c.50
RECAPPING CHAPTERS:
__c.1 ~Sunrise~(Part I)
__c.2 ~A Favor~(Part II)
__c.3 ~A Favor In Return~(Part III)
__c.4 ~Know Ya~(Part IV)
__c.5 ~Love Is Difficult~(Part V)
__c.6 ~Her Somebody~(Part VI)
__c.7 ~Protector~(Part VII)
__c.8 ~The Group~(Part VIII)
__c.9 ~Who Is He?~(Part IX)
__c.10 ~At War~(Part X)
__c.11 ~With Her Around~(Part XI)
__c.12 ~Happy Morning~(Part XII)
__c.13 ~Bullies~(Part XIII)
__c.14 ~Blackmail (1)~(Part XIV)
__c.15 ~More People~(Part XV)
__c.16 ~Face Him~(Part XVI)
__c.17 ~Excuse? ~(Part XVII)
__c.18 ~Practical Stranger~(Part XVIII)
__c.19 ~Brothers~(Part XIX)
__c.20 ~Blackmail (2)~(Part XX)
__c.21 ~Party Night (1)~(Part XXI)
__c.22 ~Party Night (2)~(Part XXII)
__c.23 ~Willingly~(Part XXIII)
__c.24 ~Strange Morning~(Part XXIV)
__c.25 ~Catch Up~(Part XXV)
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__c.1 ~Sunrise~(Part I)
"My name's María, what's yours?"
She held up her hand.
Am I hallucinating, or is this for real?
"Um, you can call me T-Techno," I said in a quiet manner. I raised my hand to shake hers.
Who was this girl?
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__c.2 ~A Favor~(Part II)
"Techno?" she said as her brows furrowed.
"...Techno..." she repeated it as if she was convincing herself of the name.
"That's a weird name."
Wow... umm... okay, that was straightforward.
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__c.3 ~A Favor In Return~(Part III)
"I'm sorry I can come off a little strong at times," her cheeks were dark red. I just embarrassed her.
I stood up and put my hand forward. A look of confusion crossed her face, but she grabbed my hand anyway. I pulled her up and began to walk down the hill. I was stopped in my tracks when I was pulled backwards by the arm... She was still holding my hand. She's different.
She soon walked with me down the hill, still gripping on to my hand. I didn't pull my hand away, I just let her hold it. Different can be good.
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__c.4 ~Know Ya~(Part IV)
"Meet Tater-tot!" she showed me a small fluffy animal.
I looked down at the fluff, the fluff looked up at me.
It was a fucking hamster.
"This right here, is the love of my life," she pointed at the fluff.
I chuckled at her comment.
"I guess I'm getting to know you," I found myself interested in this girl.
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__c.5 ~Love Is Difficult~(Part V)——
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__c.6 ~Her Somebody~(Part VI)
I heard her sobbing into my shoulder, but I didn't dare look at her. I didn't know what I was doing.
"It's okay," I whispered in her ear.
"You're going to be okay," I began, "It's all going to be okay."
What am I saying?
"Do you know why?" I finally looked down at her, she was hiding in my arms.
"Wh-why?" her head still facing down.
"Because I'm here."
She looked up at me the moment I said that. I realized how close we were to each other's faces.
I sat there, staring into her gaze. Her eyes began to sparkle. As the tears twirled down her cheeks, I raised my hand and wiped the droplets from her face.
"You really mean it?" she whispered to me.
I nodded.
~~~~
Laying in my bed, I turned to my fluffy companion.
"Floof. It's been such a long day," I said as I scratched behind the dog's ear.
"You see, I met this girl today."
"Something about her is so intriguing to me," I laughed at a yawning Floof.
~~~~
It was late, but all I could think about, was her.
She was so delicate, like a flower. Though, when I looked in her eyes, I saw pain.
She obviously needs someone, but doesn't have anyone... so I'll be that for her...
I'll be her somebody.
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__c.7 ~Protector~(Part VII)
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__c.8 ~The Group~(Part VIII)
She pulled me closer and clung to my arm.
I shifted into a position that allowed me to hold her in a hug.
I shielded her away from the world.
She began to whimper. So I held her tighter.
I knew she was trying to keep in the tears as she sniffled quietly.
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__c.9 ~Who Is He?~(Part IX)
María and a few other people were in the back right corner, whisper-talking.
"Ooo, he's new," a girl with freckles and dirty blonde hair pointed to me. I could feel multiple eyes on me.
Pretending to not notice them staring, I tried to look straight ahead.
"And he's kinda cute," another girl quietly spoke.
A blonde boy said something too quiet for me to hear.
"Hehe, I may ask him out," said a red-headed girl.
"Mar Mar, what do you think about him?"
They all turned to María.
"Hmm? Oh uh," she began to struggle with words.
"He's... pretty, I guess," she shot a quick glance in my direction, which I returned, making her break eye contact in an instant.
"Okay, you think he's cute," a girl chuckled while running her fingers gently through María's long hair.
María sat in silence.
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__c.10 ~At War~(Part X)
I walked on the bus to find María sitting in a ball, zoned out, touching her lips, hoodie pulled over her head. I calmly said, "María?"
"Oh Techno, sit please," she quickly snapped back into reality, pulling her hood down and staring at me with tired eyes, looking like she had been crying too.
I sat down beside her and before she could speak, I gently held her chin up to my level so I could get a better view of her face. She was beautiful, "you've been crying?"
"N-n-no..." she muttered, "I haven't cried-"
"Why have you been crying?" I stared into her deep brown eyes a moment longer than I should've.
"She finally caved, "you really want to know why?"
I nodded.
"Umm," she let out a sigh, "Parker kissed me."
"Who?"
"He's one of my brother's best friends," she said.
"Why is it such a bad thing that he kissed you?"
"Well... I've always had a small crush on him, and I've told him how I felt before, but he's always rejected me," she gave a bitter chuckle, "and I'm afraid that the kiss could ruin our friendship, I don't want to lose my friend."
I sat there silently, in thought. You poor thing.
"You're exhausted," I stroked her cheek with the back of my hand, "you should rest now."
She nodded and gave a weak smile. She buried into my arm until it was around her body. I could feel her warmth. You're safe now. As long as you are with me...
She tugged on the end of my sleeve, taking my hand and holding it close. She examined it intently, running her fingers on my palm. No one can hurt you. I promise.
"I wasn't lying earlier," she had this twinkle in her eye.
She kept observing my hand. I felt myself get flustered.
"What are you talking about?"
"When I called you pretty," she looked at me. She took her hand and put it on my cheek.
"What?"
"You really do have a beautiful face," her eyes slowed in movement.
You do too.
"I could look at it for hours," she closed her eyes and lightly fell back into my arms.
I'd rather look at yours.
"I don't want to move," she mumbled.
"You don't have to," I felt her body collapse as her head settled on my left leg. I heard her breathe heavily. She was still holding my hand.
~~~~
Yeah, I found her cute, but did I have more than friendly feelings for her? I've only known her for two days.
Was I at war with my own emotions?
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__c.11 ~With Her Around~(Part XI)
We walked down the steps in a certain silence.
"Where is your family?"
"My mom and dad are still at work..."
We walked to the kitchen.
"And my sisters are still in school," I spoke with a genuine smile crossing my face as I thought of them.
"Didn't you mention having a brother?" she gave me a curious look.
"Oh yeah, Chris." I rotated back to the direction of the kitchen.
"How did you forget your own brother?"
"There are too many to keep up with," I shrugged, "I have too many siblings."
"Oh," she said.
"Well where is Chris?" we were in the kitchen now.
"Actually," I stopped, "I don't know." I had completely forgotten where he would be at this time in the day.
"You don't know?" she put Floof on the ground.
"I don't remember," I corrected myself.
Just as she was about to say something, the noise of the front door opening and closing interrupted her.
"Ugh! I hate school," a boy's voice rang through the house... as did the barks of Floof. I let María I'd be right back. She nodded at me.
"Hey Chris," I said as I turned the corner.
"Oh, hey Techno, are mom or the girls home yet?"
I shook my head, mind wandering back to the girl that stood in my kitchen.
He walked past me, removed his backpack from his shoulders, and held it in his arms as he walked down the right hallway. I trailed behind him, praying he wouldn't look in the kitchen.
He almost walked past it, but took a few steps past the archway of the kitchen before stopping and backing up to look at the opening.
"Oh," he stood there and stared.
"H-hi," I heard a quiet voice say to my brother.
Pushing past Chris in the archway, I put myself in front of María.
"Oh... so are you my brother's girl?" he chuckled in his new dumbfounded state.
"Umm-"
"Nope. Nope. No. Nuh-ah." I shook my head at my brother.
A smile grew on my brother's face before he shoved me to the side forcefully.
"Oh, well then my name's Chris. What's your name little lady?" he put on his devilishly good-looking grin (according to him) and held out his hand for María to shake.
"M-my name is Mar-" her cheeks became darker as she stuttered. She began to lift her hand to shake his hand. Nope.
"Okay enough of you Casanova!" I pushed Chris back out into the hallway, but he kept his grip on the doorway and tried to fight back.
"I'm sorry I didn't get to hear your name."
He swerved past me and slid into the kitchen. Before I could turn to pull him back, he was already out of reach. Without warning, he suddenly grabbed María by the waist, wrapping his arms around her small figure. María let out a tiny gasp as she was picked up.
"What the-" María let out as she was getting lifted up off the ground. Floof was running around Chris in circles and barking. I heard María give a small whimper. Walking towards my brother, I tried to grab María, though she was tightly wrapped in my brother's arms.
~~~~
While laying in bed, I had the same recurring thoughts relating to the girl I spent the afternoon with.
Her voice.
Her smile.
Her laugh.
She was on my mind at every spare thought.
With her around... everything will be okay.
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__c.12 ~Happy Morning~(Part XII)
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__c.13 ~Bullies~(Part XIII)
Once off the bus, I went in the direction of the front office. The second meeting with the Principal.
<<<<Yesterday<<<<
"So what in the hell happened on the bus this morning?" the principal, Mr. Stopes, questioned as he sat up in his chair, glancing at the security camera, and then at the audio recording.
"He attacked me, sir," Drew pointed at me.
I began to stir in my seat, wanting to obliterate his existence in the blink of an eye, but I soon relaxed myself, gathering the thoughts circling my brain.
"I think he means that he wants the truth," I responded, arms crossed, demeanor calm and collected.
"That's what I'm telling him, you attacked m-"
"You're leaving out the part where you harassed a girl," I cut through his sentence like a sharpened blade.
"No. NO!" the boy raised his volume, "he attacked me sir, he ATTACKED ME-"
"Mr. Blade," Mr. Stopes looked to me, "who would this girl be?"
"You already kno-"
"I have to ask these questions so they can go on record."
"...Her name is María Anderson."
The bell rang.
"I think I have enough information for today, you can go to class now boys, we'll have another meeting tomorrow."
Drew shot up and grabbed his bag as he walked out the door.
"I don't think you got enough informatio-"
"I just needed the names for today, you should get to class now, Mr. "Blade.""
>>>>Present>>>>
I couldn't stop thinking about yesterday's "meeting."
I was also contemplating what happened on the bus, as I could still felt the imprint of her knuckles on my lips. I really did that?
Reactionary, Impulsion, Attraction, Desire?
I crossed off the last thought, finding a different word. Gratitude.
It's only been three days. She makes me happy. I'm grateful for her.
She had only told me not to be so hard on myself. Something I needed to hear.
~~~~
"Why don't I make some phone calls while you go get Little Anderson," Mr. Stopes said.
I only nodded.
Making my way down the hallway, a familiar face passed me. "Hey. You!"
I turned around to see a older brunette with waves, looking in my direction, I asked, "are you talking to me?"
Few people were still in the hallways.
"Yes, you."
"What do you ne-"
"You look familiar."
"Oh umm, do I?"
"Yes..." he examined my face, "wait."
It looked like something had clicked in his brain, "you're that guy who was watching me and María Anderson!"
"What?" Wait...
"Y-you're Parker?"
"You know my name?"
The bell rang.
"If I say I guessed it, can I go?" I began to walk past the boy, but he grabbed me by the arm, "listen. I have to be going-"
"How do you know her?" he had a certain glare on his face, "and why were you watching us?"
I stood there silently, trying to keep my cool.
"Hmm, pretty boy?" he tightened his grip on my arm.
I quickly pulled away, making him stumble forward and eventually lose his grab on me.
"I don't have time for this," I said as I walked away from him.
~~~~
I made an effort to be as gentle as I could while holding María's hand.
I knew she was nervous about Drew coming in.
~~~~
There were footsteps growing closer to the office. María's hand let go of my hand as she put her's in her lap. I was confused to why she didn't look at me, she just sat there with her head down.
"You needed to see m-" someone stopped talking as they saw who was in the room. They stood in the doorway, not moving.
"Mr. Millers, please come in," he said while pointing to the seat beside me.
"Gladly, sir," he made his way over to the chair, he was now grinning.
"You are aware that this session is being recorded?"
"Oh. Is it?"
"Yes it is."
"So who has joined us in the meeting?" he waited for Drew to respond.
"Drew Millers, sir."
"Mr. Millers, do you know why you are here?"
"No sir, I don't." Liar.
"You are here because you harassed a miss María Anderson."
"Oh," Drew gave the Principal a look of innocence. This piece of shit.
"Is this the man that harassed you, Ms. Anderson?" María barely looked at Mr. Stopes, "y-yes, sir..."
Drew rolled his eyes.
"María. I would never do such a thing," he retorted, "I always treated you well."
Mr. Stopes was about to say something when Drew spoke again, "you know I love you-"
María immediately stood up without looking at anyone in the room. She appeared to be on the verge of a breakdown. Flinging her bag over her shoulder, stumbling out of the room, she was out of sight.
I sat in wild concern, pissed off to hear Drew stifling a chuckle from beside me.
"I apologize for her," Drew said with a smile etching on his lips, "she gets like this."
This motherfucker.
"We will have to keep going with the meeting."
"Wait shouldn't I go check on her?"
"That won't be necessary Mr. Blade," he said, "we don't have enough time for another interruption."
I sat there silently.
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__c.14 ~Blackmail (1)~(Part XIV)
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__c.15 ~More People~(Part XV)
Where was she? She never showed up to second period according to the teacher. She probably made it to third period.
I ignored my thoughts as I navigated my way to Spanish class.
"Hola Señora Pérez," I greeted Mrs. Pérez as I walked in.
She smiled and waved at me. Taking Spanish last year pays off.
I felt a vibration in my bag. I sat down in the back row and pulled out my phone.
Damn.
_______________________________
Ali.
Listen. we need to talk >
< Can't im in class.
< and no, we don't.
Its important >
< I highly doubt it.
you son of a bitch. >
Im being serious >
< I have to go
Are you kidding >
< bye.
We have to talk later >
Read 11:46
_______________________________
She has the nerve. She acts like nothing happened.
I put my phone back in my bag and avoided my thoughts about her.
She was perfect.
I listened to Señora talk about her home country, Cuba.
The bell rang.
That was the problem...
~~~~
I sat in the library with my food. I liked the peace and quiet.
I opened the book called Strategy and began to read the first few lines until a buzz from my bag interrupted me.
_______________________________
Ali.
Talk? >
< No.
Like I said before >
it's important >
< I don't care.
you're so cold to
me. >
< whose fault is that?
You cant blame me >
< I can
think about how
we use to be >
then it all changed>
< you did this
to yourself
< you're the one
who messed up
< not me
_______________________________
I stuffed my phone back in my bag. I won't let it happen again.
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__c.16 ~Face Him~(Part XVI)
She's so close.
She made a small noise when my hand brushed against her leg.
A temptation like never before...
Control yourself.
A buzz came from inside my bag.
I kept staring at María, not wanting to break my gaze.
"You gonna get that?" she used a soft voice.
"I don't wanna."
She turned her head, unzipped my backpack and reached in. She grabbed the phone and handed it to me.
"It may be important," she shrugged.
I took it from her hands and she began to look out the window, my eyes still on her.
I didn't remove my hand from her thigh.
I turned on the phone to see a message from Ali.
_______________________________
Ali.
please talk >
< can't.
please >
< I'm busy
the school day is over >
< yes, and I'm busy
There's no way >
< bye.
_______________________________
I turned off my phone without being bothered to see what her response was.
~~~~
As we walked up the driveway, she grabbed my hand and held it tightly.
"What's wrong?" I looked down at her.
"Nothing."
I kept walking. Something is bothering her.
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__c.17 ~Excuse? ~(Part XVII)
Before I could say anything, Chris came up from behind María and grabbed her. He was laughing, but she had the opposite reaction.
María desperately tried to get out of the hold.
"No, no, no," she sounded distressed, "Chris, please."
"Let her go," I tried to pull my brother away from the girl.
When he lifted her up, she let out multiple whimpers. Chris hugged the girl. María let out a painful groan that leapt from wall to wall.
My heart dropped.
"María?" I began to freak out.
I made my way around my brother and saw the girl now crying. Chris stood there in shock.
"Put her down!"
Chris snapped back to reality and released the girl. He cautiously retreated from the girl, "I'm so-so sorry-"
"Just go to your room!"
He turned around and quickly walked away.
She began to stagger as she moved around, she soon leaned on a wall and put all of her body weight on it. She closed her eyes and held herself, she slid down the side of the wall in seconds.
I came towards her, but I was pushed away almost immediately.
"Please," she whimpered.
"Shh," I said in a soft voice, "it's me, Techno."
"You're safe now."
Her eyes opened. She held out her arms.
"Let's go upstairs."
"Oka-" before I could finish, she wrapped her hands around my neck and pulled herself closer to me.
She wants me to carry her?
I hesitantly put one hand on her lower back and wrapped it around her. My other hand slid between her knees.
I'm actually doing this.
I carefully lifted her up and stood with her in my arms.
In my arms.
I turned and took cautious steps forward, not wanting to cause her anymore pain. Making my way up the steps, I heard her softly breathing.
I looked down to see her clinging to the front of my hoodie. She was snuggled into my chest. I want to be there for her when she needs it.
I shuddered as thoughts went through my head. I made my way up the final step and headed towards my room.
As I pushed the door open, I decided to lay her on my bed.
I slowly put her on the bed and tried to remove my arms from around her, but I felt a tug on my sleeve. I looked over to see the girl beginning to tear up, and she said, "don't go."
I frowned, "I'm not going anywhere."
"They always say that."
I walked over to my gaming setup and grabbed my chair, I slid it over to the bed and sat down. María took my hand and laid hers in mine.
"Who always says that?"
She sighed and then went quiet.
"Can you tell me the truth?" I rubbed her palm with my thumb.
"About, what?"
"What do you mean 'about what?"' I asked.
"What do you want the truth about, there are multiple things that could come to mind," she mumbled to me.
"Why don't we start with today."
"You won't like it."
"Oh I'm sure I won't, but that doesn't mean that you should keep lying to me."
"If I tell you, you're going to react like all the others do in this type of situation."
"How do the 'others' react?"
"They think it's their priority to control my life, and then when I tell them that they can't dictate me, they run away."
"Can I tell you something?" I squeezed her hand.
"Mhm."
"The way that you live your life is your choice, I'm just here to support you," I reassured, "and I'm not going anywhere, I'll always be here with you."
She yawned and said, "that's a bold statement."
"It's a fact."
"It's an assumption, I doubt you'll feel the same way when the entirety of the truth comes out."
"Something tells me that I'll still be right here for you."
"Don't make promises that you can't keep, my mom taught me that in her own way."
"It's not a promise, it's a guarantee."
"Sure, sure. Before I tell you, just know that I have a good reason to keep it to myself."
"I believe that, I know you wouldn't hide something that left you like this, unless you have good reasoning."
"You really want to know?"
"Absolutely." I stroked her cheek with the back of my hand.
"I...I was attacked."
Attacked?
I let go of her hand.
"By three guys."
She grabbed my hand again.
"A-and... y-your reasoning?" my voice was extremely shaky. My breath was becoming labored.
"Blackmail."
~~~~
She sat up and opened up her bag then dug around. She pulled out a crinkled sticky note and handed it to me.
_______________________________
𐒡𝟃l𝗎ߙ𝟃ߙiℴი⳽ ጠ𝟃𝙧í𝟃 𝘈ი𝘥ᥱ𝙧⳽ℴი,
Ԝᥱ Ꮒ𝟃∨ᥱ ỿℴ𝗎𝙧 𝗉i𝘤ߙ𝗎𝙧ᥱ⳽. ԜᏂi𝘤Ꮒ ℴიᥱ⳽ ỿℴ𝗎 𝘮𝟃ỿ 𝟃⳽ĸ? ԜᏂỿ ℴ𝘧 𝘤ℴ𝗎𝙧⳽ᥱ ߙᏂᥱ ℴიᥱ⳽ ᥕiߙᏂ ỿℴ𝗎 𝟃ი𝘥 ߙᏂ𝟃ߙ Ꭾ𝟃𝙧ĸᥱ𝙧 𝘣ℴỿ.
𝙶ℴℴ𝘥 𝘣ℴỿ, iߙ'⳽ 𝟃 ⳽Ꮒ𝟃𝘮ᥱ ߙᏂ𝟃ߙ ߙᏂᥱ⳽ᥱ 𝗉i𝘤ߙ𝗎𝙧ᥱ⳽ 𝘤ℴ𝗎l𝘥 𝙧𝗎iი ỿℴ𝗎𝙧 𝘧𝙧iᥱი𝘥⳽Ꮒi𝗉.
𝘋ℴი'ߙ ᥱ×𝗉ᥱ𝘤ߙ ߙℴ ߙᥱll ℴი 𝗎⳽ 𝘈Ɲ𝘋 იℴߙ Ꮒ𝟃∨ᥱ ߙᏂᥱ 𝗉i𝘤ߙ𝗎𝙧ᥱ⳽ lᥱ𝟃ĸᥱ𝘥.
ẞỿᥱ იℴᥕ!
_______________________________
I looked over at the girl, she had her head in her knees. She got up and walked over to me.
"Mar-"
She threw herself into my arms as I stumbled back, she began to sob. I hugged the poor girl back.
"Please don't run away from me Techno," she sniffled.
"I'll never run away," I felt my voice break, "I promise."
I'll never run away. Love.
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__c.18 ~Practical Stranger~(Part XVIII)
Friends don't do those things either.
What does all of THIS mean then?
~~~~
What did I do wrong?
How did I fuck up?
The door opened and closed, I heard heavy footsteps going down to the ground level. The front door slammed shut.
I felt my eyes begin to water.
Why am I crying?
I just let the tears roll down my cheeks, I couldn't even wipe them away.
I hadn't felt this defeated since her.
I dropped to my knees, feeling weak.
I laid my head in my hands.
~~~~
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__c.19 ~Brothers~(Part XIX)
"Sorry I haven't been streaming recently guys."
I was playing some bedwars.
"I've just been busy-"
"Die neeerd," I hit someone off the island before breaking their bed.
"Yeah I've been busy because I recently moved schools."
I killed the person once again, eliminating them.
"So it's been a pretty hectic week."
Floof began to bark from the outside of my bedroom door.
"One second, Floof is being annoying."
I slipped my headset off and got out of my chair. I walked over to the door and opened it, letting in the white dog.
"Come in buddy."
~~~~
I finished stream and sat back in my chair, letting out a puff of air.
That was a nice distraction.
There was a quiet knock on my door.
"Come in, I'm not streaming anymore."
The door slid open slowly, revealing two small girls on the other side of the door.
"What do you little ladies want?" I leaned forward hunching my back.
My elbows placed on my legs and my chin in my hands.
"We want to play games on your computer."
The brown haired girls looked up at me curiously.
"Eva I'm tired."
"You don't have to watch us," Gracie piped up.
"Yes I do, remember the last time you played without my supervision?"
They shook their heads, even though they did remember.
"You girls downloaded seven viruses on my PC."
"Let them have some fun," someone said, standing in the doorway, "Plus, I need to talk to you."
"Chris, I really don't think-"
He walked away before I could finish, I heard him knock on another door.
I heard the door open.
"Chris, what do you want?" the young teenager's voice responded.
"Lily, can you watch the girls while I talk with Techno?"
"What?"
"Can you make sure that they don't download viruses on Techno's computer like they did that one time?"
"Fiiine," the two walked in.
All my sibling were in my room.
"Can you all kindly leave?"
"Nope," Chris grabbed my hand and pulled me up.
The two girls rushed over to my gaming setup and tried to both squeeze in the chair.
The oldest girl walked over to them and helped them make a new Minecraft world.
"Come on."
Chris dragged me out of the room as I closed the door.
He walked into his room and kept it open for me.
I walked in and shut the door behind me, I sat on his gaming chair and he sat on his bed.
"So María."
I flicked my eyes over to Chris.
"What about her?"
I leaned back in his chair with my arms crossed.
"Why'd she have all of those scratches, bruises and cuts on her body?"
"That's not either of our's business, Chris."
(A/N- ^Grammar 100^)
"You know what happened."
I rolled my eyes.
"And what's that on your cheek?"
I froze.
"Did she slap you?"
I thought about what to say. I just wanted María to be here with me.
"You didn't do anything to make her hit you, right?"
I stood up almost immediately after he said that. I didn't tower over him, but I was taller than he was.
I glared at the younger boy.
"Did you give her those injuries?"
"No! Of course not!"
I pushed him out of the way and walked towards the door.
"Then tell me this!"
I took my hand from the knob and looked back at my brother.
"Do you have feelings for that girl?"
I shuddered.
"I've only known her for three days," I went back to reach for the door, "I'm practically a stranger to her."
"Does that mean she's available?"
I slammed the door shut and grabbed my brother by the collar of his shirt. I dragged him over to a wall and held him against it.
"Don't you think you've caused enough damage as it is?"
"I was just asking a question."
"No, she's not available," I let him go, "She's been through enough already."
She's not available.
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__c.20 ~Blackmail (2)~(Part XX)
I didn't want to look at her even though she was staring at me.
What did I do? I don't know.
I sat there, reading the same line over and over. I just couldn't think straight.
Suddenly, I felt a small tap on my shoulder.
Without thinking, I turned my head and stared into the eyes of the girl.
She scooted back to her corner and pointed to to the spot next to her.
She doesn't hate me?
I grabbed my bag, put my book and glasses in it, and moved towards her.
Sitting right beside her.
I felt the tension between us as I started to fiddle with my fingers.
Are we really strangers?
In my peripheral vision I would see her coming closer to me.
I felt my anxiety rise.
And then.
I felt a certain tenderness against my cheek that sent a tingling sensation down my spine.
I shivered with the touch.
The heat of my body hovered over me.
As her lips pulled away, internally I pleaded for her to come back. I turned my head to see the girl, moving from me until our eyes met, our faces were close.
I had a sudden urge to get closer.
Leaning in, I subtly motioned her backwards.
I rested my lips on the lower part of her neck and softly exhaled.
She let out the smallest whimper.
I loosely draped my arms around her neck.
"T-techno?" I leaned my body on her as she spoke.
"Mhmm?"
"What are you doing?"
"Restin," I mumbled as my lips brushed against her skin.
She let out a small 'oh.'
~~~~
"Do you hate me María?"
I stayed in the same position.
"What?" she sounded shocked by my question, "n-no I don't hate you."
Relief almost instantly fled my body.
~~~~
I was walking down the hall when a door quickly opened and a hand grabbed at my bag. I was dragged outside by the pull.
I was startled and confused.
"So you're Techno?"
I looked at where the voice was coming from, I saw a whole group in that direction, there were about four of them standing in the grass, watching me.
"I... I really have to go-" I pointed at the door and attempted to open it.
A hand pulled me back.
"What's your relationship with María Anderson?" the tallest one asked.
María?
"Umm, María Anderson?"
"Yes," the same boy said, "did I stutter?"
I shook my head, afraid of what might happen if I didn't cooperate.
"She's a friend of mine."
Another boy -who looked similar to the first- pushed me up against the brick wall with his left hand.
"Only a friend?"
I nodded.
Then the doors opened.
"Hey sorry I'm...," a familiar voice paused, "...late."
"Parker," the tallest one looked at the familiar person, "this is Techno."
Parker.
"You're... Techno?"
"Wait you know him?" someone from behind the two boys, asked.
I was still being held against the wall.
Parker became obviously nervous.
This must be about the kiss.
As much as I didn't care for this Parker boy, I wasn't about to let him get in trouble and hurt María more, "We pass each other in the hallway everyday. Right?"
I stared at the boy.
His expression changed from nervous to confused, but he agreed with me.
"Like I said," I directed my eyes back to the two boys, "I'm just María's friend."
"Then why were you at her house?" the tallest asked.
"How do you kno-"
"Who do you think we are?"
That's when it clicked.
They resemble María's father and they look alike.
"Y-you're her brothers."
"So let's try this again, what's your relationship with María Anderson?" the one holding me against the wall grunted.
I pushed him off, I'd had enough.
"She's a friend!" I yelled at the group.
That's when the doors swung open.
A tall figure rushed towards me.
The person grabbed my arm and dragged me away and into the building.
They took me into an empty classroom.
"What the hell?" I turned to see this tall girl.
"Ok first off, how do you know María?"
I recognized this girl from somewhere.
"How do I know you?" I asked.
She rolled her eyes, "The name is Becca, you may recognize me from second period."
Ohhh yeah.
"And the fact that I'm María's best friend," she crossed her arms.
"Look, I'm just María's friend-"
"You're an idiot!" she smacked the top of my head.
"What?"
"You've met her brothers now, but that's only the beginning for you."
"Expect hell," she rubbed her temple and looked at me annoyed.
She walked past me and left the room.
I just stood there, trying to process.
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__c.21 ~Party Night (1)~(Part XXI)
She's lying to me about being okay.
Sitting in bed, I remembered I had planned to stream tonight. I walked over to my gaming setup.
I booted up my PC and turned on OBS.
She'll be okay.
Besides, I'm practically a stranger...
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__c.22 ~Party Night (2)~(Part XXII)
I was laughing at how fast I took out some noob in Skywars.
"He never had a chance," I cackled.
I looked at the time.
8:35 p.m.
"I'll probably be streaming for another hour guys, I have some homework to do tonight."
I looked at chat and saw that some people were still shocked I was in high school.
"Why do you guys think I'm so old, I'm only 16 - well almost 17 - but my point still stands."
"I once had someone say 'Techno I thought you were like 21' which makes no sense to me because I've mentioned being in school like every stream."
I rolled my eyes as I watched the people in chat argue with each other.
~~~~
"Why does it matter that I'm still in high school?" I shook my head while laughing.
"You people are overreacting."
8:58 p.m.
~~~~
"I have to get those coin-"
I was interrupted when I heard the sound of my phone ringing. I looked at my phone to see María calling.
"Sorry, I have to take this."
After muting stream, I answered the call, and what I heard next, made the hairs on the back of my neck stand straight.
There was sobbing on the other end.
"María?"
The sobbing didn't stop.
"María?"
I could hear the girl's endless cries.
"María, I need you to talk to me," I pleaded, "tell me what's going on."
"C-can... can you... p-p-pick me... up?"
"Yes, yes I can pick you up," I replied with a hint of urgency in my voice, "where are you?"
"I'll... s-send... you... the location."
She hung up.
I sat there for a few seconds before I turned to my monitor and remembered I was still streaming. I quickly unmuted the stream.
"Uh. I h-have to go do something, so I'll be ending stream now."
"Byeee."
I ended the stream and jumped up from my seat.
My phone buzzed, María had sent me the location. I wasted no time grabbing a sweatshirt, my keys, my phone, and running out the door.
I hopped in the car and drove to find her.
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__c.23 ~Willingly~(Part XXIII)
I followed where the GPS told me to go, and arrived at the destination. When stepping out of the car, I could hear the quiet and faint sound of crying, it came from a girl lying in the grass. A familiar girl.
"María?" I knelt to her and tried to get a better idea of the situation, but it was too dim for me to really see her face. The streetlights were out.
"Tec... techno?"
"Yes, it's me," I used a soft voice.
~~~~
She was slumped over in the seat, clearly drunk.
Closing her door, I made my way around the car, getting behind the steering wheel. After grabbing my hoodie from the back seat, I pulled it over her head and helped her put it on.
With the car started, I was now able to see María in the light. Tears were running down her cheeks, eyes barely open. I put my hand out for her to hold, but she grabbed my arm instead, hugging it tightly.
~~~~
She didn't mutter a word the entire ride, she silently wept as she was going in and out of conciseness.
9:47 p.m.
Pulling up to my house, I turned to her, "are you sure you don't want me to take you home?"
She slowly bobbed her head up and down.
"Alright."
~~~~
"It... hurts."
"What hurts?" I worried for the girl.
"Ev-everything... everything," she gulped as tears fell, "everything... h-h-hurts."
"M-my heart,.. my dig-gnity, my... pride,... my head, m-my chest, a-and... everything else."
My heart sped up. She snuggled into my arms.
"Let's get you inside," I turned off the car and opened the door.
I had her cradled in my arms as I closed the car door. My hoodie was ginormous on her, but at least it would keep her warm.
As I made my way to the front door, I realized something. I stood on the steps, thinking for a moment.
"María, I'm gonna have to put you down for a second, I'll be right back."
After I sat her down away from view of and windows, I quietly and slowly opened the front door. Of course Floof began to bark as he ran around the corner, I tried to shush the dog to no avail.
"Sweetheart, what are you doing home so late?"
I turned to face the voice, "oh, hey, I was just lending a textbook to a friend."
Her expression soon softened by the mention of that one word. A smile grew on the woman's face.
"Aww, you've made some friends already?" she looked happy, "I can't wait to tell your father about how well you're adjusting to the new school."
Dad.
"How is he doing by the way?"
"He sounds kind of lonely, but I'd feel lonely too if my entire family was across the country," her smile never left her face.
He made that choice, he knew damn well that he could have stayed here, that we could still have been a proper, loving, and happy family.
"Yeah... So are you heading to bed soon?"
"I am right now."
~~~~
As I was sitting her on my bed, she had an uncomfortable look on her face before trying to move away from me. I took a few steps backwards to give her some space. Her eyes looked pained and tired.
"I-I'm so... so... sorry, I know... you w-won't hurt me."
~~~~
"Where will I sleep? Y-you... need your b-bed back, right?"
"No, you're sleeping in it tonight," I replied.
"W-with... you?" she wiped stranded tears away, having not stopped crying yet.
I felt myself become flustered, "no, I'm not going to s-sleep in the bed."
The girl nodded, and began to struggle as she took off the hoodie. Revealing the sight of her body, covered with cuts, scratches, bruises, and marks.
The pit in my stomach only grew, but I couldn't look away. She looked like she had been dragged by the neck for miles. I stepped closer to the girl, reaching out to touch, but quickly stopping myself when I saw the look on her face.
"Do... do you have a shirt I can borrow," she was visibly uncomfortable.
I retracted my steps, as I said, "uh, yes I'll get something for you."
Walking into my closet, I looked for a shirt. Settling on a black T-shirt with some brand's name on it.
"Here you go," I handed the shirt to María.
~~~~
I walked out of the room, closing the door behind me. After a few minutes she called my name, so I went back in.
My hoodie was back on her body, just barely reaching down to her knees; her legs were bare, and a pair of socks covered her feet. The ponytail out of her hair now. In her inebriated state, she couldn't stop wobbling back and forth.
"Get in bed before you fall."
She crawled back into the bed but instead of laying down, she stood on the mattress. Losing balance, she staggered towards me.
My hands promptly found her higher hips. She had her hands loosely around my neck, her touch soft.
Eyes meeting for less than a second before she pulled herself closer to kiss my cheek. I didn't have time to react as she leaned in again, this time furthering her lips lower.
With each new kiss, she moved down more and more until reaching my neck. Enjoying it or not, I pulled away from her, knowing that she was still very drunk, and that I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I let it go on any longer.
"You're drunk, you aren't... thinking straight," I rubbed my hand against the marks left on my neck.
"God, I-I'm sorry... I'm sorry," she sounded full of regret, words slurring in her mouth.
"I... probably deserved w-what he did to me."
My heart sank in my chest, the pain in her voice overwhelming my thoughts.
~~~~
I turned the lights off and sat on the pallet of blankets, back leaning against the bed.
It was a pleasant surprise to me when I felt her fingers run through my hair. The gentle touch of this girl made my body shiver when I wasn't cold. I had no idea what she was doing to my emotions, but I wouldn't stop her from doing it.
She can pull my strings like a puppet master and I'll willingly let her.
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__c.24 ~Strange Morning~(Part XXIV)
I woke up at the same time as usual, still leaning on the bed.
5:37 a.m.
Knowing damn well that Chris will be wanting me to make him an omelet, I get up so he doesn't walk in and see María.
I changed into new clothes and put on a white, long sleeved, button up shirt that's collar was able to hide a portion of my neck.
Quietly walking out of the room, I shut the door behind me. As I walk down the steps, I hear a door open on the first floor.
Making my way to the kitchen, I see my mother in the pantry. She had her work attire on.
"Good morning."
"Good morning dear," she looked at me with a smile before returning her attention back to the pantry.
"So are you going to work today?"
"Yeah they need me in the office today," she spoke softly, "so tell your siblings that they have to ride the bus to school today."
I nodded obediently.
~~~~
About thirty-five minutes later, she was walking out the door, telling me to have a good day and waving goodbye.
As I finished my own breakfast, I prepared the ingredients for making the omelet.
Then, there was sounds of footsteps.
"Morning Techno."
I gave a slight wave to Chris, I was focused on the omelet.
"Morning, oh," I said, "mom left for work, so you and the girls have to ride the bus."
He gave me an 'ok' in a acknowledging way.
~~~~
6:23 a.m.
I handed Chris his food.
The three girls were now downstairs too.
All of my siblings, in their school uniforms, ready for the day.
"Eva, Gracie, it's time to go," Lily looked at the two girls.
"Chris, I'm assuming you aren't coming?"
The boy shook his head before taking a few bites of his omelet.
The girls eventually walked out the door. Thus, leaving me, Chris, and María - but Chris didn't know that.
Chris went to get ready in the bathroom.
~~~~
I put put both of my hands on her cheeks and cupped her chin.
She looked up at me.
"How did you sleep last night?"
"Alright."
"Thank you for last night," she said while giving a weak smile.
I was about to respond when a voice could be heard from behind the counter.
"Uh..."
We both shot our heads in the direction of the voice.
Chris was standing there, eyes wide.
Wait.
"Umm 'thank you for last night?'"
"It's not like that," María glanced at me.
"So," he looked at the girl and then at me, "then, why is she wearing your clothes?"
"She was cold."
"And your neck Tec-"
I cut him off as I said, "nothing happened."
"Mmhmm," he turned back to her, "María?"
"Y-yes?"
"Are you doing, my brother?"
What. The. Actual. Fuck.
She shook her head, staring at the floor.
"Fuck off," I stuck my middle finger out at my brother, "you're so annoying."
~~~~
"So why is she here then?" he sounded more serious in the way he said it.
He was genuinely curious.
"She had a rough night, so I let her sleep here."
"I slept on a pallet while she slept in my bed, like I said, nothing happened," I wanted to make it clear to my brother, even though it wasn't any of his business.
"I can believe that, I guess."
He walked to the couch and grabbed his school bag.
"I need to get walking if I want to get to school on time."
We waved goodbye to the boy as he walked out the door.
Strange morning.
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__c.25 ~Catch Up~(Part XXV)
"I'm sorry about him."
What a bitch.
"Uh, yeah it's alright."
I wrapped my arms around María, pulling her into a hug.
"How are you feeling?"
She's so tiny. So delicate.
"Terrible, I feel terrible."
I need to know what happened to her.
"Do you," I paused before going on, "do you want to talk about it?"
I want to know who hurt her.
"Can I eat first, I'm really hungry."
But a part of me already knows who it was.
"Of course, what do you want?"
"Oh, I can make my own-" I slightly pushed the girl out of the kitchen.
"What do you want?" I asked again with a smile on my face.
She giggled.
"Are you serious-" I took her hand and led her to the living room.
She gave me a sigh and then went to go sit on the couch, "can you make muffins?"
"Yes ma'am," I walked back to the kitchen.
I took out a random apron from the pantry, as well as the ingredients.
My plan was to make them from scratch, I wanted to impress her.
~~~~
"It's because I care about you María, you mean a lot to me."
Take that as you will.
I smiled as I handed the girl her muffins.
There was a spark, a spark in the tunnel. There was finally a light, maybe in her, I can find my way out.
I knew that I didn't want to lose her, I just didn't know exactly what that entailed.
What's it called when even the presence of someone makes you want to smile for an eternity?
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(A/N- Sorry this took so long to publish, the process of making this chapter was: finding, then copy and pasting sections from almost all of the chapters, formatting, going back over each section and doing basic re-editing [grammar, spelling], then re-writing and updating all chapters in an improved way. Many parts were revamped for the recap, better reflecting off of where I am as a writer now. If you go back to the actual chapters, you will notice that they are not revamped, but I plan to improve them soon in the future.
Also, I'm truly deciding whether or not to make my next chapter the recap of the other 25 chapters, I know it will be very time-consuming and will possibly delay my other work on the book. Tell me what you think!
Don't forget I love you people ❤️)
(Hamster Fact: Russian Campbell's dwarf hamsters have a stripe that runs down their backs.)
(-Hamster)
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8269 words :)