Part of the pack

59 || Passage of time

So, in a curious lurid calm which could not last and yet, it seemed, could not end, the days went by.

- Iris Murdoch

'•'•'•

Change is the only constant thing in the universe, one would argue that it was loved by the hopeless romanticist and the never-ending passing of time by the scientists but no matter how one would argue, there would always be different opinions.

Coming to New York was an abrupt decision- one that my dearest friend of twenty-six years, Everlyn, had me persuaded to. She argues that I need to loosen myself up and the fact that her bachelorette party would take place in New York where her fiance, who is a fitness trainer for celebrities, is living.

They met five years ago when she was just freshly graduated off of her course, tourism, and was doing her work in one of the many New York airlines. It was love at first sight for him as she has always stated. Mind you, it was a story that I've heard so many times I feel like there are calluses in my ear, and their relationship was just off the roof at one point.

They did almost break up with her fiance named Shuren due to their long-distance relationship but they made it! Now they're about to marry in just one week, time sure does flies when one is too busy one would forget to look at the world.

"Mom there's already some sunscreen in my bag no- I don't need to take my pepper spray! For goodness sake mom I know self-defense!"

I was beginning to turn crazy by my loved mother, bless her heart, she was getting all worry wart after knowing that her baby girl would leave their home and would be out for a week at most.

"But you might need one! What if you got scared and forgot your moves huh?"

I doubt it after all I was beaten so hard by Maico that I would be losing dignity if I one day forgot the moves he taught me before. Yes, I was trained by him, I asked him to train me alongside the other members of the pack and it has gone on for eight years.

It was hard at first, I was like a pile of puddles that was about to melt in the ground after a day of training. My hands would bleed and crack, my ribs would sometimes get broken and have to be rearranged by them which hurt like a mother fucker but the most painful thing was to go through it every single day.

Without him.

Everlyn constantly nags at me for waiting for him after so long, always getting me into dates, and would frequently threaten to burn my books if I refuse her. I did try but none succeeded.

My heart was like the sea, calm and peaceful but I know once a drop of stone fell it would create ripple-like waves and eventually turned into a storm.

"I'm not a child any more Mom, you just relax okay?" I put my hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her down till her body is seated. "Besides, it's New York, what would go wrong in New York?"

Well, I was wrong, I was in for a treat but that would be for later.

"George! Come and send your sister off the road!"

George was the one whose life has changed into a complete 180 degrees. It took him two years till he decided to come out as gay and I had never been proud of him. Our family was guilt-ridden since we didn't notice his changes, he wasn't exactly vocal about it but one reason for that was Simon- that manipulative bastard, was brainwashing him into thinking that we will never accept him for who he is and will force him out of our house.

It was only when I saw him chugging out pills in the middle of the night that I learned of his story. He was taking steroids to male himself have the ideal body for a male, to prevent others from knowing his orientation and wanting to be seen as enough for anyone.

He was sick at that time and he still is but he was making progress and I would always be proud of him for standing on his own two feet and wanting to change.

"You better get me some pictures from the food you'll eat or else I won't fetch you in the airport"

What has also changed is his passion for cooking, the guy who is known for being a disastrous calamity in the kitchen has become a chef- what a life! It seems like a scene from a movie and an excerpt from a novel but it was real life. Until now I still have no idea how the hell he transformed from dark magic-infused cooking to heavenly savory cooking. I don't tell him that though so every time he gives me his creation I would pick on it at first before telling him the real taste, oh I just love to play psychological games with my brother.

"I know! Just drive or we'll be late!" He just snorted but took the suitcase from my hand and put it in the trunk of my car.

I swear he's still like that grumpy boy who always loves to aggravate me and we still have that love and hate relationship together.

...

I've finally landed in New York after an eight-hour flight, I am ready to sleep in a bed. Fortunately, my eyesight was good and I easily moved my way around the sea of people and see Everlyn.

Her strawberry blond hair was locked into a braid, time looked fondly at her for she still looks like that girl that our classmates used to be jealous of in the past. What changed was her attitude towards life, she never tried to make herself look perfect even though she looks so flawless at times, she learned the hard way that there would always be people that would be greater than you. It did somewhat decreased her confidence but she soon found it in the form of love, one that her partner continuously advocates. 

Shuren is of Asian descent paired with white pearly teeth and eyes slanted making him look more fierce alongside his muscular build. In all honesty, he's the most softhearted guy I've ever met, he also has a passion for cooking and loves to pamper Everlyn.

"Looking good huh?" Just by seeing her plump cheeks and the bright eyes, she decides I can see that she was happy.

"Selene! I missed you so much!" She didn't lose her action of always hugging me to death I assume.

"Okay love, Selene looks like she's about to suffocate" Shuren, thank you for getting your fiance's claw out of my airways.

She just glared at him and proceeds to chat to me about the things that would happen in their wedding, their wedding bands and her wedding dress, the bouquet and the place their wedding would take place and so many more. Ultimately I didn't finish hearing her story and just fell asleep the moment I step into the car.

Tomorrow would be the day where I would travel to New York and by Friday, well start the bachelorette party.

***
Chapter 59 is up! Hope you like this everyone!

Stay safe and healthy! Have a great day!

Make sure to VOTE. COMMENT. SHARE.

Thank you!