A Trip Down Memory Lane

Chapter Sixteen: I'm Jealous?

POV: Annika

Hmm... It's almost an hour since they went outside. I crept into the window of our room upstairs to see what's going on but... it's too dark.

Oh wait, they coming back. I rushed downstairs and I saw them entered the main door, laughing together.

Eh? What's going on? Earlier, Dad is furious at Zieg. But now, they're in good terms? Boys are weird!

I drew near to them. I checked their faces, both arms and their whole body if there's something wrong. Who knows, maybe they fist fought.

"What are you doing?" Zieg asked irritably.

"Ah, nothing. What happened out there?"

But Zieg only gave me a simple reply, "Boys talk."

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

POV: Zieg

Uncle Nikolai, Nika's father, is really a cool guy. He's a different person now. We can laugh and tell stories with each other. I'll tell you, the incident earlier is now our laughingstock!

I learned that he's into basketball too! No surprise from his tall built, his height will be a waste if he didn't utilize it in the sport dominated by the giants. We watched basketball games together while the girls went upstairs to get some rest.

All night, we just shared our life stories together. He loves to talk and talk and talk. It's already late when I realized that we have a class the next day. My sleeping pattern is ruined once again. But it's okay.

During our conversation, I learned so many things about them. His wife, Annie, and he were used to be college buddies and eventually married together. They first settled in the southern suburban district of this town, Celestia.

Their first years went well. Uncle got a decent managerial job while Annie managed their home. Finally, Annika was born, rose properly and went to school. Everything is smooth and fine not until Nika's mom was diagnosed with leukemia. As Uncle elaborated what they've been through during those times, I thought I can relate to them. The struggles, sacrifice, pain, despair and devastation of losing someone is so unbearable especially to Nika. At a young age, she got exposed to that situation. No wonder she thought 'that something unthinkable'.

After Nika got an accident, Uncle decided to move in the Metro for good. Thankfully, she was able to recover from the wounds she got, and importantly to the trauma it made. Oh, that explains why I saw Suzy panicked the other night. It is because, according to her, Nika's PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) attacked her once again.

The next thing I learned is that Nika got scouted by her talent agency when she was in fifth grade. She used this opportunity in order to divert herself from her troubled past. And look at her now, an idol that everyone loves, though she's now in hiatus.

Uncle, on the other hand, is now a local branch manager of a well-established bank. He got promoted as an executive officer in a sole branch of their company in Japan. He is planning to accept it, but Nika still has no idea about this.

That is also the reason why he agreed immediately when Nika asked him to take a break for a while from show business and stay here. He didn't have any relative left to take good care of Nika if he's on Japan, and the best option is in here, with Uncle John and Aunt Susan.

The next day morning. // 12-2A's Homeroom.

I yawned.

Nika noticed, "Geez, you still sleepy? And your Psych assignment is still not done? What are you doing last night?"

Huh? Blame your talkative father! Haha. Just kidding.

"I had a great conversation with Uncle. I didn't track down time so..."

"Eghh? Are you too now close (friend)?"

"A little," I responded.

"After all, what happened?"

"Yeah. After all."

POV: Annika

Spell U-N-F-A-I-R! Zeig just slept the whole day in most of our classes. And take note of this, our teachers knew about it. But they just ignored him!

"Yow! You literally slept the whole day. How come our teachers didn't notice?" I asked. We were on our way to the bus stop, going home.

"I bribed them," He said in a serious tone. I know he's kidding. Let's ride along.

"Woah! Where did you get the money?"

"Uhm... I robbed a bank the other night. Shhh.."

"You are the worst! I'll call the police." I acted that I got out my phone.

"No! Stop! I'll give you the half. Be quiet." He whispered.

"Okay. Done deal."

And we giggled together. We tried our best not cause a scene because of that. I heard a schoolmate of ours in our right side said, "They are weird and high AF!"

I don't blame her. For us, it's normal. To them it's weird. There is a saying that 'true friends act weird together'. I'm living in that saying.

Finally, the bus arrived.

"Bye. Take care." He said.

"Wait.... You're not going?"

"Nah. Not now. I have to attend practice. I missed so many practices lately. I have to catch up."

"Is that so? Bye-bye. See you later!"

"Bye-bye. You take care."

I went inside the bus and seated coincidentally to where Zieg standing outside. I waved at him, "Good luck!". The bus was slowly departing. I teased him one last time, "DON'T SLEEP!"

An hour later. // HOME

"Daddy! I'm hoooome!"

I saw Dad came out from the guest room, went near me and hugged me.

"Dear, how's school?"

"It's fine Dad. Sometimes it's hard but it is fun also!"

"Nice. I hope you are enjoying your school. Good luck."

"Of course, I do Dad."

"Oh wait, where's Zieg? I thought you are classmates."

"Yeah, Dad. But they have to practice now.... Wait, Dad? I thought you are mad at him?"

"Huh? No, I'm not. We already talked about it and it was settled."

"Just like that? That's good then."

"I found him interesting. We kinda have common interests and I can feel he's a nice guy. And besides... you know I always wanted to have a son."

Wait, whaaaat? Is he serious? I don't know what to say. -_-

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

The next day, Saturday...

Yes, it's weekend! It means father and I will have more time together. I went to his room, but there's no one there. I asked Suzy, who is busy preparing our breakfast, where father goes.

"Hmm. I think I saw him with Zieg. I think they will play basketball in the court?"

Aaw. I'm disappointed, "Eh? Why did they leave me?"

"Huh, why? Do you play too?" Suzy asked.

I walked out from that scene and went upstairs. Why is this happening? I'm pissed to what is going on. He's my father, and we don't see each other for a long time, but he is now spending his time to that guy - egh, Zieg. Hmmp! Let them be! I don't care!!!

�tuP�U.