HALF

20 | mask

I let out an exasperated sigh as soon as I came out of the shower. What a crazy day. Amara brought all of my homework and my backpack to my room earlier when I wasn't in the house. She has a spare key since it belongs to her parents. I wore my pajamas and wrapped my hair in a towel. This time, I wore snoopy pajamas. The bell rang and I hurried to it.

"So uh, about what happened today, Taylor explained." Kyran rushed in, kicked off his shoes, and went upstairs.
What is up with people??

"Why are you here?" I asked. I was shocked to see Kyran after what happened today. His clothes were changed and his hair was wet.

"Just bored." He said in a simple voice.

I sat on the ground. "Okay, then. Go hang out with your brother."

"Sleeping at a friend's house." This time, he brought his arms up and covered his eyes. He yawned and fell to his side. "I'm tired. Let me sleep here tonight."

I curled my lip and walked to the kitchen. "Do you want something to drink?" I opened the fridge and grabbed milk.

"No," he called from the couch as I close the fridge. When I turned around, the trash can was filled with waste. I tied it and carried it out the kitchen.

"I'll be back. I'm throwing out the trash."

He didn't answer. Wow, he wasn't kidding when he said he was tired. I dragged the bag outside and threw it in the bin. I heard shouting and it came from the Knights'.

Kyran's father, Warren flung open the door and Mary came out following him. "My son is missing and the police is not doing anything!" shouted Warren.

Mary tried to calm down Warren but he was out of it. He was huffing. I know I shouldn't be listening, but my feet wouldn't move.

"Honey, calm down. You're gonna wake up the neighbors." said Mary.

"Kyran should've never brought him to the bowling alley. And now, he's nowhere to be seen. Because if that damn kid, we lost our real son."
  
"Honey, Kyran is our kid."
  
"No, he's not. He's just that damn guy's kid who left him with us!"
  
Mary shushed him and wrapped her arms around his waist and helped him get back inside.
  
Dan is missing?

I walked back inside and quietly closed the front door. I trudged my way upstairs and continued until I reached Kyran. He was sleeping at his side with his hands as a pillow under his head. I sat down on the carpet and looked at him.
  
Now that I've got a closer look, his cheek was red. Warren... He couldn't have... Kyran was slapped and it was red all over. I lightly touched it and he flinched but his eyes weren't open. Kyran, are you adopted...? I remember that Amara told me about Kaliho.

I rushed to my bedroom, grabbed it out of my bag, and back out in front of Kyran.

I didn't know what to do. What if he wakes up? Forget it. I'm gonna do it. I'll risk it. I opened the cap of Kaliho and grabbed some on my fingers. It felt like ointment.

I took a deep breath and smeared it on Kyran's cheek. He didn't move so that's good. I began to expand it and gently spread it on him. Soon, I was done. I closed the cap.

"It stings," I jumped a bit when he muttered.

"A-ah, sorry..." He opened his eyes and gazed at me. I turned away from him.

"Thanks, but it's your turn."

I turn to him, again. "What do you mean?" He directs his eyes to my left shoulder. "You should put some - whatever that's called - on that before it gets worst." He got to his feet and walked to the top of the stairs. "I'll be going. Good night." He took a step forward.

Without thinking, I spoke, "You can stay here if you want..."

He stopped at the steps. I heard him inhale then exhale. "I heard about Dan... I'm sorry." I was going to ask another question but I stopped myself.

"He was missing last night, if you're gonna ask that." He said, not turning around.

"Is that why you were late?" I began to get up and walk over to him.

He slightly nodded. "Yes. It's all my fault."

I shook my head and touched his shoulder. "No, it's not." But he still didn't turn around.

"If only I didn't bring him there, he wouldn't have gone missing. I wouldn't even be like this and I wouldn't even be at your house right now." He lowered his head and his eyelashes fell into his cheeks.

"Please don't. You'll be able to find him."

"But he just turned thirteen. He acts like like he's welcomed into a world of teen age but he doesn't know what it really is." He finally turned his body around. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you any of this."

His face brightened. "But say, did you say I can stay? Nice!" He hopped and plopped on the couch.

There's so much behind that happy expression.