We were supposed to be together forever, embroidered into each other’s bones.
This is all my fault. I’m destroying everything like usual.
I grab my phone on the nightstand and check my texts, dreading what might await me. My friends must be pissed that I left without warning.
Unknown
The clock is ticking. Tell him before the end of the week or I will.
I’m about to lose my fucking mind. There’s so much I still want to do with Aoi. We still have to go on vacation together and I want him to see me graduate. All because of that bastard my plans fell apart in the deep sea.
I look down at Aoi still sleeping peacefully and I don’t want to wake him yet. He’s always busy and constantly tired and deserves to sleep more on weekends. So, I get up and head into the bathroom to wash my face with cold water.
I still can’t believe I’ve been so shameless last night. If he knew, he’d hate me and throw me out, he’d find me disgusting and would be repelled by my mere presence. No matter how kind he is, there’s no way he’d forgive me.
I stare at my reflection, watching the droplets of water running down my face and onto the sink below. Why can’t I have one good thing in my life?
I sigh and wipe my face dry before rushing to the kitchen and deciding to clean a bit to ease Aoi’s hardship. If I clean for him, he won’t have to bother with those chores and can spend more time with me. I might suck at math but when it comes to getting what I want, I’m smarter than Einstein.
It’s still early and yet my phone buzzes from an incoming call from Olivia. Okay, breathe, she won’t kill me if I don’t reply, but she definitely will when she catches my ass at school.
Fuck it, there’s no way out of this. I prefer death by yelling than death by ruler shoved down my throat.
“You absolute dipshit! I thought you were dead. The next time you leave without telling us, I will kill you with my own two hands!” she yells on the other end.
I hold the phone away from my ear and wince. “I’m sorry I wanted to call but I really couldn’t! You’ll never believe what happened.”
She flicks her tongue against the rooftop of her mouth, annoyed. “It better be huge or else I’ll punch you next time I see you.”
I lower my voice to a whisper in case Aoi wakes up. “Last night, after heading outside, I met some dude that claimed he was my brother.”
Skepticism drips from her tone as she says, “What kind of bullshit is that?”
I roam around the kitchen, trying to figure out a way of explaining this mess. “I didn’t believe the guy at first, but he gave me freaking DNA compatibility documents. It was basically impossible not to believe him!”
“So…you have a brother now? Does Aoi know?”
I groan in utter exasperation. “Of course not! And that’s not the worst part. That psycho threatened to ruin Aoi’s life if I don’t leave with him to fucking France!”
A loud noise clatters on the other end of the phone before she replies, stupefied, “You’ve got to be kidding. That’s actually nuts!”
“I know. I’m so lost right now.”
She cackles like she generally does when she’s distressed. “You’re so fucked.”
“Woah, thanks for the support.”
“You’re welcome,” she yawns. “No, but seriously, what are you gonna do? You can’t go with him! Besides this is all too fishy.”
I massage my temples and refrain from biting my nails. “I know but what about Aoi? I can’t risk his future because I’m greedy.”
“Wanting to stay with someone you love isn’t greedy. Especially when you’re being forced to give up your happiness for some strange bitch.”
I knew Olivia would understand. I’m neck deep in this shit. Yet the longer I think about this mess, the more I wonder why I can’t keep in touch with Aoi even after being gone.
“It’s not unsurmountable, is it?”
She remains silent for a minute then starts humming. “Well- wait a sec, my mom is yelling at my dad in the kitchen.”
