Years back...

• Arsenio •

"You are going to top again, aren't you?" I asked Zenith as we walked out of the class, done with our final exams.

He gave me a smirk in return. "Well, what can I say? You know how intelligent I am."

I rolled my eyes and shoved him playfully. "Anyway, aren't you flying home with me to see Ezlyn?"

He sighed. "I wish I could but there are a few things that I need to take care of first. I'll see you there next week."

I frowned slightly. Zenith Grey was my best friend and the third person in our group which consisted of Ezlyn and me. Even though we were older than her, we three got along just fine. And I loved them both more than I could ever admit.

"Okay...see you in a week." I patted him on his back and side-hugged him before parting ways, already excited to fly over to Boston to my parents and Ezlyn.

That very evening, I flew back and my dad's driver picked me up from the airport and drove me home.

I could sense something was wrong the moment dad opened the door and I stepped inside, there was a gloomy atmosphere in the house.

"What's going on?" I inquired, taking in the lines of worry on dad's forehead. "Where's mom?"

"In the living room."

Not knowing what was wrong, I walked to the living room and found mom gazing out of the window, a distant, vacant look in her eyes.

"Mom?"

Her head snapped to me and the face which always used to have a huge smile lacked it.

"Is everything okay?" I asked as dad walked into the living room. "Why is everyone so sad? What happened?"

Cold dread started to trickle inside me. Something was wrong. Something happened.

Mom got up and walking to me, engulfed me in a hug, burying her face in my chest and breaking down completely, her body wracking with sobs. "V-victor...Azora..."

Ezlyn's parents. My hold tightened around her. "What happened to them? Where are they?"

She sobbed loudly at that. "T-they...they...had an accident. They...died on spot."

The information hit me so hard that I stumbled back for a moment before I steadied myself. "What? And... where's Ezlyn?" God, no. She better be safe.

"She wasn't there. She's safe." Dad answered and slowly pulled mom from me and into his arms as he stroked her hair.

What the fuck. Azora was mom's childhood best friend, they grew up together, I can't even imagine what she must be going through. If something would have happened to Ezlyn--

No. I assured myself. She is okay.

But then another fact hit me hard. She lost both her parents. Together. And why the fuck no one told me?

"We didn't want to disturb you..." Dad said softly as if he heard my unasked question. "You were having your exams, so we didn't tell you. Their funeral was held a few days ago."

"What the hell, dad?! Why would you do that?! I needed to know that!"

Dad looked guilty and averted his gaze.

Fuck. Ezlyn. My little cupcake, where is she even? God dammit, I should have been there for her. Fuck. "Where's Ezlyn?"

Mom wiped away her tears and taking a deep breath sat down on the couch. "She is moving in with us for the time being, she has no one else. She's over at her house at the moment, she needed to pick up something."

She is going to turn seventeen tomorrow. Just seventeen. She is still so young.

I was slightly relieved by the information that my parents were going to take care of her. There was no doubt about that.

I grabbed one of the car keys and ran out and drove as fast as I could to what used to be her home.

I had one of the spare keys so I used it to let myself in and I was taken aback by how eerily silent the house was, the house which once used to have so much warmth and cosiness was so fucking cold.

The hallway was dark and silent and at the end, dim lights were spilling out of a door which was the living room.

I slowly made my way towards it. "Ezlyn? You in there?" I called out softly. "Hey, cupcake...it's me, Nio."

I finally paused at the door, there she was sitting on the couch with her back to me, her legs drawn to her body and her face resting on her knees. Her body shook with silent sobs and it was enough to break my heart even further.

She was a strong girl, I hardly ever saw her crying but this made my heart clench.

A weird sense of protectiveness surged through me and I promised myself that no harm would ever come to my best friend again, I was going to protect her.

I inhaled deeply and stepped inside, walking over so that I was standing in front of her. "Ezlyn?" I whispered.

For a second her body froze, I startled her obviously but she must have recognised my voice for she didn't jump up instead slowly lifted her head and glanced at me.

My heart broke even further when I took in how puffy her hazel green eyes looked, red nose, dark circles underneath her eyes and her tear-stained cheeks, messy chocolaty brown hair.

I didn't get to say anything else as she launched herself at me, wrapping her arms around my waist and burying her face in my chest.

"N-Nio..." Her voice cracked but there was a hint of relief in her tone.

I hugged her back immediately, cradling her head and kissing the top of it. "I am so sorry, Ez. I didn't know or I would have been here sooner."

"No. I asked them...not to tell you, I wanted you to do well in your exams."

My hold tightened around her. "My exams were not more important than you." I stroked her hair. "God, I missed you. I am so sorry for your loss, Ez."

Her tears slowly seep into my t-shirt as she once again broke down, sobbing loudly.

We stayed like that, letting her cry her heart out while I occasionally stroked her hair or rubbed her back trying to comfort her anyway.

Minutes later, her sobs subsided and with my index finger, I lifted her chin making her look at me. "I am going to take care of you, cupcake. You are not alone, you never will be. I will always be there for you." I sealed my words by pressing a kiss to her forehead.

My hands left her body and I cupped her cheeks in between my palms. "Understood?"

Once again, tears welled up in her eyes and she nodded slowly.

I lead her to the couch and sat down and pulled her over me so that she was half sprawled over me and she placed her head on my chest.

"I...feel so empty, Nio. I lost them both, together. I was so shocked by that...that I didn't even shed a single tear at their funeral. But now, I just can't stop crying." She spoke in a soft, low voice.

"It's okay, cupcake. You were just shocked. One day, everything will be alright, I promise."

She exhaled shakily. "Are you going to leave me again? Go to another college?"

That was my initial plan. I was going to study in another college for further studies but the way she was gazing at me, eyes glistening with tears and I knew if I told her about my initial plans, she would break down again.

I brushed my knuckles down her cheek and wiped away her tears. "No, Ez. I am not leaving you again. Promise."

"Thank you, Nio. I missed you." She sighed, her hand finding mine and she intertwined our fingers together.

"Where's Zen?" She asked as I kept stroking her hair.

"He will be here next week and then we all will go out for dinner, hmm?"

She tried to smile, her lips curling up before sadness washed over her once again and with a defeated sigh, she snuggled closer to me.

I don't know for how long we sat there like that, her in my arms but one thing was clear, she was my responsibility now and I wouldn't let anyone hurt her ever again.

We would talk about random things or rather she was trying to distract herself but over and over again, she would remember her parents' death and would shed a few tears while I tried my best to comfort her.

It was late and when she suddenly went limp in my arms and I realised that she fell asleep.

I could have brought her back with me but I didn't want to wake her up so carefully, I got up with her in my arms and I carried her up the stairs to her bedroom where I placed her on the bed gently and slipped in beside her, watching her sleep with a subtle frown on her forehead.

I wasn't going to leave her alone. I would drive her to my parents tomorrow morning as I shot off a text to my father telling him that I would see them tomorrow morning.

Right now, my best friend needed me.

I glanced up at the wall clock as the clock struck twelve and leaning down, I kissed her forehead lingeringly. "Happy Birthday, cupcake."

Chapter completion on: 16/11/22
Published on: 25/1/23