'HOW WAS SCHOOL?' Ally asks me enthusiastically as I pop off my plimsolls (our last class was P.E).
'You sound like a typical parent,' I point out. He doesn't say anything against it since he's too excited. He's going to have his firstborn soon. Haru, this morning, had said she would be staying with her parents until she gave birth. So the bento box she'd made for me could be the first and last one. The thought of it doesn't make me sad.
I also don't mind that my uncle doesn't have that much time for me. What I do mind, though, is how he practices his future lines to me. 'Save them for your children.' Children. They're going to have twins.
Good for them, I guess. As for me, modelling is knocking on my door again. I have to snag these opportunities as soon as I can.
'Have you decided where you gonna live?'
'Dunno yet. School isn't that far anyway.'
'Yes, but at least you've got your bed there. I've also heard the grub is free.'
'You wanna kick me out?'
Ally laughs as he throws me a piece of melon bread. I swiftly catch it with one hand.
'Haru says she'll try to keep cooking packed lunches for you until she can no longer get up.'
I sigh. 'Could you please tell Haru that she should be worrying about herself?' Uncle puts his hand over his chest, cooing how much I care.
'It's not because I care about her. She's pregnant, and I don't wanna be the reason for her miscarriage or whatever happens to a preggo when they work too much.
He doesn't say anything but continues smiling. 'I'm just glad you're still here. Thank you so much.'
Halfway through having my first bite of the melon bread, I consider giving him a snarky reply, but I decide to hold it in. So, with my mouth open wide, I wolf down the bread in three bites.
'I also like melon bread.'
I choke. The stupid piece of stupid bread lodges in my throat. Punching my chest, I stop breathing for a moment as I force myself to swallow.
When I finally can breathe normally again, I shoot Eien a burning look, cursing him for appearing out of nowhere. 'What are you doing here? Did Uncle let you in here? How did you do that?' I fire questions to hide the embarrassment. I hope they're not focusing on my face, which I'm sure by now is splashed with red spots. I don't know why my face does that. It just does. I'd tried every cream, consulted every dermatologist, but none ever worked. The good thing is, I'm tanned, so it isn't as apparent as it was before. Ever since I stopped caging myself in my room, my skin has refused to go back to its original shade.
'I was in the oshiire when I heard your voice. You are quite loud, mister,' the kid says in his trademark flat voice.
'I am not loud, FYI!' I counter, regretting it as I register how loud my voice is. 'And what were you doing in my room?'
'Oshiire.'
'It's my room.'
'I know. It is bigger compared to my room. Your kind uncle has provided you with a place that truly feels like home.' He bows, not to me, but to my uncle, who bows back. 'Evansu-san also has a lovely name: Allan Thomas.'
My eyebrows wiggle mockingly. 'Evansu-san?'
'My apologies, but I can't shake off the formality, Evansu-kun.'
I thrust my tongue out as though something had punched my tonsil. 'Sounds cringey. Stop it.'
'What are you saying? I like it! Evansu-san. Evansu-kun.' Of course, he likes it. He's bare crazy.
YOU ARE READING
The Enemy Beside Me + The Liar Beside Me (Book 1 and 2)
Science FictionIn a not-so-distant future, the world has been divided. The prospering countries label themselves as Zones, while the defeated are left behind to fend for themselves. Sixteen-year-old Jaxon "Jax" Evans belongs to Zone 3, previously known as the Unit...