When past comes face to face.

Audren

The cool spray of water ruffles my hair, slowly planting kisses on my neck. As the water bounces off my chest, it feels like a brick is lodged there.

"Mom and Dad, there's no way any of us will sacrifice our personal space for the sake of this nobody."

"He is not a family member, and even he is aware of it."

The water continues to explore the contours of my slightly defined abs, cleansing the flesh between my thighs. The hatred Madison and I share is mutual. I reach out for the towel and turn off the shower. I dry my body and finally open my eyes. But I will not reciprocate it. That isn’t something my parents taught me.

I wrap the grey towel around my torso, ruffling my wet hair in the hope of drying it before heading to the university. I step out of the wet bathroom and into the room with light pink walls. The youngest, Avery has squeezed into her eldest sister's room. Remi is the kindest among everyone; maturity comes naturally to her due to her age.

However, the teenage Syliar sisters embody five distinct energies. From what I observed yesterday, Ru, also known as Ruby, is the quiet one with the loudest mind. Her poems and stories are truly magnificent. They are the sort that make you want to offer your heart, on which she would squeeze the blood to use as ink. And with that, she would create worlds on your skin and characters with undying appeal.

Frances Syliar, who was previously Miller, is the stepdaughter of Juliene. That girl is a mystery, hiding from everyone to avoid being solved. Her curly brown hair stands out the most. From what I observed yesterday, it is clear that she doesn't enjoy staying with the Syliar family. I wonder why. Did she move in recently, like me? Does she hate Juliene for being her stepmother, or Mason for some unknown reasons? Everyone has their own reasons and secrets, and I am not mingling in them.

Evelyn Syliar is the one member of the family who is way too mature. I originally planned to maintain some distance from her, but despite her dirty jokes, I was eventually drawn to her infectious energy. She is extremely interested in music, and I really hope she becomes a singer soon. But that doesn't change the fact that I am still surprised she is only fifteen.

As for the twins... They are two completely different people with the same visuals. Madison, the short-haired and hot-tempered girl, seemingly has lots of problems with me. Loria, who unknowingly slept beside me on the very night I moved in, is a rebel. She is a feisty girl who has no control over her mouth. Evelyn told me that, apparently, Loria had a messy breakup, which is causing her mood swings. Apart from that, she is a nice girl, but still a bit of a bitch.

I slip into my grey jeans and reach out to grab my black shirt. Just then, the door opens. Liora is murmuring something to herself, picks up Avery's hairband, and drops it when her eyes land on me. Why is she staring at me like tha— Just then, I realize that I am half-naked. Or, to use a more appropriate word, shirtless.

She leans against the door, looking pretty in a plain white t-shirt and blue shorts. Her brown hair is loose and fluffy, and that makes me want to run my hand through it. Huh? What did I just think? She crosses her arms and scoffs, "You are handsome, but not as much as... Daxtor."

She picks the hair band and leaves. I am not even trying my luck on her- why is she acting this way. I take a deep breath. I guess everyone act weird after having a breakup. So did I, back then. I grab my bag and leave the room.

As I walk down the stairs, I notice the messy hall. Juliene almost stumbles on a wooden piece and is busily searching for something.

She looks at me for a split second and says, "Yes, hun, I’m looking for a really important necklace. It holds a special place in my heart."

"The one similar to my mum's?" I ask, and she stops everything. Her movements slow as she looks at me.

"Try asking your daughters. It’s really pretty, so it’s natural for one of them to take it."

Juliene is about to say something, but then Evelyn enters the hallway, whiny as usual. "You are here?! We have been waiting for you!" She grabs my arm and I shoot Juliene an apologetic gaze.

"Liora hates it when someone is late!" Evelyn says, still holding my arm. We almost run towards the car where Frances, Ruby, and Avery are already seated. Liora is leaning against the co-driver seat's door. We stop in front of her and she eyes us from top to bottom, her eyebrows furrowing. She slaps Evelyn's hand, which is holding my arm.

"Stay away from my sister, you pedo! She is only fifteen. And girlie, you hop on the backseat."

"Bitch cares, eh?" For some reason, I smile to myself. The girls giggle, and Liora shoots me a glare.

I open the door, and before I can sit, Liora asks me, "Do you want to drive?"

I simply nod; I don't know how to say no. My Indian genes don't allow me to.

I swing my bag to Evelyn, who catches it skillfully. With a hint of hesitation, I settle into the driver's seat, adjusting it to fit my height. I take a moment to survey my surroundings—the dashboard, the rearview mirror, the steering wheel that feels foreign under my fingertips.

As I slowly grip the steering wheel, I let out a deep exhale, trying to calm the unease bubbling within me. Despite my efforts, I feel my legs start to shake uncontrollably. They refuse to find the acceleration pedal, and my breath becomes ragged and shallow.

Closing my eyes, I try to steady myself, but an unbidden memory crashes into my mind. Samantha's face, half-burnt, her ear grotesquely fallen onto her lap, flash before my eyes. The vividness of the image tightens my chest, and a cold sweat breaks out on my forehead.

For a fleeting moment, I am trapped between the past and the present, the trauma clinging to me like a second skin. My hands tremble on the wheel, knuckles turning white from the grip, and I feel the weight of those haunting images pressing down on me.

Audren... Audren.... Audren... No, no, no. I can hear them. I don't want too... Audren.... Audren... Someone make it st- Audren... op...

"Audren!" I am brought back to reality by Liora's concerned voice. Frances, Ruby, Evelyn, and Avery share a similar expression of worry. "Are you alright? Do you need help? Should I drive you to your therapist or maybe a doc—"

"No," I cut off Liora's words, "I... I am completely okay." I wipe the sweat off my forehead, trying to compose myself.

Liora places her hand on my thigh, offering a reassurance that seems to pierce the fog of my anxiety. "You don't have to do this if you aren't ready yet. I'll drive, okay?" Her words are gentle, a soothing balm against the chaos in my mind. I nod, my movements stiff and mechanical as I exit the car. Her gaze lingers on me with an intensity that suggests a deep concern, yet in my tumultuous state, it escapes my notice.

***

We soon reach Verdacia's largest school campus. As we get out of the car, Liora heads off to find a parking spot. Ruby guides me through the campus, pointing out the high school and university buildings. "Liora will, of course, be in the university building," she says. "Either on the same floor or somewhere else."

I thank Ruby, and she, along with the younger girls, leaves. Turning around, I observe Liora, who appears quite popular at the university. She's playfully bumping fists with a tall, fair-skinned guy who seems to be eyeing her thighs in a less-than-respectful manner. Her playful demeanor is evident as she deliberately pulls out a strand of her hair while speaking sweetly with him. He leans in close, whispering something that makes her laugh loudly. He then gently pulls her shoulders, eliciting a playful whine from her. It's almost... cute. I shake my head in surprise, but I believe Liora catches me doing that. Reluctantly, she hugs the guy before walking towards me.

"Alright, big boy! I'll show you to your class!" she says, twirling playfully around me. I take a deep breath and follow her. The corridor is alive with activity. Couples are kissing, players are showing off their amazing tricks with footballs and basketballs, and others are leaning against lockers, exchanging laughter.

I feel like everyone’s eyes are on me. But no, I realize I’m wrong. They aren’t really looking at me. They’re eyeing Liora.Meh, maybe walking behind the popular girl is giving me some unnecessary attention.

Liora leans against the wall and points at my classroom. "That's your class. Memorize your way, because I’m not your babysitter—you're on your own." She pokes my chest playfully, but suddenly, the joy in her eyes fades. I turn around to see what, or who, is responsible for this sudden change.

A tall guy, slightly shorter than me, wearing a blue and green t-shirt and grey jeans, is walking towards us. He has a flirtatious demeanor, and the squeaking of girls makes it obvious that he's the guy whose sweat they would preserve.

His eyes meet mine as he walks past, then he looks at Liora. I notice her gulp, her hands gripping her elbows as if trying to hold back tears. She looks timid, and the vulnerability in her eyes makes me want to pull her into a warm hug. Suddenly, the dots connect. That must be her ex.

Liora looks at me and forcibly smiles," I- I gotta go! Have a good day."I watch as Liora turns to leave, her eyes avoiding mine. I feel a pang of urgency, a desperate need to stop her. But my words get stuck in my throat. I try to call out to her, to tell her to wait, to talk to me, but my voice fails me.

I take a step forward, my heart pounding in my chest. Liora quickens her pace, her long legs carrying her away from me. I try to reach out, to grab her arm, but my hand falls short.

She rounds the corner, disappearing from my sight. I stand there for a moment, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air. I feel bad for her, but not sure what else to do, I turn back towards my classroom.

I enter the room and find my seat. The chatter of my classmates is a dull hum in the background. I settle in, deciding to focus on the lesson ahead. I hope Liora will be okay, but for now, I can only move forward and take things one step at a time.

***

The second bell rings, signaling the end of the class, and Mr. Jonathan leaves the room. The boring air is soon stirred by the lively chatting of students. Just then, my phone chimes. It's a message from Ru. She, along with Evelyn, is waiting for me in the canteen.

The canteen is bustling with activity as I make my way through the crowded hallways. The aroma of various foods wafts through the air, a mix of greasy fries, freshly baked bread, and something sweet—maybe cinnamon rolls. Students are scattered across the room, some huddled in tight-knit groups, others sitting alone with their noses buried in books or phones.

I push open the double doors and am greeted by the cacophony of voices, the clinking of cutlery, and the scraping of chairs against the tiled floor. The walls are adorned with bright posters advertising school events and sports schedules, adding a splash of color to the otherwise drab space.

Large windows line one side of the room, allowing natural light to flood in and casting long shadows on the linoleum floor. The tables and chairs are mismatched, a combination of wooden and plastic, their surfaces covered in notebooks, trays of half-eaten food, and the occasional coffee spill.

As I scan the room, I spot Ruby and Evelyn at a table near the back. Ruby is animatedly talking with her hands, her  hair bouncing with every gesture, while Evelyn listens intently, nodding and occasionally smiling. The sight of them brings a sense of relief; it's good to see familiar faces after the chaotic start to my day.

I weave my way through the throngs of students, sidestepping a group engrossed in a heated debate and narrowly avoiding a collision with someone carrying a tray piled high with food. Finally, I reach their table.

"Hey, you two," I say, sliding into the empty chair beside Ruby.

Ruby looks up and beams at me. "Audren! Finally! We've been waiting for you! Evenly go and grab a burger for him."

Evelyn nods, and before I can turn my attention to Ruby, my phone chimes. I pull it out. It's a message from Ryder. A faint smile adorns my face, and out of curiosity, Ruby leans in to see. Her eyes fall on his profile picture, and she mutters her thoughts aloud, "He is handsome."

I chuckle, "Indeed he is. He's asking if I can call him. Want to talk as well?"

I ask, but Ruby's face turns red, and she quickly declines. He calls me, and I answer, "Hey buddy, how are you?" he questions, but before I can respond, a person's presence makes my face go cold.

It is Ada. My ex.