THE OTHER ME

CHAPTER 1

-- It was the Year 2074, scientist experimented on almost everything, researched on things they could get their hands on. Countless of epidemics occurred through the past 50 years. Their efforts were not wasted, they created something new that everyone would die for... --

"Ashlin, come on!", Aaron jokingly said and barged into Ashlin's room.

"Hey!", Ashlin shot Aaron a glare and Aaron chuckles.

"Good morning, brother.", Aaron pulls Ashlin's head under his armpit and started rubbing his gelled hair with his fist. "Ow, ow!", Ashlin struggled out of his grasps and smiled as he punches Aaron in the arm.

Aaron rubs his 'wound' with his other arm, "We're leaving!" Father's shout echoed through the stairwell, Ashlin grabs his bag and swings it over his shoulders and they both ran down the stairs. They hopped into the car and drove towards Legin High.

***

Aaron was a 17 year old teenager who was one of the most popular boys in his level, he had a pretty girlfriend named Raisa who was a year younger than him. Ashlin on the other hand was a 14 year old boy was freckles covering his cheeks. He was often bullied because of that and had no friends. Two brothers from the same family but has completely different social life in school...

***

Aaron exitted the car and Ashlin followed behind him, wearing worry on his face.

"Hey," Aaron pats Ashlin's shoulder.

"Why the sad face?" He smiles.

"Don't you know, Aaron, I'm getting bullied, because of this!" Ashlin gestures to his freckled face.

"Everything will change soon, alright? I'll walk you to your class so your bullies know who's boss." Aaron smirks and places his hand around Ashlin's shoulders. As they walk down the hallway, girls stop and stare to look at Aaron, many of them have the same reaction, they start to blush and they fan themselves with their hands.

"Here, Aaron." Ashlin points to his sign on a door that says, '09-03'.

"I'd... better go," Ashlin looks down and walks to the door slowly, he turns the knob and Aaron watches him till he enters his class. Aaron sighs and continue walking down the hallway.

"Hi babe." Aaron felt an arm being placed around his waist, he turns to his left and saw his girlfriend, Raisa.

"Hey Rai." Aaron smiles. Raisa tilts her head to the left, expressing her curiousness.

"Why the sad face?" Rai rubs up and down his back.

"It's nothing." Aaron answers with an assuring smile. Rai replies with a smile of her own.

"Okay, I have to get to class." Rai gives out a smile laugh. Aaron laughs along with her.

"What's so funny?" Rai asks, still laughing.

"Your laugh." Aaron answers and kisses her on the forehead before heading to his own class.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

The ringing bell echos through the hallway filled with students as the principal speaks through the speakers,

"Today marks the end of the entire school year, enjoy your holidays and I'll see you again next year! Happy holidays!" The students cheered. Aaron walked towards his locker and threw his textbooks in there, he closes the locker and sees one of the bullies in his level, leaning against the lockers.

"Aaron, I need to ask you something." Aaron clenched his jaws and looked at Matthew.

"Why do you hang out with that douche?"

"What douche?" Aaron replied without hesitating. Aaron gives a smirk and chuckles sarcastically.

"Someone. Called. Ashlin. Ross." Matthew says through his teeth, he was getting agitated. Aaron rolled his eyes.

"Matthew, what do you want?"

"Yes or no, Aaron?"

"Mat, he's my brother, please."

"Brother?!" Matthew was surprised.

"Oh come on, we both have the same last name."

"Can you be any dumber?" Aaron mumbled under his breath. Matthew placed his hand on his chin, rubbing them. Then he suddenly burst into laughter.

"That freckled boy, your brother?" He laughed.

"If you have nothing else here, I'm going." Aaron rolled his eyes and pushed past Matthew. Matthew grabs Aaron by the arm and stops his movements.

"Aaron, tell freckled boy to watch his back, because I HATE freckled kid, you lucky I didn't bruise that ugly face of his today." Aaron turns and looks into Matthew's blue eyes.

"No Matthew, I have his back, to get to his face, you'll have to go through me." Aaron pulled his arm out of Matthew's grip and continued down the hallway. 

Aaron made his way through the crowd and to the foyer and saw his little brother there.

"Hey!" Aaron smacked Ashlin's arm. 

"You're late!" Ashlin whined and Aaron smiled.

"I know I know, I was held up with something, sorry." 

"Where's Dad?" Ashlin looked around, trying to find a white Rolls-royce. 

"We'll be going out today! You and me, on a date!" Aaron laughed. 

"What really!" Ashlin's face showed excitement.

"What about Raina?" He asked, looking guilty.

"Hey, I told her yesteday already, she's aware. Come on, let's go grab lunch." Aaron pulled Ashlin by the arm and they took a bus to the mall. 

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

"This beef is good!" Ashlin said with his face stuffed. Aaron couldn't help but smile. It really brought him joy to see his little brother happy. 

"Wanna get ice cream?" Aaron suggested. 

"I'm kind of broke... I forgot to ask money from Dad." Ashlin's voice full of disappointment. 

"I'll treat!" Aaron beemed and he placed his wallet on the table. Just then, someone wearing a black hoodie and black jeans ran past their table, taking Aaron's wallet with him. 

"HEY!" Aaron shouted, "Come on, Ashlin!" Ashlin left his half eaten steak on his plate and ran out of the restaurant, chasing the thief. 

"HEY, STOP!" Aaron shouted through the mall but no one tried to stop the thief, they simply just walked by. The thief exited the mall and ran through a busy road, he crosses it just as the light turned red. 

"Ashlin, come on!" Aaron shouted and dashed across the road with Ashlin following behind. The cars horned at them but they were too busy with the chase to take any notice. The thief tripped over the pavement and fell flat onto the ground, Aaron pinned him down and snatched his wallet out of his hands. He flipped the thief around and a gasp of horror escaped.