UNWRITTEN

02

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Lemon Garden

A G N È S

Tick... Tock... Tick... I had counted a total of three thousand and six hundred clicks from the second hand on my watch. Frustration engulfed my entire being, reminding me of the impatience that often plagued me.

Today was the annual beach party that Papa Yuichi and his family threw. It's the only event where both the east and the west side of the island come together and have some twisted version of peace. Smokers and Rumblers alike appear and try to act civilly.

Another annual tradition is that my family can never make it there on time. One year we were late because mum couldn't decide on what she would wear. Last year mum and Noe got into a big argument because mom believes Noe needs to get married soon, while Noe insists that love isn't real and he's not going to partake in anything doomed to fail. This year...

"Oh God! Noe!" A moan echoed over to my room before it quickly got muffled. A repeated event over the past hour. Since mum went on a trip yesterday, Noe invited some woman over. I forgot her name, mainly because I've learned that I do not need to remember it. Noe has never been with the same woman twice, so anyone he lets me meet was never anyone worth noting.

I sighed softly as I got up from my bed. Noe was my ride and he'd get mad if I went to the beach without him, especially since the beach was mainly on the east side of the island. I brought out my green parfois beach bag and started packing the things I needed. Mine and Noe's sunscreen, sunglasses, some snacks I had made and other essentials.

I put on my green and white checkered bikini and waited for the pounding to come to an end. I've always cursed mom for putting me in a room right next to Noe's when we live in a twenty four room mansion. She had some idea that it would bring us closer if we lived in close proximity. She wasn't wrong, Noe was my best friend but his lifestyle was one I'd love to remain nescient to.

As I approached his door, I slowly raised my hand before I put it down again. Instead, I cleared my throat and started kicking at his door. "Noe! Get the fuck up! We're late! If I miss out on all the food, I'll never talk to you again!" I yelled as I kept kicking at his door. There was rustling on the other side of the door as I kept kicking. My next kick never met its target as the door opened up.

On the other side was a tall redhead, sheepishly looking at me with a soft smile. The only thing she was wearing was Noe's shirt. "Good morning Agnès, I... I'm just going to go take a shower." She mumbled before rushing off to the bathroom, struggling to find the right door. I made no effort to help her as I walked into Noe's room with my arms crossed. Noe glanced at me as he walked over to the window.

"You look a mess." I snarled at him. He chuckled as he took his cigarettes, putting one in his mouth. "You seem tense, big head, maybe you should get someone to look a mess with." He teased as he lit his cigarette. I groaned in frustration at how unbothered my brother was, sitting there and inhaling his cancer stick.

"You're such a dick Noe! If you're not going to get ready, I'm leaving without you!" I yelled as I glared at him. Noe blew a puff of smoke out of the window as he ran his hand through his messy brown hair. Just from watching the side of his face, it was clear he was getting irritated.

"Fine... Give me twenty minutes and we'll go, alright?"

All I could do was scoff before I turned on my heel. I walked out of his room, bumping into his lady friend. I barely wanted to acknowledge her, but there was no need to be rude so I gave her a smile. "I love your bikini Agnès." She said, warranting absolutely no response from me. But suddenly I heard my mum's voice ringing through my head, scolding me for being impolite. "Thank you."