Now that I am free to be myself, who am I? -Mary Oliver. |A L E E Z A|If someone would have told me my life would turn out this crazy. I swear on the box of kit kat that is hidden inside my closet that I would never ever have taken birth in this crazy world.Kirill, who I assumed to be not the type of movie person is sitting by my side, engrossed in the movie like it is some sort of murder documentary. It is just action. A punch here and a kick there. What is so fucking interesting about it? Lev threw his hands in the air at the next action and spoke, "Oh, look at that brilliant move! I didn't know action heroes had PhDs in physics." He said sarcastically, earning a stink eye from Anna. They just love to annoy the shit out of each other. "Yeah, because defying gravity is a common skill, right?" I backed up Lev, because honesty, what the fuck is this shit. Anna stared at me with disbelief on her face, if one looked at her right now they

I fear not the vastness of the open, but the suffocating darkness that conceals what I should know. -Unknown.|K I R I L L|There's no denying it—she's concealing something, and I'm certain of it. It could be a seemingly innocent secret she's embarrassed about, or it might be as trivial as harboring ill intentions. Either way, it poses a potential danger. Secrets wield a certain level of risk, especially when they involve others.Returning to our penthouse, a shared space with my younger brother Lev and our three comrades from the batrava— Ivan, Alex, and Nikolay—I ensured Lev was already asleep before summoning my friends to the office room for an impromptu and urgent meeting.In the cocoon of dimly lit secrecy, I ushered my friends into the solemnity of the office room. The worn furniture whispered of countless clandestine meetings, each scar and scratch a testament to the history we carried. The air

Sometimes you don't realize the weight of something you've been carrying until you feel the weight of its release. -Unknown. |A L E E Z A|When I dialed Lev, the last thing I expected was for his unpleasant brother to answer. Now that he has, I find myself uncertain about how to proceed. Clearly, sharing my nightmare and having him help ease my mind, something I anticipated from Lev, is not an option. Lev and his brother may share blood, but they are starkly different. While Lev exudes warmth like the sun, his brother emanates a coldness akin to the winter of Canada."Hello?" His grumpy and gruff voice once again echoed in my ears, pulling me back from my thoughts. "Who is it?" he inquired, I could practically hear the annoyance dripping from his voice.I furrowed my brow. Is this person oblivious? I'm fairly certain Lev saved my number under Aleeza with a pink heart when he first added it. So, either he's unfamiliar with the concept of

It's like trying to catch smoke with my bare hands – elusive and intangible. I just wish I knew what caused the rift between us. -Unknown. |A L E E Z A|Leaning back in my chair, the white top clung casually as if it had been chosen for its ability to effortlessly match the laid-back vibe. The hot pink tight skirt, on the other hand, screamed a pop of rebellion against the sea of mundane college attire in the cafeteria.My honey blonde hair are tied up in a loose ponytail with a few strands out, making a mess. Lev and Anna flanked me, their expressions mirroring a shared comfort in our routine.I grinned, tapping my fingers on the table. "You won't believe what happened in class today," I began, gesturing with my hands to emphasize the drama of the situation.Lev raised an eyebrow. "Spill it, Zee. Don't leave us hanging."I launched into the tale, hands illustrating each twist and turn, and Anna leaned in, her eyes widening with every det

It's like standing at a crossroads of emotions, and every path looks equally perplexing and inviting. -Unknown. |K I R I L L|Stepping into the guy's locker room is like entering a world of teenage craziness. The air smelled like a mix of sweat and deodorant, a scent only a high school locker room could have. The lights overhead were flickering like they were in on some secret joke, trying to brighten up the place but not doing a great job.My little brother Lev and I weaved through the narrow spaces between rows of lockers. Each thud of a locker door closing echoed through the room, blending with the laughter and talk from other students. It was like a teenage soundtrack playing in the background.Anna, the new friend of Lev stormed inside the boy's locker room with the bag strap on her shoulders and a big framed glass resting on her nose. She is a redhead and her actions really goes with her personality. She is rebellious. "Did you heard