The Difference Between Us

{8} Ayo knows

L O G A N

It has been months since I joined this school and it's been good so far. Who knew this school taught martial arts and combat techniques? Well technically it is for self defense against any potential kidnappers of any kind like and especially Maru. That man is a serial killer and a S-ranked kidnapper who has always escaped any police. His last appearance was at Beastgrovia, where I grew up, and that was four years ago. No one knows where and when he would strike again, no one knows where he is hiding. No one except...

"Focus!"

Phyllis's voice cut me out of my thoughts. Right now we are in self defense class and I am sparring against Phyllis. It is a weapon fight and she is not going easy on me with her giant needles. The needles are originally supposed to be coated with poison but it was against the rules and I'm sure Phyllis does not want to kill anybody. My weapon is a dagger, I was trained with it back in Beastgrovia with Nata for the same reason of self defense.

Our teacher, Principal Kamile, was a strict man and used various methods to teach us so, these lessons were a warm up exercise to me.

Melee training was over and we changed from combat wear to our normal clothes. I don't change with the others to hide the numerous scars on my body so I usually wait till they are done or I change in the showers. While I was changing today, Ayo barged in unexpectedly. Out of reflex, I closed my left green eye. I had removed my contacts because I wanted to have a shower.

If Ayo found out about my identity, he would never talk to me again and he would tell the others about it too. We had formed a bro bond that I didn't want to break, he is my brother and closest friend and I don't wanna lose him.

I heard him gasp upon seeing my bare chest, it was full of scars and injuries inflicted on me, not by accidents but by one man, my father.

"Logan... the hell happened to you?!" He practically screamed but I quickly draped my hands over his mouth to stop him from screaming further. His breathing suddenly became hitched and his eyes widened as he looked into mine...

Shit.

...he saw my green and blue eyes, the ones that singled me out for torture in a crowd. My hands weakly dropped to my sides as I watched him struggle for words. He was shocked, confused and what I dreaded of the most, afraid of me...of my father...of my identity.

"Y-y-you're...you're...freaking shit." He stuttered and started moving away from me. I hated it, I hated every bit of it. I was used to this but it felt worse coming from my best friend.

All my life, I was ignored, maltreated, disgusted, hated, malnourished, treated like a monster. I had no friends, mothers cautioned their children to stay clear of me, I was arrested and kept in custody for no reason, egged, spat on, but nothing hurt more than seeing the person that had come closest to a brother to me being afraid of me, judging me for my identity and not who I am.

"Ayo..." I tried appealing but he just ran away from me.

He ruined my life again, my father ruined my life again.

I wore my clothes and contacts and went to class. I couldn't even make up an excuse to Mrs Moegi for coming late to class but she let me in anyway. I looked around, Ayo was not in class.

"Do you know of Mr Adams' whereabouts?" She asked for Ayo but I solemnly shook my head. Today is the worst day of my life.

***
Ayo came to school the next day but he avoided me at all costs. He changed from the goofy yet genius person he is to a moody and aggressive person. I couldn't help but think that it had something to do with my father.

"What's up with him?! You two aren't talking to each other like usual." Shelia asked from beside me. She's my girlfriend now (long story, tell you later) but I wonder if she will continue be when she finds out too.

I shrugged in denial and lied that I have no idea why my best bro turned on me in twenty four hours.

***

It has been a week since Ayo found out and I'm really surprised he has not told anyone about me yet. He still ignores me and treats me like I'm invisible but I'm curious as to why he didn't expose my secret or express his hatred openly.

-
I stirred on my bed again as I willed myself to wake up from my nightmare. It was always the same, it was always of him. I sighed as I went to the kitchen to get myself a cup of warm milk, my insomnia was kicking in again. I've always been like that though. Sleeping early and waking up around midnight or as early as 3:00am like a snake is normal for me but it is because of this insecurity I feel.

Let's calm down, he can't find you here.

I calmed myself down and changed into jogging clothes. I know it's midnight and too early/late to jug but I just want to do it. It is the perfect time to listen to the silence and release your heartache so I did. I locked my door and threw my keys in my pocket. I didn't plug in earphones because I wanted to listen to the crickets and bats out there.

I did not know how far I went until I bumped into someone. Without looking into the person's eyes, I apologized and jogged away. Hold it, it's midnight... Who in the world other than me is crazy enough to go on a jog at this time?!

I turned back and I saw the least person I expected to see.

Okay, scratch that.

It's kinda expected.

The only person as crazy as me was none other than...
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****
And that's why it's called a cliff hanger!

Who do you think it is? It's pretty obvious the answer though.

Don't forget to vote if you liked the chapter and comment on anything you wish to say. Oh and follow me too, I don't bite.

Merry Christmas in arrears to everybody.

Bye!

-★Star