birthday

Chapter 8: again

Api tip-toed down the narrow stairs to the ground floor. Muffled but hostile voices echoed into the hallway.

Blaze sighed. It was nearly 12 am and they still wouldn't stop. His brothers had all slipped out of their respective rooms and went to the kitchen for a talk.

Tok Aba was there, of course, to make sure things didn't go haywire. Ais had thought Blaze was asleep, or at least in a half- conscious state, and had followed their other brothers.

The talk was regarding Solar's behavior. Tok Aba was severely disappointed in him. Blaze didn't get why he couldn't be part of the talk. I mean, yes, he did forget them, but he was getting his memory back steadily!

They still don't trust me, he thought to himself angrily. Whatever. He could eavesdrop pretty easily, he didn't know if it was a skill he gained in the hospital or something he always had.

The others were all consumed by frustration to notice as Blaze crept in a not so sneaky way. They somehow still didn't notice. Maybe the floorboards were always creaky? He didn't know, when yet another memory hit him.

Blaze was young, 9 years old. Ais had a bad day, being bullied by some people due to his weight. Obviously Blaze had scared them off, no one could bully his twin except him.

He could hear Ais sniffling in his room, and figured he might want some snacks, even though it was 3 am. Snacks made everything better sometimes.

Thus, in the middle of the night, Blaze sneaked into the kitchen and stole Mentos, Kit-Kats, Lays and some Cokes.  He wobbled holding them together, not wanting his other brothers to wake up. Or Tok Aba, too. He'd be in A LOT of trouble if they caught him.

Anyways, he managed to get back to his room without any incidents. He thought he saw Solar's silhouette right before the door closed, but decided it was his skittish mind playing tricks on him.

“Air! I got you some snacks!” He cheered brightly, tossing them onto his bed and walking over to Ais. “Api?” Ais looked up with a tear-streaked face, confused. His puzzlement morphed into anger.

“HOW DOES THAT HELP?!” Ais yelled. Blaze felt betrayed. He had gone through all that trouble just for Ais to get angry at him. Wasn’t Ais supposed to be mature? “Hey! It took me a lot of trouble to get them!” He yelped defensively, flinging his arms to the snacks.

Ais slapped his arm away. Owwwwww. Blaze got really mad. “What did you do that for?” He asked grumpily, massaging his sore arm. “How will eating more snacks solve my weight problem? In fact, it makes it worse. Gosh, you’re so dumb, Api!” Ais snarled, clenching his fists.

”API!” Gempa roared, storming into the room. “IT’S 2 AM AND WE HAVE A MISSION TOMORROW. JUST SHUT UP AND STOP BOTHERING AIR!” He yelled angrily.

”FINE! I was trying to be nice but some people don’t appreciate it.” Blaze scowled, feeling guilty inwardly. “Ais, you can sleep with me tonight, I have an extra mattress, bring your stuff.” Gempa offered, his expression changing as he turned to Ais, concerned. Blaze felt horrible.

After Ais left, he broke down. He was stupid and useless.

Everything he did, even with good intentions, would end up as a vacuum for disaster.

Why?

Maybe it was a way of the Lord above telling him he has no purpose in life.

He should just stop.

Stop living. No- he should stay strong. He kept his promise to Ais that he would never leave him. Even if it might hurt them more.

A lot had changed in the months, though. They’d joined TAPOPS and the brothers started growing apart. Blaze called it BSU, Before the Start Up. BSU every night the brothers would gather around, chatting animatedly.