We quietly watched as Alek boarded the bus. Students hurried home through various means—some pedaling on their bicycles, others driven by chauffeurs, and some walking.
Continuing on our journey, I took a moment to introduce Kai to Alek and our relationship.
"That's my good friend, Alek," I said. "We play basketball together, and I'm sure you two will hit it off. I can't wait for you to join us."
Kai, still fixated on Alek, inquired where he goes after school. "Does he work part-time?"
"Shhhh!" I whispered, my finger pressed tightly against my lips while scanning our surroundings to ensure no one overheard us.
I noticed Kai looking a bit startled, prompting him to ask if it was some kind of top secret.
I hesitated briefly, then replied, "Well, not exactly. Alek just doesn't want his sister to find out."
Kai, intrigued, pressed on. "But why not?"
"She would feel..." I hesitated, searching for the right words. "Distraught."
"How so?"
"She'll feel like she's a burden, and Alek doesn't want that."
"What about their parents?"
"It's just them. They don't have parents."
"How do they manage?"
"Alek has a scholarship," I explained, "and his uncle used to assist them. However, about eight months ago, he stopped helping because his daughter was going to study abroad, and they needed all the money they could find. He eventually stopped helping altogether."
"Oh, wow. And I thought I had it tough." I heard him mumbling under his breath.
"Huh?" I asked.
"No, nothing."
I noticed Kai's gaze fixated on the bus Alek had boarded, which was now slowly disappearing into the distance. From the look on his face, I could tell he felt sorry for him.
Suddenly, Zara and Marina ran past us. Oblivious to their surroundings, they didn't spare us a single glance. Their giggles filled the air, and they seemed utterly absorbed in a thrilling secret. I couldn't help but notice Kai's gaze shift towards them, watching with a curious expression.
"Don't even entertain the thought," I firmly warned. "She's too fixated on Alek. I guarantee you'd get your heart broken before even finalizing your confession."
He blinked, confusion etching his expression. "What?"
"Marina," I clarified, my words tinged with a knowing smirk. "She's been head over heels for my buddy since forever. I wouldn't be surprised if she begged her parents to let her walk home just for the chance to linger around Alek and Zara's place."
"And why are you telling me this?" he questioned, a hint of realization dawning in his eyes.
I leaned in a bit closer, lowering my voice conspiratorially. "I noticed you eyeing her."
"What?" He quietly chuckled, as if holding onto a secret, then inquired, "And what about Zara?"
"What about her?" I replied nonchalantly.
"Does she have a boyfriend?"
I shook my head emphatically. "No, no, no. Stay away from her. Who would dare approach her when her brother's protective instincts are in full swing? And don't even think about bullying her—you'd be dead before you even knew it. Your chances are better with Marina."
"I—" He began to speak, but I interjected.
"Come on, let's get going."
I took his wrist and led him, picking up the pace as we raced toward Zara and Marina, who were a few steps ahead of us.
I met them back in lower primary. Before I became the Zane I am today, I was Zane the quiet boy. I didn't really talk to anyone and spent most of my days alone. Making friends felt like a task I wasn't ready to take on. I was lonely.
One day, in the midst of science class, when everyone had already paired up with their project partners, I found myself standing alone, seemingly unnoticed. It was a moment of vulnerability that I had grown accustomed to. But out of the blue, Marina and Zara walked over and sat beside me without saying a word. I didn't show it then, but a profound sense of gratitude washed over me.
In subsequent activities, they continued to join me, seamlessly integrating me into their routines. It was as though they understood my need for silence and were patiently waiting for me to find my voice. Their unspoken support and companionship were the signs I needed to realize that, at last, I had made true friends.
"What are you guys talking about? You walked right past us without noticing," I inquired.
"Girl stuff," Zara responded with a mischievous smile. "Where are you guys headed?"
"Home, duh!"
"Oh, yeah!" They laughed, and then Zara shifted her gaze to Kai, who had his eyes locked on her.
"Hey there, Kai."
"Hey," he replied, his smile growing warmer.
"How was your first day at school? Did you like it?"
"Surprisingly, I did."
"Thanks to me," I chimed in with a playful smirk.
"What a tease."
We all laughed.
As we continued walking, I couldn't help but notice Kai subtly adjusting his pace to walk closer to Zara. She remained engrossed in the story she was telling, completely unaware of his silent admiration. It suddenly dawned on me—it was Zara who had captured Kai's attention from the very beginning.
"...and then Mr. Tantrum said I was the one who stole Mimi's glasses. I don't even use glasses. I can't catch a break from science boy," she lamented.
"I noticed that earlier; he seems to have a strong dislike for you," Kai chimed in.
"He downright despises me," Zara sighed.
"And we hate him too. Don't worry, chummy, we got your back," Marina reassured her. They exchanged hugs and made cute, comforting sounds—a classic display of girl camaraderie.
Kai and I shared bewildered glances, both surprised and slightly amused by the display.
"I wonder if Alek has gone home already," Zara mused, her arms still wrapped around Marina.
"We left him at school," I replied quickly, hoping Zara wouldn't suspect anything.
Zara inquired further, "What's he up to?"
Thinking on my feet, but not cleverly enough, I said, "Probably with Masha."
I noticed Marina's demeanor shift when I mentioned Masha and Alek together.
I could never quite understand why Alek never reciprocated Marina's feelings. They got along pretty well, and it was clear they enjoyed each other's company. I vividly recall Alek once confiding in me that Marina was one of the most beautiful people he had ever laid eyes on. There were moments when I caught him gazing at her with a mix of admiration and longing.
Yet, even after all this, he still denied he had feelings for her.
About two years ago, when Marina was rushed to the hospital after falling off her bike, breaking her wrist, Alek became a nervous wreck, pacing back and forth with worry etched all over his face. But even after that, he still insisted he worried about her the same way he would Zara.
"They are probably working on a school project together," I interjected, trying to lighten the mood.
"Oh, right, I saw them earlier," Kai added. "They were with some other students as well."
I knew I was right to admire him.
We proceeded with our walk, during which we animatedly discussed the events of our day at school. The setting sun gently bathed us in its warm golden hues. We strolled along the familiar path, the surroundings echoing with our laughter and shared stories.
"Will you be attending another audition tomorrow?" Marina inquired.
"Yes," I replied with a determined nod.
"Let's keep our fingers crossed for some good news this time."
Kai, who had been listening intently, chimed in curiously, "What auditions?"
"Allow me to introduce you to Zane Barick," Zara proudly declared, gesturing towards me. "Zane here is not only an aspiring singer but also an accomplished dancer—incredibly talented."
I modestly blushed at the compliment, my way of reciprocating her praise being to highlight her own talents. "Speaking of talent, Zara herself is an extraordinary painter."
This exchange ignited a friendly argument between Zara and I, each playfully boasting about the other's superior qualities. Marina and Kai watched with amused expressions as our good-natured banter unfolded.
Eventually, we reached the point where our paths diverged. My home, conveniently, happened to be the first on our route, and so, with a hint of reluctance, I bid my friends farewell, promising to catch up with them soon.
♡♡♡
I was a very joyful child at school, a beacon of happiness and energy. I effortlessly assumed the role of the class clown, someone whom everyone adored and admired. Laughter and smiles were my constant companions. Teachers—even Mr. Tantrum—loved me. Our school's subordinate staff knew me by name and always greeted me with a warm smile. Everyone, from new students to the upperclassmen, knew me.
My familiarity extended beyond our walls, reaching neighboring schools. I guess I was what you'd call "high school popular." They would say, "What a happy boy," and, "Zane's presence radiates such joyful energy." I never really lacked anything at school. It was my favorite place to be.
Yet, hidden beneath this effervescent exterior was a secret known to a few: I was never truly that way at home.
Home is where you should feel safe, wind down after a long day, and find comfort in the embrace of familiarity. But that was never my reality. I was the saddest when I was home. I barely laughed or smiled.
Every evening, as I stepped through the front door, a heavy sense of dread washed over me. It wasn't the warm, welcoming haven I wished for; instead, it felt like entering a battlefield.
Have you ever wished your parents were separated? So that everybody, including you, could go their separate ways? That was me.
My parents were locked in a relentless cycle of quarrels and fights. Their arguments were a daily ritual, each one more intense than the last. Harsh words were flung like weapons, leaving emotional scars that cut deep. It was as if an unspoken storm had taken refuge in our living room, and I was caught in the midst of its relentless fury. That's why I would spend most of my weekends at Alek and Zara's.
Since my earliest memories, the constant quarrels between my parents have been a grim soundtrack to my childhood. I often found myself lying in bed at night, wondering why they never chose the path of divorce—a question that gnawed at my young mind. The absence of peace in my childhood left me yearning for a respite that never came.
I doubt if my parents even knew my birthday; their preoccupation with their own animosity left little room for such considerations. My father once told me he had no interest in my aspiration to become a singer—he believed it would lead me nowhere.
I wished I had Marina's parents. They were never around, but whenever they were, they made up for the days they weren't. They showered her with love and never quarreled around her. I wished I were Zara or Alek. They never had parents, but they had each other. They were happy.
At school, I became adept at crafting excuses for my parents' absence from important functions, a skill born out of necessity.
It became a ritual to shield the truth from my friends, who eventually caught on. Instead of prying into the painful details, they chose a more compassionate path. They stopped asking about my parents' whereabouts and, in their own way, provided the support and understanding I desperately needed.
I am here today because of the immense support and love I received from my friends. When I had nowhere to turn in the midst of my parents' tumultuous arguments, Zara and Alek came to my rescue. They welcomed me into their home and devoted themselves to shifting my focus away from my worries.
When my parents consistently failed to be present at school, Marina took it upon herself to request that her parents stand in for me. Not only did they attend on my parents' behalf, but they also showered me with thoughtful gifts and affection, treating me as if I were the son they had always wished for.
When I was lonely and felt lost, Kai would cheer me up. He shared intimate stories from his own life, revealing a side of himself that no one else knew. Through his tales, I discovered a kindred spirit who had also weathered life's storms, making me realize that I was not alone in my struggles.
If someone were to inquire about my happiness today, I would proudly declare that I am indeed content—like I have never been before.