No…I place the old photo back in my drawer. It’s all in the past.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQBDBUyepS
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIisX7dDei
I get ready for school and go downstairs to see Nell cooking. 437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDv9ujXnCo
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyHmadi1Oe
Nell: “Good morning honey.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMxitd7COh
Alyson: “Good morning Nell. How’s…work?”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7Bq4LVALz
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3ddeY4POi
Nell: “You don’t have to worry about it. We get by and I can handle it.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JzZhrFTUr
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVW2wFxmZC
Alyson: “Why don’t you tell Nao? If all three of us-”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk5JssejkX
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI733Huzs31
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.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3VPpFxe0W
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIf0OnZgx4
Alyson: “Don’t worry Nell, when I graduate at the top I can help out.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNp4S5LBbW
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEXbIFRPKI
Nell: “You shouldn’t burden yourself Alyson. You should focus on what you want to do with your life, we’ll be fine.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFsJ9K52D5
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7jVcJ5HM6
Alyson: “That won’t last forever and besides…it’s the least I can do.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLk2zSm6oH
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv76GSDW5z2
Nell: “Will you…stay for breakfast.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERGcQJ6Ayx
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTuTfL7tjt
Alyson: “No I…okay.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa41vgxZ5YD
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEcVEJv2m2
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.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9Zb9vUMcB
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYatOsQQf2
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.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxyggpLTPQ
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx8Oji4GCo
I finish up and head to another normal day at school. I ace every class but I can’t be too careful.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhTc63O4zj
Always look at the bottom of the class, don’t be like them.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mcNZttreM
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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoR0zpGtkv1
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcRBHgC2gr
Yes, where Nao used to be….
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtY2Iq4v44
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-
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04STwvFW2T
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRyzcKbqnb
“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.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGMTZwM7yf
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykjdsAPafj
“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.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAWKTkevJB
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rv8Zomu0d
I look down at the paper and know exactly what to put down. Whatever makes the most money.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdI4yIwuV6
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3Hl4kdwl2
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.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHXfbYLqRT
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDwiNXD2el
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.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa6CdFpf9a
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90tEWlHslw
???: “Hey Alyson, how’s it going.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lRltsUA2C
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLNhuoULDR
For God’s sake.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMnr4Lcgs0
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eKUwUMvle
Alyson: “Trevor, don’t you have more important things to do?”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUpoAANbup
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsay7VO82Of
Trevor: “Nothing is more important than getting your number. Besides, I’ve been hearing disturbing rumors.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPQliE0lmz
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWgfOAb4fX
Alyson: “Oh, what rumors?”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO83Vrft4rN
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzhN7PpPzn
Trevor: “Someone, I mean can you believe this, said that you were with a guy at the Crimson Battlefield.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9rKyrlFgd
Alyson: “…Do I look like someone who would waste time at a kid’s game?”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLAAnQCEmo
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbesAIO5chz
Trevor: “No, but I had to make sure. I’ll remember to pay back those lairs later.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bBZXsvlim
*Sigh*437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpdxk8UkWf
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjw1432hF25
Alyson: “Why do want me so much anyway?”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxZOfxESS3
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3QcIAFoxl
Trevor: “Haha, you always ask the same question babe.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHoXd1xtGB
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsH5SpAuIG
Alyson: “Because I still find it hard to believe a battle junkie like you would care about dating.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fC70lfp4o
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqylJOuLtQf
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.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5mGLiYvCC
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4yjF68OxA
Alyson: “Yeah, and compatibility means nothing in a relationship right?”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwLp9IZFFE
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbw2iJIiLY
Trevor: “Right!”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzyW81WKib
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hLMVqDu9Y
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?
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSL6XSg3Ln
Alyson: “Sorry, I have to go check on my brother.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8PFHYlDo1
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEq0GkD64rk
Trevor: “Oh, then I’ll come with.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuS0CJS2BY
Why can’t you take hint?437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FuDqOKhGK
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoak92fHZkf
Trevor: “I have business with him anyway.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc52PAerxQU
What does he…437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj5MASQUVf
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv1e5Ewky4
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.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9ccgpwqkO
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRLzmjXbiL
Trevor: “I’m surprised you care all of sudden.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV4I6Bwgr7
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2CbPaGEnE
Alyson: “He was ineffectual before but him acting up now would ruin my image.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumwBCJdu1k
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH6hcGa9tJ
Trevor: “Yes yes, perfect queen must remain perfect. I wonder if university would even care about your queen status.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjkCBAYxGx
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9Dgy6cZ60
Alyson: “Staying queen, a real one, says volumes about my academic and athletic ability.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqC1lh2pLt4
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyejNSnwGb
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.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TxGsvUu0p
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlCBXKj8o8
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.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWK3TcywzG
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVG6rM6fwUd
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.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF78vdCjkZS
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrbNNAoQDj
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.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOIwV5mLS4
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTFvoplpBV
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.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX3cUsVed2
Alyson: “Nao…”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYiOmUC9TP
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNXDIyabSK
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.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77dtMO21vC
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3lWVm5Hoa
What the hell happened here? What have I…let happen?
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eQIeFSWly
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVKel0HNjA
Suddenly, the anger in his eyes slips away after a moment. Now he’s shaking too, on the verge of tears.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnwKkAqEOd
Trevor: “What’s this?”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW27Rb6zbH9
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZNmLO88cX
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.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7SUSzruE7
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzyPGDEmfa
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?
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1QGWzItKe
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyqxXlk43L
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-
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ58jDAT4J
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZPNL23ApF
NO! REMEMBER MY TEACHINGS ABOUT THOSE WITH THE GIFT AND THOSE WITHOUT!
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CwTGlPAjJ
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.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZwtJN9NT1
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQXjHYUgmd
NO! HE’S A DESTINED FAILURE LIKE THE REST OF THEM. REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED TO HER WHEN SHE TRIED TOO HARD.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiHTynnKwK
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhaWpWT8je
…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.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75HDCpWxgI
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWP8mWz3sv
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.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvmubzyuck
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQWF6EPk9Y
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.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW3tS3NYWp
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LtXtFXt9Z
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.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJfhE5gNoD
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEymukCe76
But the one I really cared about right now was still here. He’s wounds are terrible but apparently Nao is quickly healing.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUL7zO5ygdm
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqAoAmge4O
Alyson: “Can I stay with him?”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWvNaqmdit
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABzHnfKjOj
“Of course. Hey, are you his sister?”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7KbSH1d5n
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOsQzOBtpQ
Alyson: “Y-Yes.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CWjbVkke0
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmp391B4rY
“You must be so disappointed. Sorry you had to have a delinquent brother.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVvEHK0Cy8
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl5FyjUuc4
Alyson: “…Yeah.”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CZkmqKZzJ
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdYS1jbY29
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.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hoGiLJyuN
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z8ldoSyYp
Alyson: “I’m sorry….I’m so sorr-”
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdsIRSM8Vp
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXs0aLnLQt
YOUR IMAGE AND SUCCESS, LEAVE HIM!
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXgqBjOJaE
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6xYkoRjws
NO! Not yet. Just once, just once! I want to forget about constantly aiming for the top.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yNxmZ1tJy
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j8kolt6Nr
After everything I did back then, I finally got a family. I don’t want to lose it now.
ns216.73.216.25da2
