyes immediately surveyed the area if someone is listening.

"Your mouth is really sinful!" She glared at me.

I smirked against her palms as a naughty idea came in my mind.

I stick out my tongue and licked her palm.

"What the fudge!" she shrieked. Her eyes widened as her face slowly grimaced. She eyed me disgustingly. "What is your problem?!"

I didn't mind her reaction and just rolled my eyes.

"Who in the right mind would ask someone to be their boyfriend after just confessing? I know that it's you but what were you thinking?"

"It's supposed to be like that?"

"No, it's not. Have you ever heard of courting? Getting to know each other?" I frowned.

"Don't talk to me as if I'm dumb! Ofcourse I knew that stuffs."

"Then why aren't you using your head? Aren't you supposed to be smart? But why are you so dumb in love?"

"Ahh! Whatever! Louis is not just the only one whom I have a crush on, I have two more left. You! Why are you here? Are you following me?" she pointed her finger at me.

I gently pushed her finger away.

"No, I'm not! You are blocking the CR, that's why." then I pointed the CR.

She followed my fingers. I saw how her ears turned red.

"W-whatever!" she awkwardly said and left me behind.

I just shooked my head in disbelief as I witness the body of her frame turned smaller.

I thought I wouldn't witness that scene again, but for some funny circumstances.

"Hey, Jared! I have a crush on you. So will you be my boyfriend?"

I felt my left eye twitched. Really, Kezia?

I suddenly want to barge my head against the wall or maybe pull my hair off of my scalp.

Same time, same location, but with different person.

"Uh. . . You're a wonderful person, Kezia. Nothing is wrong with you but I'm afraid that I have to decline." Jared awkwardly scratched his head.

My gaze immediately went to Kezia, anticipating what reaction she would react. But into my surprise, she slowly nodded her head and nonchalantly shrugged.

"Oh well, that's too bad."

Jared looks taken aback as his mouth went agape.

"W-wait. Aren't you hurt?"

"Huh? Why would I be?" Her brows furrowed.

Now both Jared and I's mouth went agape. What a woman.

"You know, maybe I should go." Jared turned his back.

"Ok! See ya'!" Kezia even waved her hand which made me smack my forehead in frustration.

Jared didn't look back and just continued walking out. Wow, what a familiar scene.

"What's with you and confessions in front of the toilet?"

Kezia flinched again with my sudden appearance.

"Dino!" she shrieked. " When-"

"I was here since the very start." I answered before she can even ask.

"Tsk! You're really following me aren't you?" she looked at me accusingly.

I tilted my head. "Dream on. So if you'd excuse me, I am going to the toilet."

"Wait!" she stopped me before I can even take a step.

"What?"

She played with her hands while looking down which made me frown.

"W-what's the difference with crush, love, and like?" she looked up to me.

"Oh, I thought you're smart?" I raised a brow at her which made her brows met and her lips pout.

"You know what, don't answer it. It's useless talking to you anyway."

"Hey-hey, chill." I gently grabbed her shoulders before she could walk away.

I placed my hand at my chin and acted as if I was thinking. "Crush is like admiring their trait just like with Louis, you said that you like him because he's sporty. When you like someone, you enjoy their presence. Some people express their affection by secretly gazing, teasing, and many more."

"Oh! Like you!"

"Huh?"

"You always tease me when you got the change. Does that mean that you like me?"

I was left baffled. I didn't know what to do. I blinked and scratched head. Kezia's mouth is really- I can't. Sometimes I want to tape it.

But one thing I didn't understand; why is my heart beating so fast right now?

"W-what? What are you talking about? Anyways, when you love somebody, you'll feel the urge to take care and treasure that person."

"Ok, now I get it."

"Finally! So if you'll excuse me again. My gallbladder is about to explode." I twisted the doorknob.

"W-wait! Dino!" Kezia called.

I felt the last strand of my patience slowly vanishing away from my grasp. I closed my eyes and sighed impatiently before looking back.

"Now what?"

"I like you, would you do the honor and court me?" Kezia stated seriously. Her eyes looked right straight at mine.

I felt my world stop spinning. If it wasn't for my hand holding the knob, I might've lost my balance.

Kezia's boldness probably reached the maximum level already. She just have her own ways in making me speechless. I can't with her. But this girl, she's the only one whom I could tolerate.

I tilted my head and I can't help but flash my amused smile at her which made her blink. Cute.

I felt my heart beating faster.

Oh Kezia, what did you do to me?

"I'll think about it." was my only response before closing the door.