"Emily, is that you?"

Upon arriving at your house, you hear your dad's voice calling out your name from the living room. His voice sounds strained, so despite the tiredness from school, you put on a joyful respond, "Hey, Dad~"

Peeking from the side, strangely, you notice how the TV's off—and with him sitting on his lazyboy? This.. is definitely off. There has to be something. Moreover, you notice your mom is also there, sitting beside him.

"Oh—hi guys," you greet awkwardly—putting your bag beside the sofa.. and sit beside your mom.

"How's school, Emily~" your mom asks. Despite her attempt to appear cheerful, her eyes betray a sense of worry—even her smile seems forced. You've known her all your life. This is not her happy smile.

"It's.. the usual.." you reply hesitantly. Your mind racing with questions as you squint your eyes in suspicion, still trying to piece together the puzzle of their unusual behavior. Switching your attention to your dad, you notice how.. he's thinning?

"Dad, are you stressed?"

Mr. Winters' eyebrow raised slightly, but he immediately masked it off with his usual witty attack. "Stressed? There's nothing wrong with my handsome face—are you insulting me young lady?!"

Rolling your eyes at his predictable reaction, you try to explain, "You just.. you look like you've lost some weight.. and by some—of your—weight—I meant a.. lot.." your voice trailing off as you realize how awkward the conversation has become.

"Nah, I'm still as handsome as John McClane—" when a sudden cough interrupts him. The worst part is.. this one's different from before. This sounds more serious. Alarmed, you quickly stand up and rush to pat his back—while your mom hurriedly offers a glass of water.

"Mom, what's wrong with dad?" you demand, frustration evident in your voice. Despite your dad's alarming coughing fit, your mom remains silent.

"Come on! By now, you should've stopped keeping this—whatever this is! What. is going on?!" you add, growing increasingly irritated by their mysterious behavior. You quickly move to sit on the armrest of the lazy boy, beside your dad—worried and frustrated by his never ending cough.

Eventually, the coughing fit subsides. However, instead of addressing your questions, your dad interjects, "I just need you to listen to me—"

"Are we going to act like you didn't just—?!"

"be careful in choosing a partner, Emily—"

"oh here we go again—ok. Fine! If you want to stick to the normal routine—" you stand up, distancing yourself from your parents.

If acting normal is what they want, then so be it. But the worst thing is what they'll get from me.

"If you want me to stay like a child—you should've just framed me!"

"Em! Watch your tone!" your mom roars.

With a look of exasperation on his face, your dad snaps, "God! Your statement is exactly why you're still a child!"

"I'm so tired everytime you and Tyler start to play God in my—"

"Play God—?!"

However, John's words are cut off by another fit of coughing. Your mom rushes to the kitchen to fetch water for him—her movements frantic. Feeling awkward and unsure whether to approach, you stand still—but your mom's sudden shout from behind breaks your perplexity, "Enough! Why are you two fighting like this?!"

"Mom, tell me! Is dad sick?!"

Your hands start to tremble. Seeing your dad like this breaks another set of something in you—since your heart's already broken. "Can everyone tell me what's going on?!" your words reverberate in the room, leaving you feeling helpless. But despite your plea, they remain silent.

In the aftermath of his constant cough, frantically, your dad continues between his ragged breath, "I'm just—trying to look out for you, Em—! You're still too naive—"

"Please—" you start, but then frustration takes over as he still picks to talk about this topic and chooses to ignore your plea. "I'm not naive, Dad—! Oh. My God! For the millionth time—I don't need your protection!" you retort, voice breaking.

"You know what?! You should be grateful—to have a dad like me—!"

"Johnny Winters!" your mom stops him from saying anything further—

"Grateful?! To have a dad who's only watching the same thing over and over again?! What should I be proud of over a tacky dad?!"

"Emilia Winters!"

But it's chaos. Too late to quell the rising storm. Still stunned in his seat, your dad sits there in shock by your outburst, choking, "How dare you—"

"I hate you, dad!"

You declare, voice trembling with anger. Stunned into silence, both The Winters sit there, speechless. Your mom's hand goes to her temples, massaging the pressure points even though it's got no point—while your dad sinks back onto his lazyboy, deflated as you rush upstairs and slam your door.

"Emilia, apologize to your dad!"

On the frame of your door, your mom stands firmly on the ground, her hands placed on her waist. You're slumped on your bed, your face facing down to a pillow as you wiggle in irritation, muffling, "I'm so tired—of everything changes—in my life!"

Before in a jolt, you sit straight with the pillow still intact on your face—hands gripping on the edges. Slamming the pillow to the bed, you turn and defend yourself, "I just—I'm so tired of everything! Of—of uncertainties—of—people leaving! And for once—I want something constant that's just there. Not changing. Constant!"

Sighing in resignation, Mrs. Winters drops her hands on the sides and slowly approaches. Getting into the bed, she waits until your angry, desperate glare finds hers.. until she declares,

"But life.. is a war, Emily."

Confusion and disappointment cloud your features as you furrow your eyebrows. With patience in her voice, your mom continues, "Emily.. in this life.. you'll meet people, you'll met with circumstances, with moments.. and you'll learn. Every. single. step. of the way," her tone grows more resolute as she adds, "and you have to learn. If you don't, then what's the point of living?"

It's a harsh truth to swallow—but deep down.. you know she's right. "I understand if you're angry.. or maybe something happened in school—anything—" she pauses, before her gaze sharpens like a dagger, scolding, "but you never. take it out on anyone."

Her stern reprimand brings you back to the present, reminding you of your actions. With a heavy sigh, you relent, letting go of some of the anger that had been consuming you. Despite the turmoil raging inside you, you know that you can't stay angry forever. Guilt washes over you as you remember the disappointment in your father's eyes when you lashed out..

How everything.. took a sharp wrong turn.

"Casualty never sounds good in the first place, right?"

"I'm sorry.. I just—"

"Apologize to him yourself~" her tone carries a hint of playfulness as she speaks, and with a pout, you reluctantly nod.

Sighing, acknowledging your confusion at your age, she smiles patiently. "And yes, everything changes, because that's the essence of this life, Em," she pauses before she adds with a gentle smile, "of us, humans." Mrs. Winters says softly, her words carrying a wisdom that seems to extend beyond her years.

"We learn.. we change.. we develop."

Darting your eyes to the corner of the room, you throw yourself back onto the pillow, pouting in resignation. "Either way, what's life without a little bit of spice, right?" Janet jokes while playfully pinches your cheek, eliciting a pouting smile from you. "You're still so. young, Emily. You still have all the time in the world to figure it out."

You smile back, feeling your mother's words enveloping you like a warm blanket. Mrs. Winters extends her arms wide, inviting you to a big hug, and you immediately give in, "Sorry, mom.."

But an uncomfortable feeling also seeps through your skin in your mom's embrace.. Until you finally summon the courage to ask, once again,

"Mom.. What's wrong with dad?"

Your mom falls silent, her body going rigid. Slowly.. she pulls away and stands up from the bed. With a heavy sigh, she closes her eyes before giving you a slight nod.. and extends a hand. Silently acknowledging.. that she will reveal the secret they've been keeping from you.

"You know what? You should've seen me when I gave that Homerun back in Cali,"

Liam, being the class clown that he is, boasts to the crowd. The after-party is held at Wyatt's. Since his parents are rarely around to begin with, well—it's easier to hold parties at his extravagant home. He keeps talking.. and talking.. Animatedly recounting highlights of the game and throwing in a few exaggerated details for good measure. But not until his gaze drifts to the corner of the room..

"Oh sheesh, even Tyler couldn't pull that one off like—me.."

and his voice trails off, his smile faltering just a little. His initial cheerful demeanor shifts as he is stunned. His gaze locks into a familiar place right in front of the pillar. A girl laughed, gracefully rocking a cute white top wrapped under her brown long leather coat.

Eve.

It's automatic.

Whenever she's around, it's like his settings are made just for her. He stares at her longingly, and at some point—her gaze also finds him. For a brief moment, time seems to stand still. Initially, her eyes go wide with the unexpected encounter, not like she didn't know he'd be at this party—at his own home, duh. Eventually.. she gives him a faint smile, sadness lingering in her eyes. They exchange longing glances before finally, she retreats.. and leaves.

Wyatt's expression immediately falls. The messy loud conversations from the crowd fainting in the background. For anyone who knows him, his silence is pretty.. unnerving.

Tyler, who's been beside him all along, glances at him knowingly—offering a comforting pat on the back. "I'm gonna get you a drink," he consoles, sensing his bro's need to be alone. Turning away briefly, Tyler heads off to fetch the drink, leaving him in his moment of silence.

However, before Tyler returns with the drink—Dominic arrives, intending to console his bro after also witnessing the earlier interaction. He places a comforting hand on Wyatt's shoulder, saying, "Hang in there, bud," as Liam solemnly nods. Dominic lifts his head—to find Tyler, already returned with the drink.

Their eyes meet, and for a moment.. the air crackles with tension. Even Liam goes tense, glancing between the two in nervousness—when Tyler unintentionally bent the drink he brought for him.

Liam, watching his drink almost get wasted in horror, "Not my—" decides to swiftly steal the drink before any more juice spills from it. Irritated to the core, Liam rolls his eyes, about to throw a good scolding—before the scene turns into a childish banter.

"Anything on my face, Cavill?" Dominic asks, raising an eyebrow, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Yeah, arrogance." Tyler retorted, a smirk playing on his lips.

With a scoff, Dominic's lips play a smirk before he retorts, "Huh, funny. Not as arrogant as someone who wants to have it all, though," his voice laced with mockery.

Tyler flew off the handle as he scoffs—giving a signal of what's about to come. But before he could throw another high quality comment, Wyatt bumps their shoulders and storms off—leaving Tyler and Dominic in a sudden uncomfortable guilt.

They intended to approach him—but they moved at the same time! They tried to walk in a different way—but unexpectedly moved to the same place! Acknowledging the same irritation, they glare at each other—before finally releasing an infuriated scoff, and end up storming off in opposite directions.

With a plastic cup in hand, Tyler stands near the billiard table while his teammates play—laughing and joking as they take their shots. Lucy Burns joins him in a conversation—however, although he laughs along, his gaze occasionally drifts across the crowded room, as if searching for.. someone. Until suddenly, Scott's voice cuts through the chatter, calling out, "Your turn captain!"

Tyler sets down his red cup on the corner of the billiard table and rolls up the sleeves of his black jersey jacket. Luke tosses him the cue stick—and Tyler catches it smoothly, readying himself. He lines up his shot, aiming carefully, but when he strikes the cue ball—it ricochets awkwardly, causing the balls to scatter haphazardly across the table. Tyler grits his teeth in frustration—the table erupts in laughter while Luke can't help but tease him, "I knew he's only good at baseball,"

"Take that back or I'll remove you from the team, champ,"

Tyler shoots back. Luke scoffs as the others laugh and cheer with a chorus of 'Oooohs.' While turning around the table to position himself near the ball he failed to shoot, Cavill flashes a winning smirk as he finds Luke's reaction exactly like how he wants it to be.

He bends over the table, ready to adjust his shot.. when Lucy slides under his arm and grips the cue stick with him! Taken aback—not like he already got used to it by now—he retreats, while Lucy looks up at him with a mischievous smile and declares,

"I guess I'll show you how it's done, captain."

The crowd's excitement grows with more enthusiastic 'Oooohs.' But Luke and Scott exchange puzzled glances, sensing the awkwardness in Tyler's gesture. Uncertain of Lucy's intentions, Tyler scoffs inwardly. Wondering if she's flirting with him–or just simply trying to annoy him.

Despite Lucy's distracting presence, he manages a polite chuckle and responds, "Let's see what you've got then, Red." Lucy beams up at him, clearly enjoying the attention. Reluctantly, Tyler releases the cue stick to her, but midway through.. his gaze drifts to a peculiar.. yet disturbing sight just outside on the beach.

It's Dominic. Sitting on the white sand among the crowd..

Kissing some girl.

Shock registers on Tyler's face—before soon, it quickly followed by a fiery anger. His jaw clenches with unexplainable bewilderment–and without hesitation, he strides rushfully towards them, ignoring Lucy's shriek of success in sinking the remaining balls on the billiard table!

Luke and Scott's alert gaze immediately follows the path of his stride—but once they take notice of the matter, it's too late. Their shouts already drowned by the fire burning within him.

As he arrives, in one swift motion, Tyler grabs Dominic by the collar and yanks him to his feet—causing the girl on his lap to stumble back in surprise with a loud shriek! Noticing who it is—Dominic lets out a devilish smirk.

"Oooh if it isn't the boyfriend—"

Ignoring the comment, Tyler throws Dominic down onto the sand. "I told you not to do something stupid, Dominic." he exclaims, his voice sharp with rage. Dominic, drunk and unfazed, laughs and scoffs beneath him,

"Just like what you did behind my back. Right, bro?"

Tyler pauses. His face contorts in pained frustration. Torn between his conflicting emotions, Tyler's grip on Dom's collar tightens as it almost trembles.

"You can get angry with me all you want–as long as it takes–I can endure! But you don't. hurt. her Hunt!"

Dominic pushes Tyler away with a fierce shove, sending him sprawling backwards. "Funny how you always act like the boyfriend–"

"Well if I'm her boyfriend maybe I'll take care of her more than you do!"

The crowd falls in a stunned silence. Luke, Scott, Wyatt, and Eve arrive on the scene, their eyes widening at the unfolding chaos. Lucy Burns, who had been watching the scene—quickly turns and leaves with irritation on her face. Dominic goes quiet.. before fury ignites within him–and he lunges forward!

He's about to punch Tyler straight in the face–but not until Luke, Scott, and Wyatt step in, trying to restrain him! Luke and Wyatt pull Dominic back with all their strength—all while he goes berserk against their hold! Meanwhile, Scott and Eve work to restrain Tyler—creating as much distance between him and Dominic as possible.

Noticing Eve, Tyler turns swiftly. "Where's Em?"

Eve holds his arm in caution, observing Tyler. Seemingly to have regained control of his emotions, she reluctantly releases. Sensing the cool air around the troublemaker, Scott also follows suit. A few meters away, Wyatt urgently whispers to Dominic while Luke struggles in holding him back—looking distressed. With concern etched on her face, Reed responds with a huff, "I don't know.. she hasn't answered any of my messages or calls–"

"Too bad you're just the bestfriend, Cavill!"

Tyler's initially calm demeanor shifts as he snaps his head back to Dominic—meeting his deathly glare head-on.

"You're not her boyfriend. Remember your place as her bestfriend, Cavill. That's the role you will always be."

Tyler's face hardens—intense fatigue and frustration mixed in one. His glare intensifies into a stern gaze before he finally speaks again.

"Say you won't pull something like this again, Hunt."

Silence falls over the scene, everyone on the beach transfixed, waiting for Dominic's response. However.. his initial demeanor shifts into eerie calmness as Dominic smirks, tilting his head.

"Why the hell shouldn't I?"

Feeling anger starts flaring inside of him again, Tyler growls, "You don't deserve her, asshole–" and he charges towards Dominic! Seething air through his teeth, Scott attempts to catch Tyler's arm like he's about to catch a football—but fails as he falls head first into the sand with an 'ow..' while Eve hesitates to chase after him—afraid.

Luke—with a tense expression, tries to restrain Dominic as he seethes, "You know nothing, asshole–" while Wyatt rushes to hold Tyler from the side—but ending up being dragged along as Cavill grabs Hunt by the neck and frustratingly shouts,

"So you're going to keep acting like this, Hunt?! You're gonna keep betraying her?!"

"Like how the two of you betray me!"

"It was a mistake, Hunt! I told you I'm sorry—!"

"Bullshit!"

Furious, Dominic shoves Luke and Wyatt away and pushes Tyler down beneath him—then punches him! Luke and Scott are about to rush to break it up, but Wyatt puts his hand in front of Luke and gestures to Scott across from him to stay put—knowing they won't be able to stop them.

Hunt's about to throw another punch–when Cavill pins him down! His eyes narrowed into slits of rage, voice sharp and demanding as he roars,

"Say you won't do this again and I'll stay away for good, Hunt!"

Tyler's patience wears thin as he waits for a response, his grip tightening with each passing moment—needing the assurance, anything, to make sure you won't get hurt. But Dominic remains silent, holding his ground.

"You don't tell me what to do. Do not cross the line, Cavill."

Taken aback, his grip tightens on Dominic's collar, his expression shifting from disbelief to disappointment. Tyler's eyes narrow with controlled fury, and yet, a glint of determination flickering within them. Giving a devilish smirk, he leans in—voice dropping to a dangerous whisper as he says,

"Considering how trash you are right now," Tyler licks the blood emerging on the corner of his lips—and his smirk grows as he snarls,

"There's no line I can't cross, Hunt."

In a corner of the room, Lucy is staring at a dark blue iPhone.

The phone rings three times.. four times..

She doesn't pick up.

Finally, the screen goes dark.. and she exhales a sigh of relief—when suddenly, a hand snatches the phone away. It's Tyler. Frustration etched all over his face, the moment he taps the screen—and finds two missed calls from you.

"The hell are you doing?! I told you to tell me if there's anything important!" he demands, his tone furious.

"You were fighting–!" the short-haired girl stammers, caught off guard as she pauses, trying to find an excuse. Rolling his head back and furrowing his eyebrows, Tyler shoots her a piercing glare like a dagger—when Lucy feels a building frustration and snaps, "There's nothing important anyway–"

"SHE'S IMPORTANT!"

Tyler's voice echoes through the room, and everything goes silent. People stop dancing, all activities cease—even the DJ halts the music. His glare still pierces through Lucy like a lightning bolt—but seeing her about to cry starts to send guilt through his veins, causing him to cringe and look away.. and he leaves.

Ignoring the stares from those around him, Tyler strides through the crowd—eyes glued to his phone screen. He also notices an alarming number of missed calls from both his mom and dad—but it's the eight missed calls from his mom that send a jolt of panic through him.

With trembling fingers, he punches fervently through his phone screen–until your name pops up on the screen. Bringing the phone to his ear, he hears a few rings—until the line connects.

"Em, where are you?"

But all he meets is a dead silence from the other end. Furrowing his already tightly knit brows, he lifts the phone to check whether the line's connected. Slightly tilting his head at this strange encounter, he brings the phone to his ear again and clarifies, "Hello? Em, you there? ..Hello?"

But now.. all he hears is bated breath. Sensing something bad, he stops in his tracks. He narrows his eyes, his worry grows as he makes out the sounds in the background—and dread washes over him as he hears crying in the background.

"Is—is that crying—? Em—where are you—"

"Ty."

His heart rate quickens at the sound of your voice, panic starting to set in as he waits. He waits.. and he waits.. until finally.. he hears your confused tone.

"They said he only has a year left—I don't.. I don't understand—he was just fine—"

With eyes widened, Tyler retracts his head in bewilderment—until his confusion turns to comprehension.. as he mutters under his breath,

"Mr. Winters—"

Like a lightning bolt, he darts from Wyatt's wide front porch to his Panigale. His hands tremble with panic as he struggles to insert the key into the starter. When he manages to turn it, he switches the phone to his other ear before preparing to take off.

"Em—tell me where you are—tell me what happened—"

"I.. don't know–they—they're saying his lungs are already drowned in water."

Thank you for reading! Don't forget to vote, comment, and add to your library!

Check out some additional content on social media💖

Instagram: lifelorestudio