Behind Those Eyes | Aonung (Enemies to Lovers)

3. lessons

"So, now what? If we go back, Dad's gonna know you guys got into a fight."

Kiri's voice trailed off as she glanced at her siblings.

Both of her brothers sustained bruises and scratches on their bodies.

"Why were they bothering you, Kiri?" Katiya asked, her eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"I don't know..." She shrugged. "I was just looking at the sand and then one of them started making fun of me. That's when Loak came in."

"Freaks," Katiya spat.

She would make sure they paid for their actions if they touched her sister again.

"That's... what they called me too." Kiri sighed as she rubbed her arm.

"Oh, Kiri," Katiya frowned and embraced her sister. "Let's not kid ourselves. You're nothing like them. Besides, I think we can all agree they're hybrids of a sharp-horned ram and a tree-swinging prolemuris. Very hideous to look at."

The sadness in Kiri's eyes disappeared as she giggled. "Yeah, the guy you punched does have widespread eyes and odd-looking teeth."

Katiya wrapped her arm around Kiri's shoulder as her lips curled into a smile.

"Those skxawngs don't even know how to fight," Loak murmured, shaking his head in disappointment.

"Come on, let's go," Neteyam said, wiping his busted lip clean and pushing his brother forward gently.

As they walked along the shoreline, they passed Tsireya and two other girls.

"Hey," Loak greeted her, provoking a giggle from her while she covered her mouth.

The sight of this made Katiya roll her eyes.

On their first day, her brother was already making love eyes at a girl, specifically the Olo'eyktan's daughter.

A fast-moving Jake caught her attention up ahead as he approached them. She knew from his expression that they were about to get an earful from him.

"Tell me why I had to hear from one of Aonung's friends about a fight?" Jake hissed quietly, trying not to draw attention to them.

The siblings exchanged nervous glances as their father let out a heavy sigh.

"Come with me, now," Jake commanded, his eyes flitting from his sons, Katiya, and then Kiri. "Kiri, go and find your mother."

"What?" She stared at him in disbelief. "Why? I was the reason—"

"Go, now. Please." He said sternly, resting his hands on his hips.

"Fine." She sighed in frustration and stomped away.

Then he turned his attention back to his oldest daughter and his two sons. "You three, come with me."

Katiya rolled her eyes, causing Neteyam to lightly tap her elbow to stop her. Annoyed, she reluctantly followed after her father along with her brothers inside their Marui.

" What happened to staying out of trouble, huh?" Jake shook his head in disappointment. "Was that too much to ask?!"

"Dad, Aonung, and his friends called Kiri a freak. They were making fun of her," Loak explained.

Running his hands through his hair, Jake pursed his lips in frustration. "At most, we've been here for barely a minute and you picked a fight with the Chief's son."

"Sir, it was my fault," Neteyam licked his lip as he stepped between Loak and Jake. "I should have—"

"I don't think so! You've gotta stop taking the heat for this knucklehead," Jake shook his head as he pointed at Loak.