Ripping Ties

Chapter 1

The Hedgehog Dilemma. A very common reason as to why people are lonely. It's a metaphor which is about a group of hedgehogs who all seek to become close to one another in order to share heat during the cold climate, but as to perform that, they would be hurting one another with their sharp spines in the embrace. In simpler terms, the more you intend to get closer to someone, you'll hurt them more and more... And my whole life literally encircles that metaphor.

My whole life had been full of horrible farewells from friends and families. Some died like my uncle who died in a mugging incident, while protecting my birthday gift from the thieves. And some just left, either with pained smiles or with a sour taste in my mouth due to spite. The worst of all, I couldn't even say that any of these moments managed to teach me a lesson in life. Well, if I had to list one, I'd say it's the lesson of the Hedgehog Dilemma and how my life will become horrible again if I become soft again...

But... The day when I became soft again...I didn't expected it to come so early at the end of my high school days.

It was approaching Christmas and the results from the entrance exams at my choice of college had been plastered on the bulletin board for the whole population to see. I was in my winter attire. You know? That stereotypical large and cushiony jacket with a scarf that a certain Doctor would wear. My snow boots were digging through the snow sheet near the board, I was feeling nervous as I scanned the poster once more for my name... It wasn't there. Again...

I left a heavy sigh, thankfully no one was beside me to watch me feel dread inside. It was early... Too early, like four-thirty in the morning. It was school day, so I had to get up early. I picked up my bag and continued walking away from the board. But as I went away, I heard a faint call for my name behind me. I looked back to see an incoming snowball coming for me! I shielded the attack with my arm, but sadly that was just the decoy. The real attack was heading below me. Directly to my shin, a robust kick broke my balance thus making me fall on my bottom upon the cold snow.

A playful giggle... No, I'd say it's a bad guy's stereotypical 'mwhahaha' but the voice was too shrill and sugary it came off as a giggle. It came right in front of me, and I knew it was a classmate of mine, Mariah 'Maya' Ferron. She's an athlete and would always try to beat me up and say it's her way of greeting... As example, that snowball distraction and then the follow-up shin-kick.

"Hahahaha! Hey don't be so upset. Lighten up, Gabe!" she said with such enthusiasm it's pouring out of her grin. She extended a hand for me, which I took, and helpfully dusted off the snow on my clothes.

"Yeah, I should really put a bell on you like the three blind mice did to the cat," I said with a sarcastic voice, but I think she didn't noticed that as she just giggled in reply.

I quickly tried walking away but that only gave the impression for her to follow me on the way to school, St. Germaine's Academy of Sciences, or simply SGAS, which was the only 'prestigious' school I could get into as a stepping stool for my choice of college.

"Hey! What were you doing earlier at that college signboard?" she said, trying to open up a conversation.

She's pretty much one of the top-notch blabbermouths at school, always chatting to and from school with other annoying blabbermouths too. I spaced out, having a conversation with my thoughts, practically ignoring Maya's query.

As I woke up from my mind palace, Maya's incessant questions and pestering calls were already piling up in my ears. "Hey, hey!! Gabby~! Are you awake?! I'm asking you a question! Be a gentleman and answer this cutesy princess' question~!!"

I continued to ignore this noisy little girl, either because she'd just ask more if I entertained her, or probably because—

"Oh! We're already here!" she shouted, stopping all her chatter and pester. "And we still have an hour to spare before classes starts," she said as she observed the giant clock in the middle of our campus, which was SGAS's pride and joy. "Wanna eat with me at the cafeteria or are you just gonna ignore me again?"