A/N: So, I found this post on Instagram, and thought to share it here. So, if Kezr was a cartoon character, he would be ☝

3 hours earlier,
7:00am,

I woke up, by the sounds of knocking, coming from downstairs. I bent over and checked the digital clock on my bedside table, 7?

Shit, Who is here? At this time?

I was getting ready to get off the bed, when I saw that I had kicked off the blanket, but the bedsheet was intact. I know I sleep like a fucking earthquake, so why is the bed sheet still intact?

I didn't think too much about this as the knocking got too loud.

Jesus, people, Iam fucking coming.

I went downstairs and....

"Maa? Dad?" I asked completely baffled.

Aria jumped from behind dad and said,"Aria"
Eric jumped from behind mom and said,"Eric"
Maya jumped from behind Eric and said,"Maya"
Alex just walked in, the guy is my favorite.

"What are y'all doing here?"

"We, my love, are going on a picnic"

Say what?

"Picnic? No way in fucking hell." Mom smacked the back of my head and said "Language!"

I rolled my eyes and she smacked me again saying, "Don't roll your eyes at me, boy."

"Iam no boy, Iam a man." I reminded her and she smacked my head again. What the fuck is wrong with her?!

"You'll always be my little boy, even after you're 50 and sending your children to universities and... Oooo, by children, I remembered, when are you-"

"So, picnic?" I said diverting the topic from which she was just about to make contact with.

Dad snickered beside me. I just shrugged my shoulders and led them to the living room above the stairs.

Just as I was telling mom that what a stupid plan this is and how we shouldn't go, Rozella entered the living room, sleepingly rubbing her eyes.

Woah, without glasses her eyes are pretty as fuck. She looks really cute right now, all confused and sleepy.

"What's going on Kezr?" She sleepily said rubbing her eyes.

"Nothing, Rozella, go back to sleep." I said.

She came and sat beside me on the couch, her jasmine and rose scent engulfing me.

She was touching her face so the fucker removed her hands and said,"You don't have drool on your face, babygirl."

Him and his BaByGiRl.

After discussing how much Rozella loves the beach we decided to go, get dressed and pack.

I got ready and opened my door to leave and at the same time, Rozella came out of her room.

She was wearing some bomb ass clothes. She looked really hot and cute and if somebody didn't know her they would go for the former.

She turned around and Damn! That ass though.

As I was admiring her ass, I saw her looking back at me with an eyebrow raised. I quickly averted my gaze and stuttered like the fucking pussy Iam.

I. Never. Stutter.....then, why the fuck now?

••••••••••••••••••••••

When we reached the beautiful lake in the forest, Rozella started screaming for Zake to take her photo. I heard how he asked for her phone and she looked like a deer caught in some headlights. Instead the fucker took her photos from his mobile. She looked a little hesitant while posing and didn't pose too much, to which I understood her hesitation.

I went towards the car and took out the camera mom made me pack. It's mine, but I wanted her to use it and not feel uncomfortable with Zake.

I called Zake over and handed him the camera, to which I saw Rozella's face beam with happiness.

It felt good to be the reason behind her smile.

No, no, I can't..... I need to shut this fucker in my brain.

At 10 we decided to go to Mendhall lake and Everybody looked really excited.

Rozella took some photos there, everybody asked me to be in the photos but I didn't want to and I knew Rozella would be uncomfortable.

After staying there for 25 minutes and enjoying the calmness we went to our actual destination. The Beach.

Rozella excitedly got off the car and went out, I saw her close her eyes and she took a deep breath with happiness evident on her face by the wide smile she wore.

She looked at me looking at her and awkwardly smiled before picking up Alex and going with him.

The beach looked really calming with the sun shining brightly and the waves clashing and touching my feet. There is one room where all of us kept our bags, four bathrooms and four tents for all of us.

Rozella immediately removed her boots and walked barefoot on the sand. Alex, Maya and Zake following her.

"Don't go to far kids." Eric warned them.

Rozella just saluted at him, mimicking the action of military soldiers and marched away leaving Eric and Aria laughing.

I saw how Zake took Alex and Maya's picture with them on top of Rozella and Rozella wobbling, obviously not handling the weight.

She looked really carefree and happy right now, all relaxed.

Eric whispered in my ear,"Like what you see?"

"Firstly, back the fuck away, don't want you fucking touching me. Secondly, the fuck on you about?"

"Rozella, you're looking at her smiling like a fucking idiot."

Smiling? me? Fuck no!

Rolling my eyes, I stood up and went to unload the car and help maa.

••••••••••••••••

"Okay my turn Rozella, truth or dare?" Aria asked Rozella, who had Alex in her lap playing with her open hair and Maya beside her.

Even the kids love her.

We're sitting at the bonfire right now and playing truth and dare like the fucking children we are.

"Uhhh.....Truth." she chose.

Playing safe now, are we?

"Okay, Tell us.....your most embarrassing moment." Aria said, deciding the question.

Rozella laughed nervously and said, "Okay, so-"

"Wow, you didn't even have to think for an embarrassing moment, cause you know your whole existence is embarrassing." Zake laughed at his own joke but I saw Rozella shut her mouth and she looked down really embarassed.

I snapped my head towards Zake's direction and kicked him in his stomach. He groaned in pain and looked at me ready to fight when I glared at him and nodded towards Rozella. At first he looked confused and then realization hit him like a ton of fucking bricks, and he went towards her, forgetting all about his pain.

"Rozella, babygirl Iam so sorry, I was literally joking I swear, please look at me," she looked at him with tear filled eyes and I wanted to punch that motherfucker in his face.

"It's okay." Rozella mumbled.

"No, no it's not okay, anybody talking to you like that is not okay, okay?" She nodded her head.

"Anybody talking to you that way should see your bad boys. That'll shoo them away." She giggled.

My heart swelled at her giggling.

She wiped her tears and Zake said "Okay, so embarrassing moment..?"

She groaned and shook her head. "Oh! God! it's really weird for me more than it's embarrassing."

"Go on" Aria said.

"Okay so, I was in high school and there used to be our swim coach and he would arrange races between boys and girls and then nominate them for the next round. So, I was against this guy....let's call him Jace. So he was like really well built and had like ladies swooning over him and stuff."

Everybody was listening to her attentively while I was just looking at her features seeing her so engrossed in talking about another man.

"Long story short. We started racing and half way through I saw everybody's eyes on me. I was like oh! Maybe I have won. But.... Uh- the reason was that my swimsuit top had.....come off and ughh! This is so weird!"

She groaned and face palmed while everybody bursted out laughing.

"So, everyone saw you naked?" I asked while balling my fists.

She looked at me and scratched her neck, "No. I mean I am 5'4 and thankfully the pool was deep so I was covered but it was so embarrassing being surrounded by boys while I am there awkwardly standing, completely naked."

She laughed and so did the others while I just clenched my jaw and looked away.

Then it was Aria's turn and they all started playing.

I remember how at lunch, Aria told everybody what Rozella did while they were in the bus, And to say I was shocked would be a fucking understatement.

If she's a gold digger then why would she......no, don't, they are all the same just, don't.

After all truths and dares, we all decided to go to sleep and sleep our exhaustion off.

"Which tent is whose?" Eric asked.

Maa came from under hers and said, "So kiddos, this is what's gonna happen, Aria, Eric and Maya are in one, Alex and Zake are in the second, because Alex is a big boy and he won't fit with two adults. Elijah and I already have ours. Next, the fourth and the last one is for Kezr and Rozella."

What? No!

Rozella just looked at Mom completely puzzled and surprised.

"Layla, mom, dear, with due respect, No." Rozella dared to speak in front of my mom.

I guess all the truth and dares are still not finished in her pretty little head.

"Care to speak that again, daughter in law?"

"Uh...." Rozella stepped back and her back hit my chest and she froze, "N-nothing"

"Hmm, thought so" Maa hummed at her. This woman is scary as fuck.

"Now shoo, shoo. Go off to your tents little birdies."

"Wait. No, Alex is not sleeping with Zake. Zake will be disturbed all night by Alex's misbehaving and disturbance." Aria said.

Before mom could say anything, Rozella interrupted.

"Maybe you should try some famous books on parenting 101, because you sure suck at it." Everybody's head snapped towards Rozella, who's face was set on a batshit scowl.

"Ro-" I decided to say something on her comment but she just turned around and went towards the beach.

"Rozella!"

"Elle!"

"Babygirl!"

"I'll go check on her." I said not liking her alone at the water at night.

I went towards her and heard her sniffling while she layed on the beach sand.

I crouched down to her height and looked at her, "Are you crying?"

"No, Iam laughing like a mentally deranged person."

"No shit."

"S-sorry, I just....I don't know" she said giving up on the conversation.

"Can you tell me what is wrong? You seem upset. You were fine just in the morning." I layed right next to her and looked at the moon shining brightly.

"No, why would I? You don't even c-are, nobody cares. And I-Iam fine with it." She said wiping her tears and looking at the beach.

Something is definitely wrong and I wanna know what.

"No, I do care....... just right now." I cleared the point not wanting her to think I have changed because I never will. Not for her atleast.

She sniffled and I passed her the tissue that was in my pocket.

She mumbled a quiet 'thank you' and took the tissue from my hand.

"It's just that today it's 9th April after 12'o clock"
She explained.

"So...should it not be 12am or 9th april?"

She laughed and said "No, it's my parents death anniversary tomorrow."

I zipped my mouth instantly.

She continued,"I tried to be strong today and tried to hold a smile on my face but I-I just couldn't. I failed."

I gulped. I am not good with crying people at all and I don't know what to tell her about all this.

"What... Exactly happened..?"

Her eyes snapped to me as if she wasn't expecting the question.

I raised my eyebrows at her and she sighed.

"It's a little crazy"

I chuckled and said, "And so are you. Common, Iam listening."

She smiled at me and looked at the moon. She closed her eyes and started.

"My parents were out for their... 15th wedding anniversary and I was home alone. I remember sitting on the kitchen counter counting for them to come back. I mean any normal child would probably do other activities and not hold onto the hope that their parents would be back if they counted.... " She sighed and sat up straight.

"I reached the number 1643 and I was sure they'd be back any minute. I heard a knock on the front door and I got so giddy thinking my parents were back. I cautiously opened the door because my parents always warned me to not open the door as they will always be there to open them."

She looked at me as if to see if I was listening or not.
I was, I had my utter attention to her wanting to know what little Rozella did then.

"I opened the door expecting my parents but saw two officers at my door. I instantly shut the door having this alarming feeling in my gut. I mean it's not that everyday officers visit you.....They just told me what they had to like, my p-parents they got into a car accident and they were n-no more."

She pursed her lips together and released a strangled sob.

I felt a pain in my chest looking at her crying self.

She sniffled and shook her head, "I just sat there not knowing what to do. What do you expect from a 16 year old orphan to do anymore? And You know what they did Kezr?.... T-they just said 'sorry' and l-left. They gave me a look of pity and just.... Left."

She took a deep breath and kept looking forward and I knew she was deep in her thoughts.

"Later, I got into the system. The orphanage, and... Jones adopted me. Life, was fucked up then. Completely fucked."

My eyes widened when she cursed. She never curses as she has her famous words like fudging, fridging and baloney.

"So, I know how Alex feels. It's not the same situation but indirectly we both have same thoughts. He's in a desperate need for parents who can be proud of him and not call him a disappointment or nuisance. He's a selfless absolutely adorable child. He's nothing like how you guys claim him to be. He just holds this cold aura around him to protect himself."

She sniffled and shook her head standing up.

"Anyways, Iam sorry to disturb you, I- just needed to get it all out. Iam sorry for both-"

"No you didn't, I appreciate your effort and bravery to tell this to someone. It's difficult sometimes but you did it, and I want you to know you're strong enough and you don't need people to support you."

She looked at me with her eyes glistening in the moon light which was casting a silver light on her face making her look beautiful under the stars.

I continued, "And, the situation for Alex, I always thought how that kid doesn't deserve this behavior, but didn't want to question their parenting, Iam glad you did it."

Her eyes widened and she gasped. She immediately ran back but I caught her wrist and flung her to my chest and her head made contact with my chest.

She landed with an 'oomph' and rubbed her nose and looked up at me. I smiled at her.

Stop smiling idiot. I can't.

She was looking at me with her eyes widened and her mouth slightly ajar.

My gaze drifted to her lips which looked soft as ever.

What if I just lean in.....?

As fast as that thought came, it went away at the same speed when Rozella stepped back and I saw her cheeks a full colour of beetroot under the moonlight.

"I-I need to apologize to everyone, I was really rude." I nodded not even listening to what she said, as my head was wrapped around only one question.

Why the fuck was I about to lean in?
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So....why do you think he was about to lean in?
Is our Kezr becoming a little softie? Hmm?
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