Zaid finds himself in front of Aurelius High after receiving a news that his brother died. He's not ordinary. He's a prodigy. He wanted to take the case on his own hands, and he achieved it. Now, he's acting as an undercover detective to solve his b...
"Kuya? Where are you going?" Ginulo niya ang buhok ko bago lumuhod sa harap ko.
"Kuya needs to attend school." School? Nag-s-school naman siya pero hindi naman madami yung bags niya dati. I glared at him.
"I'm not stupid Zain. Tell me," I hissed. Ayaw ko yung nit-treat ako parang isang bata. Everyone knows I'm not an ordinary kid. He's making me look stupid.
"Hahaha! I'm serious Zaid. I'm going to school. And! I'll be living in a dorm!" He's happy. Hindi ko maiwasan malungkot. I'm not sad because he's happy. I'm sad because I think he's leaving.
"You're leaving me?" I asked in disbelief. Si kuya lang ang kakampi ko sa lahat ng bagay. Siya ang nakakaintindi sa'kin sa lahat! His smile slowly faded but he kept forcing to. "You are," I said with full assurance. I couldn't hide the bitterness in my voice.
"Zaid, wag naman ganyan. This is my last chance to prove my worth... and you know that." He smiled again. Now I understand. I understand why he needs to leave but something inside me still doesn't understand him.
"Just... leave." I removed his hand on my shoulder and ran up towards my room. I walked towards the corner and just stared at it. Tears started to roll down my cheeks.
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"Don't make the same mistake your brother did. I'm expecting more from you Zaid."
"Yes, Dad. I know." I was about to end, but he suddenly called my name.
"Take care," he added.
"I know." I hid my phone and stared at the school in front of me. It really looks prestigious from the outside. I wonder if it's the same on the inside. I started walking around it.
Stone walls, similar to Harry Potter's Hogwarts. It definitely looks sturdy. If I'm not mistaken, it withstood three 7.5 magnitude earthquakes. Pointy roofs. I don't know what for. Huge glasses all around the school. I can't see what's inside. It seems that they have covered it with red velvet curtains.
I stopped. I'm already at the entrance. A huge banner greeted me while entering.
'Welcome to Aurelius High! A school worth to remember!'
I half-smiled.
Definitely worth to remember.
"Hi!" An American looking dude stopped in front of me. "I'm Lluke!" I blankly stared at him. We looked at each other for three more seconds before I walked pass him.
"Wtf? Weirdo! Wait up!" I groaned. He caught up and blocked my way again. We both stopped walking. "Hi!" He greeted again. Is he crazy?
"What do you want from me?" I asked. He laid his hand in front of me. Ah. He's asking for friendship. "Give me five reasonable statements why I should shake your hand." I smirked.
"Seriously?!" He scratched his head. "One, I can read you. Two, I can help you. Three, I kind of know you? Four, you resemble someone. Five, I can blackmail you."
"Makes sense." I shook his hand. He smiled widely. Creepy. I let go and started walking again, but this time he's by my side.
"You're... Zain's brother." My pace slowed down. My heart began beating fast. What the fuck does he know? I directed him towards some place where no people are around.
"Yo, where are we go--uhmph!" I grabbed him by the neck and locked him on the wall.
"Tell me everything," I ordered. He nodded. I let go. "Now," I added. He thought we were leaving.
"O-Okay! Chill! Zain's my friend." His eyes started to swell up. I couldn't help but to scoff.
"I wonder what kind of friend you are. Will you fight for me or leave me hanging? You know, I'm starting to regret shaking that filthy hand of yours." A tear escaped from his eye. He shook his head in disapproval. I pulled my luggage and headed towards the door.
"I h-have a brother. He's the same age as you, b-but that fam of mine is way more better than you, and me, in every way. I'm planning to introduce you to him once we get out of here..." he trailed off. I stared at him.
"Alive." He forced a smile. "He loves you so much." He wiped the tears off of his face. The aura got heavy when his face suddenly turned serious.
"Zain predicted that you will come." My brows furrowed. How did he know? We were separated for 4 years. He knows me that much?
"Zaid will come. I know how hard-headed he is so don't try to send him home. It's useless. Promise me one thing Lluke, protect Zaid. P-Protect my brother." I closed my eyes to prevent tears from falling. But when I did, I saw him. My brother. Even in my mind he's still smiling.
"Where's his dorm?" Lluke looked at me surprised. "What?" I asked with brows furrowed. He forced another smile.
"M-Medyo malakas ka nga hehe. Normally, p-people would cry." He stood up and grabbed his things.
"Who said I'm normal?" A playful smile crept on my face. Lluke led me to Zain's dormitory. It's actually inside the school. I don't know if you still call it a dorm. I coughed after opening the door of Zain's room. I covered my nose and my eyes squinted.
"Sorry if it's dusty. No one dared to touch any of his belongings since everyone wanted to preserve his memories." I roamed my eyes around the room.
I need to start now.
"Leave me alone."
"What?" He looks confused. I glared at him.
"I said leave."
"O-Okay." He immediately ran away. I grabbed my luggage and grabbed the things I needed.
Mask. Gloves. Sealed plastics. And jars.
"You really did expect me, didn't you... brother," I said while looking at a notebook on top of his desk. A sticky note was on top of it.
'Thank you for coming Zaid. I trust you on this one.'
