No…I place the old photo back in my drawer. It’s all in the past.466Please respect copyright.PENANAjLanZ0QgWR
466Please respect copyright.PENANA0JksBhk9CY
I get ready for school and go downstairs to see Nell cooking. 466Please respect copyright.PENANAO4NDLUGYL4
466Please respect copyright.PENANAtViQB5De5x
Nell: “Good morning honey.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAO9IM7cqnGC
Alyson: “Good morning Nell. How’s…work?”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAjSRsLXdb0f
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Nell: “You don’t have to worry about it. We get by and I can handle it.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANABxT98t2ieE
466Please respect copyright.PENANAzrcQwB764d
Alyson: “Why don’t you tell Nao? If all three of us-”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAW8Cn53tvWY
466Please respect copyright.PENANAjWaGAIEvUD
Nell: “I’m not blind, I know that there’s something going on with Nao. I don’t know what it is but won’t burden him with this too. I didn’t want to do that to you either but…*smile* you just don’t take no for an answer.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAbsyIq7mLUi
466Please respect copyright.PENANAMgvtQauyhJ
Alyson: “Don’t worry Nell, when I graduate at the top I can help out.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7Rap1PU80
466Please respect copyright.PENANAgJSWeQgKn2
Nell: “You shouldn’t burden yourself Alyson. You should focus on what you want to do with your life, we’ll be fine.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANADE7p82SFXO
466Please respect copyright.PENANAXSYAK3hjvQ
Alyson: “That won’t last forever and besides…it’s the least I can do.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAmWmzVokPQL
466Please respect copyright.PENANA4Q3DIWhyNU
Nell: “Will you…stay for breakfast.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAnCmgnjPaPH
466Please respect copyright.PENANAv4g3Vqlvt2
Alyson: “No I…okay.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAgRVTAfDgGW
466Please respect copyright.PENANAqmkTJGHCOH
She beams a tired smile and I return the gesture as best I can. We eat a quick meal together, just the two of us. I don’t know why I don’t do this more often.
466Please respect copyright.PENANAiKcu4cgwTf
466Please respect copyright.PENANAR77J5bbOWz
I really have been focusing too much on work and my image. But it’s for a good cause, I should do more. I enjoyed that relax day with Alphon and sleeping in but I can’t make it a habit.
466Please respect copyright.PENANAjDnAjELCdn
466Please respect copyright.PENANAh3R4h5tK3t
I finish up and head to another normal day at school. I ace every class but I can’t be too careful.
466Please respect copyright.PENANAi7HjoxumVy
Always look at the bottom of the class, don’t be like them.466Please respect copyright.PENANAxnZrT3b6XC
Always look at the bottom of the class, don’t be like them.
Always look at the bottom of the class, don’t be like them.466Please respect copyright.PENANAsyLrwEBbjo
466Please respect copyright.PENANAnOZ5F4IQeb
Yes, where Nao used to be….
466Please respect copyright.PENANAToCSjqLjEf
No! He’s still down there, it’s only a matter of time before he realizes his mistake. People can’t escape from where their born abilities put them. That can’t…otherwi-
466Please respect copyright.PENANAas8WCJYBYt
466Please respect copyright.PENANAXoaC8x76qD
“Excuse me class, I have an announcement. You’re seniors and you’re about to graduate so it’s time for you to start thinking about university or a job.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAywNVe9OlrE
466Please respect copyright.PENANASXo1y1Mqwy
“Here’s a paper that you’ll give to your counselor. Place down your top 3 universities and top 3 dream jobs. Afterward, your counselor will help you achieve those goals so be truthful.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAaEAztzvZDy
466Please respect copyright.PENANAiyouOmO7Z3
I look down at the paper and know exactly what to put down. Whatever makes the most money.
466Please respect copyright.PENANAv6h6r6AqOX
466Please respect copyright.PENANAZNZydxKZzX
Class ended shortly after and it was time for lunch. I took some study materials, can’t be wasting time so close to the finish line.
466Please respect copyright.PENANAUq9uSOqdYf
466Please respect copyright.PENANAP4N3akLCTU
I look around and notice that Nao is gone again. He’s off the black list so why is he still with those bottom dwellers? Didn’t he learn his lesson with Anton, stop trying to shake the boat idiot.
466Please respect copyright.PENANArtm564ZgYb
466Please respect copyright.PENANAtePB6zuqSt
???: “Hey Alyson, how’s it going.”
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466Please respect copyright.PENANAq5xD83Zr6j
For God’s sake.
466Please respect copyright.PENANARa7gkGasH3
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Alyson: “Trevor, don’t you have more important things to do?”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAYjkyFNrZ4x
466Please respect copyright.PENANAhkgiVsxjfz
Trevor: “Nothing is more important than getting your number. Besides, I’ve been hearing disturbing rumors.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANA1lb69rwLdd
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Alyson: “Oh, what rumors?”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAydf8DTV7QH
466Please respect copyright.PENANALkQvRwI9F1
Trevor: “Someone, I mean can you believe this, said that you were with a guy at the Crimson Battlefield.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAFXMH89Ba7k
Alyson: “…Do I look like someone who would waste time at a kid’s game?”466Please respect copyright.PENANArYNG3GFukF
466Please respect copyright.PENANAgblYkzkfjH
Trevor: “No, but I had to make sure. I’ll remember to pay back those lairs later.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAmyhdZ696Ph
*Sigh*466Please respect copyright.PENANA5YRtOvJ4K0
466Please respect copyright.PENANAHHSZmcAaTq
Alyson: “Why do want me so much anyway?”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAiVqITFM5S8
466Please respect copyright.PENANA9H9YqQRwNZ
Trevor: “Haha, you always ask the same question babe.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAbKFdvQYitd
466Please respect copyright.PENANAxZaYKf8LJ3
Alyson: “Because I still find it hard to believe a battle junkie like you would care about dating.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAArtFFlQyUF
466Please respect copyright.PENANAq8zjjN8Bkd
Trevor: “You’re hot, I’m hot. You’re the queen, I’m the king. I never dated, you said you never dated. It makes sense to me.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANA6W01YmORde
466Please respect copyright.PENANAY4gbUWaPIs
Alyson: “Yeah, and compatibility means nothing in a relationship right?”
466Please respect copyright.PENANA8Rtm3AJ8k4
466Please respect copyright.PENANAKq6jSszAdC
Trevor: “Right!”
466Please respect copyright.PENANA1VFYws2F2S
466Please respect copyright.PENANAlTCseKOQtk
Sarcasm Trevor, will you ever learn it. As I cup my head in annoyance, I notice Nao running outside the cafeteria like a mad man. What is he doing now?
466Please respect copyright.PENANAUWS5hcyuTi
Alyson: “Sorry, I have to go check on my brother.”466Please respect copyright.PENANAIbmoy31WSg
466Please respect copyright.PENANAcR1FQ0qNuI
Trevor: “Oh, then I’ll come with.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANABc6lOpDdEO
Why can’t you take hint?466Please respect copyright.PENANASPCVTxAWDZ
466Please respect copyright.PENANA8jo6TP05mX
Trevor: “I have business with him anyway.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAPzU8gyW6JY
What does he…466Please respect copyright.PENANAYizSydZLzf
466Please respect copyright.PENANAhqJwmJu5hl
Whatever, it’s between them. As long as he doesn’t fight Nao I don’t care. I leave the cafeteria with Trevor in tow following Nao’s trail.
466Please respect copyright.PENANAoHIFPDGxd9
466Please respect copyright.PENANAYYxCmkgcze
Trevor: “I’m surprised you care all of sudden.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANA6rclXzihYP
466Please respect copyright.PENANA06n5QFEw2k
Alyson: “He was ineffectual before but him acting up now would ruin my image.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAIT3Vig1DIj
466Please respect copyright.PENANArvOWi3A09u
Trevor: “Yes yes, perfect queen must remain perfect. I wonder if university would even care about your queen status.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAXxW5F34qCt
466Please respect copyright.PENANA474WMQB9Mi
Alyson: “Staying queen, a real one, says volumes about my academic and athletic ability.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAbVDWmy3NuF
466Please respect copyright.PENANAtNmUlPpkyW
Trevor: “If you say so. I’m sure they’ll still see you like Deanna but who am I to judge. All that stupid stuff annoys me anyway.”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAF8j219Ezqz
466Please respect copyright.PENANAsXk2pPZIX8
If it wasn’t for your ridiculous strength, you’d be like just like those bottom dwellers. You have no right to insult my hard work.
466Please respect copyright.PENANA2NJcJf9yZI
466Please respect copyright.PENANAXlbMw4gfHA
I try ignore his presence along the way to wherever Nao is. Eventually, I follow the likely trail outside and to…a group of students. I push past them a bit worried if those bullies went too far but…it was worse.
466Please respect copyright.PENANA61FJA7njuu
466Please respect copyright.PENANAgzBh7PY1PL
Nao was covered in blood, but not his own. The Black Listers and 3 bullies. All bloody and broken with only Nao standing. Despite the mumbling crowd, Nao doesn’t stop what he’s doing. As if the outside world didn’t exist.
466Please respect copyright.PENANAf1U508s6h1
466Please respect copyright.PENANAYKeLrITWRM
He was on top of one of the bullies and beating him into…nothing. Could that even be considered a face anymore? There was only a mound of flesh and bone where a human face should be. I feel…sick.
466Please respect copyright.PENANA9Nxovu5qlk
Alyson: “Nao…”466Please respect copyright.PENANAKJmFkGpbUx
466Please respect copyright.PENANA2p18Py8ura
At the sound of my voice, he finally looks back, and his eyes…I can’t stop shaking. The anger and hate are tangible from all the way here. It threatens to consume me if I look any deeper.
466Please respect copyright.PENANA8QrZ832yEC
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What the hell happened here? What have I…let happen?
466Please respect copyright.PENANAQXoNtRiWIM
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Suddenly, the anger in his eyes slips away after a moment. Now he’s shaking too, on the verge of tears.
466Please respect copyright.PENANAz2en5PtBNu
Trevor: “What’s this?”466Please respect copyright.PENANA3sIDQFSQp1
466Please respect copyright.PENANAvk5CEeUl5Z
His words break our eye contact. I look at Trevor and I instantly know what’s about to happen. I…can’t watch anymore. I run away from the bloodbath not knowing what to do.
466Please respect copyright.PENANAOzIMrifXHq
466Please respect copyright.PENANABUmGOpaxdS
I travel aimlessly, not knowing what to make of what just happened. Nao looked taller and actually beat up those bullies? How did this happen and why?
466Please respect copyright.PENANAwg9TO9VgcV
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Was he pushed too hard? I never wanted it to come to this. I didn’t know it would go this far. Did I make a mistake? If Nao could do that then maybe-
466Please respect copyright.PENANAvzBxiBpVPw
466Please respect copyright.PENANApiHBUlLA2t
NO! REMEMBER MY TEACHINGS ABOUT THOSE WITH THE GIFT AND THOSE WITHOUT!
466Please respect copyright.PENANAXDjDa9j5Jf
Well, maybe he does have the ability? Yes, that’s it! I just misjudged him, I had to have made a mistake. Just because Nao was lazy before doesn’t mean he’s a failure, he hid his ability. He’s even doing better in class.
466Please respect copyright.PENANAmMm1drzgrH
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NO! HE’S A DESTINED FAILURE LIKE THE REST OF THEM. REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED TO HER WHEN SHE TRIED TOO HARD.
466Please respect copyright.PENANAbv2615ZsCm
466Please respect copyright.PENANAOjuPXjNwk8
…You’re right mam. Your words are always right. That was just a fluke. But even so…I won’t let Trevor break my brother.
466Please respect copyright.PENANAh4vRjw27Wa
466Please respect copyright.PENANADJIMf2juAL
I run to the nearest teacher and force them to come stop the fight. I rally more nearby teachers along the way just in case Trevor doesn’t back down.
466Please respect copyright.PENANAs05krXVCkJ
466Please respect copyright.PENANAduimmMcNzo
When we get back to the fight, both Trevor and Nao are hurt. But Nao…he’s much worse off. As soon as Trevor backed off, Nao collapsed hard. I watch the teacher carry the wounded to the nurse’s office and disperse the crowd.
466Please respect copyright.PENANAgydr2DTrgH
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I follow them all the way to the office where they laid Nao down. They patched everyone the best they could but the wounds were severe. The one Nao was on top of had to be sent to the hospital.
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But the one I really cared about right now was still here. He’s wounds are terrible but apparently Nao is quickly healing.
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Alyson: “Can I stay with him?”
466Please respect copyright.PENANABQFQIrkS2c
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“Of course. Hey, are you his sister?”
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Alyson: “Y-Yes.”
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“You must be so disappointed. Sorry you had to have a delinquent brother.”
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466Please respect copyright.PENANAtZkLrAVFVM
Alyson: “…Yeah.”
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I sit down beside the bed and wait for the nurse to look away. I push Nao’s hair away from his eyes and caress his face.
466Please respect copyright.PENANA6yCcUZ0l5I
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Alyson: “I’m sorry….I’m so sorr-”
466Please respect copyright.PENANAifP7fdsJYy
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YOUR IMAGE AND SUCCESS, LEAVE HIM!
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NO! Not yet. Just once, just once! I want to forget about constantly aiming for the top.
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466Please respect copyright.PENANA4VXkVymicq
After everything I did back then, I finally got a family. I don’t want to lose it now.
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