Rewriters [Completed]

Chapter 9: A Name to Uphold

"How is that book of yours coming along?"

Mrs Alvin poured a cup of tea and Kaleo took it, trying not to choke as he took a sip. A part of him wished that he turned down her invitation, but he did not want to seem suspicious and so he ended up accepting it.

Trying not to look intimidated by her, he let out a long sigh. "Terribly."

"How so?"

"We made zero progress," he said glumly. "I'm not even sure what the story should be about and whether it would be good enough."

"It is a tough competition out there," the landlady acknowledged. "How are your writing skills?"

Kaleo recalled his days of writing essays in school. How he always brought them home with red marks all over the paper to the disappointment of his family, how he could never meet their expectations. He just wanted to write words that sounded nice to him as he read them, but needless to say, his teachers were not pleased at his style.

"Pretty awful," he admitted.

"I see," she said, looking thoughtful. "Kaleo, you are too young to brood and put yourself down over this. The youth are always challenging the norms, and sometimes it brings about great things. That is only if you take the first step. Plus, Lysa is there to help you. You will be fine."

He brought his cup to his lips, staring at the translucent liquid. She reminded him of his grandmother, who liked to lecture him on her philosophies at every juncture, especially if his father was not nearby. She once told him an anecdote about weeds in a garden of flowers, saying that for the prosperity of the flowers, the weeds must be eliminated. It was to teach him the importance of the "greater good", but when he related it to actual people, he felt very uncomfortable about it.

He must have made a weird face as Mrs Alvin spoke up. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah."

But Mrs Alvin wasn't like that. Her words were steady and honest, and did not send shudders down his spine when he took in her advice.

"Thank you for your advice," Kaleo added. "I will work on it."

She nodded. "By the way, how's Lysa? Is she eating well? She messaged me that she's fine, but I just want to make sure."

Her words struck him like lightning and all he could think of was "oh no" as he broke out in cold sweat.

"Spill it," she demanded, obviously noticing his change in expression.

"Well..." He felt very small under her glare. "She hasn't been eating properly..."

"What?" Mrs Alvin looked horrified. He decided it was best if he did not tell her about how Lysa only ate a tomato for dinner and kept his mouth shut.

She stood up and strode straight for her kitchen. Kaleo watched her cook, fascinated at her speed and efficiency. His mouth was still hanging open when she handed him a package.

"Take this. Tell her it's for dinner," she told him. "And yes, I made some for you too. Run along now."

"Really? Thanks!" he said gratefully, exiting the door.

He was 30 minutes early to meet up with Lysa, but he figured that he should just go as she lived on the floor below Mrs Alvin's unit. Stifling a yawn, he rang the doorbell.

A minute later, Lysa answered the door. She was wearing her usual long sleeved outfit along with an expression that was drained of energy.

"Hey," Kaleo greeted. "Um... may I come in? I brought food from Mrs Alvin."