Knock, knock, knock!

"Hey, Marc! Come on in!"I say

"Thanks for inviting me over! Your home looks cozy!"He says, walking in as I shut the door behind him.

He glances around and smiles, setting his shoes aside. Uncle Leo and Aunt Clara are on a trip somewhere so I took the chance to invite Marc over for the first time. I know they'd be too pushy or suspicious of him if I invited him over. They'd even kick him out if they didn't like him and think that he's too "dangerous" in the worst-case scenario, demanding our friendship to end. Five years ago, I wouldn't have dared to have company over without them. But I've been isolated long enough. They've kept me from living long enough, so I want to include him and remove a piece of isolation or the wall between us. It's a small step in comparison to everything else that he doesn't know about me, some things that I don't know.

"So where's your aunt and uncle?"He asks after glancing around

"They're out working on something. They didn't even tell me what they were doing. But it's probably better that they're away since they wouldn't give us any space the entire time you're here."I say

"Ah, I see. Territorial?"He asks

"Not exactly...They can be very strict with me about making the safe choices and well...not to be rude, but they would find your hyper, loud personality as dangerous and the wrong choice. I don't want them to bother you or decide my friends for me. I know you're the right friend to make. Want to go to my room?"I say

"Sure. And sorry for not meeting their expectations."He chuckles

"I don't think anyone can since they consider everything a threat to me. Yet I can't meet their expectations either."I say

"I know that feeling. But how'd you get into public school?"He asks

"A lot of work and convincing."I sigh, pushing the door to my room open.

I see him glance around at the living forest in my room with plants growing from my desk, by my windows, and hanging over my bed with branches dangling like a canopy bed's drapes. I have gardening books and other subjects stacked on a bookshelf. His jaw hangs open and I grin.

"Woooaah..."He says

"Isn't it cozy?"I say

"I knew you were into nature, but I didn't think you were this into nature."He says

"Of course I am. Nature has been the only constant in my life so it provides me some comfort to be deeply invested in it."I say, sitting on the bed.

Marc sighs, sitting on the floor beside me.

"I know that feeling. My brother is the only constant in my life. Well, the only good one."He says

I nod, understanding that feeling. To have few good things that are consistently in your life. I've never been around his parents, but based on how he acts at home or talks to me, I get the sense that it isn't that good. He's lucky to have a good brother in his case instead of being an only child in a bad situation.

"I wish I had a sibling sometimes. I wonder what they'd be like. Smart like Raiden, bold like you, shy like Logan, or perhaps caring like Marilyn. Would they be tough like Sloane or peaceful like Flora, that sort of stuff, or what relationship we'd have...Would they be living the same life as me here or would we be apart? Sorry, it's just something I wonder about sometimes."I say, apologizing after realizing I overshared.

I don't want to upset him after all. What if that's the wrong response to what he said?

"Nah it's fine. Don't apologize for sharing your thoughts. I have a lot of wandering thoughts, too. We could just chill and share them if you'd like. You seem to have a lot bottled up."He says

"My uncle taught me that it would be best to keep to myself."I sigh

"Well, let me tell you what I tell Raiden cuz you need it. Bottling things up is as safe as carrying around a stick of dynamite. It could set off and explode easily. Or perhaps a bottle of soda bubbling to the top. It just takes one bad shake for things to go bad since, at some point, all that force bottled up will spill out by force and make a mess. You should try journaling or emptying yourself mentally in some form of what you keep in so that you don't have a breakdown. You see how my brother is. I worry at times that he'd break. I don't want you to break like him. Talk to someone or write it down. Just do something since bottling things up will do nothing good for you. Trust me."He tells me, placing a hand on my shoulder

I realized how tense I was when he put his hand on my shoulder. I glance at him and see intense concern in his eyes.

"Tell me even! You don't have to hide what's wrong. That's part of being best friends! We can vent to each other. If you're uncomfortable talking to your family or they aren't open to listening, speak to me. I'm open to hearing whatever is bothering you."He says

I smile happily, thankful to him.

If only he knew how much he doesn't know...If only I could tell him without facing trouble...Would he accept me and have the same attitude?

"Okay..."I say

"Wanna go for a run and talk instead? You seem happier when on the move."He suggests

"Sure..."I say

We get up, and he throws his shoes back on as we go for a jog through the streets. At first, it is quiet before he sighs, shaking his head as we pass the school. It's as if he was reminded of something.

"I think I'm going to get a job...maybe even multiple. I want to start saving up for Raiden."He says

"Oh is his birthday coming up?"I ask, knowing that Rosaline's birthday just passed a week ago.

"Nah, but at the rate that I'm going I know that I won't get into any colleges. My parents hardly consider college or save up for it and I don't think I'd be fit for it anyway. It's too expensive to fund both me and Raiden anyway. In my home, Raiden is treated like a shadow by my parents and hardly acknowledged so I doubt that the idea of saving for him even crosses their minds. Even if it did, I don't want them to hang that over his head to make him feel that he owes them. My brother is a genius and I know that he desires to get to college, and continue his education. I don't want a lack of funds or acknowledgment to turn him away from opportunities or his dreams. He has so much potential and I want to support him and remove the obstacles."He explains as we jog along.

"Wow, that's a lot of dedication and deep consideration! You're a good brother! I could help you find jobs if you'd like!"I say

"Thanks, I may take you up on that. I know our family, including me, has been nothing but trouble for him, so I don't want to hold him back. I want to lift him up instead. Perhaps he will finally escape this horrible household. My parents are strict in their own ways and put a lot of pressure on me. I don't want to go anywhere and let their focus shift to him because they will absolutely shatter him under their pressure and impossible expectations."He tells me

I sigh, nodding.

"I know that feeling...Having adults pressuring you to be a certain way is extremely tough. My aunt and uncle can hardly agree on what they want from me, but I know that what they want isn't who I am. Their main tool is warning me of the dangers of being myself. I want to be myself but they tell me to be someone else basically which requires me to forget my happier memories with my parents. I'm stuck in the middle and feel like I'm being pulled in multiple directions."I tell him

"What directions?"He asks, prompting me to share more.

I glance around to check that this is private, seeing that we're jogging alone with nobody nearby.

"They want me to forget what I learned from my parents and to act how they tell me to. When I try to act how they say I should, I feel as if I'm being untrue to my parents and myself. My heart tells me to make my parents proud but also please the family that took me in. It's a struggle between who I am and want to be with who I'm told that I need to be. To some extent, I understand their reasons but it still hurts...Would I even be seen or cared for the same way if I'm completely myself? One of the biggest warnings that I'm given is that if I reveal my true self, everyone will abandon or reject me as a freak...Or hurt me at worst. That's why they want me to try not to show a lot of myself and why I don't always share much..."I explain

It felt so good to get that off of my chest, even if it didn't go into detail.

"Pfft, you're joking, right? That's their warning for you? I think your parents raised you better if that's what your aunt and uncle are filling your head with. You're a great, sweet friend and they're crazy to try to hide you from the world. You don't have to change at all. Your parents raised a great person for eight years and I honestly think my parents could learn from them. Your aunt and uncle don't know what they're talking about. They're probably scared that you'll get too popular."He chuckles, shaking his head.

"Too popular?"I ask

"Take Logan for example. You're very similar. You're both caring, honest guys that are awesome to meet. Logan makes friends wherever he goes despite being shy and focusing on his music. Once people get a taste of who he is, they look for more. It's subtle popularity. Haven't you noticed the growing group of admirers that try to follow him around? Mr. Seamore would probably flip out if he took a day off from work to find the popularity his son has gained. And I feel that you're the same way. If people got to see the real you or even part of your true self, then you'd get very popular which may upset them. It's kind of backward since most don't want their kids to be lonely, but it's a thing with parents. Or adults in general. So yes, you may get too popular in my opinion and that may be their real concern, not your safety."He tells me

"So that means...?"I ask

"Those warnings won't happen. Nobody's going to leave you or harm you. You're my best friend and that won't change even if you're a three-eyed snake alien from another galaxy since you're still the greatest guy to call my best bud. I like being around to see the parts of the real you that you show. I'd be happy to see your entire true self, whatever that is, but I don't really care either. I just want you happy. That's all that really matters. I'm here for you, no matter what that uncle or aunt says."He says, nudging me playfully with his elbow

We take a break after a bit near the town library. He glances over and grins.

"Hey look, it's Marilyn. Ooo, she has a new style. Look what she's up to."He says

I glance over and see Marilyn walking out with a book in her hands. On her head is a light blue headscarf tied on her head, lifting some of her hair up. It looks beautiful. She looks beautiful, even with the gentle sway of her red hair or the bold twinkle in her eyes.

"You want someone just like her?"He asks teasingly

I glance at him confusedly.

"What does that mean?"I ask

"You seem interested in her."He says

"Isn't anyone interested in friends?"I ask

"More interest than friends."He says

"What? But I've only known her for three months! It's only November."I say

"You'd be surprised to hear that some people take less time to catch feelings."He says

"She is very nice though...A good friend..."I say

"Uh huh, then why did you pick a love song for karaoke?"He asks

"Love song?"I ask

"That Coldplay song that you picked with her is said to be a healthy love song."He says

"I didn't know. I said that I didn't know many songs. I just liked the sound of that one!"I say

"Oh right. I forgot about that!"He chuckles

Then his phone dings and he checks it curiously.

"Oh! I got a job and it's starting soon. Swing by Burger King if you want to see me on my first shift! See ya later, Hugo!"He says, quickly jogging away

I smile, seeing that he is serious about his plans. Raiden is lucky to have a brother like him.

"Hey, Hugo. What are you up to?"A gentle voice asks

I turn around and see Marilyn smiling at me sweetly.

"Hey, Marilyn. I was just going for a jog with Marc until he went to work."I say

"Are you done jogging or are you continuing?"She asks

I glance at her book, finding that it's meant to be about the River's Guild.

Is she exploring it too? Oh, dear...As if the last two weren't bad enough.

"I think I might continue."I say as she puts it in a bag

"Would you mind if I join you to chat?"She asks

"Sure."I say

She smiles and we head away from the library. I smile back at her, curious to see where this goes. Today is turning out pretty great.

TBC