< Nina >
“You want me to stay over?” Gene blinks, unsure of what he heard.
“It’s getting late, Gene,” I answer, with a sheepish smile.
Besides, I don’t want you to stay outside for the whole evening while your family locks the door. I thought.
He only nods as he mutters to me a thank you.
I think I must be crazy to ask him to stay. But after the events that happened earlier, I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t stop thinking that I will be moving away.
“Well, I have nothing against Gene staying here since I trust him. But as your mother, it’s my responsibility to say that he has to sleep on the floor,” my mom says after I told her about the plan.
She was busy washing the dishes when I told her about my plan. It’s been a while since Gene had any sleepover. The last time he did come over to sleep was… when we were eight.
“Sure thing, mom.”
“Also,” she quickly adds after she turns off the tap water. “Make sure to be extra careful unless you want to give me a grandchild,” she says with a wink.
“Mom!” I squeak. “Gene and I aren’t like that at all.”
She only giggles as I only frown.
Ah, whatever, at least she gave me an okay.
As I prepare the duvet and two extra pillows for Gene, he just stands there, pondering. Like there are many things that have been bothering him.
In fact, even before the surprise, he was staring off-space as if his mind had been drifting somewhere.
“Gene?” That catches his attention as it breaks the trail of his thoughts. He goes closer to me and sits on my bed.
“Sorry, I was thinking.”
“Of what?” After I finish preparing his bed, I stand up and sit next to him on the bed.
He hesitates for a while as he hums.
Huh, didn’t know he actually hums.
“I’m trying to think what’s even more surprising? The fact that your mom is getting married to a celebrity, your sudden transfer to the most prestigious school in the whole country, or you living with a complete stranger for a year?”
“Well, it’s definitely all the above.” I chuckle. “You know, if you accept my mom’s offer, you might easily get into Dawn Peak Academy.”
Unlike me who fails in everything, Gene is a whiz kid. Even if he misses classes thanks to our bullies, he has no problem understanding any subject as long as he reads it. It can be mathematical problems, memorizing historical facts, and heck, Spanish doesn’t seem to be a problem for him.
Oh let’s not forget that he solves Calculus as a hobby.
Gene raises a brow. “It looks like you’re taking this news well.”
“Not really.” I frown. “I can’t say no, Gene. My mom looks...she looks happy, you know?”
“And you won’t in return.”
“I guess it's just for one year.” And afterward, I’m going to Spain to be with my mom and Rodrigo, oh joy.
“Your future stepbrother,” he says as his mind goes somewhere else again. “Was he the one who’s hot enough to melt a person but his glare could freeze someone to death?”
“Huh?! Who said that?” My voice grows an octave higher but then I blush due to embarrassment.
“Your fourteen-year-old self did.”
“R-really? I don’t remember it at all.”
Frankly, I don’t remember what he looks like anymore. Each time I recall that encounter, all I remember was a faceless figure with scary icy gray eyes that could kill you in an instant.
“He’s also famous around the enterprise, I’ve read a lot about him,” Gene says. “He changed Milano Inc. for the better and deals business with finance and healthcare. A lot of companies would love to merge or acquire as it offers generous benefits in return for their sworn loyalty to him.”
“Sounds like a line coming out from the Godfather.”
“Yeah,” he nods, flatly. “Honestly with that influence and power, I think you’re safer there than here, Nina.”
I just stare at him. “That’s what you’re thinking during dinner?”
He shrugs. “More or less.”
“D-do you think I should really go? It’s eight hours away from here and...” I pause, my voice quivering as I try to emphasize my point. “Gene, you’ll be alone here.”
He doesn’t answer as once again, he looks at his own hands, a habit he often does when he’s regretting something. “I’m used to it. And as I’ve said, it would be better off if you’re away from here.”
It’s as if he’s implying that he wanted me to cut him off his life.
“Gene, I—”
“Don’t worry, Nina,” he says as he smiles, reassuringly. He pats my head, dotingly. “We will call every day.”
“B-but I don’t have a phone.”
“You will find ways,” he says, firmly.
I don’t know what to say. Sometimes my weird best friend says the most unpredictable things. Instead of arguing with him, I decide to lean on his shoulder and mutter, “I wish you’re coming with me instead.”
“You know I can’t.”
Of course, he can’t. I grimace, unsure what to say.
“T-then...can you sleep next to me?” My cheeks redden at the sudden proposal. I look up to see his expression.
Gene Sullivan, who is always stoic and never hesitates to say the harshest things to others, looks at me with his light copper eyebrows arches in surprise. His green eyes lit up and his cheeks flush naturally like the color of his hair.
If it weren’t for the bandages, I might see him as red as a tomato.
Mouth-open and unsure what to say, he immediately snaps back to reality and coughs. “Nina, in case you have forgotten, I’m a dude.”
“Well, I’m going to live with a complete stranger, right? At least give me a chance to spend more time with you.”
I know it sounded selfish but I couldn’t sleep. Today has been tiring and all I want is a familiar comfort that makes sense to me.
And Gene fits that perfectly.
Besides, after all these years of being together, we haven’t seen each other more than friends. You can call it platonic in the sense that we feel comfortable being together.
“You’re getting bolder, Nina,” he says. There is mirth in his tone. A rare sound coming from him that only I can hear. Green eyes staring at my brown ones. “First you asked your mom for this sudden sleepover and now this?”
“That’s the first time someone said that to me,” I giggle a bit, finding his statement amusing.
He let out a slight chuckle. And one thing I will definitely miss is this. The feeling of his laughter resonating in my ears feels so much like comfort.
Sort of home.
Oh drats, I’m already homesick and I haven’t left the town yet.
But he doesn’t say anything afterward when I offer it and all of the sudden, it makes me embarrassed. “Y-you don’t have to sleep next to me. I know it’s w-weird and all.”
But then again, why didn’t I just say it was a joke and move on?
He doesn’t say anything, instead, he stands up and leans to get one of the pillows on the floor and place it next to mine.
“So, what are we going to talk about?” As he lies next to me.
I stare oddly at my best friend then I burst out a chortling laugh. “You sure are a weird one.”
It’s strange really. At first, I was worried about my future predicament and Gene’s as well. But here we are chatting about the most ridiculous gossip we’ve heard from school. “I didn’t know that Mr. Roacher writes poems.” “Apparently, he has a huge crush on the cafeteria lady and he thought women like poems.” “We’re in the 21st century, you know?” Gene arches a brow. “Well, old-fashioned romance isn’t that bad. If Mr. Roacher finally marries, he won’t be so cruel to you anymore.” “Nah, he’s probably worse, knowing the cafeteria lady’s temper. Besides, I’d rather if he gives me the toughest equations because I’m starting to question his ability to teach.” I turn to his direction with a frown. “Sometimes, you’re harsh, Gene.” In return, Gene just looks at me with a deadpan expression. “He started it.” We keep talking about random stories we’ve heard from school, more like Gene just listens and asks questions as I talk about the most random things. Occasionally we gigg
It was a spur of the moment and regrettably, I almost made her trip when I pushed her inside the bus. A part of me thinks that I shouldn’t let her go. In any case, she just moves on and finds better friends in Dawn City.Another part of me, my selfish side that I had secretly been hiding from her, handed over my cross so she will keep it as a keepsake.A reminder of me, even if it’s just a bit.But I should have known Nina, she is too unselfish and prioritizes her loved ones over her own sake.You will be safer there than here.This line has been in my mind for these past three days like a replay button is being pressed repeatedly.I shouldn’t involve Nina with my problems anymore. She has suffered enough already and every time I looked at her bruised eye, I knew that I couldn’t protect her all the time.Yet, regardless of what I thought, I still handed over my cross.Have I regretted giving up my brother’s cross? Nah, I entrusted it to her no matter what.“Move aside, kid,”
“This is 12 Quartz Square Bound C Express train. The next stop is Dawn City. Stand clear of the closing door, please.” Just one more stop. I have been moving from one train to another and it’s the very first time I’ve been in many places. The last two trains I’ve ridden are packed with people like sardines in a tin. For the entire trip on this last train, I’ve been standing and holding the pole, while my other hand is carrying my travel bag. My hand is getting numb thanks to its weight. Mom and I didn’t go around a lot since she’s busy working a lot of jobs and I don’t go out often. It’s a new experience for me. It was no joke when Gene told me an eight-hour trip tires anyone out. I feel really tired but my mom told me not to sleep in the train alone or else I’ll definitely miss my stop. And it’s just a few minutes till I’ve reached Dawn City. All throughout the trip, I keep wondering if Gene is going to be fine. It keeps me awake, thinking about his safety. As soon a
“Do you mind eating Italian pizza?” I shake my head, my thoughts are more focused on finding a payphone. As we enter the pizza parlor, my eyes are scanning for a payphone in this area. “Are you looking for something?” I hesitate, looking down on the helm of my hoodie as I say, “I’m just looking for a payphone so I can call my friend.” “Well, why didn’t you say so?” he chuckles, and then he hands me his phone. “You can just call your friend using mine.” “B-but, I can’t do that! What if you have some emergency calls from your job or something?” Like Luca checking up on us or something like that. “Don’t worry, it’s just a phone call.” “Are you sure?” I ask reluctantly. “If you are going to be Luca’s family, then I’ll treat you as family. So, be a good kid and just take it.” I smile and give him a thank you before accepting his phone. “You can call and wait on that available table there,” he says, gesturing to the table farther from the cashier. He is definitely being c
Funny how fate works. I was hoping that we would never cross paths again. I thought that his threats were proof enough that we weren’t supposed to see eye-to-eye. Sigh, why does he have to live eight hours away from my small town? I mean, he knew that I live in the US but then again, I’m aware that the country is vast with greener pastures. A part of me is hoping he would rather stay in Italy there for good.But here I am, just one door away to finally reunite with the man who almost made me pee on my pants. Yu doesn’t seem to notice my anxiety as he slowly and gently knocks on the front door.No response.A few knocks.Still no response.“Tch!” Yu grimaces, his eyes glaring towards the door. His clenched hand trembles and I stare at him with anticipation.“Y-Yu?”The usual cool and kind Yu won’t get mad, right?Right?Then he starts banging the door.“LUCA! OPEN THE FUCK UP!”This is the side of him that I didn’t expect. I instinctively backed away from him.Is it normal
I don’t know why it has become a habit of mine now. Maybe because I grew up in a small town, the only fanciest trip I had was in Italy—and the worst one. Or maybe since everyone knows everybody in my hometown so I have no reason to stare.But it hasn’t been one full day in Dawn City and I have been entering some kind of staring contests all the time.Well, towards my future stepbrother, that is.Unlike the first time when I was ogling his face, I just stay frozen stiff, my eyes still widen and it should really hurt by now because I have been doing this for a while. Not to mention my cheeks are clearly flushed. My skin might be the same odd color as Gene’s hair right now.Finally, Luca’s features change into disgust and his mouth opens a bit. like he has something to say before he shakes his head, indicating his final decision not to remark.“Your room is on the left side next to mine. If you have questions, just talk to Yu tomorrow morning,” he says as he heads straight
The sound of knocking breaks this awkward situation. I back away from him, making him release his gentle touch on my hair.“Luca, this is Yu.”Luca sighs as he stands up, not a single glance at me after my sudden response before muttering something Italian again.He proceeds to go get the door.If it hadn’t been the knock on the door, I didn’t know what would happen next. I should really apologize for screaming and well for saying something I shouldn’t.Yu is coming, you should greet him, I mentally thought.The door opens and Yu is standing there, looking amused. “Hey, boss.”“Yu,” Luca says, flatly. “Have you ever considered calling me before you arrive?”“I gave away my phone to your kid sister, remember?” At that moment, Luca’s lips curve into a frown. Then Yu perks up from Luca’s direction and scans the room. When he sees me, he smiles.“Good morning, kid.”“Good morning, Yu.”Then he makes his way inside, going in my direction. “I brought the charger, the USB cord, and
Yesterday was nice.I didn’t expect my whole day would be eventful. Yu made me feel very welcome in Dawn City as he showed me not only the bustling streets but also the places he and Luca hang out when they want to get out from the noise. The school was...different from my old one, though. But I don’t really like thinking about school since I will start tomorrow.I had a call with Gene right after and he insisted that I should get a Whatsapp to send pictures of the city. And that I did.“He does look like a celebrity from Korea,” Gene commented last night after I showed him an awkward picture of Yu and me as he was the one taking the selfie. Yu smiled warmly as his arm was holding his old phone and I only gave a sheepish smile. It was embarrassing, really.To me, it looks like a father-daughter picture.“But it is nothing compared to our first picture.”“Why are you so competitive all of the sudden, Gene?” Deep down, I kinda agree. Because since I’m used to being with Gene,