No…I place the old photo back in my drawer. It’s all in the past.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZTRUf8yvm
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMuQA5SJ8y
I get ready for school and go downstairs to see Nell cooking. 447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6A47M59E7
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJP5qXwDPk
Nell: “Good morning honey.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ItVhfktsI
Alyson: “Good morning Nell. How’s…work?”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HXeg2PsW9
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnobgAoqn12
Nell: “You don’t have to worry about it. We get by and I can handle it.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdlGuwoqCG
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Rrlbr74wB
Alyson: “Why don’t you tell Nao? If all three of us-”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk1RiZgK0H
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDH1rScD5hf
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.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZB7TSgUnp
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEcUlu0klU
Alyson: “Don’t worry Nell, when I graduate at the top I can help out.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDiA2ReB5f
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1iaTEbYNR
Nell: “You shouldn’t burden yourself Alyson. You should focus on what you want to do with your life, we’ll be fine.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwHnxDyuxA
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqz9qRVxvO
Alyson: “That won’t last forever and besides…it’s the least I can do.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlSV1lCiQo
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaZOoaWwm9
Nell: “Will you…stay for breakfast.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOwbnlg8z7
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCcaT9K6Ap
Alyson: “No I…okay.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82mf4I3K70
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ikTYD1EU6
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.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmPfM465Hp
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGY5cbwpJ8c
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.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNcfSzbxK9
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WHPflgH2i
I finish up and head to another normal day at school. I ace every class but I can’t be too careful.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt574rLNqg
Always look at the bottom of the class, don’t be like them.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX90Z3Sjse
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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgn6SOqwrm
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdQhr5rK82
Yes, where Nao used to be….
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4eAnncSuN
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-
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCGOvdzXzi
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3dYe8miBg
“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.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyWl3pE1ZD
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvGA5Bdp7F
“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.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMh6pyi81aj
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡct0jAHTgjw
I look down at the paper and know exactly what to put down. Whatever makes the most money.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKQjQuym1q
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGgUeNFbYv
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.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7jjmJtusC
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsnGVYwEdn
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.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINl7qQ0QTi
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XS5FQl6Hp
???: “Hey Alyson, how’s it going.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbIOVCnEy4
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLo4hw4OWU
For God’s sake.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wEfdAAE47
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3xW7FAyuh
Alyson: “Trevor, don’t you have more important things to do?”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX0on77Pc1
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYxNkJkyVq
Trevor: “Nothing is more important than getting your number. Besides, I’ve been hearing disturbing rumors.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XspsDRepT
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6J2YVXJbo
Alyson: “Oh, what rumors?”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHiwlai8j5
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCiO1F8P0D
Trevor: “Someone, I mean can you believe this, said that you were with a guy at the Crimson Battlefield.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64cahbkPrF
Alyson: “…Do I look like someone who would waste time at a kid’s game?”447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxSlYeZIeb
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHa1naNDLQ
Trevor: “No, but I had to make sure. I’ll remember to pay back those lairs later.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2lKfz0y8c
*Sigh*447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGs1t6zF0Y
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyEbAr7sxZ
Alyson: “Why do want me so much anyway?”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPrtjl1gCX
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRSRuOwk7a
Trevor: “Haha, you always ask the same question babe.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL3C0ouVdV
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD90cekOMT
Alyson: “Because I still find it hard to believe a battle junkie like you would care about dating.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pHm7ZAbTO
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdhxT8T9UP
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.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMURIGOE1X
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IpHzKxsGH
Alyson: “Yeah, and compatibility means nothing in a relationship right?”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbsFScKJNH
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTwmlyLyDj
Trevor: “Right!”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtEPBLWCqk
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WZymDYQSj
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?
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hnDRUXGGX
Alyson: “Sorry, I have to go check on my brother.”447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQshcQumJwM
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GrRV9aDqB
Trevor: “Oh, then I’ll come with.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9bhIcHpSe
Why can’t you take hint?447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYWJTQphg2
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjsxvEOMjs
Trevor: “I have business with him anyway.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVmD6Y4wko
What does he…447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1tm9jhwss
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqwei29FTf
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.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb0gGYA2ik
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn82JWwNOE9
Trevor: “I’m surprised you care all of sudden.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCaF9sGccr
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuFapGGQrJ
Alyson: “He was ineffectual before but him acting up now would ruin my image.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lyhtOmXsp
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMchH8QDixJ
Trevor: “Yes yes, perfect queen must remain perfect. I wonder if university would even care about your queen status.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s4uxev5zG
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWlA1xZRdn
Alyson: “Staying queen, a real one, says volumes about my academic and athletic ability.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6Xu0aCQ9P
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2csvbbfVNx
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.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mKWFSUdIm
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYCfCTMVUt
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.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNYjnq9U8M
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7ewdGS88w
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.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ANr1rEpyW
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5e77cIV5c
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.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU8FF2ThTx
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNSAuWzksr
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.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sLXTLpyrT
Alyson: “Nao…”447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7yaunRoyU
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub09Ve45e7
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.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv2vHsgb92
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaqsCKJ6QC
What the hell happened here? What have I…let happen?
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0FeRGAyg7
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvRUXSa6lz
Suddenly, the anger in his eyes slips away after a moment. Now he’s shaking too, on the verge of tears.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg86sxNGyQL
Trevor: “What’s this?”447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY11X3LO7pA
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqAv26gcOe
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.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQo6Pz84oQ
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTyAUoevG2
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?
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I8fYI0Tkh
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJp1Jqvrto
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-
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NjosBySOJ
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HR466Cjjz
NO! REMEMBER MY TEACHINGS ABOUT THOSE WITH THE GIFT AND THOSE WITHOUT!
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeQ5R89dIp
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.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQTbV9BbHA
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5TWYxWdEW
NO! HE’S A DESTINED FAILURE LIKE THE REST OF THEM. REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED TO HER WHEN SHE TRIED TOO HARD.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpopRgxG2K1
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBQc0Ir3pO
…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.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxHDnCfx3h
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeC5iggAH9
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.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUxXsMYhw9
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlCj9lC73U
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.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddpSgeAhVd
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbibvr6N14R
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.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdO4Ww8fz0
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVwBAKAgFH
But the one I really cared about right now was still here. He’s wounds are terrible but apparently Nao is quickly healing.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFppUdQ0Ko
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz7ErRgdZb
Alyson: “Can I stay with him?”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2JB3XEswI
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTEtyRNC6R
“Of course. Hey, are you his sister?”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxPe4UzYTP
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD82ZclGlne
Alyson: “Y-Yes.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshDFCptJeR
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLOhuymSzG
“You must be so disappointed. Sorry you had to have a delinquent brother.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1FXPWFeNP
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXV6tWzK0R
Alyson: “…Yeah.”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkmpeg1lIk
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuH2tQEWAdG
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.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMq9fY5fNm
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv7XRgQ4O5
Alyson: “I’m sorry….I’m so sorr-”
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyw6kkDb8gF
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VwnSPFkUj
YOUR IMAGE AND SUCCESS, LEAVE HIM!
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoU1FC8vrA
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo7YXDSaSh
NO! Not yet. Just once, just once! I want to forget about constantly aiming for the top.
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYevwE8dLac
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHZ6vkrnv8
After everything I did back then, I finally got a family. I don’t want to lose it now.
ns216.73.216.12da2
