Second Road

Episode 24: Small problems

I'm afraid...

Miracle, luck or whatever. I need it now.

Our distance is very close. And from this close distance, I could see the scar on his forehead more clearly.

What would you do if you were in my current position? Are you going to fight? That would be a good option if you really intended to do it.

Unfortunately, I have no intention of fighting.

"Why close your eyes? Scared?" His words are right in my ear.

Of course it is. But look, I'm not afraid of being hit, I'm just afraid of things like they used to happen again. The once foolish and powerless I could only shut up and cry.

I don't want to be like that anymore, I'm not a coward. So I opened my eyes, and looked at him. I tried to get rid of all my fear even though it was a little difficult.

"Eh, you're brave too huh, rat..."

Right after that last sentence, one of his hands went up and clenched. Oh, I already know what might happen next. I resigned, just accept it.

Bukk!!!!

One blow floated, hitting right on my left cheek. I grimaced, a sense of pain creeping around him.

Not only did it get there, another blow was already preparing to be thrown at me. Her hand was raised again while her other hand was still clutching my collar.

Ah, nevermind. Maybe I'll go home battered today.

"Eh, what are you doing here?" A person emerged from behind the wall, his body tall and his hair black. That man is a figure I know very well.

"Aryan!" My screams restrained.

Gavin reflexively removed his grip from the collar of my shirt. He was shocked, and so was Evan. I got out of there immediately, running towards Arya.

"A..what's up?" Said astonished.

I approached Arya, standing behind her. My hand held the edge of his shirt, like a lost child separated from his mother. Thank goodness he came in time.

"Haha. He said he was dizzy, so we'd take him to the infirmary." Evan said arriving.

"But he won't." Added Gavin.

A moment, everyone looked at each other. The atmosphere is not good. Will something bad happen after this? Is there going to be a fight?

"Oh, so. Thank you, let me drive him." Arya pulled my wrist, we left that place.

Thankfully nothing happened. There was no misunderstanding, we walked slowly down the school grounds, past the small garden park.

In some corners, many students were sitting in groups. There are club activities or some events. There are also those who deliberately sit there because they do not want to go home too soon.

"I guessed it. You're hiding something." Arya started the conversation.

"I'm not hiding anything, why do you know I'm there?" My answer.

"I'm following you. I thought you were mad because I took your book this afternoon. And maybe you have a problem with your early teens." Arya.

"There's nothing like it. I'm not mad about that, I'm glad you're worried about me. It's just..."

"Just?"

"There's something I can't say right now."

"Huh.that's your name you're hiding something, stupid." He said as he exhaled slowly.

"So, what's your problem with them? Are they bothering you? I saw that guy hit you. Does that hurt?" Further.

"That's.ah, let's talk about tomorrow. My brother may have been waiting in front of the gate. Come on!" I immediately switched the subject of our conversation.

"Sister?"

"Yes, I mean Allen. It's two o'clock past fifteen minutes. He must have been waiting for me."

"You called him brother? And yesterday the day after tomorrow you didn't look happy when he dropped you off."

"Well, maybe he's not as bad as I thought." My word.

After a few minutes, we arrived at the school gate. In front of him, a huge highway crossed. Many cars and other vehicles passed.

"Yo, Haru. You've been a long time." Allen stood right beside the school gate. He wears a long-sleeved bottle green t-shirt, complete with black trousers.

Her hair was neatly sliced, like using some kind of hair gel.

"A...Allen's? I told you to wait for me in the car. You're too eye-catching to know." I said I saw it.

That's right, Allen's appearance was too flashy. Her hair is blond, green eyes and high posture.

His face was also handsome, of course it would attract the attention of people around the school. And sure enough, some people were watching from a distance. Some girls were even seen whispering whispers to their friends, then chuckling in shame.

Who wouldn't be interested in him? Even if I were a woman, I might be interested. And of course I knew it would never happen.

"Allen, stop. It's still at school." My speech.

"Ah, good afternoon. I'm Arya, Haru's classmate, you must be Haru's sister, she told me a lot." Arya introduced herself as soon as Allen glanced at her.

"Oh, yeah. Good thing, I don't think you have any friends." Allen said as he glanced at me.

"All right, let's go." Further.

He walked towards the car parked on the edge of the wide highway. There's about eight lanes, so it won't cause a crash if you put your car there.

"Arya, I'm going home first." I said while waving my hand.

He also waved his hand back. I got into the car, Allen put the car keys on and turned it on.

The car returned to the streets, joining the other vehicles. A gentle breeze came in from the window, blew my hair and made it sway.

I leaned my back against the car seat, then breathed a sigh of relief.

"Is your school so heavy that you breathe like that?" Allen started the conversation.

"Not really, I'm just a little tired." My reply.

"What is this?" I said as soon as my nose detected a different scent from this car.

"Don't you? Does this car smell? I'll take him to the car wash later." Answer Allen. He turned the steering wheel, passing several cars that were in front of him.

"No, it smells like... perfume?" I said doubtfully.

" It must be me then. I take a shower before I pick you up, and I wear perfume. I haven't had a shower since yesterday." He said casually.

"It's so dirty." Mumbles.

The car we were riding was still driving at standard speed, passing through several turns and intersections.

"Allen, this isn't the road we used to walk." I rebuked Allen who was focusing on his wheel.

"Repeat, use the word brother. You promised to call me that, right?"

"When do I promise?"

"When you sleep at my place, you promise to call me brother." The answer.

"At that time, you were already half asleep. I asked you to promise to call me big brother, and you kept it. Well, that's it." He shrugged his shoulders, giving an explanation.

"You're cunning too, doing it when I'm unconscious. Alright brother. Why don't we take the usual road?" I said with a full emphasis on the word 'brother' so he heard that I had obeyed him.

"Haru, can you speak in a more cute tone?" The answer.

"Forget it, assume I never asked." I said, looking out the window.

"I'm going to go grocery shopping first. Grandpa's coming back tomorrow afternoon, so maybe we can't shop tomorrow." Evidently.

I nodded, it's been a week since Grandpa left and said he wanted to stay at his friend's house.

Grandfather said he would only have a reunion and some meetings with his old friend who also now works in a similar field.

"You miss grandpa, don't you?" Allen returned to the topic.

He really read my mind. And of course I miss.

"What about you?"

"That's possible. But not really, now I have Haru." He answered while laughing.

The car slowed down, then stopped after arriving at the parking area, lined up with several other cars.

I stared out the window. A big waiter stood there.

"Can I get out now?" I asked when Allen turned the car keys, making this car die completely.

"Wait a minute." Her speech.

"Why?" My toot.

"Your cheek. Did something happen at school?"

"really? It was okay." I said evasive.

I touched my own cheek, a little sore when the tip of my finger touched it. It feels a little pulsating. That punch was pretty strong.

"You fighting? No way, were you in the bully?"

"Ti.no. Maybe it's because I accidentally hit a wall this afternoon. I just lack heart."

"Are you sure? You're a careless little brother. I'll compress it so the swelling goes away." Allen opened the car door, out of it. I followed him from behind.

I don't know how many times I've lied all this time. I just don't want Allen to know something like this. I have to finish it myself, I'm a big boy.