[Jow Ylliard Hayle]
I couldn’t conjure a smile. I couldn’t even fake one. Every breath came out hot, heavy with weight I had no energy to bear.
> “Shutting off my feelings… maybe that’s the only way. If I'm never going to meet the one meant for me, perhaps it's better not to feel at all. I’ve already hurt others… now it’s just me who’s bleeding out.”<
I looked up at the sky—clouds swollen, bruised, on the brink of breaking.
> “Maybe they cry because they feel pain. Does the intensity of the rain match the depth of their sorrow?”<
My jaw clenched. I wouldn’t let tears come.
A firm tap on my chest tried to steady my storming heart.
Then the heavens opened. First a drizzle, then a relentless downpour.
I stood on the rooftop—where Lumiel’s blood stained the same concrete.
I lifted my face to the rain, hoping the storm would wash something clean.
> “Nashien… Lemetry… Chrom… Zeburon… Alshil… Curiockiel… Shinatsu… Nova Mei… Takemy… Cruzecrin… Lumiel… Will I ever be okay again?”< I whispered.
Before my uniform became soaked, I retreated.
I slipped down the stairwell, each step heavier than the last.
At the hallway, I paused at the classroom door—Rain, frail and solemn, stood waiting.
“Kuya! You came…” she said, voice small. “I thought you’d skip again. You’ve missed so much.”
I placed a hand on her shoulder and walked in.
Settling into my seat, I rested my chin on my hand, scanning the noisy room. The bell would ring soon—restoring quiet—but the whispers had already begun.
Students watched. Whispered. I gave them harsh glances. They looked away.
Then Jovenyl approached—across from me, beside Rain.
“Eyeden…” she said gently.
“What do you want?” My voice cut through the murmur.
“Can we talk?”
“Recess is ending,” I replied sharply. “If it matters, say it now.”
“Rain!” I called.
“K-Kuya…” she flinched.
“Sit down,” I ordered.
She obeyed. Jovenyl’s gaze hardened.
“Clay is hurting,” she said. “Please… if you don’t feel the same, just reject her. Let her find her smile again.”
My hand shot to my chest.
> Maybe I’m already too late.<
“My resignation… it’s already a rejection,” I admitted softly.
She exhaled with disappointment. “So that’s how you feel? You’re a terrible liar, Eyeden.” And without another word, she walked away.
Whispers erupted louder. My vision spun.
A blow of anger surged—I slammed my fist on my desk.
“Shut the hell up, you damn noisy flies!”
Rain’s voice wavered. “K-Kuya… calm down…”
She took my hand—small and cold.
I inhaled deep, holding back my fury.
“I’m sorry, Rain. Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. You’re all I’ve got.”
I pulled her close, stroking her back. “I’m sorry I lost control…”
> Everything’s falling apart… this pain is tearing me in two.<
---
[Clayrin Aisfine Ezz]
Lunch at the canteen.
I sat with Jovenyl and Yvette—both tense. Jovenyl hadn’t straightened her mood since the classroom scene.
“Teh, your hair’s making Rin wanna hurt us,” Yvette joked, trying to ease the atmosphere.
Jovenyl managed a half-smile. “What’s going on?”
“She’s distant,” I replied softly. “I tried talking to him—nothing.”
“He’s going through… something cold,” Yvette explained. “I don’t recognize him.”
Jovenyl’s eyes glistened. “I don’t want to see him like this.”
Yvette accidentally knocked over her cola. Liquid spread across the table.
“Jovenyl!” she cried.
Without hesitation, Jovenyl grabbed tissues, dabbed it up, and handed Yvette money. I helped wipe the table.
Yvette returned for a new drink. I told Jovenyl, “Take it easy.”
“I am,” she insisted.
I glanced away—and saw Nova enter the canteen with a younger girl in tow.
> Is she a student here?<
“Ate…” I began, voice tight with shock.
“What?” Jovenyl turned.
“That’s the girl I mentioned—the one with Jow the other day…”
Jovenyl followed my gaze.
Nova spotted us and waved, the younger girl lingering behind her.
“No!” I whispered, panic rising.
“Is that her?” Jovenyl asked.
I nodded, voice lost.
Jovenyl leaned forward. “Do you want to know who she is? Look at her uniform—that’s junior high. Is he… interested in younger girls?”
“I have no right to ask,” I replied, shrinking inward.
“But you love him,” Jovenyl murmured. “So you should ask.”
“Please, don’t,” I whispered.
“Shut up,” Jovenyl muttered—firmly protective.
Nova and the girl approached.
“Fancy meeting you here!” Nova chirped.
“We’re actually three—me, Yvette, and Clayrin.” Jovenyl answered ans signaled for Nova and the girl to take their seat.
“Thanks,” Nova said, seating herself and the girl. She avoided our eyes.
“Don’t stare at my cousin like she’s on a menu,” Nova teased.
“What’s your name?” Jovenyl asked her casually like she's on a rush hour commute.
The girl swallowed.
Nova glanced at me expectantly.
“Do you know my cousin, Clay?” she asked.
“No,” I said quietly, heart pounding.
I looked at the girl—her eyes met mine.
“Eyena, meet my friends, one’s your future sister-in-law,” Nova joked.
She flushed deep red.
Jovenyl and I exchanged looks.
“Uhm…” she said. “I’m Eyena Yllear Hayle, Grade 9. Nice to meet you.”
“I’m Jovenyl, and this is Clayrin,” Jovenyl introduced us.
Eyena looked at me, frowning slightly.
“Hayle… you're Nova’s cousin?!” I asked softly.
“Yes. My mother and her mother are sisters.” Nova beamed. “She’s also Jow’s youngest half‑sister.”
Jovenyl and I both exclaimed, “What?!”
“You’re his sister?” I whispered.
“Y-Yes…” Eyena stammered.
Nova laughed gently. “He doesn’t like sharing this kind of news, after all it's the most controversial thing in his life and he wants to protect the peace and privacy of Eyena.”
My chest loosened—relief flooded in.
“So that’s why…” I murmured.
“Curious?” Nova asked Jovenyl. “What’s happening here?”
Jovenyl explained: “Clayrin was heartbroken—she thought he was with someone else. But it’s his sister—little Eyena.”
“Oh?” Nova teased. “Jealous, Clayrin Aisfine?” She winked at Eyena. “Eyena’s birthday’s Dec 7. Maybe that was when he took her out to celebrate it.”
Warmth blossomed in my cheeks.
I touched my chest, heart still fluttering.
“You’re blushing,” Nova said. She playfully reached out and tapped my forehead.
> S-She’s his little sister… I’m so relieved… really relieved…<
To be continued.