CHAPTER 39: A PAST OF THREE BROTHERS - 2
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"Hello, it's me, Apollo! What are you doing, brother?"
"Nothing. Don't ever call me brother ever again."
"So... What do you do for fun?"
"I don't do anything for fun."
"Uhm, okay."
"Just stay away from me."
"Ar- Are you sure? We can like... do races or something?"
"I don't do racing, or fun. I hate both of those things. Runoff Apollo"
"Fine!"
"Fine!"
"You two need to stop fighting if you wish to stay here! Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Sir!!!"
"Good."
It's been only two weeks and I hate it here. I also hate this Apollo kid. All he does is reintroduce himself and ask If I want to play. Then I say no and then he bugs me until we both get in trouble. I don't care if he's my half-brother or not, he's annoying and my life is worse with him in it. To be honest, my life was just as bad without him in it as well, he just keeps cutting deeper into the already deep wound.
"Dion, why don't you try to be nice? All he seems to do is want to play." Sir said, crouching down next to me.
"Forget it! I wouldn't call him my brother if it was the only way to live! Let alone hang out with him."
"How could you know if you have never given him a chance?"
"I gave chances to too many people. I'm never given chances out again.
That's how things stayed for a while. My hatred for Apollo remained and he kept bugging and bugging me, asking if wanted to do something. Sometimes conversations didn't go that far.
"Hi, Dion!"
"No."
"Dion!"
"Get away from me."
That would be our entire day, hi this and get away from that.
Until one day, he stopped. I remember the face he made when he stopped, it was sad and it was regretful. From that day on we passed by each other without a single look without a single word. It didn't make me feel bad, not even sad but it always made me wonder... What changed?
Was he getting tired of shooting a shot that was impossible to hit? Or maybe it was somebody else's influence? We do live in an orphanage together now, since our only available family is our father who's in prison. So did someone convince him that I'm some weird kid and that he should leave me be?
Well, that's true for the both of us then. Ever since they figured out what our father did, nobody wants us. I mean we are the sons of the father who murdered two of the women he made pregnant and tried to also murder his sons.
It's a harsh way of thinking however, he did try to kill us so who knows when he's coming back to finish the job? I can tell even though he tries his hardest to be kind... this man doesn't like us for our father. I know he doesn't, but it's fine. I'm used to not being liked anyways. Adults try their hardest but when you see the world the way I see it, they all want the same thing. It's the saddest shit in the world.
I was always an expert at feeling people for who they are. I can sense a bad person from a good person easily. Sometimes it got to the point where it felt thick, and the room was unbreathable. I always never liked that feeling, hearing a lot of it's going to be okay or how good of a kid you are, how strong you are. I know they're trying to help but they're making it worse.
If I was so strong, why couldn't I save my mom? If I was strong why can't I do these on my own without being in an orphanage? If I was so strong, why did I cry when I got frustrated? Why? Those reasons let me know they're all just liars with faces. When I was mid-thought Sir walked into the room I was in and started to shout.
"Everyone! Everyone gather! I would like you to meet somebody new!"
It's strange how we celebrate someone new, at least to me. Isn't it bad that someone comes to the orphanage? That a new kid got abandoned and left just like we did, why should we feel happy for that person? It was always a thought I had every time this happened.
We gathered around to see who the new kid was. Apollo was standing next to me yet again but he didn't say a single word or look my way.
"I'm Dion! I'm pleased to meet you all! I don't like people with egos! I don't like not sleeping in on Sundays! If I eat food off your plate I'm sorry and I will make it up to you! I hate boring people as well! Again it's a pleasure to make your acquaintances!"
"Hey, you shouldn't say things like that." Sir said, looking down at him and lecturing him.
"Sorry, Man Of The House! That's just the way I am! If you wake me up at any point on a Sunday I'll hate you! If you're boring, I'll hate you!"
"You don't have to call me, Man Of The House. Just call me Sir like everyone else."
"Okay, Man Of The House!"
"Uh- okay. Well, you go play with the other kids."
"So your name is Dion?" Apollo said, walking towards the man.
"Indeed it is! What's yours?"
"Apollo!"
"Alright Apollo! I can see you're an awesome guy! What do you do for fun around here!?"
"You mean it!?"
"Of course I do! Why would I mean anything different!"
"Well... Nevermind! I don't really have anything fun. Wanna find something fun to do!?"
"Yes! Let's go!"
They made friends quickly. Is that how I would have turned out if I gave Apollo a chance? Would I be all loud and happy about everything and anything? Who knows? That's how things are, however, I gave my final decision.
ONE MONTH LATER
"Hey, Dion." Sir said, walking towards me
"It's been around a full month now. You're brother and the new kid have come together well and even though they come back dirty and hurt sometimes they come back laughing with smiles on their faces. Why don't you give it one more chance? For me? Who knows, it can be fun?"
I didn't want to. Even though I thought of doing so, it still seemed boring and not really for me. I don't like people. If I could choose, I would choose a life in solitude then a life full of people. I would get a job as a nightguard and work a solo shift, that way I could have the whole day to myself and the whole night as well. I don't like people no will I never will, still I know Sir isn't going to stop unless I try. So I'll give it an honest chance, why try and not make it honest?
"Fine. One more chance. If this doesn't work out, then I'm not ever trying again."
"So be it."
I walked up to them and took a deep breath.
"Hey, what are you two doing?"
"We're about to play in the yard! Want to join us?" Apollo said, with a smile. I guess this kid has been lifting his spirit back to his normal self again.
"Wait, Apollo!" Dion said to Apollo and then looked at me.
"Yeah Dion?" Apollo said in a confused tone
"He's boring. I don't like him at all!" He said it with a smile on his face. Yup, never mind. I was about to turn around until Apollo started to speak.
"Wait, wait Dion. He's my brother, he might seem like he's boring but he's one of the funniest people I know!"
"Is that so?"
"Yes, yes!"
"I'll take your word! Anyone Apollo likes I can find something to like as well!"
He... made things up for me. We never hung out once. Every time he asked to do something I declined. I never called him my brother and told him never to call me that.
"Well, funny enough my name is also Dion," I said to the man and he smiled.
"Is that so!? I'll admit that I was wrong! You're not even close to being boring! Especially with my name! It's impossible to be boring and to be sharing my name! To also have Apollo stick your neck for you as well! You have to be full of utmost fun!"
"See!? Now let's go do something fun!" Apollo said, having a bigger smile than before.
"Let's sneak out!"
Right there and then I knew, I should leave these troublemakers. However, for some crazy reason, I didn't. It felt sort of nice to use my voice again.
"Sneak out? Isn't that against the rules?" I said and Dion turned around and looked at me.
"Against the rules? Who cares! I'm here to have the craziest fun! Are you in?"
"Yeah, Dion! Say you're in!"
I didn't want to. I was only told to attempt and that was it. I was on board until they started to talk about breaking the rules. Then again, they have to be doing this every night. Since they come back every night and don't get in trouble. I also can blame Sir if we do get in any trouble, so...
"I'm in! What should we d-" That's when Apollo grabbed my hand and Dion started to run with Apollo holding me and ran after him. We went to the back of the orphanage, which they call the yard. We're allowed to play outside here and here only so maybe that's what they're doing. I can handle this, this isn't sneaking out.
"We're here!" Dion said, taking me out of my thoughts, and making me look down to see a bit of the fence that wasn't completely closed off and you can crawl under if you maneuvered your way under.
"I call going first!" Dion said crawling under with ease and efficiency. Didn't get his clothes dirty at all.
"Me next!" Apollo said climbing under and only getting dirty but not by a lot.
"Come on, Dion!"
"Yeah, come on!"
If there was a meter on how much I wanted to do something, that meter is at an all-time high. I don't like getting my clothes dirty and I don't like crawling under fences. It's just not in my forte, however, I knew they wouldn't let me crawl under this fence. So I crawled under. When I crawled out my clothes were completely covered in dirt.
"Stay right there buddy," Dion said to me as he and Apollo dusted off my clothes.
"There we go! You're all set to go!" They both said clapping their hands together to get the dirt off them.
"Thanks."
"We have around two hours of fun! Where should we go!?"
"I don't know! Let's make sure it's not boring!"
"Anywhere you want to go Dion?"
I don't really have anywhere to go, I haven't thought about that. Never
"There's an issue! There's an issue and we have to address it!"
"What's that Dion?"
"That's the issue right there! We're both named Dion."
"Well, my name is ac-
"Don't worry! I already came up with the solution!"
"Huh?"
"Call me, D1! That way we won't get confused!"
"That's brilliant! Alright, I'll call you D1 now, Dion!"
"Uhh, well- Nevermind! Thank you!!"
"Alright, D1! What's our plan?"
"Our plan... that's a great question..."
"We can go to the place that gives us those free sandwiches!" Apollo said, sounding excited.
"Nice! Nice! I like that idea! Let's do it! We'll show your brother how fun these adventures are!"
"Uhm, where exactly are we going?"
"To... A sandwich shop!"
"Huh-"
When he said it I was shocked. Honestly, I've been shocked this whole time and scared out of my mind. We're about to leave the place I've been keeping myself in for who knows how long. Not to mention this is totally against the rules, however, Sir did say to give it a chance. So that's what I'm doing!
When we got there it was flooding with people. It was flooding with so many people. There were at least 10 people in the shop. It was already too much. I didn't want to stay any longer and I was about to turn around to leave. That's when D1 grabbed my arm and yanked me towards a booth and forced me to sit down.
"Don't worry Dion! We get free food here once a week! The owner here is really kind! His accent is also thick!"
That wasn't the issue, idiot. The issue was the people. Any one of them could be my father, any one of them could try to hurt us, any of-
"What can I- Oh, you two boys! Oh, wait three boys? I'll be right back!"
I don't know why but when the man came my fear went away. It might have been his cheerful voice or maybe his happy appearance; however, an adult rarely has a happy tone, inside and out. When you get hurt so many times by someone it's like you can sense how bad of a person they are instead of everything else.
"Here you three go, three delicious sandwiches!"
"Take a bite, Dion!"
"Yeah, Dion, take a bite!"
"Alright, I will!"
I took a bite and... it was the best sandwich I ever tasted. The best sandwich in the world!
"It's good isn't it!?" D1 said smiling
"It is."
"See! It's great! It's so great you're smiling!"
Was I really smiling?
"So that means you like it?" D1 said to me
"Yeah, I do," I replied to D1 but honestly If he didn't do his usual loud voice full of happiness I would have never heard him. The sandwich was that good! We stayed there for the remainder of the time talking to the owner when he had free time. There was also this girl who was super sarcastic and usually I find people like this annoying or petty but she pulls off her sarcasm so well. I can tell it isn't an act, it's her lifestyle.
"Well, you three youngins, it's getting late. I don't want you three leaving when it's dark so leave my shop! So you don't get caught or get in trouble!"
"He's right! Thanks for the food, Old Man! We'll be back one day" D1 said
"Thanks, Old man!" Apollo said
"Thanks!"
"So, how did you enjoy it?" Apollo asked me and D1 looked at me wanting the same answer.
"It was fun!"
"Well, we will definitely go back there one day! We should do something tomorrow as well!" D1 said smiling at me like Apollo
"Definitely."
We then snuck back in and they had to dust the dirt off of me again and we walked through the doors. That's when Dion and Apollo started to yawn.
"I'm going to take a nap to recharge!"
"I think I'll do the same. Coming Dion?"
"I will, but you two go ahead."
"Alright!" Apollo and D1 then started to walk toward the rooms.
"So?" I heard from behind me and turned around to see Sir.
"How did it go? You guys had fun in the yard?"
"We did. I did."
"See, I told you. Keep doing that, live like a kid while you still can." With that Sir walked away, and I couldn't help but think about those words.
A YEAR LATER
"Yes, I win again! Another point for Dion!"
"I mean, I would say you only won by a hair but that's just me!"
"Well, I was pretty fast..."
"No, you weren't Apollo."
"Yes, I was!"
"Please, you couldn't go faster than the speed of a snail!"
"Yes, I can! Dion, you're the slow one!"
"Hey, D1! Who's faster, me or Dion?"
"You were!"
"See? I told you, Dion! Wait a minute, you're not doing that thing where you lie to me and tell Dion later that he's faster, right?"
"Do you want me to lie or tell you the honest truth!?"
"Ahh, so I am slower."
"Just because you're slower doesn't mean you can't get faster!"
"Am I at least close to being faster, or stronger?"
"It's not always about strength..."
"Ahh! That's so lame!"
"It took you some time to figure that out..."
"Be quiet, Dion! You're the one who's lame!"
"Huh!? I'm nowhere close to being lame!"
"Yes, you are, Idiot!"
"Stupid."
"D1! Which one of us is more lame, me or Dion!?"
"I'm also interested, which one do you think!?"
"Well if I had to choose..."
"Yeah, yeah!"
"Come on now!"
"Both of you! I see you both as equally lame because I'm so lame you guys balance out."
"Curse you, D1! That wasn't even an option!"
"You always do this!"
"What can I say? When you can't choose between the two wrong answers go with or...In this case or was just me and that I was fine with."
"Well, now I'm hungry. Do you think we can have steak?"
"We already had steak! 5 times before this because of you Apollo!"
"I know I know, but one more time wouldn't hurt."
"D1, tell him no more steak."
"He's right no more steak."
"Aww come on! It's so juicy and delicious!"
"I know, however, I'm starting to think you have an addiction."
"Addiction? No, I just love it to the point where I die for it! That's not an issue!"
"Right..."
"Don't look at me like that!"
"Ha! Apollo no matter how old you get, never lose your humor!"
"I wasn't making a joke D1!"
"Well Apollo if it makes you feel better, Old man promised to make you a great sandwich back at that shop," I told him and his face lit up.
"Really!?"
"Yes, yes. You missed out on him saying it 'cause you ran off too fast.." I told him, making him chuckle.
"Then let's make our way over there!" D1 said with his usual loudness.
"Let's go!"
Our bond truly grew. If you ask me a year ago I would have never accepted hanging out like this. Going to the sandwich shop, doing races, playing games I never even looked at. All those things I would have declined and said anyone who does this is crazy. I also learned things about my half-brother I knew I would never know unless that day.
I learned about his obsession for steak, which he gained from his mother. He's also one of the most annoying but sweetest people you'll ever meet. His laugh is something that you can't beat and his smile is something that is nice to see as well. I don't know how he can do it, to be so happy with such a sad life. There's a bunch of smaller little things like the way he drinks water he'll intentionally throw his head back to drink it. Or that he is a loud snorer. Things like that you notice after a while.
The same goes for D1. I realized he rarely doesn't animate any of the words, the only time he doesn't is when he's thinking. I would say when he is serious but then again, I've never seen him serious. I wonder what would be a point to where he gets serious, what would make this man upset?
I truly mean it, he smiles afterward and helps everyone around him. He laughs just as hard and as much as Apollo does. Those two can laugh at anything and when they did it was loud and cheerful lighting up any room.
I found it weird how someone's personality can be found through things like laughs or their eyes. That especially goes for D1 when he did something he had a fire in his eyes and a laugh and smile that matched it.
Over this year, I feel like I'm more open to people. I will never not have the fear of my father creeping to kill me or Apollo or even D1. However, I'm starting to see that we're safe right now. It's hard, I know that better than anyone but still, it's fine.
"We're here Old Man!"
"You are here! Kate, where did I put that tray?"
"You left it in the freezer.."
"Really, I don't see it, oh wait. I found it."
"I know, it wasn't hard to see from here."
"Alright, alright. Enough with the yip yappin! I am going to give these youngsters a nice treat."
"Are we those youngsters?" Apollo said with excited eyes.
"Indeed you are."
"What is it?"
"Alright, what I'm about to give you is the ultimate combination of joy and joy! Are you ready!?"
"We are ready!" D1 and Apollo both said practically jumping out of their seats.
"Feast your eyes on this!"
"Woah." We all said it together when it got revealed.
"I call it... An Ice Cream Sandwich! Well, sandwiches since there's five of them."
"I want one! Can I have one!?" Apollo said, looking at him with begging eyes.
"I didn't bring them over here for you guys to look at it." An old man said while sitting down next to me in the booth we sat at.
"Thanks!" Apollo quickly grabbed one and Kate made her way to the table and pulled up a chair.
"I heard about the hype for these sandwiches, let's see what the hype is about," Kate said, taking one of the sandwiches like the rest of us.
"Luckily these two haven't bit in theirs yet, so we can try it all together," I said putting my sandwich up.
"To Ice cream and sandwiches!" The Old Man said, putting his sandwich up as well.
"To Ice cream and sandwiches!" We all said in unison, taking a bite of the treat.
"This is great!" Kate said, going for another bite.
"She's right! This is delicious!" D1 said, closing his eyes and chewing.
"It was delicious," Apollo said, licking his fingers.
"What do you mean was? What!? Where's the sandwich!?" The Old Man is in a complete shock.
"It's in my tummy, duh!"
"You sure are a fast eater."
"Sure am!"
"It is delicious, however!" I said taking my final bite of the sandwich and cleaning my hands with a napkin and tossing Apollo one.
'You guys need to learn how to appreciate the food. Then eat it all in one bite." D1 said, tossing the whole sandwich in his mouth and eating it in one bite. I just also tossed him a napkin and he wiped his face.
"I'm going to get myself some wine. Want some old man?"
"Indeed!"
"What's wine?" Apollo asked
"Something you'll never get in a million years"
"Aww! It sounds fun though!"
"Nope, you're still a youngster! I do have to use the bathroom, excuse me for now, I have to use the bathroom." The old man said, dashing towards the bathroom.
"I'm back. Where's the old man?"
"He left to use the bathroom," Apollo said whiny.
"Why so distressed?" Kate asked, sitting down.
"I want to do the wine!"
"You mean taste?"
"It's a food?"
"No, it's a drink."
"Oh. I want to have some then!" That's when Kate looked around and then pushed the cup towards Apollo.
"One-second sip. No longer."
"Thank you, Kate!" Apollo then took a second sip and his face turned to what I can only describe as scrunched up.
"You two?"
Now, obviously, we couldn't have this wine. However, Apollo's face made me want to taste it so bad.
"Me second!" D1 said, taking a sip and his face did the same thing.
"Pleh," D1 said afterward as he and Apollo had the same faces.
"Alright me third!" I was sort of scared but the fact that we weren't supposed to make me want to do it more! So I took a sip.
"How's it taste?"
"Pretty good actually."
"No way!" D1 and Apollo both said.
"I'm surprised," Kate said, grabbing her cup and drinking it like it was nothing surprising to the other two.
"I'm back from the bathroom, what's everyone talking about?"
"Well we ju-" Apollo started but D1 covered his mouth
"Apollo, we can't reveal it. It's a secret ninja code."
"You're right. Sorry Old man, secret ninja code."
"Alright, alright."
We all chatted up a bit more before we had to go.
"Late-r kids!" Old Man said waving at us
"Bye!" With that, we left and went back to the orphanage, and went to sleep.
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