Time Loop

05 - First Loop'1

Killian's POV:

[The Beginning of Killian’s Loop]

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I woke up, my eyes fluttering open as I slowly blinked away the lingering haze of sleep. A dull heaviness clung to my limbs, making it tempting to just close my eyes again, but the dryness in my throat wouldn’t let me. With a sigh, I rubbed my face, my fingers brushing against my tired eyes before reaching for my phone. The screen lit up, casting a faint glow in the dim room.

Too early.

I groaned softly, letting my head fall back against the pillow. The world outside was still bathed in darkness, the sun yet to break the horizon. Sighing again, I sat up, stretching my arms as I glanced around my room, barely illuminated by the faint sliver of light slipping through the curtains. My gaze fell on the bedside table, where an empty jug sat evidence of my laziness last night. The dryness in my throat only grew more irritating, so I swung my legs over the bed and forced myself up. My feet padded quietly against the floor as I made my way downstairs toward the kitchen, my mind still half-asleep.

But as I entered the lounge, I halted.

There, sitting on the sofa, was my younger brother, Gael. His head was slightly bowed, eyes scanning over the pages of a book he held in his hands. He was completely absorbed, flipping through the pages with a focus I rarely saw from him. Why is he up this early? And reading, of all things…?

Not that I cared. I ignored him and walked straight into the kitchen. Grabbing a glass, I filled it with cold water from the dispenser. I took a sip of water, my gaze still fixed on Gael. "Oh. Killian. Good morning," he said when he heard the noise. He looked back and spoke, closing his book and placing it on the table as if expecting a response.

I didn’t bother replying. I could feel his stare, heavy with disappointment, but I didn't care. I headed back to my room and lay down again. Sleep came easily, but it didn’t last. My alarm blared, dragging me back into reality. Groaning, I forced myself up and stumbled into the bathroom. A long shower washed away the last traces of sleep, though not the heaviness in my chest. Brushing my teeth, combing my hair, I changed into my school uniform.

Grabbing my bag, I made my way downstairs, my steps slow and deliberate. The faint clinking of utensils echoed in the quiet house as I entered the dining room. My father and Gael were already seated, eating in silence. Slipping on my shoes, I mumbled, “Good morning.” My father glanced up, eyeing me for a moment. “Good morning,” he responded. “You’re not eating?." “No,” I said flatly, adjusting my bag strap.

“You’re going to ruin your health, Killian.”

“I won’t,” I said, adjusting my bag over my shoulders. “I’ll eat something at school.”

My father set his fork down, his gaze steady on me. “Still, you didn’t eat anything last night either. Aren’t you feeling hungry?." I sighed, meeting his eyes. “Dad, I ate something later. And no, I’m not hungry right now. So... can I go?." He studied me for a few seconds before finally giving a small nod.

Just as I was about to head out, I noticed Gael picking up his own bag. He glanced at me. Confused, I turned to my dad. “What’s this supposed to mean?” I asked, my voice sharper than intended. “Gael is going to school with you from now on,” Dad said, his tone firm. “And why exactly is that?” I asked, irritation bubbling inside me.

“Because your school is too far, and Gael is your brother. How long do you plan on avoiding him? Besides, we have a car and a driver now. There’s no reason for him to take the bus anymore,” Dad said matter-of-factly before returning to his breakfast. I shot Gael a glare, my jaw tightening in frustration. Without another word, I stormed out of the house and got into the car, slamming the door behind me.

Gael walked up to the car, his steps slow, almost hesitant. He opened the door and slid into the back seat without a word. I didn’t acknowledge him, didn’t even spare him a glance. My gaze remained fixed on the outside world, watching the trees blur past as the car moved. "Kill," he called my name softly, as if testing the waters. I kept my eyes on the window, my expression blank, my tone even colder. "What?" There was a pause, like he was searching for the right words, as if anything he said would make a difference.

"I’m sorry…" He murmured. This time, I turned to look at him. My expression was unreadable, my eyes devoid of emotion. "For what?" I asked, my voice as sharp as a blade. Gael swallowed, his fingers fidgeting slightly in his lap. "Dad sent me with you," he admitted, almost as if he was ashamed. I scoffed, turning my gaze back to the window. "You should be sorry," I muttered, dismissing him entirely.

"Kill… why are you doing this? What’s wrong with you?" he asked, reaching out to grab my hand. His hand wrapped around my wrist as if trying to pull me back, as if trying to make me listen. The touch sent a surge of anger through me. I ripped my hand away, shoving his arm back with force. My movements were sharp, filled with unspoken rage."Don’t touch me!" I snapped, my voice a harsh warning.

Gael stared at me, his eyes wide with shock, his lips slightly parted as if he couldn’t believe what had just happened."What’s wrong with you?! I’m your brother!" he burst out, his voice laced with disbelief and frustration.

I let out a bitter chuckle, shaking my head slightly before turning to face him. My next words came out cold, deliberate. "Stepbrother," I corrected, emphasizing each syllable as if to remind him of the distance that had always been there. His face fell. For a second, he just stared at me, as if trying to process what I had just said. Then, something in his expression shifted hurt, confusion, disbelief. "So that’s why you’ve been avoiding me? Pushing me away? Just because I’m not your real brother?" His voice wavered slightly, betraying the emotion he was trying to hold back.

I clenched my jaw, turning away again, my fingers curling into fists on my lap. "We were never close to begin with," I said, my voice devoid of emotion. Gael’s brows furrowed, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "We were… Kill, you weren’t like this before. Ever since you found out we were stepbrothers, you’ve changed. You’re not the same anymore," he said, frustration thick in his voice.

I clenched my jaw, my patience wearing thin. "Shut up," I muttered, my tone laced with warning."No, you shut up!" Gael snapped back, his voice rising with anger. "You’ve completely changed! I can’t even recognize you anymore! And you know what? The day I leave, you’ll realize it. You’ll miss me, Kill. I swear you will."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Tsk. I don’t care, even if you die," I said coldly, my words sharp enough to cut through him like a blade. Gael’s expression faltered for a second, pain flashing across his face. The rest of the ride to school was drowned in heavy silence, thick with unspoken anger. Neither of us said a word.

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