8 years ago…



It's been almost four years since Andrew's mother died. He has loathed his father since then. Besides that, he could no longer live inside their large mansion. Every time he passed by the room where his mother committed suicide, he couldn't help but remember her last words. Her mother's voice that had been very comfortable to listen to was now making him trembled in fear. He always had nightmares about it and kept on getting worse day by day. Because of his frightening and horrible nightmares, he can no longer remember the real and gentle appearance of his mother. As if his nightmares weren’t enough to make things more difficult for him, their mansion made it even worse. The very huge, dark, and lifeless house seemed to eat him whole.

Because of the trauma he received, their family doctor had checked him several times because he would suddenly panic, lose his mind, utter nonsense things, and point his finger anywhere as if he’s seeing things others can’t. He had once suddenly attacked his father inside his office. He called him a murderer, a man who killed his mother. Because of this, he was locked in his room, just like what his dad did with his mother. He would calm down sometimes when Allen came to visit him.

“You need to leave this house, Andrew,” Allen had advised him. He had felt that if Andrew would not leave the house soon, he would become a different person. Andrew once mentioned to him that maybe his father did the right thing. He said his dad only did what was right for the people who planned to take his mother away from them. Allen got scared when he heard that. He knew Andrew was not in the right mind when he said those words. He was crouching in the corner of his room while biting his fingernails. The area around his eyes darkened and sometimes his eyes would stare into nothingness.

“What are you talking about?” Allen had responded to him. The tone of his voice was tinged with fear and apprehension.

“I… No, it wasn’t me…” Andrew replied as if he hadn't heard from his mouth what he had just said.

Whenever Allen visited their mansion, he had always advised Andrew to leave the house. He couldn’t bear seeing his best friend and the most important person to him being destroyed and completely changed. Fortunately, Andrew eventually left the mansion. His father did not stop him on the condition that he would do nothing to tarnish his father’s name. That was the agreement his father laid out to him as his dad carried Andrea on his lap. She was still too young and smiling brightly, as if the world has no problem. She was just an innocent child. And only then did apprehension and fear fill Andrew's mind. He realized what his father’s words truly meant. You won’t say anything related to everything you know outside this mansion if you don’t want bad things to happen to your younger sister.

He doesn’t want to leave his younger sister, but what can he do? He’s too young to provide and take care of her. And besides, if he wants to take his sister with him, he should take care of himself first. It’s not possible if he stays in that household. He agreed to the agreement and left the mansion. At any rate, his father did not abandon him completely because his father still spent money on the condo where he would live. An allowance was given to him monthly by his dad’s assistant as well. But Andrew knew that the money spent on him was just payment for his silence. For Andrew, it is tantamount to debt, and the collateral is his sister. But he still thinks that it's better that way than living in the mansion and get completely insane.

Andrew was now a freshman in high school. His former vigor and character have also returned, but he still takes antidepressants. He was about to enter their school when he heard his phone ringing. He immediately took it out of his pants pocket.

“Allen,” Andrew uttered.

“I’m sorry, Andrew. I can't pick you up from school today. We are working on a group project. We might finish it later,” Allen apologized on the other line.

Andrew slightly shook his head. “What are you apologizing for? You don't have to pick me up every day. I can handle myself,” he responded.

Unlike Andrew, Allen still lives with his family, even though Andrew has invited him to live with him several times. Apart from the fact that Allen's father did not allow him to study in the school where Andrew enrolled, he also did not want Allen to live with Andrew. His father felt Allen would be ruined just as what happened to Andrew, a son who had no respect and indebtedness to his father. That's the perspective of Allen’s dad at Andrew when he left their mansion. But since Andrew is still the chairman's son, he still allows Allen to be his friend.

Andrew understands why Allen is so worried about him and the reason he’s overprotective. It was because of what happened to him. But he doesn't want his friend to do it for the rest of his life.

“No matter what you say, I'll still pick you up tomorrow,” Allen insisted.

Andrew just lets him do whatever he wants. He didn't want to argue with his best friend. And besides, if it weren't for Allen, he wouldn't have been able to get out of hell.


Andrew ended the call and parked his bike in the school parking lot. Unlike the school where Allen attends, their school is just average. It is not huge and fancy. And the social status of its students is clear. But Andrew does not care about such things. He entered that school for a reason, to get into its volleyball club, which has one of the well-known volleyball teams in the town.

Andrew’s daily routine is just like these--- he goes to school, attends the class, and attends volleyball practice.

Their last class was over, so he hurried to their club room, where he caught up with some of his teammates, Troy, Nelson, and Emman. As usual, Troy and Nelson were making loud noises again in the club room, enough for the other students who were passing by to think that a bunch of athletes were there.

“Good afternoon!” Andrew greeted them enthusiastically.

“Hey! For the first time you came in last,” Troy commented, since Andrew always comes in early in the gym.

Andrew immediately scratched his head. "The teacher dismissed us late," he explained as he entered the clubroom. He was about to go to his locker when he noticed Emman sitting on the floor in front of the latter's locker.

From behind, Emman could be confused as a woman with his long blonde hair that reaches up to his shoulders. Andrew approached him and leaned down to peek at what he was doing. "You're still at that level," he commented, which immediately startled Emman. The latter mistakenly pressed his portable game console and, to his surprise, a K.O. appeared on the screen.

"Oops," Andrew muttered.

Emman sighed heavily as he got up from the floor. Nervously, Andrew took a step back as he scratched his head. He was ready to hear a scolding from Emman but the latter just hid his portable game console in the bag inside the locker. Andrew got even more nervous because of the silent treatment, even though it was nothing new to him. Emman doesn't talk to him that much in the first place.

And to his surprise, Emman suddenly faced him. “How did you know?” Emman asked with a serious tone of voice.

"Uh…" Andrew seemed to get paralyzed staring at Emman's cat-like golden eyes that seem to glare all the time. Emman was not that tall, but he was taller than Andrew. Just like Andrew, he's pretty skinny too, but Emman's aura can make everyone feel intimidated. "Know what?" Andrew asked nervously.

Emman heaved a sigh and turned to face his locker. "Nevermind," he muttered as he closed his locker and trudged out of the club room.

Andrew immediately took a deep breath when Emman finally went out. "We respect you." He heard Troy commented.

"You're the only one who dares to talk to Emman apart from his best friend," Nelson commented.

Andrew just sighed and finally walked to his locker. He doesn't understand why others find it difficult to approach Emman. Sure, he has an intimidating aura, but Andrew finds him no different from other students. He's just quiet, has his own world, and either has a phone or gaming console in front of him. Other than that, he saw nothing to be afraid of him. He doesn't feel nervous talking to Emman though his intense glaring eyes made Andrew felt tensed. But that was for a different reason, not because he's intimidated. He suddenly imagined Emman being annoyed and mad at him. But Andrew finds it adorable. A smile then formed from his face.

“Oh my. Andrew has gone mad,” Troy commented, but Andrew just ignored it.

After they changed their clothes, the three of them went to the gym, where they caught up with their other teammates. Some of them started warming up while others were still sitting on the bench.

Their team captain, Ralph, started calling out everyone's attention. He was tall with lean broad shoulders, well-built arms, and a muscular frame. His hair is black, which is messy and styled up like spikes. After everyone lined up in front of him, he pointed out on the large whiteboard next to him. "This is the team for today's practice."

His teammates nodded in response, then they started practicing.

Their practice ends after two to three sets. On Fridays, they combine it with other forms of practice aside from playing actual sets.

"We can beat them," Andrew muttered as he passed by at Emman's side, who was the setter on his team. Both teams have won a set, and they were about to start their third set.

Emman averted his eyes at Andrew who was already staring in front of the net. Emman was already tired at the moment, but when he looked at Andrew, the latter’s aura was as if they had just started practicing. He still has a lot of energy in his body. One of the things Emman didn’t understand about Andrew was this kind of attitude. Andrew still gives his best and is determined to win, even if it's just a practice game and against their teammates. Why does he have to devote so much energy to just a practice game? Emman pondered in his mind. He then looked at the front again and stared at their opponent. Aside from him not wanting to exploit so much of his energy, the team which he sets does not win every time. Not because he's not good. He is known to be good at strategizing because of being a keen observer. But due to his weak stamina, his body does not respond quickly as fast as his thoughts against the better and one of the most well-known setters in their area, Will, who always sets on the opposite team.

The thing was, Emman only joined the volleyball team because Ralph convinced him. He learned and started playing volleyball when he was a child, but it was because of Ralph who had introduced the sport to him. He enjoys playing volleyball. It's just that he's more of a person who doesn't want to exert a lot of energy. That is the reason he's more into video games or any game that his body won't tire of.

“I know this is just a practice. But, don’t you want to beat them?” Emman heard. He looked at Andrew once again. The latter was already staring at him and smiling. “Let’s beat the crap out of Will together, Emman.”

Emman couldn't explain why he suddenly felt tensed as if he had some butterflies in his stomach. But somehow it pulled a trigger on him. He likes the idea of beating Will and because he lost the game; he was playing this morning. He wants to win this time, in this game. He pulled the rubber band out of his wrist and tied it in his hair. He then inhaled deeply and exhaled to calm his nerves and possibly to suck some energy.

“Oh, you look good on that.”

Emman stared at Andrew once more, but the latter was already facing the net. Did he mishear it? He’s not sure. But it made his face flushed a bit. When he saw the ball flying from the other team's serve, his attention returned to the game. But this time, he is determined to win.

“Wahhhhh Emman!” Ralph shouted as he headed towards his best friend. “For the first time!”

"Calm down. It's just a practice game," Emman interrupted his best friend, who was about to hug him. For the first time, the team which he sets won. He did not exactly remember how it happened. It doesn’t make him think either that he’s better now than Will, but it made him realize that if he wants to, there’s hope. His eyes searched for Andrew and saw him helping the others to clean.

Emman was walking alone on his way back home. He was looking at his phone when his attention was caught by the sun setting on his far left. He turned and stared at it. He was always walking on this path, but it was the first time for him to notice the sunset. Its orangish color that spreads across the sky and its reflection against the river was surreal. He gazed at it until his eyes glimpsed something down the river. On the lawn opposite the river, a man was lying next to a fire tree. He immediately recognized its brown hair.
One of Emman's personality is to ignore other people's business. He is not the type of person who suddenly distracts other people out of nowhere. He is not that kind of person, but why do his feet move towards the man lying on the grass?

“Andrew?”

Andrew looked up and saw Emman's glaring and cat-like eyes staring at him. He immediately sat down on the grass and looked at him. “Emman? What are you doing here?" he asked, then his eyes wandered around as he searched for someone else. "Are you alone? Where is Captain?"

"Uhm…" Emman uttered as he scratched his cheek. As much as he wanted to answer him, he also didn't know why he was there, either. “He's not with me. How about you? What are you doing here?"

“Ahh... I was just watching the sunset. It looks nice,” Andrew replied.

Emman sat on the grass and watched the sun as it goes down. It was really beautiful. He’s been too busy focusing on his phone and consoles that he misses some good things in the world.

"The light of the sunset is prettier when it reflects in your golden eyes."

Emman immediately stared at Andrew, who was already staring at him. Did he just compliment him? Or did he mishear it again? “What?” Emman asked.

"I said, your eyes are pretty," Andrew commented again. This time, Emman heard it loud and clear.

"You're… You're weird," Emman muttered as he looked away from Andrew. He suddenly regretted coming here. Aside from the fact that he couldn't understand Andrew's over-energetic nature, he can get weirder.

Andrew slightly giggled as a smile form from his lips. Emman is indeed adorable, he pondered. “I'm sorry for what happened earlier. You lost in the game because of me.”

“It’s fine. I will lose anywa-” He stopped and looked at Andrew once again as if something came to his mind, “Speaking of that. How did you know which level I was?” he questioned. Andrew's comment earlier suddenly came into his mind. “You are still at that level.”

“Ahh! Is that what you were asking earlier?” Andrew asked.

Emman nodded in response. No one pays attention to what he plays or, to be frank, no one dares to know what he is doing. Even his friend Ralph rarely takes an interest in the game he plays because of his duties as a captain.

Andrew then scratched his head. "Because I'm interested?" He replied without hesitation.

"Are you interested in what I'm playing?" Emman asked once again.

"Yeah, a bit. But I'm more interested in you," Andrew replied. "I can't help but notice you, so I kind of consciously get to know the things you are doing as well. Though you don't notice me since you’re too focused on what you were doing. You don't notice me at all,” he went on.

Emman's cheeks flushed from what he just heard. What complete nonsense was that? Yes, that's just what he's trying to ponder on his brain. Besides being weird, Andrew is a complete stalker. “You are really weird. Nothing is interesting about me.”

"Well, you couldn’t have possibly been interested in yourself, right?" Andrew teased that immediately reaped Emman's sharp and glaring eyes. He couldn’t help but chuckle seeing those eyes daggering at him. He then heaved a sigh. “You’re intelligent. I admire your skill at the court. Even if you always look tired, I know you enjoy what we do. It doesn’t show, but I know you do. You are quiet, but not because you are shy. You just want to reserve your energy. I find everything about you, interesting and adorable,” he added.

Emman's eyes widened. He had never heard a compliment like that, most especially from a fellow man. It was as if Andrew summarized everything he was. He finds it difficult to believe that someone is interested in a person like him. "Y-You're… You're weird and crazy," he muttered as he tried to avoid his contact.

“Is that not the type of person you like?” Andrew asked curiously.

Can he get even weirder? Why is Andrew asking him this? Maybe It was really a mistake that he went here. Emman pondered on his mind. "What are you talking about?"

Andrew grinned once more. That for some inexplicable reason, Emman didn't know if he would be happy or annoyed.

“Do you like me?”

Emman felt intense nervousness. He just felt his heart did a cartwheel. Why would he like this man? They're the same gender and besides, he's weird. "W-What the hell?"

"You can just say no; you know?" Andrew muttered as he grinned, which made Emman's cheeks flushed even more. He's a straightforward person who even Ralph called him out for because his mouth had no brakes. But for the first time, why can't he just utter that he doesn't like him.

“I… I-’

“I like you. That’s easy, right? Why can’t you say you don’t like me, then?” Andrew goaded, resting his left elbow on his left thigh as he placed his chin on his palm. He then watched Emman stuttered to his amusement.

“W-What did you say?”

“Why can’t you say you don’t like me, then?” Andrew repeated.

“N-No… I mean…”

“That I like you?” Andrew muttered as he grinned. Emman was about to think that Andrew was just playing with him. He just bit his lower lip so hard and nodded slowly. “I like you, Emman. And I’m not playing with your feelings. I do like you. Now say that you don’t like me,” Andrew added.

Emman's lips parted slightly. He wanted to utter those words, but it’s just that it doesn’t quite fit with what’s really on his mind. He’s brutally honest and could not possibly blurt some things he doesn’t mean.

“I… You’re…” he stuttered, “You’re crazy… and I… I like you too.”

He immediately got up from the lawn and scatted away from Andrew.