Cushion of Thorns

29

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"Well...I..."

I was waiting patiently...

Looking at the lips of the man who looks at my beloved like I do.

What am I expecting anyway?

~

The moment I step foot outside and was mesmerized by what I was missing out this whole time, I realized that I'm blessed. I'm so lucky to have met such wonderful people in my life. I'm so lucky to be alive, just to see this very moment when I felt free the most, while knowing that there are people behind me who will smile at my happiness. And I was right. The moment I look back I saw Enzo on his way to hug me with a wide grin on his beautiful face. I laugh as I saw the others doing the same.

They are happy for me.

"Shall we go, Hon?" Lantice took my hand as he lead me to a white funny looking thing. I smiled as I saw Linx inside. Lantice opened the door and I saw Enzo and Canary sat at the back of it while Vaughn sat inside  as well... well... I look at Lantice who was smiling at my clueless gaze.

"I assume you haven't ridden a car before? Or at least don't remember sitting at one?" His kind gaze reassuring me.

"Yes." I said laughing at it. Since I can't really contain my excitement right now.

"You'll be fine, Hon."

Vaughn once again reassured me extending his hand for me to take. I sat beside him as Linx said that we're going. I was so tensed that when the car starts moving I nearly panicked.

"Sky its going to be fine. You're fine, you're fine." Vaughn repeatedly said as he caressed my head.

I look at him nervously and he just smiled at me. Its unfair though, he was beautiful enough but his gaze keeps on making me fall for him even more. He kissed me unexpectedly and I could do nothing more than to kiss him back. I didn't even realized that we are now moving in high speed.

"Please enough, Sky's lips are red enough as is. Don't make it more obvious now." Canary interjected that I can't help but to laugh. I unexpected love Vaughn's affection today.

"So Sky this is..."

Enzo and Canary gave me a run down of what things are gonna be once we arrive at our destination. What to expect and what to do. What things are for and how to use it. Small things that I unexpectedly would need. I was enjoying it but as expected it was too much... well I guess that's just normal in my case. I couldn't help but smile as I watch the two of them fretting over small things so seriously. I really do love them... more than my freedom, now.

"Sky, are you listening? Pay attention, please." Canary firmly said looking at Enzo once again.

"So this is how you carry this type of bag Sky, you can even sling it across your shoulders or carry it in this side."

I look at the Bag Canary has been holding this whole time as they explained every detail the content of the bag was for. Uhmm I just couldn't interject that I know how to use a pen and paper... at this rate, I can't help but think that they're going overboard.

Do I look that... dumb?

Still, I just laugh at how adorable this two is.

"Yes, thank you." I said as I planted a small fleeting kiss in Enzo's and Canary's cheeks, at least i know they cared for me this way.

I saw a slight blush at their faces before Enzo practically pounced on me, well, kissing me on the process.

"Stop it you two. We are here." Linx said as I looked outside the car just to be met by a gate leading to the building they call a school.

As we got off the vehicle, I saw a white 3 floors tall building at the front with a huge open field just in across full with people our age either sitting on the grass or playing with some kind of ball. The building looks like a coliseum that I've been seeing in books with its white facade and Doric circular columns. It was huge...

"La Solivan was actually owned by Uncle Raul. You haven't met him yet but he's so kind." Enzo said as he looked at the same thing I was also looking at.

"He was one of Mom's lovers, after all. She'd kill him on the spot if he treated you with anything but kindness." Canary added.

"Very well said, Honey." Linx finding the comment praise worthy kissed Canary's forehead.

"We'll talk with Uncle before we go. You all should get going now."

"Be careful and have fun."

Lantice and Linx waved and kiss us goodbye.

"Well then, I'll lead the boys inside. See you later." Vaughn chuckled as he waved back.

I look at the entrance of the building with pure amazement. I've read about History of Architecture before and I believe the style was from American period along 1970's or something. The ceiling was high with a candlelit chandelier hanging from the second floor. After the main lobby hall was a twin staircase curving along a statue of a man leading towards the second floor. I would take my time looking at it if it weren't for a crowd slowly gathering around us.

What? What was happening?

"Wow look at her."

"Who's she?"

"Another numbered maybe?"

"What if...girlfriend?"

"Well...it's sad... nonetheless its..."

"I thought..."

"Yes, Enzo even..."

"But still.... so pretty."

Hushed whispered or even loud one was exchanged by the people all around us, do they know us? Do I have to talk to them? But..  but... it's a lot to take all of a sudden. Without me having anytime to breathe, I found myself overwhelmed by the crowd infront of me.

I heard a bell rang a few times before Vaughn and Enzo took both my hands while Canary lead us out of the crowd from the front.

"Ignore them Sky." Vaughn said looking unhappy with the excessive attention.

"Fuck, move out of the way." Canary also seemed pissed out of nowhere.

After a few turn here and there we finally reach what I think is my class. Situated at the end of the hall on the second floor was a bright room with circular multi-leveled seats that surrounds a podium at the front.  They said that we have to part ways here and for the record... I think I'm not ready yet.

I look at either direction, warry of the crowd and saw Vaughn smiling and talking to someone. He probably saw as coming as he gesture for me to come closer.

"This is my sister, Sky y' 13th. Sky this is Ezekiel Augustus, my Junior. "

Vaughn introduced me to someone he's been talking to right after we get here. I look at the boy who has the same blond hair as Qen and as tall as Dustin. He had a white delicate skin and small freckles that makes his appearance scream good boy. But what cought my attention was his green eyes that's been analysing me for quite a while as he once again look at Vaughn... lovingly?

What?... am I imagining things?

"He can be quite loud sometimes but he is reliable and gentle. You can always ask him if you didn't know something. He's the student body president here and well... your class representative as well, I presumed? So you can rest assured. " Vaughn said beside me as he was leaning closely to my ears. Its tickling but still, I like his that it sends shivers down my spine.

I saw Ezekiel's eyes dart on Vaughn's lips and his hands on my shoulders for a second before looking at me and extending a hand as he smile sweetly.

What? What is it really? Strangely, I've been feeling a thug on my chest since earlier.

"Nice to finally meet the beloved Sister."

I reluctantly shook his hands before Enzo and Canary took me away from them and lead me to my seat. I look back at the two who was still talking outside as I felt unpleasant all of the sudden.

Why am I like this?

"Move. Tungsten." Canary forcefully make a grumpy looking man move away from the seat near the window as they make me sit there.

I feel bad but I still obliged at there whining. It was funny but at the same time embarrassing as the two of them unknowingly attracting a lot more attention at our direction than what they intended.

"What the fuck, Canary? Are you on drugs or something?"

The guy they call Tungsten retorted somehow looking more pissed than Canary.

"Yes, I think I'm high on sugar right now, so move the fuck away before I get the chance to kill you accidentally."

"Well good luck with that."

The guy said as if exasperated with everything. He look at me for a second or a minute? Our gaze never leaving each other or is it just me that think that if I look away, I'll get on his bad side? Nevertheless, the staring was interrupted by Enzo's hand covering my eyes.

"Stop looking at him, Sky. You'll burn your eyes and bleed." He whispered.

I was shocked and out of sheer nervousness that my eyes would bled, I nodded.

"Okay then, take care Sky. We'll see you again later at lunch." Canary kissed my forehead as he informed me.

"Make the most of it and have fun, Sky~ and don't forget what I told you. And if ever Tungsten did something to you, you can just slap him across the face, Okay?" Enzo also kissed me as he keeps on reminding me about the guy. I laugh as Vaughn drag the two of them away after kissing me goodbye too.

After they leave, silence follows. Tungsten was looking out the window with his grumpy face and the people inside the room, although whispering and looking at our direction, never really approach or talk to me.

Who would? If a guy with dark eyes that could pierce you accompanied by his big masculine body was looking at you with a death glare. Tungstens bluish hair was swishing along the wind coming from outside the window as our eyes met again. Suddenly I remembered what Enzo said and I hurriedly covered my eyes. After a few second I heard a low voice laughing quietly.

"What a fool."

The voice had a refreshing feeling with it. Although one would take what he said as an insult, I find his laughing quite pleasant to the ear.

I smiled as I look outside towards the direction he was looking to before. Well... it was really pleasant, if I may say.

"Have you introduced yourself, already?"

I suddenly look back after I heard that kind voice. It was the man Vaughn was talking to... Ezekiel Augustus.

He smiled at me after he realized I was looking at him. I look at his green eyes once more to confirm what I was dreading to see but... it was not there anymore.

Why?

"I hope nothing bad happened while I was gone?" He inquired after sitting beside me.

Why is he sitting beside me? I suddenly became so conscious about our distance that he probably notice it as he slightly move a few inch away.

What? I look at him and he just wink at me. What? Was that supposed to be an act out of consideration? I chuckled, suddenly my worries was washed away by his small antics.

"Yeah... nothing of sort." I smiled becoming more comfortable with their presence by the seconds.

"Well, Sky, this is Tungsten Gray. He may look like that but... well he's rude but don't let that get into your skin. It's not worth it."

For some reason we had misunderstood each other. I don't know if it's my fault but they seemed to find me quite funny and well... dumb. It didn't sit well with me at all but their cheeky laughter kind of remind me how my beloves act back at home.

Home...

I smiled as I realized, I have a place I can consider my home.

"Well whatever... I can just ask Mom about it later." I said, as I saw their desperate attempts to explain some figure of speech to me.

It was no big deal. I know I don't know a lot but I can just ask, right? What's important is how comfortable I was with them. Its not even a hour ago...Was I always this open and easy to crack a laugh with?

"You really have to ask, okay? If you don't understand something, just raise your hands like this and ask the professors." Ezekiel said worrying about my lack of awareness. Within just a few minutes knowing me he's already acting like Elijah... he's kind of cute.

"Okay."

Time passed by like a blink of an eye. The lectures was no different from what I'm used to. Some of it was even thought to me too a few years back. What fascinates me about school however is how one instructor can handle teaching a whole group of students at the same time. Back when I was learning in my old house, they would teach me one on one and even watch me closely waiting for me to make a single mistake for them to reprimand, but here, everyone is open and acknowledged one another. Its like pure teaching and learning relationship. What an amazing way of learning, really.

"Was it that fun?" Tungsten asked as if he'll faint out of boredom.

For the whole time I can't help but smile. I was really enjoying ever second day of it. "Yeah! It was so fun." I  beamed, wanting for him to realize how enjoyable learning in this school is.

"Yeah, yeah. I get it. I do. So please just stop smiling for God's sake." Tungsten was so out of it that he even covered his eyes with his hands.

"Oh yeah, sorry, I forgot!" I said covering mine as well. I don't want his or my eyes to bleed.

"Pwahahaha no, Sky. This dumb ass just can't handle the brightness. He's a shut in." Ez said, bringing my hands down, as he lead me somewhere to meet Vaughn and the others.

"Shut in? Are you afraid of the light, Sten? Why?" I asked out of worry. Shocked that he hated how bright it is outside. Its so beautiful and wonderful to look at for me but maybe  some people hated it. It makes me feel sad to know he didn't enjoy the feeling I'm enjoying right now.

"No... it's not like that." Tungsten mumbled as he looked at me.

"What is it then?" I tilted my head, looking at him waiting for the explanation but my body was suddenly taken by strong arms that hugged me, engulfing me in comfort.

"I told you not to look at him."

Enzo's warmth spread through me as he embraced me while glaring at Tungsten. Oh yeah! I keep on forgetting.

"Hehe sorry, Enzo."

"Well, as long as you understand, Sweet heart." He said biting my cheeks out of nowhere.

"Enzo, stop it. I'm starving  let's go." Canary motioned for us to sit at a round table, inside a busy crowded dining place.

I look around as I sat between Vaughn and Enzo. The place was huge and there's a lot of table where students like us eat with their friends. I look at our table and saw Ez and Sten sitting with us. Aren't we like them too? I smiled knowing that maybe, just maybe this is what it's like to have friends to eat with feels like.

Friends...

Hehe just imagining being friends with Ezekiel and Tungsten makes my heart beat so fast.

"Where's our food?"

"You are not my sister so get your own."

"Just look at the obvious discrimination. I'll sue you."

"I'd like to see you try, fucker."

I laugh as I watch them bickering. What a great day, really. I'm so glad I get the chance to meet them.

The launch go by as they talk about the morning classes. I'm sure my face looks like rotten apple now from either their praises or the stories about my embarrassing moment. Well surprisingly, it didn't really bother me. I was almost happy that they are having fun despite it being nonsense and well... nearly disrespectful.

"Sorry... I didn't mean to offend the teacher. I'm just... just curious." I said kind of feeling bad about what happened in the Social Science class.

Well neither I nor the teacher seemed to understand the concept she was teaching me anyway. I'll just ask Mom about it later on.

"No, Hon. Its okay. I understand. Haha in fact it was adorable."

Vaughn's advances became quite bold since this morning. It not that I don't like it but as far as I can feel, we are not quite close, in fact, from what I can see Vaughn was the closest to Elijah but despite that, our interactions was limited to him feeding me food or saddle hugs despite me being Elijah's sister in papers.

"Please, don't look at Tungsten like what you din earlier, Sky." Vaughn whispered in my ears after a while. He took my hands underneath the table as he gently squeeze it.

"Why is that?" Assuming that it was our little secret, I whispered back.

"Anyone who see how you look earlier might get the wrong idea about you. Tungsten is a good kid. I don't want to compromise." He said seriously, as he  dangerously closed our distance.

If there's anyone who would compromise, it's not me nor Tungsten.

I look at Ezekiel's direction again as I nod to what Vaughn wants.

Now I'm sure of it. The way Ezekiel looks at Vaughn is the same as how I see Vaughn. As a lover that is... Ezekiel would sometimes look at Vaughn secretly everytime he laugh or smile, the way he's eyes would sometimes be fixated on Vaughn's lips everytime he was talking. I know that feeling... I know it very well.

Ezekiel is a good guy. He understood our circumstances and never judge or try to isolate me even once. He was kinto details and try to mitigate any anomaly that might hurt someone. Not just to me, he tries his best for everyone, he welcomes everyone ... it was... cool. He was so cool.

For the first time, I think I had a friend in him... I don't want to lose the chance with them. Vaughn is right. I too, dont want to compromise.

"Ezekiel."

I muster the courage to talk to him about my worries as we head back to the class.

"You really are kind."

I want to be friends with him and Tungsten, but the tugging feeling in my heart can't seem to settle. I don't know this feelings and I don't want it. Especially not towards kind Ezekiel.

"You like Vaughn, right?"

I asked after a few seconds of contemplating. I seriously looked at him wanting to know the truth, at least... please tell me.

I don't know what I want to hear or what I want to do afterwards but... but...

"Damn, busted." I heard Tungsten whistle behind me.

"Well... I..." Ezekiel started.

I can feel my heart beat raising from the anticipation and nervousness of what could be and what will be. What do I do? I saw Ezekiel took a deep breath as he looked back at me seriously. His eyes were telling me everything and I was then afraid that the friendship I want would then be just... nothing.

"Yes, I like Vaughn. In fact, I like him a lot."

😶