Arian

Arian

My uncle’s words rang in my ears as I walked down the steps of the administration building like a ghost. I felt empty, numb, and a little colder than before.

The fact that he said I never belonged here made me question my life, my existence and my efforts to make a better life for myself.

There was no one else I could turn to. No one to help me. This made me realize how unfortunate I have become, how helpless and confused I've become in less than twenty four hours.

The air outside was warm, but it couldn’t touch the coldness sitting in my chest. I didn’t even know where I was going, my legs just moved on their own, pushing me away from that office, away from him and his condemnation.

Most importantly, away from this damn school. I just want to leave everything behind. I want to hide myself under my bedsheets. I just want this day to end already.

I was halfway across the parking lot, nearing the gates when I heard the laughter. The kind that wasn’t funny. The kind that made the hairs on your arms rise.

“Ayeeee! Ayeeeee! If it isn’t Orleans’ favorite thief,” someone called out mockingly.

I stopped after hearing the familiar voice.

Obviously, it was Luke. The only one stupid enough to act like that.He leaned against a car, surrounded by two of his friends.

The same uncultured loudmouths who thought the cafeteria was a runway and every girl owed them her number. Their arms were crossed, smug grins etched on their faces.

I glanced past them, trying to walk around but I was too late or Luke was too fast. He blocked my path before I could leave.

“Where you going in such a hurry, cousin?” he asked with a fake pout. “Off to steal more funds?”

One of his friends chuckled. “Hope he saved some for bail.”

“He wouldn't need bail. He will be fine in the male cell,” his other friend winked. “More dick in his ass.”

“I guess he will get paid per night. You won't need to steal school funds again.”

I tried to push past again. “I’m not in the mood, Luke.”

He put a hand on my chest and shoved me back, lightly, but enough to make a point.

“Who said you get to decide when the conversation ends?” he said. “You embarrassed the family. That’s our name you’re dragging through the dirt too.”

“I didn’t do anything,” I muttered.

“Oh, really?” his friend sneered. “The whole school’s talking about it, man. You’re trending, and it's not for being gay.”

Luke stepped in closer. “Tell me, Arian. Where’s the money you stole? Did you hide it under your old infected bed? Or did you spend it on those weird poetry books you always carry around?”

“Maybe he used it in a male-only strip club,” his friend added.

They laughed out loud as if they were in a comedy show. I couldn't help but wonder how this is funny to them.

I said nothing, staring at them like the idiots that they are. I didn’t have the strength to fight him with words. I have to take action against Luke. I have to find out if he is truly behind the whole mess.

But then, Luke's friend, the one with the black hair stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. “He’s not talking. Maybe we knock some truth out of him.”

A ripple of fear hit my chest. “What are you trying to do?” I asked him as I took a step back.

“You don't have the right to ask us questions, Thief. I ask the question, you answer them.”

“Luke,” I said, turning to him. “Stop your friends.” I thought he still had a little decency left but he didn't. He didn’t stop him. Instead, he smirked and stepped forward.

I took a step back, my heart pounding now. Getting physical is the last thing I want to do now. I don't even know how to throw a punch.

“Don’t touch me,” I warned but they wouldn't listen.

“Or what?” the black-haired friend said. “What will you do if we touch you?”

“He will use the stolen funds to sue us for harassment,” his friend retorted.

Without warning, the black-haired friend moved first, his arm swinging wide into the air. Quickly, I closed my eyes waiting for the punch to hit me but it never came.

One second passed. Two, then three, then four. Finally, I opened my eyes to see what had stopped them.

Someone caught his fist mid-air. I blinked as I saw who it was.

Kael.

His grip on the guy's wrist was firm, unmoving, his jaw clenched like stone. “What the fuck do you think you are doing, Colin?” Kael asked, rage laced in his voice.

The three of them froze like they saw a ghost. They knew Kael and they were scared of him. And the funny thing is that Kael knew them too. He just called the black-haired guy by name.

Luke laughed awkwardly. “Hey man, we were just messing with my cousin.”

“Touch him again,” he said in a voice low enough to vibrate through the air, “and I’ll break your arm.”

Finally, he let go of Colin's wrist and stepped forward. Just one step and somehow, the space between all of us became suffocating.

“It was a joke, Kael,” Colin said as he massaged his wrist.

“Do I look like I’m joking?” he said, his eyes burning into Colin. Then he turned to Luke, “Walk away.”

Luke smirk was gone before he turned to me. “Your bodyguard came to save you.”

Kael didn’t even blink. “You’ve got five seconds to fuck off, Luke.”

They backed off slowly, muttering nonsense as they left. But the only thing that matters is that they left.

And suddenly, it was just the two of us. Me and Kael.

Standing in the middle of the road, surrounded by the silence that always followed a storm.

I didn’t know what to say, I couldn't even look him in the eyes. A part of me was embarrassed and another part was relieved.

Kael turned to me. “Are you okay?”

I looked away, my jaw tightening. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“That doesn't sound like a thank you to me,” Kael said.

I wanted to argue. I wanted to push him away again. But I couldn’t, I just sighed, letting out a sharp breath.

After all the rejection I'd faced, for the first time today, someone had stepped in for me and saved me from another humiliation.

“Thank you, Kael,” I said with the highest form of sincerity in my heart.