CHAPTER SEVEN

“YOU GO.”

“No, you go first.”

Green and Grey argued about who should approach Blue, who had been staring blankly out the window all morning. Red had asked the two of them for help, hoping someone—anyone—could get his twin to respond. He had been trying to coax Blue into talking, but all efforts had failed. Even earlier in the car, Blue hadn’t said a word.

“I’ll go!” Grey finally said and walked over to Blue.

“I’m fine. Just leave,” Blue muttered lifelessly without even glancing at his friend.

“No,” Grey said.

Blue turned to glare at him. The intensity of his stare sent shivers down Grey’s spine. Grey quickly raised both hands in surrender and stood up. “Alright. I’m leaving.”

He walked back to where Red and Green were waiting, visibly shaken.

“That stare could kill someone,” Grey said with a nervous laugh. “If I had pushed harder, I might’ve ended up with a black eye.”

“Looks like he really doesn’t want to talk to anyone,” Red said, worried.

“Exactly. Maybe he just needs some time,” Grey replied. Then he looked at Red. “I feel bad for my best friend. I’m not used to seeing him like that.”

“Same here,” Green added.

“What about Katleya? Maybe he’ll talk to her. She’s a girl—knowing Blue, he’d never hit a girl.”

“You’ve got a point. Wait, I’ll call her,” Red said. He pulled out his phone and dialed Katleya’s number. Since she didn’t have class that day, she answered quickly.

“Hello, Red? What’s up?”

“Kat? There’s a problem at home… and it involves my brother.”

“Oh? What can I do to help?”

“Can you try talking to him? He won’t talk to any of us.”

“Sure. Where are you right now?”

“In our classroom.”

“Alright. I’m coming over.”

“Thanks, Kat.”

Red sighed. All he could do now was hope that Katleya could break through to Blue. She was his last chance.

***

WHEN KATLEYA ARRIVE at the classroom where her new friends were, Red immediately greeted her and told her everything that had happened at home. Worry was etched on her face.

“I’ll do whatever I can to talk to him,” Katleya assured him.

“Thanks, Kat.”

She smiled and walked over to Blue, sitting beside him.

“Blue? I won’t ask if you’re okay, because I know you’re not. I just want you to know that we’re here. Your friends are worried about you. If you want someone to talk to, I’m here. We’re all here. And we love you.”

Blue looked at her and smiled, despite the tears forming in his eyes.

“Don’t be sad, Blue. You don’t look cute when you’re down—and your shirt’s all wrinkled too.” She adjusted his collar and tightened his tie. “Stay strong.”

“Am I a bad son?” he asked weakly.

“I wouldn’t know. I’m not your mom,” Katleya replied, making him smile. “But if you’re asking me if you’re a good friend? Absolutely.”

“Absolutely, your face,” Blue quipped.

At last, he broke down in tears. It hurt deeply that strangers could see the goodness in him, while his own parents only saw the bad.

Katleya stood and hugged him. “Hey, don’t cry like a baby.”

“Thank you… for being there. Thank you all for loving me.”

Katleya cupped his tear-streaked face. “What a waste of good looks. You look awful when you cry.”

“What Dad did really hurt. Last night, Red punched me twice. Then this morning, Dad slapped me twice and punched me in the stomach. He didn’t even stop to think about how much it would hurt.”

“Red punched you?” Katleya asked, shocked.

Blue nodded. “We fought last night, but it’s okay—I started it. But Dad? He crossed the line. Even though I was the one with bruises, they still asked what I did to Red.”

Katleya hugged him tightly. She couldn’t help but feel heartbroken for her friend. “I’m here. Always. Don’t forget that.”

“Move closer, Kat.”

She pulled away from the hug and smacked his arm.

“Ow! I was just saying. It’s true though. Tsk.”

“You’re unbelievable. Anyway, let’s get those wounds cleaned up.”

“No need. Honestly, I feel like I’m in a drama. Even after getting beat up, I still look good. Like one of those guys who looks hotter with bruises.”

“You’re such an idiot. Get up. I’m taking you to the clinic.”

***

BLUE WALKED WITH his head down, feeling embarrassed in front of his classmates—especially his friends.

Red approached him and immediately gave him a hug, followed by a kiss on the cheek.

Katleya blushed upon witnessing what the guy she liked had just done. For her, Red truly was one of a kind.

“Sorry,” Red said, apologizing to his twin.

“You didn’t really do anything to me. I’m sorry for the things I said last night.” Blue pulled away from the hug and looked at his brother. “Red, I’m sorry if I haven’t been a perfect son to our parents or a perfect brother to you.”

“Don’t think about it anymore. They’ve made mistakes too. I understand you. I’m sorry if I’ve been a coward who couldn’t stand up for you.”

Katleya teared up as she watched the two of them. She felt joy witnessing the love between the brothers. Grey and Green joined in on the group hug as well. They were relieved that Blue seemed to be feeling a little better.

Red turned to Katleya while still hugging his brother.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. That’s what friends are for,” she replied.

***

BLUE AND KATLEYA were already in the clinic. Shortly after, the nurse arrived, bringing the supplies needed to treat Blue’s wounds. When Katleya noticed Blue’s expression upon seeing the nurse, she immediately volunteered to do the cleaning herself. The nurse agreed and stepped out.

“Sit up, Blue. Just sit still,” Katleya commanded with authority.

“My head is aching. Blue-blue is crying . I’ll just lie down, Blue-blue,” Blue replied in a childlike tone.

“One!” Katleya snapped.

“One your face!” Blue muttered, frowning as he sat up.

“Good dog,” Katleya said with a laugh.

“How about I dog-style you right there?! Good dog your face!”

“Watch your mouth. I’m sure that’s one of the reasons your dad slapped and punched you.”

“You know too much. I should just f*** you already.” Katleya smacked him, and he reacted instantly. “Ouch! Fine, I won’t say anything anymore. Just start.”

“Alright. Don’t move.”

Blue nodded silently. Katleya began applying betadine with a cotton bud. She gently touched the lower part of his lip with her finger.

Blue smiled as he stared at her up close. Her chocolate brown eyes drew him in, her lips were pink and inviting, her lashes long, her eyebrows naturally thick, and her nose perfectly shaped.

“You don’t like Miss Cruz because?” Katleya asked with a laugh.

Blue smiled. “You noticed? She’s just so grumpy! Thinks she’s the boss. Grrr!”

Katleya burst into laughter, accidentally pressing the cotton bud too hard into his wound.

“Ow! I’m gonna kiss you now! My lips are itchy, by the way.”

“Try it. You’ll lose a friend,” she warned. “Done. I’ll go get an ice pack for your bruises.”

“Okay, ma’am.”

Katleya returned with the ice pack and gently applied it to Blue’s bruises.

“I’m going to call Grandma,” Blue said.

“You’re tattling again, because?” Katleya chuckled.

“You really know too much. You definitely deserve to be fu—turn around!”

Katleya pressed the ice pack harder while laughing nonstop.

Blue screamed.

He called Rosa, and she answered right away.

“Baby?” Rosa said sweetly.

Rosa Montenegro was the twins’ grandmother who loved them dearly—especially Blue. Even if she never said it aloud, everyone knew it. Red never felt jealous, knowing that it was exactly what his twin needed—something their parents failed to give.

“Grandma, Dad kicked me out,” Blue said, pouting as he waited for her reaction.

“That Zander!” Rosa hissed.

“And you know what, Grandma? He slapped me twice on the face and punched me once in the stomach. I just finished crying, Grandma. My eyes are all swollen. I look like a zombie!”

Katleya couldn’t help but laugh while listening to him. He sounded like a little boy, naive and innocent, tattling to a parent.

“I’ll talk to him! Tsk!”

“But, Grandma, please don’t. He might get even angrier with me.”

Rosa let out a deep sigh. “Alright. Do you have clothes with you?”

“None yet, but I’ll buy my stuff later—and some condoms.”

“You brat!” Rosa snapped.

Blue laughed, knowing his grandma’s nose must be flaring now. “Just kidding! But, Grandma, can you deposit some money in my ATM? I’ll buy some sleepwear, then I’ll just send the rest of my clothes to Red tomorrow.”

“Fine. What about your car? Did he take it again?”

“He didn’t, but I threw the keys at Dad and said, ‘Drive two cars yourself, Dad!’ I was awesome, Grandma. Yieeh!”

“Alright. I’ll just pick you up this afternoon. Let’s find you a car and buy the stuff you need.”

“Okay, Grandma. Thank you! I love you! Mwah mwah mwah!” Blue said happily.

“Alright, baby. Grandma’s still got things to do. I love you too.”

Blue couldn’t help but shout in joy after the call.

“You’re so noisy!” Katleya complained while still icing his bruises.

“My grandma’s picking me up later and she’s buying me a car!”

“I know.”

“How?”

“You were on loudspeaker, Blue. You probably forgot.”

“Oh!” He grabbed Katleya’s hand. The pack was too cold now. “That’s enough, Kat. Thank you. I love you.” He lay back down.

Katleya smiled at his words. “Blue, are you staying here for now? My class is about to start. I’ll go ahead.”

“Okay. Thanks again, Kat. Maybe we won’t see each other later since Grandma’s picking me up.”

“Alright. Let’s just video call tonight. Bye!”

***

IT WAS SIX in the evening, and Blue and Rosa had just finished shopping. They had returned to Rosa’s mansion. She had bought everything Blue needed—including the car she promised.

As soon as they entered, they saw some of Rosa’s children—Blue’s uncles and aunts—gathered in the living room.

“Good evening,” Blue greeted. Of the five people present, none responded. It was as if he was invisible.

“Are you all deaf? The boy just greeted you!” Rosa snapped, furious at her children for ignoring her beloved grandson.

“Why is he even here, Mom? Maybe he’ll just make another video,” said Belinda, Zander’s twin.

“Watch your mouth! The boy already regrets what he did, and you keep throwing it in his face!” Rosa scolded.

“Well, I’m just telling the truth, Mom. The problem with you is you baby Blue too much. That’s why his head’s gotten too big.”

Blue gently held Rosa’s shoulder. “Let it go, Grandma.”

“Go up to your room,” Rosa instructed.

Blue kissed her on the cheek. “Okay. I’ll go ahead.”

He looked at his uncles and aunts. “I’ll go ahead.”

As he climbed the stairs, he could still hear his grandmother arguing with her children. Tears welled in his eyes. Even in his grandmother’s house, many people still hated him.

He needed to be strong. He had nowhere else to go.