Az had been crying for what seemed like forever.

He messily wiped his tears before realizing that quite some time had passed.

He rushed back into the convenience store and bought some items to clean up his face with.

He then finally made his way back home and cautiously opened the door to find Rose lazing about on the couch.

“I’m home.” Az said as quietly as he could.

“Yo.” Rose greeted with turning away from the TV.

Az entered his room and plopped into his bed before tightly clutching his pillow.

A moment passed before a knock came from the other side of his door.

“Hey, buddy. You good?” Radhi asked.

“Yeah. Just a little tired, is all.” Az said through gnashed teeth.

“Cool.” Radhi said before walking away, leaving Az fuming.

A twisted scowl formed on his face as he pulled out his phone.

He then called a certain number.

[Hey, Az. What’s up?]

Gloria asked.

The sounds of people cheering and music could be heard in the background.

Az opened his mouth to speak, but no words left his mouth.

A sharp pain assaulted his gut and it twisted violently rendering him mute.

[Sweetie?]

[Uh, I just wanted to check if you arrived safely.]

Az said.

[Aww, that’s sweet. I did. Be sure to cook for your dad and you aunt. I don’t trust that they’ll do any cooking while I’m here.]

[Got it.]

Az said.

[Good. Bye.]

[Bye.]

Az said before ending the call.

He then closed his eyes and fought away the urge to cry.

He didn’t know what to do.

He didn’t know what to say.

If he told his mother what he heard, how would she react?

He entertained the possibility that both his father and aunt were innocent and that he had completely misunderstood the situation, but that thought was fleeting.

Az eventually fell asleep and is pillow was partially coated with his tears.

.

..

Az awoke with a continuously aching stomach.

He made his way into the kitchen and relentlessly tried numbing his thoughts, but nothing really worked.

He grabbed two nutrient bars, but just as he turned to leave, his eyes locked with those of Rose, who lazily sat on the couch.

His heart rate increased dangerously and his eyes widened.

“What?” Rose asked nonchalantly.

“N- nothing.” Az said before hurriedly returning to his room.

He then frantically ate his nutrient bars before plopping back into his bed.

He the realized that his hands were shaking and so he tightly clasped them together as he fought so dearly to numb his thoughts.

He tried thinking about school and when that didn’t work, he thought about music or art.

That didn’t work either, however, his thoughts suddenly locked onto Jade.

He barely knew her and yet a perfect image of her face appeared in his mind.

He remembered the way she smiled, how she smelled and her voice.

Az felt his dick harden and sighed as he stared at the ceiling.

A moment passed.

Then another.

Az shrugged before grabbing a nearby box of tissues.

He then pulled down his pants and began jerking off, but almost as soon as he started-

“Hey, Az. I need you go buy me some cigs. My legs are killing me-“

Rose said as casually opened the door.

Az frantically covered himself with a blanket as Rose frantically closed the door.

“Sorry, I should’ve knocked. I’ll… sorry.” Rose said before walking away.

Az, for the first time, cursed his aunt.

He cursed her presence.

Her existence.

Az pulled his pants up and went to sleep, even as hateful thoughts bubbled in his mind.

.

..

Az awoke the next day and the pain in his stomach was still there.

He completed his morning routine and watched as his father left for work.

He then left the house and made his way to school.

Az desperately fought away any negative thoughts, but the harder he fought, the murkier his thoughts became.

“Az!” Holly called, snapping Az out of his trance.

“What’s wrong? You look upset.” Holly asked with a look of genuine concern.

Az took a deep breath before forcing a smile.

“Don’t worry, I’m ok.” Az said, but Holly wasn’t buying any of it.

“Was it Zoey?”

“No.” Az said.

“Listen, Az. I know I’m the one who approached you and everything, but I need you to know that I’m here for you if you need me.”

Az sighed.

“Its just some family issues. My dad’s been acting a bit weird and it’s bugging me.” Az said.

“Oh. Have you tried talking to him about it?” Holly asked.

“No, but maybe I should.” Az said as they arrived at station G03.

They then made their way to school and Az’s grim expression persisted.

The school day ensued and lunch break eventually arrived.

“Hey, there. What’s with the long face?” Ryan asked.

“Its nothing. I think all the studying is starting to get to me.” Az said with a forced chuckle.

“Mmm… OK, just let me know if you wanna vent.”

Az sighed before standing up and making his way to the bathroom.

He then took a piss next to someone rather familiar.

“Whoa! Well if it isn’t Mr. Ladies man.” Eric said with a grin.

“Hey.” Az greeted as he zipped his pants.

“Aw… what’s wrong? Is Zoey’s little pet upset?” Eric asked.

Az sighed before walking to the side, but Eric stopped him using his hand.

“Hey, what’s with the attitude. All I did was offer an shoulder to cry on and yet you shrug me off.” Eric said, his deep voice shook Az to the core.

“Sorry.” Az said while maintaining eye contact.

Eric raised his head and glared at Az with his pitch black eyes.

“Hey, don’t worry about it. Just be sure to cheer up, ok?” Eric asked with a gentle smile.

Az nodded before leaving the bathroom and returned to his classroom.

The learning day concluded and Az wasted no time in making his way to the train station.

He crossed his arms as he awaited the arrival of the afternoon train, but the sound of exhausted breaths caught his attention.

“What the- what the hell is wrong with you?” Zoey wheezed as she leaned on an equally exhausted Holly.

“Why did you storm out and leave us like that?” Zoey asked.

Az looked at the worried Holly and Zoey.

He then sighed before deeply bowing.

“I’m sorry. I- there’s just something I needed to do urgently.” Az said, but Zoey simply gave him a chop on the head.

“Idiot! You get nothing from going all emo and ditching us. Even if there’s nothing we can do to help, at least we can lend an ear or two.”

“Why would you care though?” Az asked.

“Well, maybe it’s because you’re my classmate and potential friend.” Zoey said as the train approached in the distance.

“Mmm… I’ll talk, but not here.” Az said with a sigh.

“Perfect! I just crafted the perfect scheme that’ll allow all three of us to hang out.” Zoey said as she pulled out a pamphlet from her bag.

She offered the paper to Holly, who inspected it keenly.

“The school will be having a friendly event tomorrow.” Zoey said while proudly puffing her chest.

“But… we’re not having an event tomorrow.” Holly said as she inspected the pamphlet.

“Exactly. This’ll have us ample time to cheer Az up and hang out.” Zoey said with a bright smile.

“Mmm… I don’t think my parents will buy this…” Holly droned as the train came to a stop.

“It’s worth a shot, no?” Zoey asked as Holly and Az boarded the train.

“Don’t think about it too much.” Zoey said as she waved Az and Zoey goodbye.

Holly waved, while Az simply crossed his arms.

The train sped away and Az realized that Holly was still giving him a certain look.

“Don’t worry. I’m OK.” He said as he gave Holly a pat on the head.

“Geez, thanks. I really needed that.” Holly aside with narrowed eyes.

She eventually dropped off at her stop and she waved Az goodbye as the train departed.

Az eventually arrived home and he opened the door to find Rose lazing about in the kitchen.

However, just as he closed the door-

“Hey, Rose. Come here-“ Radhi started to say in a rather gruff manner as he walked down the stairs, but he stopped as soon as he soon as he saw Az, who stood frozen, like a deer in front of headlights.

Radhi pulled out his phone from his pajama pants.

“Holy crap! It’s already midday. Welcome home, bud.” Radhi said as he walked into the kitchen.

Az remained silent as he made his way towards his room.

He plopped onto his bed and promptly closed his eyes.

He then heard the door open, but he didn’t move.

“Hey. You ok?” Radhi asked.

“Yep. Just a little tired.”

“Oh… OK. Let me know if you need anything.” Radhi said before closing the door.

Az eventually fell asleep as a certain pain returned.

He held his stomach as it twisted and burned.

.

..

“Az.” A sweet voice called.

“Sweetie.”

Az opened his eyes to find his mother sitting next to him.

His eyes widened extremely as he sat up.

“Mom?”

“Yeah, it’s me. Why haven’t you gotten out of your uniform-“

Az hugged Gloria tightly, much to her surprise.

She then gently rubbed his head.

“What’s this? I was only gone for a little while.” Gloria said, her voice had a numbing effect on the pain in Az’s stomach.

Az eventually let Gloria go and he looked into her soft brown eyes.

He desperately fought away the urge to cry as she stood up.

“I’ll take a shower and get changed.” Az said.

“Good. I’ll start cooking dinner. Can you believe it? First thing I do when I get home is cook.” Gloria said with a pout.

“I could help-“

“No, it’s fine. I’d rather have you studying.” Gloria said before leaving.

Az sighed deeply before dragging himself into the shower where he quickly bathed and got changed.

The rest of the day went by rather uneventfully.

Everyone had dinner, although Az couldn’t look his father and aunt in the eye.

“Thank you for allowing Rose to stay, Radhi.” Gloria said, but Radhi dismissively waved his hand.

“Nothing has changed. I’d still prefer it if she got a job and her own place.”

“Well, thanks either way.” Gloria said.

Az finished his food before returning to his room where after a short, but fruitless study session, he slept.

.

..

Az woke up the next day rather early.

He completed his morning routine to find his mother preparing some breakfast for him.

Az gleefully ate his meal, but his mood soured once he noticed Rose sleeping lazily on the couch.

Az shook aside any negative thoughts before leaving for school.

He met with Holly to find that she had a bruise on left cheek.

Az felt a strange heat welling up within him, but he paid it no mind.

“Holly! Are you ok?” Az asked as concern leaked out of him for the first time.

“I’m… I’m fine. I just fell, is all.” Holly said with what was obviously a forced smile.

Az took a deep breath.

He thought about pressing the issue, but he quickly came to the realization that he barely knew Holly and so it wasn’t his place to worry about her.

“Ok.” Az said as his face returned to its normal, natural state.

“Umm… I won’t be able to hang out today. I have to help out my dad with something.” Holly said, albeit softly.

Az nodded as they made their way to school.

They eventually ran into Zoey, who’s face immediately twisted upon seeing Holly’s face.

“Wait! Its not what it looks like. I just fell.” Holly cried as Zoey silently eyed her over.

“Holly-“

“Don’t do anything.” Holly said sternly.

Zoey tried opening her mouth but-

“If you tell Lucas, I’ll hate you forever.” Holly said.

“I- I won’t. I wasn’t. I don’t even know what’s going on.” Zoey said as tears welled up in her eyes.

Holly nodded before walking into the school building.

Zoey turned to Az.

She then walked into the school building too, leaving Az, who simply sighed before entering as well.