Chapter — After School
The school bell had long since rung, releasing students in a noisy stream toward the gate. I clutched my bag a little tighter, scanning the crowd for familiar faces. My eyes searched for Leo first, my brother. He always waited for me. Always. But today, I couldn't find him.
Instead, I spotted someone else.
Micah.
He stood alone near the gate, posture lazy yet impossibly composed, as though the swarm of students didn't touch him. His hands were shoved carelessly in his pockets, his sharp green eyes distant, like he was locked inside a world only he had access to. That was Micah—self-contained, unreachable. Well… except when Leo was around. With Leo, he sometimes stepped out of that world. With me? Not so much.
I hesitated, then forced myself forward. "Uhmm… my brother," I began awkwardly.
Micah turned, his gaze landing on me like a weight. For a moment, his expression didn't shift. Then his thoughts flickered: Fast. This boy is always fast to come find his brother. It was Liam—small, breathless, standing there with those wide, earnest eyes.
"Your brother had things to do," Micah said evenly, his voice calm, flat, carrying no room for argument. "The art teacher asked him to stay behind. He requested we go home together without him."
He answered the boy question calm as his green eyes stares at the boys who slightly gasps hearing his reply. His pink full lips standing out it looks wet and red as if he was kissed but he knew it was as a resort of the boy biting lips.
"Do you always have to bite your lips?" His eyes, cold and unreadable, pinned me in place. "Aren't you too old for that?"
I blinked, startled. "Hm? I… well, I can't control it." My voice betrayed me, small and nervous.
He studied me a moment longer, as if searching for something beneath my words. His green eyes glinted, unreadable, though inside he was unsettled: Why does he look so flustered? Why am I even watching?
"…Maybe you should wear a mask," he said at last, his tone mocking but calm. "At least then people wouldn't see your lips like this."
"A mask?!" I frowned, my nerves twisting with embarrassment. "What about my lips? What's wrong with them?"
His gaze flickered briefly, then returned to its cold steadiness. "…They're ugly when you bite them. Always injured. Might as well cover them."
The words stung. "I didn't injure them this time. The last time was just a mistake." I argued, defensive without even meaning to.
"Well, whatever. I don't care." His tone cut off further debate as he turned slightly. "Let's go."
"Okay…" I muttered, following him reluctantly toward the car.
We both slid into the backseat, silence thick between us. I tried not to fidget, but my lips stung faintly where I'd bitten them, and now I was hyper-aware. Beside me, Micah leaned against the window, eyes closed like he'd already dismissed me from his thoughts. But I could feel the invisible wall he carried with him—a wall that always kept me out.
The drive back blurred by quickly. When the car pulled up at the entrance of the mansion, the familiar sight of gray hair and a tailored butler's suit greeted us. Fred.
"Welcome, Young Master. Welcome, Master Liam," Fred bowed slightly, his tone warm but professional.
Micah barely glanced his way, muttering a nonchalant "Hm," before heading straight into the house, his steps never faltering. He didn't need to. Micah moved like he owned every room before he even stepped into it.
I, on the other hand, lit up at Fred's presence. "Good day, Fred! I hope your day went well," I greeted enthusiastically.
His expression softened immediately, the corners of his mouth tugging into a smile. "Yes, it was, Master Liam. How about yours?"
"Oh, it was great! Not much happened in school. And as usual…" I gave a self-deprecating laugh, "…no friends."
His brows lifted slightly, but his voice was gentle. "That's good to know your day still went fine. Given you missed breakfast this morning… how is your stomach?"
I waved his concern away with a cheerful grin. "Oh, it was nothing. I had things to do, but don't worry—I bought breakfast on the way to school."
"Good you did, Young Master."
I pouted playfully, wagging a finger at him. "Fred! Don't call me that. I told you—just Liam. Not Young Master or Master Liam. Only when people are around, then it's fine."
He chuckled softly, the sound warm and indulgent. "Alright, Liam. My mistake. I'll keep that in mind."
"Good!" I said brightly, feeling victorious, and started up the stairs.
"Liam," Fred called after me, "freshen up and come eat. The chef prepared your favorite today."
My eyes widened with excitement. "Really? Great! I'll be down right away!" I chirped, bounding up the steps two at a time.
"Careful with the stairs, Liam!" Fred called after me.
"I got it! Love you, Fred—you're the best!" I sang back over my shoulder.
Fred shook his head with a fond smile. Oh, boy. Such a sweet child. Always cute as ever.
As for me, I never said it out loud, but I was happiest because of Fred. Not Micah, not even this huge mansion we were currently staying in. Fred was the reason I could breathe here.
Micah's parents were out of the country for business, gone for a month, which meant Leo and I often stayed at Micah's place so we could all go to school together. But today had been different. Today, I couldn't even face Micah. I'd left for school earlier than usual, hiding behind my excuses.
Fred, though… Fred was different. He wasn't cold. He wasn't unreachable. He was kind, strict when he needed to be, but warm—like a safe place I could run to. With Fred, I could be myself. I could act silly, stupid, childish, and he wouldn't judge. He'd just watch, correct me gently, and smile faintly like he was secretly proud.
Sometimes, I wished he were my butler instead of Micah's. My best friend instead of my borrowed comfort.
But life is what it is. And for now, I had Fred—and that was enough.