Three days ago…I was the only one at home today because Austin was at work, and I couldn't visit Shane because they needed to run some tests on him and he wasn't allowed to receive visitors. This made me nervous, but the doctor assured me that it wasn't anything serious, and that it was just a routine test due to the mild concussion he suffered.And I couldn't call Athena because her plane should've already taken off, so I decided to watch the list of animes I'd missed because of school, but just as I was about to press play, my phone pinged, indicating that I had received a message.When I picked it up, I discovered that I had received a video message from an unknown number, which was unusual because I don't often give out my phone number to strangers. This made me hesitate for a moment because my mind wandered to Mikey, the owner of the Void, and whether or not he had found us, but I squashed that thought because I had hidden my tracks well enough that he, and no one else, could fin
Present day...It's been a while since Shane was hurt and hospitalized for a minor concussion as a result of the beating he received from Zack and his friends, and I got the video of them beating him up, but I still want to beat the shit out of them, regardless of their age.I still can't believe they'd do that to anyone. What could have made them so angry as to put Shane in such a state? I'm angry just thinking about it.No matter how many times Austin and Athena have told me that the accident wasn't my fault and that I shouldn't blame myself, I can't help but wonder and make up reasons why it was my fault he got hurt, and how if I had protected him better, none of this would've happened.Because Athena was in New York for a family event, Austin and I didn't really have a reason to go to school, so we hung out with Shane most of the time and when visiting time was over, we would go play basketball at the park until we were exhausted, then have dinner and go to bed.It took some convin
"So what's it going to be Ma, because I know you don't want to make this issue bigger than it already is" Athena said as she held on to Shane's hand while Austin stood beside him and I was being while we watched her waiting for her reply"Okay then let's go to my office, since Shane is so keen on having you here,'' The principal said, as she took us into the school and guided us to her office. When we got there, Austin, Athena and Shane took a seat on the only couch while Mr Sanders and I took a seat on the twin chairs in front of the principal's table. Zack thought it was a good idea to sit beside Shane and the guys but Austin didn't even give him a chance to get close because the look he gave Zack made him back away from Shane looking scared before he took the seat behind his father."So Mr Smith before you arrived Zack was telling us what really happened that day, he said Shane was the one who started the fight and he and his friends were just protecting himself" the principal expl
After arriving at Rudy's, Athena went to greet the guys at the counter, and Austin, Shane, and I went to sit in the booth at the far end of the diner, where Athena joined us a few minutes later with a smile."How was your visit to New York, Athena?" Austin asked, and her smile faded. Austin turned to me, and we immediately knew something was wrong; she doesn't know how to hide her emotions or control her facial expressions, making her quite easy to read."I've been racking my brain trying to figure out if telling you guys was a good idea," Athena said, a frustrated sigh leaving her lips as she stared at the three of us, okay with what she just said now, she was starting to scare me, what could've happened?"Athena, you know you can tell us anything, we're here for you, so please tell us what happened in New York?" I said, and her gaze shifted to Shane."It's not a good story, and some parts of it aren't kid-friendly," Athena said as she turned to face Shane, who looked just as concerne
After I told the guys what happened during my stay in New York for Vera's birthday party, I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders because I felt bad for keeping what happened from them. I knew I didn't have to tell them, but some voice within me compelled me to because I thought they deserved to know since they had already appointed themselves my guardian knights even though I didn't want them too because they might get hurt while trying to protect me.And they tell me things about their lives that I don't need to know about, both good and bad, so I knew I could trust them with my deepest darkest secrets as well; they are more than friends to me; they are family.Even after everything had died down, uncle Jerry, Vera, and Jackson still kept asking if I was okay? And I kept telling them the same answer; that I was fine and they didn't need to worry about me.What I went through with Adam was nothing compared to what Dylan and his friends have put me through, so perhaps that's why
After a brief pause following Austin's confession regarding his dyslexia, Leo broke the silence by asking, "Do any of the teachers know about your dyslexia?" "Just Miss Anne, I was embarrassed about it so I never told anyone else, but now you guys know," Austin explained, and for the first time since he was hurt by his stepfather, I've seen him vulnerable, so he is human after all, even if he and Leo make me think they aren't."Having dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of, Austin; you just need to work harder than everyone else, and if you need help, you can always ask us; that's what friends are for." I said, my eyes clouded with tears, but I did my best to hold them back because I didn't want him to think I was pitying him."Maybe I overreacted a little," Austin admitted, "and I'm sorry for making you guys worry about me." "Nah bro, Olsen was being a jerk, and you have nothing to be sorry for, so don't apologize again or I will punch you in the face," Leo warned. "Do you have to b
Finally, after such an exhausting week, it has come to an end; I've always enjoyed weekends, even if they always seem to fly by in a blur, and before you know it, it's already Monday.It's Saturday, and the boys were on their way here because of the dinner Sophia had asked me to invite them to earlier in the week.She had been on edge all week, trying to make everything perfect because we hadn't had visitors in a long time, so planning this dinner made her very happy, and seeing her excited made me happy too, because she was always busy working and never had the chance to unwind."I think everything is ready, we can go get ready after we clean up," Sophia said, covering the last tupperware of food and staring at me with a small smile on her face, "Our guest might arrive any moment now seeing as it's already 1pm.""They had already left the house, according to the text Austin sent. Anyway, since you haven't had a shower yet, you can leave; I'll take care of the cleaning" I offered, kno
We all watched as Leo ripped off the wrapping paper and opened his gift first, which contained a new pair of basketball shoes and a new basketball with what appeared to be a signature scribble on the side."Athena said you liked basketball, so I got my brother to get you a signed basketball from your favorite player, Michael Jordan," Sophia explained, and Leo abruptly stood up from his chair and walked over to her, crouching down and hugging her tightly."Thank you, Sophia, this is by far one of the best gifts I've ever received," Leo said, tightening his hold on her."It's okay, dear, think of it as a gift for taking care of my baby," Sophia said, smiling down at him as he stood up and walked back to his seat, hugging the gift as if it would disappear if he let go. I smiled as I stared at the three of them, there were still kids like me no matter how tough or mature they acted.Austin opened his gift when Leo took his seat, and unlike Leo, he couldn't control his emotions; his eyes w