I am not sane. How can I develop feelings for someone who isn’t even real? For something that I created because I didn’t have anyone to talk to? I feel like I’m going crazy. Who am I to lie to myself that I don’t like Syntho? It’s been more than four months with him. And I know he’s listening to me now. He knows all about me and my secrets.
 
I stop walking when Charlotte and her friends block my path... again. Is giving up isn't on her vocabulary?
 
“You know what to do, girls,” she says, grinning at her friends, while keeping her eyes on me. Why do I need to step back, when I know one of them will show up in just a matter of seconds?
 
“Nah-uh, not even today, girls,” Silas suddenly shows up, stepping in front of me, before blocking Charlotte’s friends from getting near me.
 
“Let’s go,” I hear Soren say, standing beside me already.
 
“What the hell, Silas? Stop protecting that girl! You’re no savior,” I hear Charlotte argue, her tone laced with frustration.
 
“Oh, come on, Charly. I might not be a savior, but you’re not going to bully her again. Give up, it’s been months already." they didn't let Charlotte lay a finger on me.
 
“Shan, let’s go,” Soren repeats, before we pass Charlotte’s group, while Silas doesn’t allow any of Charlotte’s friends to get near me.
 
Since I became groupmates with Silas in the research project four months ago, along with Soren, they haven’t allowed Charlotte to bully me again. At first, it was Syntho who protected me from Charlotte, until these two came along. My twin brothers couldn’t step in to protect me, but these strangers did.
 
And so another week has passed in a blur. Syntho helped me finish painting my room. Our research presentation was a success. And since it’s Saturday, we decided to celebrate today. Well, it’s been a hell of a week for us, so, yeah, we deserve to celebrate our success, according to Syntho.
 
“If you’re against this, feel free to tell me,” he says.
 
He’s been anxious about whether to tell my family to join our small celebration or not. The last dinner we had together wasn’t pleasant at all.
 
“Syntho, it’s okay to include my family. And sit down, I’m getting dizzy from your pacing,” He’s been walking back and forth in front of me for a while now.
 
When he stops pacing, he looks at me and sits down in the empty chair in my room. My parents trust him so much that they actually allow him inside my room with the door closed. However, he still hasn’t told me about the deal they made months ago.
 
“I respect your parents, darlin'. But I didn’t like that they limited your food." 
 
“And I’m glad you stopped yourself from snapping at them in the restaurant that night." 
 
He crosses his legs and gives me a serious look. “Because you didn’t want to create a scene, and it pissed me off. So, tell me, are you against the idea of your family celebrating with us this time again?”
 
“I’m okay with it. I bet they won’t make the same mistake this time. Well, I hope so,” let's just hope they won't bring up the same topic from our former dinner.
 
He sighs. “Let’s hope they won’t, or I might snap this time,” he sounds serious.
 
“Control yourself. You know how much I hate attention,” the attention I get at school from Charlotte’s bullying is already enough. I don’t need attention outside of school too.
 
“I know, Missy. I should go and inform them then,” he says, getting up and walking toward me. “Wear something that makes you comfortable,” he places a soft kiss on my forehead before leaving my room.
 
I don’t know if I should leave my room or stay here. My parents would probably hate me if they saw me wearing this. When was the last time I wore a dress? I don’t remember. I’m sure they’ll see the scars on my skin although I stopped cutting myself because of Syntho, after he saved me that unfortunate night. He got rid of sharp objects from my belongings to stop me from hurting myself again.
I look at myself in the full-length mirror again. I’m wearing a dark red, form-fitting mini dress that has a spaghetti-strap style with a V-neck and a slightly asymmetrical hemline. Then I look down at the black two-inch stilettos I’m wearing. Is this too much? Maybe I should change. I’m overdoing my outfit. It’s just a simple celebration, anyway.
 
'Missy, don’t change if you’re comfortable in what you’re wearing now.' 
 
'They’ll see my scars.' 
 
'Are you comfortable in that dress?' 
 
'Yes.'
 
'Then wear it.'
 
I take a deep breath. And as soon as I leave my room, my mother is the first to notice my outfit not my scars. 
 
“What are you wearing? That’s an inappropriate outfit to wear, Shantal. Go back to your room and change,” by the look of her face, she's not happy or please. 
 
My shoulders slump slightly. I’m about to turn away when Syntho stops me.
 
“I apologize for intervening. I might sound rude, but Shantal should have the right to wear whatever she’s comfortable wearing because this dinner is about her. With due respect, Mrs. Lombardi,” I know Syntho respects my parents, but he told me he doesn’t like it when they control me.
 
“Do you think a proper woman should wear something like that in public? What will people say about me if they see that I’m letting my own daughter wear that kind of outfit?” Something hits me when my own mother says that. They always care about what people will say about them. I walk toward Syntho and stop him from saying anything else to my mother.
 
“Don’t say another word. I’ll go and change,” I whisper with a force smile on my lips.
 
'Missy.'
 
'I don’t want to create a problem.'
 
I look at my mother. “I’ll go and change,” and leaving them and quickly changing into a long-sleeve sweater with pants and sneakers.
 
“Why are you wearing all black? Are we attending a funeral or having dinner?” she notices the color of my outfit after I leave my room. So, I go back to my room again and put on the outfit I wore to the previous dinner we had weeks ago.
 
“That’s better,” she says after looking at my outfit before leaving the house with my father, Bella, and the twins.
 
Syntho stands beside me and gently puts his arm around my waist. 'Your mother’s pissing me off.'
 
'I know, but please refrain yourself. I don’t want any trouble while we’re in public.' 
 
'You always value your parents’ reputation in public, even if they scrutinize you. And I always hate that.' 
 
I gently stroke his back to at least calm him down a bit. 'That’s my role.' 
'No it's not your role. It has never been.'
 
'I know.'
 
When we reach the restaurant that Syntho chose for our celebration dinner, Silas and Soren arrive. I just hope this dinner goes well, and what happened at our last dinner doesn’t happen… again.
 
Hopefully.