CHAPTER 7: WE ARE BURIED
AND BROKEN

♦️ JUST FRIENDS ♦️

I stared at the chaotic hell called Arrison high and the demons that lived in it carrying their backpacks as they walked around their torture home, talking, laughing, listening to music. Tae was saying something but I could barely listen to it and I couldn't tear away my gaze from what was before me. My stomach twisted into knots as I felt like I was staring into the abyss , the darkness closing in around me. It was as if I had stumbled into a nightmare I couldn't get out of.

"Hey!" Tae held my hand and I returned back to earth and in his car. "Breathe, you look like you're about to get possessed."

"Fuck you, Moon."

He cackled. "Hmm, I would, but you're not my type."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. I would rather get hit by a bolt of lightning than do anything with you." I said as I opened the car door and got out.

"Be careful, Lockhart, you might actually get hit by lightning."

"Come on." Tae appeared beside me and placed a hand around my shoulder, almost pushing me forward. "I am tired and hungry and sleepy."

We both walked in while Tae kept speaking. "So, is it just the three of you who live alone?"

I pushed his hand off my shoulder. "Yes, and boundaries."

"You say that like we haven't kissed."

"Shut up. And it was because we were all high, like I also kissed Katherine."

"Mmhmm. Whatever." Tae smiled. "I can't believe you found a way to convince me not to stop and get us breakfast."

"What can I say? I'm a man of many talents." I shrugged.

"Yet, you can't suck dick."

I stopped in my tracks and looked at Tae. "Are you crazy? We are in school and not just the wall but the ghosts have ears too."

"Hush, now let's go in." He said and pulled me along with him.

"Everyone probably thinks I'm a psychotic murderer."

"Nobody thinks that." Tae scoffed.

I spotted Katherine at my locker, her hands moving swiftly and angrily as she tore off papers that had been plastered on it. My heart sank, and I felt a surge of embarrassment and concern. I shrugged off Tae's arm, which was still slung over my shoulder, and quickened my pace towards my locker.

What had people been posting about me?

My mind racing with worst-case scenarios. As I approached, Katherine's hands paused, and she turned to face me, her expression a mix of anger and concern. But as our eyes met, her face softened, and she looked at me with a hint of relief, as if she was glad I was there to witness the mess firsthand.

"Vincent....."

"'Wait," I whispered, my voice barely audible as I stood frozen in front of my locker. The words slapped me in the face like harsh reality check. There were pictures of myself defaced with cruel labels: 'Jealous Bitch'  'Murderer' 'Kill yourself' and even the word faggot had been spray painted on my locker.

Each word was a dagger to my heart, piercing deep and twisting painfully. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of me. The locker, once a symbol of my personal space and identity, now seemed like a canvas for hatred and bullying.

"Fuck! I told you not to come in until I said so!" I heard Katherine scold Tae.

"Me?" Tae sounded confused.

"Why weren't you answering my calls?"

"I didn't even know it was ringing. I had it on silent when I stayed over at his so he could sleep." Tae responded.

I picked up a squeezed paper from the floor and began to open it.

"Um, Vince, maybe you shouldn't...." Katherine tried to reach for it but I pulled it back.

"It's okay." I said softly as I slowly opened it with shaky hands.

The day I dreaded was finally here. As I opened it, it was instantly snatched from my hand and I looked up to see Tae who tore it into pieces.

"No." He said sternly.

I looked at him and he became blurry, my eyes were starting to get teary. There were students around the watching and waiting for a reaction. And just as I felt the tears about to drop, Tae grabbed my hand and pulled me down the hall with Katherine following closely behind. 

Tae pulled me into the boys bathroom and Katherine entered immediately after. Tae turned me to face him and just as he was about to speak, a boy walked in and Katherine turned to him. "Get out now."

"I just want to pee." The boy sounded confused.

Tae looked away from me and at the book with the most scary look I have ever seen, almost like he was ready to murder the boy.  "Leave."

The next thing I heard was the door being closed. Tae returned his gaze to me and it softened. "Hey, hey, no."

"It's...." The tears fell as I tried to speak. "I knew this was gonna happen, I just....I just didn't—oh God." I shook my head.

"It was Lu and Xavier, they told everyone Vince was jealous and pushed Lu in the water knowing she couldn't swim." Katherine said and Tae's eyes darkened.

"Katherine, watch Vince. I'll be right back." Tae said and just as he was about to leave, I held his hand.

"No, please. Let's not." I wiped off my tears immediately. "See, I'm not crying anymore. I'm fine."

Tae looked at me and then my hand which happened to be shaking. "Tae." I called, bringing his attention back to me so he would look at me instead, which he did.  "Let's not. Guys, it'll pass and I'll be fine. I don't want any trouble and I want it to stay that way."

The tears fell again and I swiftly wiped them off, letting go off Tae's hand. "I have always wanted to be a shadow till I graduated, this will pass and I wanna just not draw attention to me."

"You already have that." Katherine said. "They are fucking making you a villain when you did nothing wrong, so let's correct that narrative."

"It's Lu and Xavier." I sighed tiredly. "I can't beat them, so I'll ignore and if we ignore, it'll become boring and pass, right? Trust me on this."

"You are asking so much from me." Tae said, his voice blank with no emotions.

I nodded. "I know. But this is about me and concerns me, so, let us just ignore this and when you ignore stupid things, the people who did them tend to look really stupid, so," I shrugged. "I'm okay." I faked a smile.

"Vince...." Katherine called softly and just then, the bell rang.

"Come on, guys. Let's get to class now, shall we?" I beamed at them and left the bathroom first.

♦️ JUST FRIENDS ♦️

So much for being a shadow. As much as it was not entirely possible since Julian and I were so close, I didn't think it would get to this. I was being called a jealous sick fuck who should hang himself. That was literally what it said on my desk.

I swallowed and placed a book on my desk, trying to ignore it and the students who gossiped and laughed in their seats. I hated this attention, I hated attention in general and being seen. I didn't need this much drama and maybe I should have just stayed home to begin with. I knew I never should have gone, but somehow I was able to get convinced. It was a bad idea to begin with.

"Well, there's the trash." A cheerleader said as she walked into class with a boy whose arm was around her.

I ignored her but she wouldn't go away, she came over to my desk and leaned on it. "I know Julian's your friend, but none of us really thought you'd actually be that psycho to want to hurt his girlfriend." She tauntingly said while chewing a gum. 

"Xavier was right about you being a creep." The boy guffawed.

"I didn't push her." I said, looking at them. "She just....fell in."

"Bullshit, Vince. We all saw it happen." The girl said.

"Did you?" I tilted my head to the side. "Or is this just another story you heard from a friend of a friend?" I huffed.

"The fool really thinks we can't think for ourselves." She gave a sinister smile. "You will get what is coming for you, weirdo."

Suddenly a hard book hit the back of my head and fell to the ground and the class erupted into laughter. I winced in pain but couldn't do anything, it was everyone against me. I closed my book and picked it and my backpack up. I wanted to leave but the boy was standing in front of me, stopping me from moving.

"Excuse me."

He said nothing and just chewed the gum in his mouth, smirking like an asshole. I tried to leave through the other way and he gripped me by my shirt and threw me backwards. The side of my stomach forcefully hit the desk and I groaned as I fell to the ground.

The pain instantly took over my body as I held my stomach with an arm and turned to look at the boy, confused. There were so many emotions going through my me but I was more shocked at the sudden violence.

The girl laughed. "Now that's better. The moment you came for Lu, you came for all of us and now you'll get what you deserve." She said as she took out the gum she was also chewing and pressed it on my shirt.

I quickly packed my things and stood up, struggling through the sudden pain. My eyes were about to become teary again and I couldn't let them see me like that, so I began to leave as their laughs filled the room. My eyes stayed glued to the floor as I tried to hurry out, only to bump into someone. I looked up and there he was.

Julian.

I just looked at him, panting heavily with teary eyes. And all he did was also look at me with Lu holding his arm. We said no words and just stared. He looked down at me holding my stomach and his brows knitted as his eyes met mine again.

"Vince..."

I drew in a breath and quickly rushed out and just when I was out of his sight, the tears started to fall and I couldn't control them anymore.

"Vince!" He called but I just kept walking as fast as I could. While wiping off my tears, a student placed out their foot and I tripped on it and fell to the ground, my things all flying around again.

They laughed at me.

Ignore them, Vincent. Ignore them.

I looked at Julian and he just watched with Lu in his arm. He didn't move. He didn't come to me. He didn't help.

I began packing my things again and once I did, I ran.

♠️  JUST FRIENDS. ♠️

〰️THIRD PERSON POV〰️

Tae was speaking to a guy while leaning against someone's locker. The boy was shorter than he was and had long blonde hair, holding his books against his chest. His name was Chandler and he and Tae have been together on a night or two.

"You haven't called me in a week." Chandler said, cocking his brows.

"It has been a crazy week, hun."

"Has it? Cause you've been hanging around Vincent and Katherine a lot for someone with a crazy week."

Tae frowned. "So, what is this? Are you stalking me now?"

Chandler shook his head. "It's not that, it's just....we were supposed to be together on Saturday night but you—"

Tae sighed heavily, interrupting Chandler. "You were so much fun when you didn't complain. We are not boyfriends. Don't follow me." He said and walked away. Chandler called out to him but Tae ignored. Chandler gently bit his lower lip in embarrassment and regret.

Maybe I shouldn't have said anything.

He thought to himself.

As Tae walked, a hand gripped his arm and he grimaced in disgust at Chandler still approaching him.

"What did I say about—" he trailed off once he turned and saw Katherine. "Oh, it's you." He smiled. "What's up? I was just heading to—"

"Did you hear?"

Tae frowned. "W-What? Is someone gossiping about me?"

"It's not about you, stupid." She said, looking annoyed.

"Kat, what's wrong?"

"Vincent got bullied in class today?" Katherine told him.

Tae's smile slowly disappeared once he noticed from her face she was at all not joking. There was something about how his eyes darkened with anger, almost like it held a "how dare them?" question in them.

"It was Cole and Ella. They pushed him against a locker and made fun of him and then someone tripped him. Fuck!" Kat sighed angrily. "I want to beat her ass so bad but Vince said to stay out of it."

Tae gazed at her. "But we never promised to stay out of it." He said. "You said it was Cole and Ella?"

Katherine nodded slowly as if knowing what was coming with that question. "Yeah."

"I'll handle Cole then."

"Listen, we need to do this discreet to avoid trouble."

"I don't really care about trouble." Tae responded and just as he was about to leave, Katherine gripped his arm.

"Expulsion would only mean more trouble for Vince. Let's do this smartly. That anger, hold onto it. We'll need it to handle those bastards." She says.

Tae swallowed. He knew Katherine had some sense to what she was saying and so he nodded. "And Vincent cannot know."

"I know." Katherine nodded. "And beat the shit out of Cole."

"Oh, he has no idea what's coming for him." Tae responded.

💠 JUST FRIENDS. 💠

It was lunch time and Tae was unable to find Vincent anywhere. He wasn't at the cafeteria, library or anywhere and the boy also wasn't answering Tae's texts.

Tae was walking down the hall when he spotted Julian coming his way and in that second, he felt rage all over his body and clenched his fist. He wanted to punch the shit out of Julian but then again, Vincent wouldn't be a fan of that even though his so called best friend was the worst person in the world.

Tae stepped into Julian's path, blocking his way. He tilted his head to the side, his gaze accusatory and piercing.

Julian's brow furrowed in confusion, his eyes clouding with uncertainty. He stood frozen, unsure of what to make of Tae's sudden blockade. Tae's gaze bore into him, a scathing mixture of disdain and revulsion that made Julian's skin crawl. Julian's eyes darted up to meet Tae's, searching for answers, but Tae's expression remained unyielding, his disgust and anger simmering just below the surface.

Julian's voice was laced with weariness as he spoke, his words barely above a whisper. "Out of my way, please." He sounded drained, his energy depleted from dealing with the constant turmoil that seemed to follow him. The last thing he needed was a confrontation with Tae, whose glare was piercing through him like a knife.

"You know Vincent has said so many great things about you for you to turn out to be the exact opposite of everything he defined you as." Tae spoke. "Is this what he has always tolerated or did you just update yourself to a premium package of being a fucking asshole?"

Julian only but stared at Tae as he spoke, not saying a word.

"You might not know the meaning of friendship but I do, and V is someone I won't joke with. You've hurt him enough, so stay the fuck away from him before you cause him more trouble than you already have." Tae warned.

"He's now getting bullied because of you and your girlfriend." Tae said and Julian's eyes suddenly flashed in shock.

Tae studied his expression and chuckled. "You didn't know your girlfriend has her fucking army treating Vincent like shit? You've known him for so long and yet you really believed he tried to drown your girlfriend. Vincent? He talks a lot of shit but he wouldn't even hurt a fucking cockroach." Tae scoffed in disgust. "If you or your girlfriend ever tries to hurt him again, I'll break either of your faces." Tae said and walked past him.

Julian stood there, unable to say a word. Maybe because he knew Tae had only spoken the truth. Maybe he didn't want to slip up and let Tae in on anything. Maybe he was scared.

But at this moment? He was worried about his friend.

💠JUST FRIENDS. 💠

Katherine pushed open the door to the girl's bathroom, and the hum of conversation and the scent of perfume enveloped her. Ella stood at the mirror, meticulously reapplying her makeup, her brow furrowed in concentration. Beside her, another girl chatted animatedly, gesturing with her hands as she spoke. Ella's lips puckered as she applied a fresh coat of lip gloss, the pink hue glistening in the fluorescent light. With a final flourish, she smoothed her hair, running her fingers through the silky strands to ensure every lock was in place.

"Who would have thought he would become more than just the background story and an actual villain ." The girl said as Katherine made her way to the sink.

"Oh please, he had it coming. You need to see the way he ran out of class after Cole almost broke his back." Ella laughed while Katherine just listened.

"Listen, I don't have beef with Vincent. That's his name, right?" She questioned, turning to look at the other girl.

"Mmm." The girl nodded.

"But, apparently he needs a little more push to get off our girl's back and I'll do anything for that to happen." She shrugged. "Anyways," she sighed. "Let's go now."

Ella slung her bag over her shoulder, and the two girls began to exit the bathroom, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Katherine trailed behind them, her movements stealthy and deliberate. As the first girl stepped out into the hallway, Katherine quickly grasped Ella's hair with a swift and merciless motion. She yanked Ella back into the bathroom, the door swinging shut behind them with a loud clang. The sudden silence was oppressive, punctuated only by Ella's startled gasp as she stumbled backward, her eyes wide with fear. Katherine's grip remained unyielding, her fingers twisted in Ella's hair like a vice.

"What the fuck?? I just brushed my hair, you bitch!" Ella sneered.

Katherine was already tying her locks into a bun. "You seem to really love chaos, yes? Well, I understand you wanting to help your evil friend torture another kid, so that means no hard feelings if I do the same, right?"

"W-What are you on about?"

"You found so much joy in bullying Vincent, right?" Katherine asked as she took a step towards Ella and slapped her across the face.

Ella winced in pain as she clutched her cheek. "What the fuck?"

"Lu put you up to it, yes?"

"What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"That wasn't my question." Ella slapped her again. Before Ella could speak, Katherine gripped her hair and threw her against the wall angrily.

"Please," Ella cried. "It was just a joke."

Katherine chuckled. "Really? Well, this is also a joke. And when I am done beating your ass, you'll learn your lesson."

💠 ♾️ 💠

Tae was at his locker in the boys locker room, they had just returned from practice. Tae took the bottle of water out of his locker, he unscrewed the cap and took a long, slow sip. He could hear Cole laugh alongside his friends and the sound of his laughter irritated Tae so much. It felt like he could hear a ringing in his head every-time Cole decided to be loud.

"Hey," one of the boys said. "I heard you threw that boy who tried to drown Lu across the class?" He laughed.

Cole shrugged. "I mean, he was being disrespectful and needed to be taught a lesson. I didn't even do much but he was so fragile, you should have seen the way he was in pain once his back hit a desk." Cole laughed.

"Well, you are doing the school a favour. I mean how could he try to drown Lu? That's some obsessed demon gay shit." Another boy said.

"And like my pops used to say, beat the gays." Cole said with a victory smile.

Tae had heard enough. He picked up a helmet from the bench close to him and walked over to Cole. "Hey, Cole." He called. Cole turned to him with that same smile that ticked Tae off and before he could respond, Tae hit him across the face hard with the helmet. Cole fell to the ground suddenly as blood spurted out from his mouth.

The other boys flinched and moved backwards, shocked at the sudden attack. Tae gripped Cole by his shirt and dragged him across the floor before slamming him against a locker.

"Yo, Tae!" One of the boys yelled. Tae's fists flew in a blur of rage, hitting Cole's face with a relentless barrage of punches. His knuckles cracked against Cole's skin, the sound echoing through the locker room like a sickening drumbeat. Tae's eyes blazed with a fierce determination, his mind consumed by a singular focus: to teach Cole a lesson he'd never forget.

The other boys tried to intervene, grabbing at Tae's arms, but he shook them off, his fury unyielding. Cole's face was a mess of blood and bruises, his eyes swelling shut, as Tae's punches rained down on him with merciless precision.

The boy Cole had been laughing with, Jo, his face twisted in a mix of fear, charged at Tae wielding a baseball bat. With a loud crack, the bat connected with Tae's face, sending him stumbling backwards. Cole, now freed from Tae's grasp, crumpled to the ground, his body wracked with pain. As Tae struggled to regain his footing, Jo rushed to Cole's side, dropping to his knees and making sure he was okay.

Just as Jo poised the bat for another strike, a swift hand shot out from behind, snatching the weapon from his grasp. Jo spun around, his eyes locking onto Julian's icy stare. Julian's face was a mask of calm, but his eyes burned with a fierce intensity, a warning that dared Jo to make another move.  "Stay out of this."

The locker room fell silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of the boys, as Julian's grip on the bat tightened, his knuckles white with tension.

Tae went up to Cole again and continued punching him, refusing to get pulled off him. His focused remained on the boy who had bullied his friend while the other boys watched in horror at his determination.

"Julian, he is going to kill him at this rate, help him!" One of the boys said.

Julian walked over to them and as Tae rose his fist to punch a bleeding almost passed out Cole, Julian grasped Tae's wrist with an iron grip. Tae's head jerked backwards swiftly, his eyes filled with bloodlust.

"Stop. That is enough." Julian said. Tae tried to punch again but his hand wouldn't budge as Julian gripped it tightly.

Tae stood up and instead hit Julian across the face with his other fist. Julian stumbled backwards while Tae watched him, breathing heavily.

Julian held his cheek and looked at Tae. "Look man, I don't want to fight you."

Tae scoffed. "You are just as bad as every one of them." He said and looked at all the other boys. "If any one of you dares to lay your hand on Vincent ever, then you'll end up in a coma, mark my fucking words." He said and stormed out of the locker room.

Xavier chuckled where he was, leaning against a locker with his arms folded. "So, that's what this was about?" He said and walked up to Julian, looking down at a pitiful Cole who was being helped by some of the boys. "Crazy, isn't he? All for your ex best friend who tried to drown your girlfriend." He huffed.

Julian's gaze shifted to Xavier, his eyes narrowing into a piercing stare. "Shut up." He commanded, his voice low and even, but laced with a deadly intensity. "Let me make one thing clear to all of you: if any of you lay a hand on Vincent again, you'll answer to me. And trust me, Xavier, you don't want that. I won't just punch the shit out of you, you'll be in a hospital." 

Julian's words hung in the air like a challenge, his presence radiating an aura of quiet confidence and unyielding authority. The room fell silent, the boys exchanging nervous glances, as Julian's warning sank in, leaving no doubt that he was a force to be reckoned with, and with that, he walked out.

Xavier's eyebrows shot up in surprise as he turned to watch Julian's retreating back. "Did he just... threaten me?" He asked, his voice laced with incredulity.

💠 ♾️ 💠

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

The school's empty halls seemed to sigh with relief as the last of the students departed, leaving Vincent alone in the music room. He sought solace in the piano's keys, his fingers dancing across the ivories as he poured his emotions into the music. This sanctuary had been his refuge throughout the day - during lunch, P.E., and now. The piano's melodic voice echoed through the room, a poignant accompaniment to Vincent's turbulent thoughts. As he played on, the music wove a protective spell around him, shielding him from the day's hurts and humiliations. In this hideaway, Vincent found a fleeting sense of peace, his heart and mind merging with the harmony that flowed from his fingertips.

His hands moved ethereally on the piano as his head slowly moved along in sync to the rhythm and then he began to hum as he played it enchantedly.

He began to sing.

"Have you seen the ghost of John
Long white bones with the skin all gone
Oooh...
Wouldn't it be chilly with no skin on..."

Tae was just leaving the principal's office and heading out of the school when he heard what he would describe as a siren song. He slowly walked to the music class and pepped in through the glass and there he saw Vincent play and sing and all he could do was listen as it felt spellbound. It was a song he was familiar with but Vincent had sang it in a way he had never heard it.

"Poor old John, poor old John
All white bones and the rest all gone
Nooo...
Hard to feel anything with no skin on,"

As Tae stood there, mesmerized, he realized that he had never truly heard Vincent's voice before. Not like this. Not with such raw emotion and vulnerability. The sweet, melodious sound seemed to sooth the anger and frustration that had been simmering inside him. The harmonies Vincent created seemed to wrap around Tae's heart, calming the turbulent emotions that had been plaguing him.

For the first time, he saw Vincent not just as a friend, but as an artist, lost in his passion. The intensity of Vincent's focus was hypnotic, drawing Tae in with an otherworldly pull. As he listened, Tae felt his own worries and cares melting away, like autumn leaves on a breeze.

He could only think of one thing at that moment.

Cherry blossoms.

In that moment, everything seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the music, Vincent, and the sense of peace that settled over Tae like a gentle rain.

At the other end of the building, Julian lingered in the shadows, tucked away behind a wall, yet drawn inexorably to the music drifting from the classroom window. He couldn't help but smile as Vincent's voice, that enchanting siren's call, wrapped around his heart. The sweet, melodious sound transported him to a different time, a different place, where life was simpler, and their friendship was unbreakable.

Julian's closed his eyes as he savored the moment, the smoke from his cigarette curling lazily into the air. He felt the weight of regret on him, longing for what could have been but he couldn't bring himself to move, to interrupt the spell that Vincent's voice had cast. 

The music was a bittersweet reminder of the bond they shared, a bond that had frayed but never truly broken. As he listened, Julian's thoughts drifted back to the countless times Vincent's voice had been his solace, his comfort, his happy place. The mermaid's voice, he had always called it, a sound that could lure him in, no matter how far he strayed.

As Vincent's voice poured into the deserted hallways, it seemed to awaken a deep longing within the principal's soul. She was walking down the corridor, when the sound of his singing halted her in her tracks. Before her was the music room and she could see Tae leaning against the door, she moved away to hide behind a corner. The soft, yet powerful melody enveloped her, transporting her back to a time when life was different, when love was new, and hope was alive.

Memories she thought were long buried began to resurface - laughter, tears, and whispers shared with her now-divorced husband. The pain of her broken home, the ache of lost love, and the weight of forgotten dreams all came flooding back, as if Vincent's voice had unlocked a door to her past. She stood there, frozen, as the music washed over her. 

"Stay under the covers until he's gone
Stay under the covers until he's gone ."

Vincent played a few more keys and stopped. He let out a sigh and looked at the time on his phone. 

Everyone should have gone home by now.

He thought. He packed up his belongings, the soft click of the piano keys echoing in his mind. He slung his bag over his shoulder and began to leave. Tae quickly left, he didn't know if Vincent would love the fact that he had heard him especially since it seemed like a moment for him.

Vincent walked out of the school building and the sun hit his face, he raised his hand, shielding his eyes from the brightness as the gentle breeze went into his hair.

"Hey! Snow white!" He heard and turned to see Tae sitting on top of his car, wearing his sunglasses. "Finally decided to come out."

Vincent brows knitted in shock seeing Tae still in the school premises. "What are you...still doing here?"

Tae shrugged. "Waiting for your ugly ass, I didn't see you leave so I knew you were still in there."

Vincent blinked. "You were....waiting for me?"

Tae smiled. "Mmhmm, now come on." He jumped down from his car.  "I wanna take your ass somewhere, so come with me."

"Um, I don't know...I kinda wanna just go home."

Tae looked at Vincent and pouted. "Oh," he nodded. "Okay then, I'll drop you at home."

"You know I can take the bus, right?"

Tae looked at Vincent and frowned. "The school bus left already."

"Not that, a public bus."

Tae pouted. "Oh, the poor people's transportation, yeah, sure. But I'd rather you not, so come on."

"Its not a poor people's transportation."

"Mmhmm." He nodded. "Sure Cindy, now come on." He said as he walked into the driver's seat. "Let's go, Pocahontas."

Vincent smiled and rolled his eyes before getting into Tae's car.  "You know I don't like you, right?"

Tae smiled. "It's the lies for me." He said as he started the engine and drove off.

♦️ JUST FRIENDS ♦️

VINCENT's POV

I was deep in thoughts, my head resting on my arm which was at the window. I took in the wind as Tae drove, choosing to want to be one with it. I didn't know how long we had been driving because all I could think about at this moment was how free I was at the moment.

For me, life had take a complete 180 and I didn't know what to do. Once again, I was not in charge of the wheels of my life. And I was hurting a whole lot, I felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest because my supposed best friend never came up to check up on me or to have a conversation with me. He just ignored me.

Was this what was going to become of us?

It was then the car stopped and I returned back to reality. I looked around the unfamiliar environment which was nothing but rocks and it was then I realised we were up a hill.

I looked at Tae, confused. "Tae, why have you brought me here?"

"Isn't it obvious?" He says as he unbuckles his seatbelt and gets out.

I do the same. "To kill me?" I ask him as I shut the car door.

"Oh come on now, love. If i wanted to kill you, it wouldn't be like this." He says and looks at me. "I'd do it with my dick."

I grimaced at him. "You are sick."

He laughs. "I am."

I hugged myself as I could see a lot of buildings around. The air was quite nice here and it was a beautiful sight.

"I did say I want to go home."

"I know. But I wanted to show you this really cool spot." He says as he sits on his car and pats the space next to him.

I get on the car as well, sitting beside him. "It is beautiful here."

"Isn't it?" He smiles. "I like to come here."

"To enjoy the scenery?"

"Oh no, to fuck." He responds. "It's daring and pretty."

I look at him with disgust. "What is wrong with you?"

Tae laughs. "This isn't about me, princess—"

"Don't call me that."

"I brought you here because I believe you need a space where you can lean into your emotions." He says and I look at him.

"What do you mean?" I chuckle. "I'm fine."

"Are you?"

I swallowed and it was questions like this that makes me break down, so I looked away from him and smiled. "Mmhmm, I am."

"You know you don't have to lie to me, Princess."

"Take off your sunglasss. Why do you still have them on?" I question, wondering why he hadn't taken them off since school.

Tae shrugged. "Nothing, I just—"

"Tae. Take it off."

Tae says nothing and doesn't make a move, so instead, I did it. I leaned closer and slowly took off his glasses and it was then I saw a little bruise close to his left eye.

"Oh my God, are you okay?" I was gobsmacked as I took his face in my hand to inspect it while all he did was stare at me. "Did you get into a fight at school?"

"It was just a disagreement in the boys locker room, nothing much."

"Who was it with?"

Tae shrugs. "It doesn't matter."

And it was then I knew. "It was Cole, wasn't it?"

"Vincent."

"Oh my God, I told you to stay out of it." I said as I got down from his car.

"Vince, wait." He jumps down.

"Why would you fucking get into a fight with fucking Cole?!!"

"He hurt you! He bullied you!"

"Me!" I hit my chest. "Not you! You didn't need to get involved!"

"We are friends, of course I will."

"No!" I screamed, my eyes suddenly blurry. "It is my life, Tae. And it is in shambles and I cannot have you get involved and probably ostracised because of me, I am....I don't even know what I fucking am." I let out a hurt laughter.

"Vince, I do not want you having to pretend in front of me."

"Well, what would you have me do?" I looked at him. "Scream? Cry? What?" I yell. "No tell me, I would honestly love an answer because I....I do not know what to do right now." My voice cracks as I quickly wipe off the tear that managed to escape from it's box.

Tae nods. "Tell me what you feel, Vince."

"I am terrified, Tae." I threw my hands up. "Terrified. I am now known in school as the guy who tried to drown his best friend's girlfriend because he probably has feelings for him and is a faggot and I'm...scared."

Tae gives me a small nod.

"And you know what hurts the most? Julian didn't even check up on me. He saw what Cole did to me and he...he just stood there and watched them do it. And my best friend...he didn't come to my rescue. He just stood there and watched me and didn't even explain himself as much as I wanted him to."

"He didn't help me!! I have fucking known him all my life, Tae and he....he watched me get hurt and he believes that I tried to fucking drown that fucking witch and it hurts a whole lot. How can he just do this to me?." The tears fell and I began to cry, unable to hold back anything. "And I want to stop crying," I said as I wiped my tears with the back of my hand. "B-But I can't! And my chest hurts so much."

Tae walks over to me and pulls me into a hug. "It's alright, you can cry. I can imagine how much that hurts you."

I placed my head in his chest as I let out a gut-wrenching wail. My legs were weak and I probably would have fallen if Tae wasn't holding me.

I was a mess.

⚜️  JUST FRIENDS ⚜️

TAE's POV

I was parked outside Vincent's house, watching him sleep peacefully in the passenger's seat. It was past seven pm and it hurt watching him break the way he did that it made me just want to protect this fragile boy who was scared of the world.

I didn't want to wake him but at the same time, he was home. He looked peaceful while he slept and also beautiful, he was a beautiful boy but I knew he was also a crazy boy too.  He just needed help getting his crazy out, especially at a time like this. He was trapped in a hole, his mind filled with so much responsibilities for the future and just wanting to be invisible. He was missing out on a lot of things called life and meeting this boy might have been one of the best things to happen to me.

Because God knows, I also need that distraction.

"Vince," I shook his arm.

"Hmm." He slowly opened his eyes.

"We are at your house."

Vince blinked severally and looked at his house which was before him and then at me. "Thank you, Tae." He muttered under this breath and smiled.

I nodded. "Of course. I need to go home and change from your terrible clothes to mine."

Vince rolled his eyes. "Fuck you. Those are nice clothes."

"In what world? The one of the poor?"

"I will stab you in the eye."

"You can't. You love me too much to do that."

Vince rolled his eyes again. "But um....thank you for today."

"No need to thank me, V." I warmly smile at him. "We are friends after all, and friends look out for each other."

"Are we friends?"

"Aren't we?"

"You don't know me that well and neither do I really know you. We just started talking when? So are we really friends?" He questioned with a small laugh, but the way he stared, he awaited a response.

"I don't know, Vince. Maybe we are or maybe we'll just end up as frenemies."

"Maybe the latter cause I do not like you."

"Me neither. However, the truth is, we get to know ourselves along the way. Rome wasn't built in one day and so we'll get to know ourselves eventually."

We won't.

"If you say so, Professor."

"Now get out of my car."

"Goodbye, asshole." Vince said as he got out of my car after undoing his seatbelt.

"See you tomorrow?"

Vincent smiled warmly. "See you tomorrow, Tae." He waved slightly and headed towards his house.

"Oh! And download WhatsApp."

Vincent turned with a frown. "Why?"

"So we can't communicate better on there. You have my number."

"I can always dm you on instagram."

"WhatsApp."

"There's iMessage."

"WhatsApp."

"Fine. Fuck you."

I smiled as I watched him walk to his door, he turned to look back at me in my car and did a small wave. "Get going!" He said and I chuckled.

"Alright. Alright."

And once he was in, I drove off. I put on my sunglasses and turned on the radio, a Billie Eilish song began to play through the speakers and I nodded my head to the song as I drove.

⚜️ JUST FRIENDS ⚜️

The tall gates slowly opened as I approached them, allowing me drive straight in and down the lane leading to the roundabout with a water fountain at its center, where most of the used cars were parked. My house was just beyond them. As I began to park, I spotted the yellow Ferrari parked out front, indicating my cousin was already here, likely here to kiss my mother's ass as always.

I got out of my car, and one of the security guards, Alfred, whom I knew well, approached me, dressed in a black suit. "Welcome back," he said.

"Is my mother home, Alfred?" I asked as I made my way towards the house.

"Yes, alongside your cousin Jess."

I sighed frustratedly. "Is there something I need to be aware of before I enter into this chaos?" I inquired.

"I'd say just smile and head to your room and say nothing but I'm sure you wouldn't be able to do just that."

"If she ignores me, you bet I'll do just the same. See you, Alfred." I said and walked into the house.

As I entered, I decided to head straight for my room but just as I took the first step on the twin stairs, she called.

"Tae."

I cursed under my breath and headed to the living room, where they were both seated. Jess was wearing a purple dress and scarf, while my mother sat across from her, files on the table between them. My mother was holding a file and wearing her reading glasses, adorned with gold jewelry, as usual.

"Mother. Jess," I flashed a smile, acknowledging them. Jess offered a small smile.

"Good to see you, Tae. You look good."

"And you look just the same, So Hee." I replied, calling her by her native name. I turned to my mother. "You called."

"Your father's brother will be here for dinner, I need you here and all cleaned up." She said, her eyes fixed on the file in her hand. "I picked out a suit for you, it's on your bed."

I frowned and looked at Jess. "Your father?"

Jess shook her head. "No. Uncle J."

"I'm confused." I really was. What is my business with that and why do I need to be there for someone I don't even know?"

"Because he's your uncle." My mother responded and finally spared me a glance. She looked at me from head to toe. "Why are you dressed like your entire family died in a fire?" She grimaced. "Anyways, I don't care." she turned back to the file in her hand. "Just don't be a cocky bastard when he's here and act like you were raised right."

I chuckled. "But you didn't raise me now, did you? So you're telling me to play pretend like you did a great job."

She didn't seem bothered and looked back at the file in her hand. "I did my part, it's not my fault you're a bad seed."

Jess looked from her to me and swallowed, feeling awkward.

I huffed, swallowing. "Well you know what they say about the apple, right? You're the tree so I guess that also means you're just as rotten and I'm like you." I beamed.

Mother scoffed and looked at me with irritation. "You will not get a rise out of me now, boy. You can get out of my sight now but you better be at that table tonight, that is if you do not want to be on my bad side."

"But I've always been on your bad side." I replied and looked at Jess. "Lovely seeing you, Jess." I said and retreated, heading to my room.

Once I got into my room, I took off my glasses and tossed it on the bed. I spotted the black tux resting on my bed and a sense of anger took over me. I picked it up and tossed it at the wall. A knock came on my door and before I could answer, it opened.

Jess walked in and gave me a look. "That better not be the tux she asked you to wear tonight to meet dear old Uncle J."

"Who the fuck is dear old Uncle J?"

Jess shrugged. "He's apparently someone important in the family, I think he's like our actual uncle from your dad's side." She said as she closed the door behind her. It was then she saw my face. "Jesus, Tae. Getting into fights now?" She asked as she approached me.

"I'm fine."

"Shut up. Let me see." She said as she touched it slightly and I winced.

"What are you doing, Tae? Why are you trying to piss your mother off?"

"So-Hee, don't even piss me off right now."

Jess shrugged again. "I just asked a question."

I sat on my bed. "It's funny how you're always so meek where mother is but you're a total bitch."

"Because she's your mother. Do you know the amount of shit she controls from just her toilet?" Jess huffed and sat next to me, placing her purple Hermes bag beside her. "I like how you always call me So-Hee."

"I think Jess is very lame."

"Moving here, I had to get white washed and that happened to my name." She shrugged.

"Did my mother ask you to come talk to me?"

"I wish. I hate what you both have become to each other."

I chuckled. "I didn't start it."

Jess gave me a sad look. "It wasn't your fault, Tae."

I shook my head. "I wish I could believe that. How's your husband?"

"Ugh. He's alright. He wants to take us on a trip next weekend."

"Oh, where?"

"Belgium."

"Fancy."

"Hmph. I explored the whole of Belgium in my early twenties. He doesn't know that so I'm just gonna act surprised when he takes me places."

"Does he even have an idea how rich you are?" I snorted.

"He does and he doesn't. He's so cute." Jess smiled. "Anyways, what the fuck are you wearing?"

"Oh." I looked at my clothes. "It belongs to my friend."

"What friend?"

"His name is Vincent."

"Oh. I haven't heard of this one. Is he like a friend or like one of your playthings?"

I thought about it for the first time before answering. "I don't think he's a plaything. He's cute and I like our friendship or whatever."

"That's cute. How's Vincent like?"

"Annoying as fuck and he's got this best friend who screws him over which makes me want to help him get back at that shitty dude. He's also like filthy poor."

"The best friend or Vick?"

"Vince."

"Oh. So like Aunt Soo-Jin kinda poor?"

"I wish. Aunt Soo-Jin has a garden and two maids, they don't."

"Oh." Jess blinked. "So they don't have like two houses somewhere?"

"No."

"Do they at least have like a million dollars or something?"

"I bet it'd take them a decade and a half."

"How did you then find such a friend?"

"School."

"Jesus. I thought your school was for...you know? Not the poor? No offense to Viserys."

"Vincent."

"Right."

"He's a smart kid. Somehow he got himself to attend our school. But he's got the brightest and calmest soul. He's like a drug that distracts me from....everything."

"Well, I'm glad you found you a friend." Jess took my hand in hers. "Even though he's lacking in the financial department." She patted my hand.

"Wait, how do you know he's not a gold digger?" Jess frowned.

"That boy only wants one thing. A scholarship to study in a fine university. He doesn't even have time for the whole friends thing."

"Hm. I like focused people."

"You said you'd be leaving for Belgium next weekend, right?"

Jess nodded. "Mmhmm, why?"

I smirked as an idea came to mind. "Can I.....use your house for the weekend? I won't destroy anything."

"And why the fuck would I give you my house keys? You're an irresponsible teenager with anger issues." Jess said as she threw my hand which she had been holding.

"Oh come on. You've got a beautiful library room and I think Vincent would like that plus I need a change of scenery and so does he. I promise not to break anything."

"I do not trust you."

"I am your cousin."

"And I should care because??"

"So-Hee!!"

"Peter, no!"

"Peter??" I grimaced. "I'm your sweet Tae."

"You're the fucking devil."

"So you don't want me having Vince over? We're not going to have gay sex on your couch."

"Another thing to worry about. No." She stood up.

"Wow. Homophobic much? I thought you'd be accepting."

Jess's jaw dropped. "I am not homophobic."

"So, why don't you want two men in your house?"

"That's where I live with my husband and two kids."

"Oh so you think you're better than us because you're straight."

"What?"

"Wow, Jess."

"Fuck you, Peter."

"Oh wow. Why not go ahead and call me a faggot?"

"What is wrong with you?"

"You're the one who told me to make friends and now I have and you're being homophobic."

"I am not being homophobic. I don't care about you being gay."

I gasped, my brows furrowing. "Wow! I'm not gay, I'm panic at the disco but sure, go ahead and label us all as gay."

Jess looked at me like I had grown two heads. "What the fuck is a panic at the disco?"

"Pansexual, dummy."

"You're so stupid."

"Is that how you feel cause I'm not straight."

"Stop it!" She pointed at me.

"I won't ruin anything."

"Tae." She placed both hands on her hips. "There are artifacts and vases that cost more than your friend's head there. And if any of them breaks, I swear to God I will lynch you both."

I smirked. "That sounds like a yes already."

"Ugh. I'm going."

I grinned. "I love you."

"Fuck you." She said, picked up her bag and stormed out. I chuckled.

The door opened a second later and Jess walked back in. "Take care of yourself, okay? And you look skinny, start eating again." She said and walked out again.

I chuckled and fell on my bed, staring up at my high ceiling. Suddenly my phone vibrated in my pocket, I took it out and looked at it.

A notification from V

(Add photo at 5pm). Hey you, I downloaded WhatsApp....thank you again for today. Don't respond. Goodnight, T. 💗

I smiled and clicked the message, responding.

"Good boy. Now make sure you eat dinner and get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, V."

And then, I found my myself humming to Ghost Of John.

⚜️ JUST FRIENDS. ⚜️

It was few minutes past eight pm and a knock came on my door. I was standing in front of the tall mirror resting on the wall close to my dresser, dressed in blue jeans and a stripe shirt bigger than I was.

I looked at the door through the mirror, if that was my mother she would have barged in, so it had to be someone who worked here. Someone I knew.

"Come in, Alfred." I said as I took out some neck pieces from my dresser.

Alfred walked in a second after the invitation and closed the door behind him. "Your mother asked to fetch you."

"Silver or gold?" I inquired, turning to Alfred while holding two different neckpieces in both hands.

"I don't think the necklace matters, I think what matters is that you are not in the tux your mother picked out for you."

"Silver it is then." I said and dropped the gold, putting on the silver Neckpiece. "Also, why do I need to wear a tux to eat dinner with an Uncle I have never heard of and my mother in my own house? Does that make any sense, Alfred?"

"Must be an important relative."

Alfred was my favorite butler in the entire house, he was to me the most reasonable of the staffs and was not annoying like I found the rest. I had found myself engaging in conversations with him more, I guess it can get a little lonely in our manor. Alfred was in his early twenties and a smart one too. He was Italian with pretty blonde hair and brown eyes. Alfred had been working for us for over three years and although we spoke more often than the other security guards around the house, boundaries were still set.

"Do you know what we are having for dinner?" I asked as I opened a dresser and took out a cigarette, placing it in-between my lips.

"I don't know anything that happens in the kitchen."

I chuckled. "We both know that's not true." I said as I took out the lighter and turned it on, reaching for the cigarette in between my lips.

Before the cigarette could catch some of the flame, Alfred appeared in-front of me, taking the lighter from me. I looked at him, perplexed, cocking my brows.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to stop you from getting into some shit tonight." He said and took the cigarette out of my mouth and kept it in his pocket. "This person might be a big deal and I know you and your mother love cursing out yourselves, but smoking is only going to turn this into a disaster and I'm certain you don't want a sour night. So get it together and get through this dinner. It's only what? An hour?"

I gave him a look. "Fine."

"Good." He said and looked at my outfit. "You should wear the tux for peace."

"I can only make one compromise, Alfred. Don't push it."

"Right. Well, your guest is here and you should be downstairs already."

I sighed. "You know sometimes Alfred, I hate you." I said as I picked up my phone from the bed and headed out of my room.

I walked down the stairs and saw my mother at the hallway talking with a man dressed in a black suit and having his coat taken by one of the staffs. He was Asian too and a tall man with a built body, he did look older than my mother too.

"Thank you for visiting our home." I heard mother say as I descended from the stairs.

"Well, you invited and I couldn't say no." He chuckled. "You look well, Laila." He patted her shoulder.

I was standing and watching from the bottom of the stairs when Alfred arrived beside me. "You should join the scenery and make yourself known."

"Alfred, stop being the angel on my shoulder." I rolled my eyes as I slowly approached them.

Mother turned to look at me, a smile on her face that slowly shifted once she saw I wasn't wearing the tux she had picked out for tonight. She gave me a murderous look before turning back to the old man with a forced smile.

"This is my son, Tae. You remember him." She said as I arrived beside her.

As I stood in front of him, it was then I noticed the man's distinctive features. He had a scar above his left eyebrow and a smaller one at the top of his head that instantly caught my attention. He also was wearing a pocket watch in his suit jacket, and I had to admit it added a touch of elegance to his overall appearance. Moreover, he exuded a pleasant scent, which seemed to complete the impression of a refined and stylish individual.

"Ah! Taeyung." He smiled. "You've grown up so well."

I had to force a smile on my face. "Welcome to our home."

"Won't you give me a hug?"

I gave a small chuckle. "I would but I don't exactly...."

"Know me." He finished up with a small smile. "That's understandable. I haven't seen you in over ten years anyways."

I frowned a bit. "Ten years...." I muttered.

Ten years ago was when....

He gave a small nod. "Well, I blame your mother for not telling you about me."

"Don't put that on me, you could have visited."

"You know I couldn't."

"Yeah, because your enemies would have shot you dead."

I frowned.

"Exactly."

"And also, you didn't miss much with his growing up." She said with a small shrug.

"I doubt that." He snorted and turned back his attention to me. LI'm your father's older brother Joon, my English name is also James so you kids all just ended up calling me..."

"Uncle J." I finished.

"That's right." He smiled and sighed afterwards. "What happened to your eye, kid?"

"An accident." I replied.

"I know a result of a fight when I see one. Well, now I'm starving."

Mother gave a small nod. "Yes. Right this way." She said as she led him to the dinning before shooting me an annoyed look.

"Also, I really like that shirt of yours." Uncle J said as we walked. Mother looked at me and I gave her a taunting smile.

⚜️ JUST FRIENDS ⚜️

As the night went on, I realized the night was not as bad as I had thought as long as I ignored my mother. Uncle J was was a serious man who kept engaging me in a conversation and asking about school. However, I couldn't shake off the feeling that he seemed like a man with multiple secrets, and his enigmatic presence only added to my curiosity. He wasn't your normal everyday uncle, his hands were dirty.

"When was the last time you went to Korea?" Uncle J asked as he chewed his food. The table was decorated with different Korean delicacies which explained to me that Uncle J really loved his hometown and it's culture.

I shrugged. "After father died we just never went back. I guess you could say mother is not so fond of her motherland."

"There is nothing back home for me, so why go there?" Mother chimed in .

"Don't listen to your mother. There's so much you are going to learn and love about your culture when you come back. You'll be by my side and watch how things are to be ran." Uncle J chuckled.

"I mean yeah, I could visit maybe on Christmas or summer." I replied.

"Visit?" Uncle J's expression turned serious. "Who said anything about visiting?"

"What?"

Uncle J and my mother exchanged a glance. "Doesn't he know?"

"Know what?" I felt confused like I had been left out of the loop. "What's going on? Someone fill me in?" My curiosity piqued.

Mother laid down her utensils and looked at me. "Your Uncle J and I have discussed it and we have come to the conclusion, you will be accompanying your Uncle back to Korea. You will love with him, respect him and finish your college education there."

I was silent, taken aback and waiting for one of them to tell me it was a prank. I glanced from her to Uncle J and back to her, a small, disbelieving laugh escaping my lips. "You're not serious."

"It is for the best."

"Whose best? Yours or mine? Because we both know the only person you ever think of is yourself, mother. Every decision you make is for you. So, tell me, whose best?" I questioned, gripping the fork right.

"Do not speak to your mother like that." Uncle J intervened.

"Firstly," I turned to him. "You don't get to tell me what to do. I do not know you from Adam, so don't try to order me around." I huffed and looked back at my mother. "Are you fucking serious?"

"This is why I cannot have you around, Tae. You are atop much to handle and I cannot have you around me ruining things." Mother said.

I laughed, my voice rising. "I am too much to handle? You stopped raising me ten years ago! YOU STOPPED CARING TEN YEARS AGO! When was the fucking last time you asked me how I was? When? And I'm a lot to handle? Ridiculous."

"You've got a temper that you need to work on and your uncle J will help you." She said in the calmest tone which pissed me off the more.

"Of course I'm angry! I have you as a mother!"

"That's enough, boy!" Uncle J shouted.

"Fuck this. I am not going anywhere."

"You are. You won't be able to stop it from happening." Mother said, her voice calm and collected. She picked up her spoon and dipped into her soup. And just as she began raising the spoon to her mouth, I lost it.

I hated her.

I hated how she treated me and how condescending she was towards me.

I got up, chair creaking on the floor. I flung the soup off the table, the plate shattering on the floor as I yelled. "Fuck you!"

Mother glared at me angrily. "This is how you want to act?"

"You know, just as much as you wish I was dead, I also think about how the wrong parent died and it should have been you instead!" I spat back .

Mother stood up, ready to respond but just before she could. A hand gripped me by the shirt tightly and dragged me backwards, pushing my chair to the ground. I was slammed against the wall harshly and standing before me was Uncle J, glaring at me hard as his hand found it's way to my neck.

"Watch your fucking tone, boy." He growled.

"Get off me!" I cried.

"She is your other and you will listen to her and treat her with utmost respect!" He snarled, eyes blazing with anger. His grip was strong as I found it hard to move from the spot he held me in and it only but made me panic.

I looked to my mother for help or something but I was stupid to expect she would help. My mother only but watched as he tightened his grip, cutting off my air. I felt trapped.

"Apologize to your mother, now." Uncle J demanded.

"I-I c...can't b-b-breathe." I said, kicking and trying to get off.

"Apologize!" He roared but I said nothing.

My vision was turning blurry and slowly dark, their voices turning mute as well when a hand held my uncle's hand and pulled it away.

I collapsed to the ground, coughing and trying to catch my breath as I thumped at my chest. Alfred appeared beside me and another guard stood before me, blocking me from Uncle J's path.

"Are you okay?" Alfred asked me softly.

I gave him a nod while I still coughed, trying to get some air into my lungs.

"Step aside." Uncle J ordered.

"I can't." The other guard said, I recognized his voice. Corey. Corey was a man in his forties who had been working here even before my father died, but about two months after my father had died, Corey pulled away and stopped treating me like....family.

"You're a guest here, sir, and I can't let you touch young master again. I'll let you leave with your hand this time."

Mother made her way to Corey and slapped him across the face. "You do not speak to my guest like that."

"And yet ma'am, you let your guest choke your son. I guess our priorities are different." Corey said while Alfred helped me stand.

I wiped my neck as I glared at both my mother and the so called Uncle. "You're both going to regret what you did. You now plan to take everything from me and send me away because you hate me. I will show you just how much I hate you too, you just watch." I said to her as I turned and staggered out of the house.

Fuck this.

My chest hurt.