Chapter 2
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. . . 𝕪𝕖𝕒𝕣 𝟚𝟘𝟞𝟟 . . .
|𝟟:𝟜𝟘 ℙ𝕄|

For as long as I can remember, people treated me like trash for some unknown reason. It was like I was born to be despised by others. So, I did the same thing to them.

I became an emotionless, cold-hearted, young girl. I would admit, I sometimes got upset about how my life came to be. Instead of crying, I take it out on people. I became unapproachable by others because they fear me.

And I loved it. Being feared of.

Also, ever since that, I never trusted anyone.

The words they said that scarred me for life became my reality. I didn't even think otherwise.

"You will never achieve anything in life, trash."

Of course, I wouldn't. We would eventually die anyway.

"Who would even like you when you have that kind of attitude? So violent and rude! You're not even acting like a girl!"

You made me like this.

"No one will ever accept who you are Avidia. No. One."

You're damn right, no one would.

I was okay with how things normally were–me being a villain in their eyes. Why would I change when they're just a bunch of close-minded people?

But truth was, I grew tired and frustrated.

I was so tired of people dictating who and how I should be acting. I was tired of being treated like an outcast.

I was frustrated for the fact that I wasn't strong enough to defend myself.

I was frustrated that I let myself get lost in a maze created by their judgemental words that soon became a reality to me. A reality that I could never escape.

So when Yves said the one thing I wished to hear in my entire life, I was overflowed with emotions I had never felt before.

Soon, I was bawling my eyes out. I quickly wiped it away and hid my face between my knees. This is embarrassing. When was the last time I cried?

"Whatever. It's not like I want to be part of your family anyways," I lied as I was choked by my own saliva.

"Your eyes and heart are saying otherwise." I heard him respond while he patted my back. Shut up. "Let it out, Vivi. Say all the words you wanted to say."

Surprisingly, I took his advice without hesitating.

"I'm not the most pleasing person you'll ever meet, but I want to change. I really do. I want to learn. I don't want to do the same mistakes over and over again," I spoke in between my sobs.

"I may not treat you like my family or a friend because I never knew how it was like to have one," I sniffed, "I grew up without a parent. No siblings, aunt, uncle, or whatever. I never met them," I sniffed once more, "But deep inside, all I wanted was to have a family or even just one, just one person to be by my side. Someone who will accept me-" I stopped for a while, "and someone who will understand me. I want to trust people and accept them in my life but I'm scared. I want to open up but I'm scared."

Tsk. I've done it. This isn't me. I have never been honest with what I feel.

Little did I know, I could feel his arms wrapping around me and I quickly brushed it off but he was so persistent.

"Fuck off! I don't need your comfort!" I repeatedly fought back but eventually gave in.

So, this is a hug.

"Shh. Everything will be okay now, Vivi. You have us. We will help you." He comforted me as his chin rested on the crown of my head.

We stayed like that for minutes until I calmed down. I slowly freed myself from his arms and wiped my remaining tears.

"You said...you'll help me, right? How, exactly?" I asked, not looking in his eyes.

"It's easy. You can do the first step right now."

"Huh?"

"Apologize to Earl. That's the first step."

"Huuh?! It's that kid's fault he got shouted at!"

He shook his head and sighed. "There are still many things you need to learn, huh. Come on. Let's go back."

"I'm not apologizing. It's his...fault.."

Ah.

It is my fault.

"Ugh, fine!"

Sorry? That word sounds foreign to me. I'm not really the 'I'm sorry' type of girl. Heck, I don't even apologize.

But Yves was right.

We exited the tent house together to return back to the house.

I'm freaking nervous.

What if they don't forgive me?

I know it's not that big of a deal but still.

"Just how violent were you?" he asked out of nowhere as we walked.

"Hmm...Let's say that I set most of the other kids' prized possessions on fire because they said my fashion sense was rubbish." That was before I knew I was going to transfer to another Orphanage, by the way.

He stopped. "What the? Are you for real?" His face and reaction were hilarious I nearly laughed.

"Mhm," I hummed in response as I continued to walk past him.

"Fire's dangerous. You shouldn't be playing with it."

"I like playing with fire." I didn't really care if anybody got hurt.

"Yeah, you'd be playing with fire if you continue playing with fire," I heard him say behind me. Was that a word play? "You have great fashion sense, I must say. You dress girly for someone who's violent," he added.

I furrowed my eyebrows and said, "How I dress doesn't define my personality. But..." I turned my back at him and resumed walking. "I get what you mean."

I took a look at my outfit-a knee-length plaid skirt paired with a white knitted top. It does look like something a girl like me wouldn't wear.

"Ready?" Yves asked as he held the knob for a little while before fully opening it. I just gave him a nod.

Let's get this over with.

As we entered the house, I noticed that they were already done eating. Mimi was sitting on the sofa and the kids surrounded her. Apparently, she was reading them a story, and our entrance seemed to stop it.

"Oh, you're back! Thank goodness you're safe!" Mimi rushed to where I stood to hug me. "Where were you?"

"A-at the tent house," I answered.

"You didn't go outside the back gate, right?" She said with a wary look.

Is there something wrong outside the back gate?

I assured her I didn't, which made her felt more relieved.

"Vivi came back to tell something to Earl," Yves spoke as he faced me. His look was saying 'Go on. You can do it'.

I looked at Earl, who was sitting on the floor as I muttered, "I-I-" Gosh. This is harder than I thought.

"I don't like repeating myself, so don't do it next time!"

Ah, I suck at this.

I felt like Yves was mentally face-palming beside me. I found myself doing the same, too.

I anticipated him to persuade me to tell those two words, but Earl just giggled.

I stared at him, surprised. "Apology accepted! Vivi is not so honest, isn't she?" he said, smiling brightly.

Uh...So it went well I guess?

"It's good that everything has been resolved now. Yves, the food is in the fridge if you want to eat," she instructed. Mimi asked me, "Do you still don't want to eat? You can join Yves if you want to?"

I thought for a second and answered, "I'll join him."

"Okay, then."

Mimi went back to the kids to resume reading them nighttime stories. Yves and I walked to the living room and ate in silence.

Until we heard a loud siren from the outside.

"It's time huh," I spoke.

A voice circulated the area.

"Attention to all Sivis: Everyone shall remain in their respective homes. Anyone who is caught outside shall face the corresponding punishment. I repeat-"

"Good thing it wasn't eight when I went out. Who knows what will happen to me if I get caught," he stated as he chewed.

He was right. They never stated what 'punishment' would it be.

"Why risk yourself just to find me? No one asked–"

He cut me off. "–Me to find you, yeah yeah. Are we going through this again Vivi? Besides, it's worth the risk."

"You barely know me. How can you say that?"

I supposed I interrupted him from eating when he cast his eyes to me and smiled, never giving me an answer.

"Uh..okay?"

He continued eating. "Just eat your food. It's already bedtime, we need to hurry." That was the only answer that I got.

He's weird. Like, soo weird.

After we ate and cleaned up, we headed upstairs to our room to sleep. I took my pajamas and went to the bathroom beside our room to change, as well as to brush my teeth.

Not long after, I flopped myself on the bed. I didn't do much this day, but somehow I felt tired. My eyes were heavy. It was probably from earlier.

I heard a click of a switch which caused the lights to be off. At the same time, I found my eyes completely shut.

Time to sleep.

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A/N:

|Sivis - (n.) citizen/s|