No…I place the old photo back in my drawer. It’s all in the past.204Please respect copyright.PENANAnQepRUNJsY
204Please respect copyright.PENANAmYjiwgFBbs
I get ready for school and go downstairs to see Nell cooking. 204Please respect copyright.PENANAE7uzIgOi5m
204Please respect copyright.PENANA8vgiUKFHv1
Nell: “Good morning honey.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANA0SSYFohOFf
Alyson: “Good morning Nell. How’s…work?”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAvxTwhSRKby
204Please respect copyright.PENANArQ6Onb1D2P
Nell: “You don’t have to worry about it. We get by and I can handle it.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAXdxRce8msk
204Please respect copyright.PENANAOqk1Cenx2a
Alyson: “Why don’t you tell Nao? If all three of us-”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAVyA3QqPGX8
204Please respect copyright.PENANA1AoNCRPRFL
Nell: “I’m not blind, I know that there’s something going on with Nao. I don’t know what it is but won’t burden him with this too. I didn’t want to do that to you either but…*smile* you just don’t take no for an answer.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAmmq08RbFSh
204Please respect copyright.PENANAMYBmKWz5wg
Alyson: “Don’t worry Nell, when I graduate at the top I can help out.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAo86xNOJgzP
204Please respect copyright.PENANA7vLGWpuyn7
Nell: “You shouldn’t burden yourself Alyson. You should focus on what you want to do with your life, we’ll be fine.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAfZLDjEykJm
204Please respect copyright.PENANAyS7Betv6IB
Alyson: “That won’t last forever and besides…it’s the least I can do.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANALB0NtledF7
204Please respect copyright.PENANA4v4pmeDvcW
Nell: “Will you…stay for breakfast.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAPSRZkdXTFW
204Please respect copyright.PENANAgIBwtIDOQe
Alyson: “No I…okay.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAPlVqsZXzc8
204Please respect copyright.PENANARfZWQP4dQ5
She beams a tired smile and I return the gesture as best I can. We eat a quick meal together, just the two of us. I don’t know why I don’t do this more often.
204Please respect copyright.PENANAlErrG8o7tU
204Please respect copyright.PENANA4XHB0MqvJO
I really have been focusing too much on work and my image. But it’s for a good cause, I should do more. I enjoyed that relax day with Alphon and sleeping in but I can’t make it a habit.
204Please respect copyright.PENANA5wpCiSptOv
204Please respect copyright.PENANAgtfgbu1Cq3
I finish up and head to another normal day at school. I ace every class but I can’t be too careful.
204Please respect copyright.PENANA5IDFWiQqua
Always look at the bottom of the class, don’t be like them.204Please respect copyright.PENANA9lsAbp0Ea1
Always look at the bottom of the class, don’t be like them.
Always look at the bottom of the class, don’t be like them.204Please respect copyright.PENANAftj8vkEVcu
204Please respect copyright.PENANA6dF2F00bEC
Yes, where Nao used to be….
204Please respect copyright.PENANAjG9wAg69Ne
No! He’s still down there, it’s only a matter of time before he realizes his mistake. People can’t escape from where their born abilities put them. That can’t…otherwi-
204Please respect copyright.PENANATQ7wjxSoMx
204Please respect copyright.PENANAmKmLzv6I9w
“Excuse me class, I have an announcement. You’re seniors and you’re about to graduate so it’s time for you to start thinking about university or a job.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANALkgTvEWVbe
204Please respect copyright.PENANABLPRUrU4b1
“Here’s a paper that you’ll give to your counselor. Place down your top 3 universities and top 3 dream jobs. Afterward, your counselor will help you achieve those goals so be truthful.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAoBD6ROe8wP
204Please respect copyright.PENANArzGjv0cVdP
I look down at the paper and know exactly what to put down. Whatever makes the most money.
204Please respect copyright.PENANAnJ26XACB44
204Please respect copyright.PENANAdvs6Fanot7
Class ended shortly after and it was time for lunch. I took some study materials, can’t be wasting time so close to the finish line.
204Please respect copyright.PENANAWlg4GMD4mB
204Please respect copyright.PENANAZRhRB8zJiQ
I look around and notice that Nao is gone again. He’s off the black list so why is he still with those bottom dwellers? Didn’t he learn his lesson with Anton, stop trying to shake the boat idiot.
204Please respect copyright.PENANA8nGkIWvGvX
204Please respect copyright.PENANAS0mxxi7qsX
???: “Hey Alyson, how’s it going.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAVBsjLEK5WU
204Please respect copyright.PENANAJ66acHcSg3
For God’s sake.
204Please respect copyright.PENANADha2nrnLyS
204Please respect copyright.PENANAhlaDbIKN6J
Alyson: “Trevor, don’t you have more important things to do?”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAZTEa4aDoeW
204Please respect copyright.PENANA78d3oAVTK7
Trevor: “Nothing is more important than getting your number. Besides, I’ve been hearing disturbing rumors.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAt0Pf7YI7q8
204Please respect copyright.PENANAb6aej0Ncn0
Alyson: “Oh, what rumors?”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAHLt9EPCBkh
204Please respect copyright.PENANAzArc0Szx7I
Trevor: “Someone, I mean can you believe this, said that you were with a guy at the Crimson Battlefield.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAx57d5Ks1xI
Alyson: “…Do I look like someone who would waste time at a kid’s game?”204Please respect copyright.PENANA5mWiEvrLkK
204Please respect copyright.PENANAARckTIDvkZ
Trevor: “No, but I had to make sure. I’ll remember to pay back those lairs later.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAKFCFbCwD7x
*Sigh*204Please respect copyright.PENANAVxzzqRhSme
204Please respect copyright.PENANAJwzjtDl7cl
Alyson: “Why do want me so much anyway?”
204Please respect copyright.PENANASZGKMz9Bit
204Please respect copyright.PENANAc0KF4BYMvB
Trevor: “Haha, you always ask the same question babe.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAkJUoZwFGL4
204Please respect copyright.PENANABLbGjS2ifm
Alyson: “Because I still find it hard to believe a battle junkie like you would care about dating.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAckCRrIs0aE
204Please respect copyright.PENANAQjp7pl9FsC
Trevor: “You’re hot, I’m hot. You’re the queen, I’m the king. I never dated, you said you never dated. It makes sense to me.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAoxtPv3SmNw
204Please respect copyright.PENANA4GuMicDh1V
Alyson: “Yeah, and compatibility means nothing in a relationship right?”
204Please respect copyright.PENANALOFz5EkkHp
204Please respect copyright.PENANAJZ8H7gRgoc
Trevor: “Right!”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAlpL3rxSF0t
204Please respect copyright.PENANA4cC7PzpyH2
Sarcasm Trevor, will you ever learn it. As I cup my head in annoyance, I notice Nao running outside the cafeteria like a mad man. What is he doing now?
204Please respect copyright.PENANAO0oE7ODHYx
Alyson: “Sorry, I have to go check on my brother.”204Please respect copyright.PENANAVX6WQ4UUS5
204Please respect copyright.PENANAKMHoz7yW6o
Trevor: “Oh, then I’ll come with.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAUoqPEzm5dM
Why can’t you take hint?204Please respect copyright.PENANANV8y3DV4aa
204Please respect copyright.PENANAOFKPmnui2O
Trevor: “I have business with him anyway.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAkEa7rDB0IT
What does he…204Please respect copyright.PENANAYLio6nJ1ga
204Please respect copyright.PENANA9rgbd8ftqW
Whatever, it’s between them. As long as he doesn’t fight Nao I don’t care. I leave the cafeteria with Trevor in tow following Nao’s trail.
204Please respect copyright.PENANAU3aQ6vP39N
204Please respect copyright.PENANAyx6RmgYJZB
Trevor: “I’m surprised you care all of sudden.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANASTnSI06tyq
204Please respect copyright.PENANAb9dMW4nB3K
Alyson: “He was ineffectual before but him acting up now would ruin my image.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAKygK7sfpVW
204Please respect copyright.PENANAMSm0KclFbY
Trevor: “Yes yes, perfect queen must remain perfect. I wonder if university would even care about your queen status.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAOvatj3P0du
204Please respect copyright.PENANATq8OCmseRB
Alyson: “Staying queen, a real one, says volumes about my academic and athletic ability.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANA4KoLz3uOOd
204Please respect copyright.PENANAJUxIjE90VD
Trevor: “If you say so. I’m sure they’ll still see you like Deanna but who am I to judge. All that stupid stuff annoys me anyway.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANA3cL21G3sTS
204Please respect copyright.PENANAt5dsYcJGBC
If it wasn’t for your ridiculous strength, you’d be like just like those bottom dwellers. You have no right to insult my hard work.
204Please respect copyright.PENANAV41b0O8SoK
204Please respect copyright.PENANA2YR9PF7YTP
I try ignore his presence along the way to wherever Nao is. Eventually, I follow the likely trail outside and to…a group of students. I push past them a bit worried if those bullies went too far but…it was worse.
204Please respect copyright.PENANAzWL5mf20r0
204Please respect copyright.PENANA7Iv2zpmB3y
Nao was covered in blood, but not his own. The Black Listers and 3 bullies. All bloody and broken with only Nao standing. Despite the mumbling crowd, Nao doesn’t stop what he’s doing. As if the outside world didn’t exist.
204Please respect copyright.PENANA8vuE2BHuSJ
204Please respect copyright.PENANAN3l1dlDIzY
He was on top of one of the bullies and beating him into…nothing. Could that even be considered a face anymore? There was only a mound of flesh and bone where a human face should be. I feel…sick.
204Please respect copyright.PENANAn7vSvlSrRJ
Alyson: “Nao…”204Please respect copyright.PENANAoyCywQD3B7
204Please respect copyright.PENANABgwLOPZEdm
At the sound of my voice, he finally looks back, and his eyes…I can’t stop shaking. The anger and hate are tangible from all the way here. It threatens to consume me if I look any deeper.
204Please respect copyright.PENANACiz9Z8Y0lx
204Please respect copyright.PENANAcBclQCAxn2
What the hell happened here? What have I…let happen?
204Please respect copyright.PENANAG5MDyMMsG6
204Please respect copyright.PENANAs0djA4Bmou
Suddenly, the anger in his eyes slips away after a moment. Now he’s shaking too, on the verge of tears.
204Please respect copyright.PENANAop2SqzRsB2
Trevor: “What’s this?”204Please respect copyright.PENANADgz7ZtdJPg
204Please respect copyright.PENANA3EUxR5J4Xt
His words break our eye contact. I look at Trevor and I instantly know what’s about to happen. I…can’t watch anymore. I run away from the bloodbath not knowing what to do.
204Please respect copyright.PENANAL5H4LBVHtH
204Please respect copyright.PENANA32hkR5wFjx
I travel aimlessly, not knowing what to make of what just happened. Nao looked taller and actually beat up those bullies? How did this happen and why?
204Please respect copyright.PENANAmF92BrLx9Z
204Please respect copyright.PENANA9qdlE9aMtP
Was he pushed too hard? I never wanted it to come to this. I didn’t know it would go this far. Did I make a mistake? If Nao could do that then maybe-
204Please respect copyright.PENANApUxbO23k2M
204Please respect copyright.PENANAt891zEvIBC
NO! REMEMBER MY TEACHINGS ABOUT THOSE WITH THE GIFT AND THOSE WITHOUT!
204Please respect copyright.PENANAq3RAf00mwe
Well, maybe he does have the ability? Yes, that’s it! I just misjudged him, I had to have made a mistake. Just because Nao was lazy before doesn’t mean he’s a failure, he hid his ability. He’s even doing better in class.
204Please respect copyright.PENANALEMTyruRIO
204Please respect copyright.PENANA1sZHfiE0qP
NO! HE’S A DESTINED FAILURE LIKE THE REST OF THEM. REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED TO HER WHEN SHE TRIED TOO HARD.
204Please respect copyright.PENANAydBFjPRj4m
204Please respect copyright.PENANA4gexkrqdgy
…You’re right mam. Your words are always right. That was just a fluke. But even so…I won’t let Trevor break my brother.
204Please respect copyright.PENANAfElZE1T7oX
204Please respect copyright.PENANA6NpLcIfa7U
I run to the nearest teacher and force them to come stop the fight. I rally more nearby teachers along the way just in case Trevor doesn’t back down.
204Please respect copyright.PENANA5FDFRJEPwf
204Please respect copyright.PENANApxhHu9rqj9
When we get back to the fight, both Trevor and Nao are hurt. But Nao…he’s much worse off. As soon as Trevor backed off, Nao collapsed hard. I watch the teacher carry the wounded to the nurse’s office and disperse the crowd.
204Please respect copyright.PENANAyTxakzzAnn
204Please respect copyright.PENANACpaIc2zBZq
I follow them all the way to the office where they laid Nao down. They patched everyone the best they could but the wounds were severe. The one Nao was on top of had to be sent to the hospital.
204Please respect copyright.PENANAlNPo67RvWW
204Please respect copyright.PENANAp2a9jdDoRM
But the one I really cared about right now was still here. He’s wounds are terrible but apparently Nao is quickly healing.
204Please respect copyright.PENANAiyDy02QgWz
204Please respect copyright.PENANAXjVOkRD6lG
Alyson: “Can I stay with him?”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAnGkcc4GRaL
204Please respect copyright.PENANA52evurnWeL
“Of course. Hey, are you his sister?”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAF8zJA1ccx9
204Please respect copyright.PENANAydgL0FvEHC
Alyson: “Y-Yes.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAROgGbtCjbq
204Please respect copyright.PENANAajqhZBTWZi
“You must be so disappointed. Sorry you had to have a delinquent brother.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANA2Q2JCTXtwX
204Please respect copyright.PENANAp4HJV8feVZ
Alyson: “…Yeah.”
204Please respect copyright.PENANA2AhUmPV02x
204Please respect copyright.PENANAaExGjl4EIK
I sit down beside the bed and wait for the nurse to look away. I push Nao’s hair away from his eyes and caress his face.
204Please respect copyright.PENANAuqq66RGgXp
204Please respect copyright.PENANATvUd4JLJEh
Alyson: “I’m sorry….I’m so sorr-”
204Please respect copyright.PENANAekU7cpclgA
204Please respect copyright.PENANARE30anohug
YOUR IMAGE AND SUCCESS, LEAVE HIM!
204Please respect copyright.PENANAmAhg70H62f
204Please respect copyright.PENANA9U1FEzReFT
NO! Not yet. Just once, just once! I want to forget about constantly aiming for the top.
204Please respect copyright.PENANAT1SSAU721i
204Please respect copyright.PENANABxxMoG9hWk
After everything I did back then, I finally got a family. I don’t want to lose it now.
ns 15.158.61.5da2