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Chapter Twenty-Two

A/N: We've hit 300 reads! Woohoo! So today, I'm double uploading as a thank you gift.

Chapter Twenty-Two - First Love

Sunday, 29th March 2020

KRYSTALLIA

"It's just a harmless blade, it won't bite you in the ass!" I shouted as the girls dropped the knives they were holding.

"What in the fuck are you afraid of?!"

Two hours.

Two hours and we're getting nowhere.

"Just hold the fucking handle, you coward!"

I handed them the handle side of the knife and one of the girls' visibly shaky hands hesitantly went towards it.

"Just put your hand around it and hold it, it won't come alive."

The girl- who's name is Jennifer- slowly took hold of it and I let go once she has it.

"See? You won't die," I sighed before pointing at the other girl, "You. Your turn."

Her hands visibly trembled as she stretched her arm out to accept the knife. I plopped it on her hand and she freaked out but kept a hold of the blade.

"See? It's not lava or poison. It's just a knife."

Someone placed their hand on my shoulder and I quickly reacted by pulling the knife out of my shoulder holster and placed it right on their neck.

Only then I noticed it was-

"Jeebus Christianity, it's only me," Mark raised his hands. An 'oh' left me and I placed the knife back at its place. I turned around to see the two girls hugging each other out of fear. I rolled my eyes and looked at Mark, "What do you need?"

"Someone's here to see you."

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. Who would want to see me at this time?

"Okay, lead the way."

He led me out of the training room but before we left, I signaled a high-ranking member to train the wimps. I followed Mark out to the front room of the building and I saw someone I never thought I would see again.

"Ezrick?"

He turned around and met my eyes.

Ezrick Powell. My first love. Can you believe it?

"Krystallia."

Feelings and emotions I've buried when Kris and KT made him lose his memory started to resurface. He looked...good, I guess. I haven't seen him since we 'broke up' three years ago.

"I'll leave you to it, yeah?" Mark said as he slowly backed away and I nodded before focusing back on my ex.

"Ez, what're you doing here? How'd you even know where I was?"

He shrugged, "Can we talk privately?"

"Sure. Follow me."

I led him up the stairs and to a big balcony that faced a forest. Luckily, my holster was hidden under my jacket and I placed my hands on the handrail.

"Ez?"

He turned slightly so he was half-facing me, "You look beautiful."

He knew how to charm me when we were in high school, but it doesn't affect me now.

"Cut the crap. How'd you know where I was?"

He avoided my gaze for a bit, looking out at the forest before returning back, "I remembered."

I blinked.

He did not just say what I think he said.

"I'm sorry, it sounds like you said-"

"I remembered what they made me lose."

So my ear's fine. I gulped, "What did you remember?"

"Us meeting and getting to know each other. I was the new kid too so it was me, you, and Sam."

"You remember Sam?"

He nodded, "I remember complementing your hair color back then. It was purple streaks all around your head and you argued saying that it was violet. That's how we started talking."

My lips twitched upwards a little, thinking back of the memories I suppressed. I didn't notice Ez had come closer until he placed his hand on mine, "How've you been doing these last three years?"

I slowly pulled my hand away from underneath his, "I've been alright."

"I remembered that you and your brothers were talking about the stock too, the day the 'accident' happened."

I twiddled my fingers together, "I'm sorry, Ez, I really am, but we couldn't take any chances."

"Are you though?" he asked as he stepped closer. I raised an eyebrow at him, "What do you mean?"

"I dated you for six months. And we spent those six months joined at the hips. I can tell when you're lying."

I shook my head, "No, you don't. I'm seriously sorry. Can we put it behind us?"

He stared into my eyes, "If you promise to get me an invite into the gang so we could catch up."

My jaw dropped.

***

"I don't like this," Kris gestured to Ez and I as we stood in front of him, KT standing next to him. I rolled my eyes, "He knows, and he wants to join. It'll be fine, I'll train him myself. He breaks any rule, I'll deal with him."

Kris squinted his eyes at me before snapping his fingers and Mark went to get a contract.

"Are you sure you're up for it? This isn't a joke," Kris asked and Ez nodded, "I know the risks, and I'm willing to take it for Krystina."

That name. His nickname for me. He wanted a name no one would've thought of, and Krystina stood out. It was my name with his own twist.

The way he said it still had an effect, but I tried to dismiss it. Soon enough, Mark came back and handed the contract to Kris. He took a pen and gave the paper to Ez.

"If you agree, please sign here."

Ez went through the contract and everything required to join. Swiftly, he signed it and gave it back. Kris checked it, glancing at Ez while he did, before extending his hand for a shake, "Welcome to the Crystal Undead, you dingleberry."

Ez chuckled and shook his hand.

My first love, my first boyfriend, my Ezrick. Every emotion, every memory acquainted with him was starting to come back to me. He was here. He was actually here with me. I thought I had gotten over my first love after three years, but now seeing him, my feelings for him are starting to come back.

I guess first love doesn't go away easily.

But what about Zach?

Thank you for choosing to read AYR.

See you!

-Phantom