“Alright, class. Yesterday, our topic was about…”In the middle of our professor’s profound discussion, my undivided attention was also pointed at Christoph. A pen in my hand and a notebook on my desk.The topic was too boring, and I couldn’t sleep no matter how hard I tried. Christoph was the culprit. Since he arrived on the campus and became our classmate, a lot of things have changed.My daily routine dropped from excellent to poor.So, I was making a draft - a drawing of him sitting comfortably next to me while waiting for the class to end, and I’m pretty sure he was unaware of it.“Boss, what are you doing?” Allen’s whisper sent shivers down my spine. I quickly covered the notebook with my bare hands before he could see my drawing.Or he might have seen it already.“None of your business,” I said.“I saw your drawing,” he whispered again. This time with a teasing tone in his voice. “You’re drawing the new student, aren’t you? Let me have a look. I’ll decide if it’s good or not.”
“Boss, are you alright? Are you sick or something? You're burning and your face is about to burst.” Allen waved at my face, but I couldn’t even blink an eye at it.My undivided attention was primarily focused on the new student.What’s his name again?Right. He introduced himself as Christoph Miller. And his name kept ringing in my ears. Even my heart can hear myself breathing out his name on top of my head repeatedly."Christoph Miller.""Christoph Miller.""Right. I heard him loud and clear. His name is Christoph Miller."This must be love. I felt excited by just hearing his name on top of my head. It felt like I had this unexplainable yearning sensation burning inside me. But why to a guy? Does any of this make sense?“Wait,” Allen added. “Do you like the new student?”“Yes. Wait. What?” I quickly rolled my eyes toward Allen as I was taken aback upon hearing that kind of statement from him.Of course, not! His assumptions about the situation, about me, were too ridiculous and unacc
“That’s not up to me, Dominick,” he retorted, and half of his smile pointed at me. “You were the one who was carrying the weight of the world right now. But then again… I’m open for negotiation.”Charlie’s mind was too easy to read. Even though he added more words to his explanation, the meaning of his response remained the same.The bastard didn’t mind even if I was hurt inside out, as long as he could have sex with me. But the one thing that I missed to read was when he slowed down a bit and wiped the tears from my face.The second thing that I missed was to dodge or push him away, as my entire body froze.“I’m so sorry if I made your life too miserable, Dominick,” he added, his voice barely audible. “How I wish I could also turn back time so we could meet sooner.”Sounds like music to my ears. If we could have met sooner, Charlie and I would probably be traveling the world together, holding hands. I could have been free from my Dad’s wrath.Unfortunately, he appeared too late. He a
“Don’t you dare ignore my piece of advice, Dominick? I’m doing this for your own good, not mine. If you don’t want me to disown you, better fly to France in this instant.”Dad left the meeting room after dropping a piece of paper on the table without looking back, causing my anger and hatred toward him to reach new heights.Unreachable. So near, but far.A ticking time bomb.He did not even give me at least five minutes of his time to explain my side of the story. About how I ended up being like this. About what I really want.On top of that, about how I feel toward the woman he forced me to marry. He never listens.“Don’t you dare touch me if you don’t want to get beaten up to death?” I shouted at Mr. Allen when he was about to approach me.Why now that Dad was gone?“Reporting about everything that happened around me was supposed to be your first job, Mr. Allen. Even an eight-year-old kid can do that, yet you, who’s older than me, failed countless times. You failed me.”“I’m so sorr
A sibling-type quarrel is how I would describe Charlie’s and Clarisse’s arguments.No hard feelings.No physical involvement.Just pure teasing. They’re siblings after all.To put an end to their nonsense argument, and before my eardrums exploded, I retorted, “Charlie didn’t do this to me. I had an allergic reaction to the food I ate last night. I keep rubbing my neck, so it turned out like this.”Charlie and Clarisse stopped teasing each other. Finally, I can now have peace while having my breakfast. What happened at the dinner last night would be the last thing I want to happen during breakfast.So, I took the initiative when it seemed that I was the only mature person in the room and lied to Clarisse.“See? I told you, I have nothing to do with those hand marks. I’m a good boy, right, Dominick?”The audacity to say my name. I just lied to Clarisse. Once is enough. Twice is too much. “Are you sure about that?” Clarisse inquired, her voice still laced with hesitation and suspicion.
The sounds of my teeth rubbing against each other almost broke my eardrum. I couldn't believe the siblings were joining forces to make that ridiculous idea a reality.Never.I will never sleep in the same room as Charlie. Not anymore.“How about you two sleep together in one room instead?” My idea was brilliant, I know. “I mean, you were brothers and sisters who barely met and talked. Perhaps this is a perfect opportunity for both of you to have a heart-to-heart talk just like the old days.”Clarisse nodded continuously. I can see the lit-up bulb, shining so bright, floating above her head.“Don’t tell me you’re feeling disgusted by me, Dominick?” Charlie disagreed, still insisting on his evil plan.This lunatic just twisted my word! He even grabbed Clarisse’s arms, pulling and pushing them simultaneously as if he were seeking her full support.“Are you?” Clarisse questioned me, her eyes coated with dashing hopes as they fixed on me.Having this kind of conversation with these lunatic