Blue Flower

Chapter 56

-Naomi-

Despite the beauty of the chandelier hanging above me, it would never sear the pain I feel right now. That night happened in such a rush that I’m having a hard time rewinding it in my mind. I wonder where Chester is right now, knowing that my brother took me home. I hope he left the apartment and went back to his family. There’s nothing left us there, not even a single reason to stay. Or maybe he stayed for another few days and had fun kissing Clarisse’s lips.

Clarisse.

The image of them kissing in front of me only brought more pain, and I could never forgive them for it. Chester’s explanation didn’t make sense to me until I saw Noah and I was brought back here. Now I wanted to hear more from him, but knowing that he’s out of my reach, I gave up and just waited for every boring day to pass.

Noah grounded me for almost a week now. My absences in school were getting longer. My phone was confiscated, and even talking to Hera wasn’t allowed. It almost felt like hell inside my room, living in the boundary of four-cornered walls with no proper air to breathe, and space that seems to shrink every time I wake up from sleep. If I won’t turn out into a claustrophobic, I was meant to become a psycho. It was more than suicide to be away from him. I could never pull up that pregnancy stunt again, much worse to pretend that I’m sick, just to get out of here. My only solace was drawing on my sketch pad, but I was overwhelmed when the pages were running out.

My brother came in my room to check on me. I got up from my bed and coldly stared at him. He sat on the edge of my bed and tried on a friendly tone when he spoke.

“Are you okay?”

Duh. Isn’t it obvious? I’m stuck in this place, so how I would be okay? “Are you trying to make me laugh?”

“I’m talking to you seriously?”

“And I’m giving you serious answers.” I said.

His jaw clenched at my sudden show of attitude. I stood up and walked around the room.

“I have to go out today. I’ll buy a new sketch pad.” I said, scanning my pouch for some money. I was lucky to find a couple of bucks.

“I’ll just let your sister buy it for you.”

I glared at him. “Like seriously? How long are you going to keep me here? If you plan to do that forever, I may be good as dead!” I yelled.

“You’re still grounded, okay? And I know you’d be looking for your gay boyfriend. I know your mind better than you do, Naomi.”

“He’s not gay. And since you already said that, I might as well ask this. Can’t you get over about your best friend who confessed to you ten years ago? My god, he’s so damn hot for a gay. What’s his name again?” I said sarcastically.

This one thing he never wanted to go back. It affected him more than any of his failures in life. His features contorted into an expression of anger. He threw one of my picture frames on the wall which made me flinch slightly.

“One more word or I’ll shut you dead.”

Fear didn’t drop by at my feet, so I continued with this silly little game.

“One more word? I’ve got four. You’re a stupid man.”

He rushed to my place and slapped me so hard. I touched my painful cheek and looked at him with teary eyes.

“Damn you.” I uttered.

“Don’t try me, my dear sister, if you want to breathe the next day.”

His threat silenced me from speaking. I never saw him this mad before, and now that it’s right in front of my eyes, I guess I could say I really don’t know him at all.

He left the room and closed the door without waiting for my answer.