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       "Ｗｈａｔ subject and time your last class is?"

Elijah looked into his schedule on a piece of paper. Bryson leaned his upper body on the wall in the school hallway while waiting for his brother to get his schedule and locker number in the admission office.

The school interior was still the same; gray painted wall, dark blue lockers at both sides of the hallway, bulletin board every corner in between the classrooms, and even the glass cabinet with trophies and medals that being displayed inside were still here.

He recognized some of the students and vice versa, but none of his previous classmates were there though. They must have been already graduated while he was trying to survive at the training camp. It was a good thing anyway since most of the guys he was hanging out with before were like him. The bad influences kind of one.

They were like birds with the same feathers flock together. Bryson doesn't have any idea what had happened in their lives after high school, he lost communication with them after his father dispatched him to that hellish place.

Though he was still kind of lucky for his dad's way of straightening him up since he was most probably gonna end up in jail if his dad didn't decide to takes matters into his hand.

"English Literature, it's up until three. Man, I hate my teacher. Can I just skip school after lunch? It's like the first day anyway. Who the hell even attend class on the first day?" Elijah said exasperatedly. He was so overdramatic sometimes Bryson questioned himself how they became siblings. Elijah must be adopted. Positive.

"No, you can't and ask Luigi to drive you home after school since I'm going somewhere."

Elijah's eyes formed into the slit and he was about to open his mouth probably to gossip again, but Bryson ignore him by walking past him and went to his locker.

Good thing he didn't follow me.

Only a year left before he will be finally set free from this purgatory called school. The looked that some of the students and even teachers that were directed to him as he walked through the hallway were something they condemned about him because of the thing that he did and happened a year ago.

It was partially his fault and he was really ashamed for what he did. Bryson had already regretted it a long time ago, but by how everyone threw an accusing stare in his direction, it was crystal clear that they still haven't forgotten about it. It was like he had done the most gruesome felony in the world.

Fuck them all to hell!

Although one year had passed by and people went on with their lives, he feels like he was still stuck and living in the past. It's stifling.

"Ma' man! Bryson is in the house!" A boisterous voice behind him spoke followed by a slap on his shoulder when he was about to close his locker.

It attracts unwanted attention from most of the students that are walking in the hallway or putting their stuff in their locker.

Bryson turned around and came face to face with one of the few people he could truly call on as 'friends'. Samuel Oswell, a very friendly and loud guy. Player of the football team and a grade lower than him but since he skipped one year of class, they must be classmates from now on.

"Hey man. What's up?" They did their customary handshakes and pat on the? Bryson couldn't help the smile that slips on his lips because looking at his friend, he realized that some things might change, but the guy in front of him doesn't. He was still the same Sam he knew of since day one of his sophomores.

"Same man, same. It's good to see ya back. How's ya training? Heard ya barely survived out there."

He playfully punched Sam's shoulder while laughing and his friend rubbed it looking at him like a kicked puppy. He just snorted and they both end up laughing.

"Easy. Training drilled paid off, got my head off the trench. You should sign up for it and put some muscles on that scrawny body," Sam just laughed.

Truthfully, Sam was categorized as one of those titans; with a huge body packed with muscles to the brim and a few inches taller than him. If he was not into any kind of sport, he would likely end up as a bouncer at the club. His personality didn't match his physical appearance though but still, he was a good guy.

"Dude, I'm hardly breathing 'cause of these," Sam paused flexing his biceps. Bryson grumbled and punched it. "People think I'm addicted to steroids or some muscle-inducing drugs," he continued chuckling while still flexing the fruit of his hard work. Bryson just only shook his head.

"So, what's ya plan after this? Thought ya gonna follow ya father's footsteps."

Bryson fumbles the dog tag on his neck, thinking about his friend's question.

Yes, he enjoyed his training in the military camp. The drill, their combat martial arts practice, the adrenaline with every sparring he got into and he was used to any kind of weaponry. All of those became his only way to lashed out some pent-up anger, but he hadn't thought about his future yet.

"Dunno man. Just can't decide yet. What about you? Any plan to play professionally?"

He was talking about Sam's football career. His friend became a quarterback, star player, and captain of the team in just one year. And if that wasn't enough indication that he was a really great player, then Bryson doesn't know what of.

They played side by side together but he didn't really enjoy it as much as his friend was. The guy was undeniably a good player. Coaches from different NFL teams were lining up on his doorstep to convince him for signing up to become their starting player.

"Yeah, man. Got some professional training during summer, but I'm still undecided which team I should sign up in."

"Well, it's not like the scouts are leaving you alone anytime soon anyway. So think about it thoroughly and just be the best player that you are. Good luck man," he taps Sam's back.

"Thanks, man. Same to ya. I'm having a meeting with the coach so I'll catch up to ya some other time, yeah?"

The bell rang indicating the start of classes. Bryson just nodded his head and they both walked off a different destination.

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After switching off the engine, Bryson stepped outside his car and locked it. From the outside, he can see customers crowding and waiting in line inside the flower shop.

It must be the busiest time of the day. It was almost lunchtime by now though and he couldn't wait to see Daisy again and treat her to some lunch. That'll be their first time eating out together and not the last one.

He also plans to ask her out later on though he doesn't want to rush things and just intends to wait for a while longer, that decision bugged his mind off the entire night and there was no harm in trying anyway.

If she rejects him then. . . Bryson just only have to wait for her.

The last customer in line paid for the item, and he immediately walked in front of the marbled counter. Megan was a little bit took aback seeing his face again 'cause her professional and rehearsed smile briefly faltered.

"Good afternoon Sir. It's you again. How can I assist you today?"

He looked over Megan's shoulder to catch a sight of strawberry blonde hair with a petite frame, but feel disappointed when he saw nothing.

Where is she?

He forgot to ask yesterday if she has work today. Hoping that she was there somewhere, Bryson roamed his eyes around.

"I'm not here to buy something. I'm looking for Daisy, we're having a lunch date," Megan's eyes squinted, processing his words then it nearly bulged in its sockets in an instant and her mouth formed into an 'O' shape.

"Really? Wow. I didn't know Bae has a boyfriend," boyfriend? Not bad.

Though they were not into that kind of. . . intimate relationship yet, but Bryson just leave the florist to think it in that way.

"She's in the back, we got some deliveries coming right up in an hour so she's tidying up the place to make some space."

I see. Why the hell was she the only one cleaning? Didn't they have other employees or anyone? Bryson wanted to protests but held himself back

It was supposed to be her lunchtime and he doesn't want her to skip it regardless if she was with him or not.

"Well, It's lunchtime already, she needs some energy to finish cleaning up the mess don't you think?" Bryson didn't mean to be sound sarcastic, but the words just flew out of his mouth right off and besides, it was her lunchtime already, right? Or was she skipping it?

Megan narrowed her eyes again while having a staring contest with him.

Okay. That was rude of me.

"Well, she insisted on finishing up and I know better than anyone that when she set her mind into something. Bae will do it no matter what and besides, the delivery might arrive anytime now and I got a little busy in front."

Was she trying to pick a fight with me?

Nah. Just bitching around and I'm not seriously going to have a debate with her. It was a pain in the ass. Women don't usually let the conversation end when they don't get the last words.

"Yeah yeah. Sorry about that."

Megan only snorts but didn't say anything.

Bryson clicked his tongue and wait patiently. If it was him from the past, standing like a statue there and being bitched around with anyone. Well, he would probably send that person to the nearest hospital with few broken bones, ribs, and unrecognizable face, but military training paid off because it helps him lengthen his very short temper.

After a few moments, the door at the left side of the counter open and Daisy waltzed right in holding a broomstick and garbage bag. Bryson's mood instantly brightened like when the first time his mom brought them to the amusement park.

Daisy bent down to put the cleaning material under the counter and he just followed her every moves with his hooded eyes. Just waiting for her to acknowledge him. When she stood up, her eyes instantly locked into his and his favourite smile flashed on her face.

"Dude, cupid must be a really good archer. Anyone can tell he hits the bull-eyes," Megan commented out of nowhere. Bryson looked at her quizzically while Megan pointed at his chest, "right there."

"What are you talking about?"

Instead of answering, she just went back to her usual bored face.

He diverted his attention back to Daisy again and scanned her from head to toes.

She was wearing a cotton pastel long sleeve blouse and denim skirt. Her hair was flowing on her back with its natural curls. Even if when sweats were glistening on her forehead and a little bit of dust that clung on her blouse, it didn't make her any less beautiful. As always she was still so fucking gorgeous.

From the corner of his eyes, he can see Megan throwing daggers at him. She was like how a parent toward their daughter's suitor.

She undoubtedly doesn't like me.

They exchanged some sign language that had Daisy frowning her eyebrows while Bryson just looked at them like some idiot from another planet because he doesn't have fucking idea what they were talking about.

"Daisy said if you could wait up just a minute 'cause she still needs to throw the garbage bag in the—"

"I'll do it. Give me that shorty," Bryson volunteered.

Daisy shook her head frantically while he raises his hand and waits for her to hand him over the fucking garbage bag. The bin was just on the alleyway on the left side of the shop so she doesn't have to go out through the backdoor.

He walked closer to her instead and gently pried the bag off in her right hand and grab the left with his free one.

"How many hours are her break?" He asked Megan whereas she gave them an amused expression and a sly smirk.

"An hour. Be back whenever you want bae. You're mostly done with the cleaning anyway so just enjoy your lunch date kay?"

Daisy signed to her something that made Megan rolling her eyes.

"Nonsense. I can handle a few customers and got the list of deliveries so I'll just call you if something came up, yeah? Now shoo. You're wasting the time," Megan waved her manicured hands in the direction of the door.

Bryson gave her a brief nod then dragged Daisy outside before she can even complain. He was starving but most of all, fucking ecstatic that he could finally have her all by himself.

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