"Where my future leads, I don't know. But if you're not there, I don't want to go."
~Unknown
My family has the tradition of "Come from your own kind, stick to your own kind". Meaning my family has only been married and procreated with full-blooded Europeans. Non-Europeans weren't allowed in our family. If one were to be in a relationship with a non-European, they were separated immediately or, for worst cases, they would disown you. I know this seems like a strict and inhumane tradition but it is only way to preserve our "gifts", the gifts of the eternal youth and regeneration. We are like vampires but the differences are we don't need to suck blood and we could die by a stab in the heart by a silver object. Luckily, only few have been victims in our family and we still stand strong. The gift could be passed on to another full-blooded European by consummation with a family member and could be removed by consummation with a non-European.
Our family is so populous and ancient that we build a clan named "Dixeritis", Latin for "Godspeed" that dated back to circa 1000A.D. and, because of our population, same-sex relationships are accepted here. The clan has 5 leaders and those are the Elders. The Elders are fierce, vicious warriors that don't have mercy and delivers severe punishments to family members that disobey the law they uphold. The Elders are picked by either their age or their position in life. The oldest of the Elders is my great grandfather, Lux, together with my great grandmother, Aldia. Next is my uncle, Shio, together with my godfather, Melio. The youngest is my mother, Vita, who replaced my father, Lexion. My father died when I was 15. He took part in the World War II and got stabbed by a silver dagger to the heart in 1945. I guess you could say my age today is 82 but that is still young in our family. You know what they say, "age is just a number"
But, this is not all about my family; it's about me having a relationship with a young Filipino boy and breaking almost all of our traditions. It's about me facing against my family. It's about me facing the greatest threat yet for the one I hold dear.
My name is Zion De Basco. I'm 5'7, slim body build, lightly tanned skin, blue almond-shaped eyes, long blond hair, naturally small red lips, and a Greek nose. In simplest of terms, I look like the European version of Andrej Pejic, the androgynous male model. I live in 476 Findlay Road, Queensbridge, Birmingham, United Kingdom with my brother, Sine. I'm a bisexual, intrapersonal, piano player who is enrolled at Queensbridge School as a 16 year old 10th grader. Despite my true age, I must keep up appearances. This is my story.
It started on the faithful day of Tuesday, May 1, 2012. I was walking home from school back to my house. School took a very drastic effect on me, it's not that I'm not good at school but it's just that today it seemed that school hates me. Johnny, my best friend, just got hospitalized because of a car accident. Kenneth, my enemy, won't stop lambasting me. Patricia, a close friend and a small time crush, just revealed my secret to the class and we went our separate ways and Mr. Miller, my French teacher, gave me detention for something I haven't done.
Anyway, when I was near home, I bumped into someone. I dropped my books and I fell flat to the ground. I'm already pissed and I don't need this crap right now. I was ready to yell at the person that bumped me until I heard his voice.
"Ay, sorry, sorry, sorry." He said with his native accent. His voice was so low yet so caring.
I observed him, average build, tanned skin, ruffled hair yet intact in a way, a cute celestial nose but what intrigued me the most was his black Asian eyes with black glasses. It seems so hollow and soulless, like a mask
He crouched down and picked up my books. He lent his hand to me and starred at me with genuine concern. I reluctantly grabbed his hand and he helped me stand up. His hands look like it's hard and rough but soft and smooth to touch. I blushed a bit at this action. When I stood up, he stared a bit at my books as he gave it back to me.
"You have school?" He asked like the answer wasn't obvious. I was tempted to tell him how ignorant he is but something inside me just didn't let me say that to him.
"Yes, we have. Why? Don't you have school today?" I said, sounding a bit irritated but not much to what I wanted to.
"No, it's our summer vacation, in the Philippines." I didn't know that. Summer vacation in the Philippines occurs on our last semester. I should ask auntie Hyacinth about that, since she already traveled across the globe learning about cultures of different countries.
"Oh, you're visiting the England with your family?" I replied nonchalantly
"Yes, I was sent here by my parents with my brother to learn culture about a different country. I had a choice of going to Japan or England. I figured I would just get addicted to different gadgets when I'm in Japan, so I picked England." He must be a rich kid. How could he just go to different countries for a culture trip without having the money to travel? Yet, among the rich kids I know, he seems different, not only in the race but something else. I just don't know what it is.
"Oh, my name is Jed Animus by the way." He stops me from my train of thought. He offers me a hand with a warm smile. I took it and shook hands with him, returning the smile.
"Zion De Basco" Why do I suddenly feel comfortable around this guy? I just met him for a few seconds and, yet, here I am, wanting to talk to him.
"Zion, like Mount Zion? Well, nice to meet you Zion." He's done he's homework. Normally, people would just say 'nice to meet you' but he knew the origin of my name that gives me to somewhat admire the guy.
"Nice to meet you too, Jed. Will you be staying somewhere near here?"
"Yes, I will be staying at my auntie's house. Do you know Mrs. Slocombe?" Mrs. Slocombe? The woman I consider my mother in England? Of course yes. So he is the one who I will be seeing for a month.
"Yes, she's like my mother. Do you want me to walk with you?" Wow, what is wrong with me? I suddenly offer him to be escorted to his temporary home.
"Sure, if that's alright with you."
"C'mon, let's go." I'm being too eager today, why?
