It was noon time in a certain place…

The sun was shining high in the sky, its scorching hot rays beating down the earth causing the ground to be dry and arid. It was evident that there hasn’t been a single drop of rain in a while. Nobody in their right mind would be walking around in this kind of place and at this time of the day not unless they would want to get heatstroke.

Yet in the middle of this desert landscape there was such someone.

A lone person was walking across the desert.

The only protection he had from the heat of the sun was the hood of his cloak covering his head while the rest of it flapped in the hot wind. However, he was also carrying a thickly loaded bag and what seems to be a sword strapped behind at his back. Even with the weight of his belongings and the intense heat, he didn’t seem bothered by any of it at all though.

He continued to walk until finally he reached the edge of a large canyon.

“This is the cliff overlooking Tindill Canyon. So if the directions are correct, their hideout would be right around here.”

He started rummaging in his bag and pulled out a long rope. He tied one end of the rope to a large rock and threw the other end over the cliff. Leaving his bag by the rock, he began climbing down the rope.

There underneath the cliff, he saw his goal: a large stone fort.

It was sheltered from heat of the sun…and from any prying eyes. It’s a perfect hiding place for anyone who didn’t wish to be seen.

The boy lowered himself further until he reached the end of his rope. Even then there was about a hundred foot drop to the canyon’s jagged rocks below.

He began swinging himself to and fro towards the mouth of the crevice. Normally this move would be incredibly dangerous but he was no ordinary boy. He had face dangers worse than this.

He timed his swinging as he let goes of the rope.

He flew straight in the air and into the crevice! He landed just a few feet from edge of the roof, nearly skidding across it!

“Blistering Blazes, I thought I wasn’t going to make it! Now then-”

He kneeled down, pressed his ear to the roof and listened carefully. He could hear loud voices underneath him. Confirming that it was them, he stood straight up. A huge grin spread in his face.

And with that he pulled out his sword, it was a katana. At first glance it didn’t look all that special. In fact, it looked as though it had seen better days. It was chipped in some parts and the blade looked tarnished.

However, the moment he raised the blade upward, it started to glow red!

“Let’s get things heated up!”

He stabbed the roof and cracks spread throughout the roof! The whole roof caved in and collapsed, leaving a gaping hole in its wake! Yells and screams from below could be heard.

“What’s the-?” someone below cried.

“The roof!” someone else yelled, “It just fell in!”

“Here I go!” The boy said loudly as he leapt into the hole and landed dead-middle of a huge tavern full of bandits.

“Something else came down!”

“A ghost?” a bandit yelled.

“You idiot, can’t you see?” another snapped, “It’s just a kid!”

“You guys must be the Redcliff Bandits, huh?” the boy’s nose wrinkled as he caught a whiff of their smell, “Blistering Blitz! This place smells sure like rotting Platypus-chicken eggs!”

That was definitely not the right thing to say to a group of armed bandits.

He was soon surrounded by a huge number of angry bandits. Each of them took out a weapon that could easily take off his head!

Which might exactly be what’s on their mind right now…

“Is that all you guys got? I’ve hoped that there’d be more of you…” He shook his head said, sounding disappointed.

“Ah, well, I’ll just take my time!” he says as he grips his own­­ sword tightly.

“Get him!” the bandits shouted as they launched themselves at him.

The boy raised his sword and swung. He made several quick swipes and sent several of them flying in different directions.

“Is that all you bandits are capable of? I was expecting a better fight than that! ” he said with a smirk.

“What the devil is going on here?”

Suddenly a large bellied man, holding a gigantic axe over his shoulders approached.

“Boss!” several of them cried.

So he’s the leader huh? The boy thought.

“You sure got the guts coming in here, kid! I’ll give you that…but it was the biggest mistake of your life coming here!”

The boy raised an eyebrow, “And you are?”

“Don’t you know who you’re talking to?” a bandit on the huge man’s immediate right snapped at him.

“This is our boss!” The bandit on his left motioning to the large bandit with almost sort of reverence, “The great and powerful leader of the Redcliff Gang: the one and only, the Chopper ‘the Axe’ Redcliff!”

The whole hoard of the bandits roared and cheered. Redcliff snorted in acknowledgement, as though he had heard this a thousand times.

“That’s right!” said Redcliff, “Before you stands the mighty and famous, Chopper Redcliff!” he raised his axe as the bandits cheered again, “Tremble before me and be honoured that you are in my presence, for I will make sure your end is-”

The boy simply cut him off and shrugged, “Never heard of you before, Fatso...”

All the bandits went silent in disbelief. Some of them looked at him with outrage. A few of them flinched away from their boss in fear.

It was only Redcliff alone who was seething in anger.

“So you haven’t heard of me, huh? Don’t worry you’ll learn who I am soon enough…” The bandits’ leader raised his axe, which also burst into flames, “But first, how about I teach some manners first, you little brat!”

One of the bandits laughed.

“You’re going to get it now!”

“Our leader isn’t the guy you should’ve mess with, kid!”

“Be quiet or you’ll be getting yours next” Redcliff snapped at his cronies, all of whom cowered away from him.

Redcliff turned back to the boy with a nasty grin, expecting the boy to cower in fear begging not to be hurt. To his surprise, the boy stood his ground, not looking the least bit frightened.

Rather, the boy looked strangely amused

“So you’re finally starting to get serious, huh?”

The boy held out his sword in front of him. The hilt looked worn and the blade was chipped along the edges. Compared to the huge axe of the bandits’ leader, it looked pretty pathetic.

The bandit’s leader laughed when he saw that crumbling old sword. “You’re going up against me with that? You’re better off fighting with those gloves, brat!”

“I trust this sword with my life. And besides...” He grinned, “...it took down half of your grunts already!”

Undaunted, Redcliff gripped the axe with both hands and raised it over his head, “We’ll see about that!” he yelled as he swung the axe down.

Any person in their right mind would dodge.

But the boy didn’t even try move!

Instead, he stance himself ready and as the axe came down he blocked it! The axe, despite its huge size, didn’t cause the blade to snap in half as he expected it to. In fact, the blade didn’t move an inch downward when the axe made contact!

All of the bandits stared in shock.

Redcliff was even more stunned than they were. He was still trying to bring the axe down with all his strength but the boy was actually holding him back!

The boy grinned, “So this is your Magic Weapon, huh? And it uses Fire Magic too!”

The boy swung his blade and pushed the axe back, much to the bandit leader’s surprise.

What kind of sword was that? And for a little kid…he was insanely strong! The bandit thought.

“My turn!” the boy pushed his chipped sword against the axe.

The moment he did the blade of the axe began cracking!

He quickly pulled away from the boy. Several parts of his axe were crumbling away.

“Is that it? Mr. All-Talk-And-No-Guts?” the boy taunted.

Redcliff roared in anger as he rushed at the boy again and brought down his axe.

At that same moment, the boy slashed his sword!

As his blade touched the axe…it caused the whole blade of the axe to shatter completely into pieces!

“M-my Vulcan Axe!” said Redcliff, staring at his broken axe.

The boy stared at the shattered pieces as well, he sighed in disappointment.

“That’s it? I guess you bought that from a second-hand shop? Oh well,” He sheathed his sword back. “It’s a waste of time bringing this out. You weren’t worth it.”

“You think just because my axe is broken, that I can’t ring your sorry little neck?!”

“Let’s see if you can try?” the boy grinned, beckoning his hand.

That was the last straw for Redcliff!

The bandit rushed forward raising his arms as though to grapple someone.

The boy however was surprisingly speedy as he quickly swerved in and flipped the man over by the side of his sheathed blade.

The man tumbled over in the air for a moment before the boy turned towards him.

“You really weren’t worth it…”

The boy clenched his fist and in a flash it blazed in flames! The boy gave the man a punch right up the jaw! The impact was so strong that it caused the man to fly upward and smash through the roof screaming!

“What the-“

“Boss has...”

“He’s been defeated by a kid?!”

“No way..!”

“W-who is this kid?”

The boy looked at all his foes; they looked a little fearful now.

“Ha! I guess so much for his boasting!” The boy chuckled, which served to anger the enemy even more.

But the boy was neither concerned nor was he afraid. In fact, this was what he was waiting for. He deliberately said that in order to get them all riled up.

“Bring it! Let’s see what you pushovers are made of!” he taunted again.

The foes rushed in at him, all of them raising their weapons. But in a matter of seconds, everything was consumed by a large of explosion flames! All of his enemies lay on the floor burned to a crisp, but the boy stood at the center unharmed. He had not a single scratch on him!

“Is that all you got?” he grinned, however his ears perked. He heard slightest shuffling sounds from behind.

He turned on his feet and saw a few of them escaping through the back door!

“What the blitz?!” he shouted as he started to give chase. “Get back here!”

They tried to shut the door but he easily kicked it down. They wasted no time in trying to escape via a secret path.

“You’re not going anywhere!” he yelled at them.

He had to catch them! Otherwise the client won’t pay him! Again!

“Mr. Estrella…”

“You’ve asked for this!” the boy clenched the hilt of his sword and felt the familiar rush of energy and heat.

“Mr. Estrella… Wake up!”

“Flame Dragon Style: Dragon Roaring Fire!” he slashed his sword. The whole area was soon engulfed with red flames.

“MR. BENJAMIN ESTRELLA!!!”

He woke up with a start, “YES?! Wait, what?”

Muffled giggling and snorts of laughter around him. At first he couldn’t see anything clear in his right eye and it was a little foggy, he also felt something weird on his face. It was actually because his glasses were lopsided on his nose! Quickly adjusting his glasses and soon everything came into focus. His classmates had expressions as though something funny had just occurred.

Then he realized that he was what they were laughing at.

He looked up to find the teacher was looking at him sternly.

“Benny… You’ve fallen asleep in my class again!” his teacher shook his head disapprovingly.

“I-I’m s-sorry, Mr. Alamat!” Benny stammered, as he sat up straight.

“Just because today is the last day of school doesn’t mean any of you can just suddenly take a nap in my lecture.”

“S-sorry…sir…”

“I didn’t have this kind of problem with your brother when he was your age.” the teacher said as he returned to the board.

Benny slumped on his seat, completely red with embarrassment. Some of his classmates were still casting some smirks at him but one of them stood out the most.

“Had a good nap, Crusoe?”

Benny turned to see a spiky-haired boy wearing a headband grinning at him,

“Stop calling me that, Ace...”

Ace leaned back on his chair as though he didn’t care.

“Mr. Alamat sure has one heck of a volume! I’m pretty sure the class in the third floor heard him all the way from here,”

“Speaking of volumes, it was your fault I hadn’t had a decent wink of sleep the past few days!”

“Hey, don’t blame me! Those little imps keep sneaking into my room to play pranks on me!”

“Couldn’t bother to at least keep that tone of yours to a minimum? I know they’re annoying but do you have to yell about it to the whole street at eleven in the evening?”

“They put itching powder in my pyjamas! Just you wait! I’m going to get back at them one way or another. That’ll make them regret it BIG TIME!” Ace banged his fist on his desk, unaware he had also shouted that last bit of his sentence.

Benny had sweatdropped at his action and quickly looked away.

“Is there something you wish to share to the class Mr. Unos?” Mr. Alamat said in a clipped tone.

“N-no sir!” says Ace sat up right.

Another raucous of laughs erupted, which Mr. Alamat had to shush them down.

Benny had to sum a lot of willpower not to laugh. His best friend always had a way of cheering him up, even if it were accidental.

RIIIINNNNGGGG!!!!

A familiar loud school bell rang throughout the school. But this was no ordinary school bell. It was the most anticipated sound of the school year to most students. A loud cheer erupted from his classmates. Benny felt a sigh of relief he didn’t have to endure his own embarrassment long.

“Alright, alright, class is dismissed! Have a great summer!” Mr. Alamat started to packing up his books, “And don’t forget that your report card will be delivered this Saturday!”

A lot of them groaned upon hearing that. (Ace himself included and whose groan was practically the loudest.)

As expected, the last day of school is met with enthusiasm. And for St. Xavier Middle School, this is no different. A flurry of students were leaving the school, excitedly talking about their vacation plans.

Benny and Ace were now skidding along the road on their bikes with plans of their own.

“Free at last!” Ace yelled to the horizon.

“What did I just say about keeping down your volume?”

“Oh, come on! Don’t rain on my parade! I thought this day would never come!”

“Seeing as how there was a good chance you nearly had to spend the rest of vacation in summer school, you must be very happy.”

“That’s easy for you to say! You haven’t had a grade in the line of D since I’ve known you!”

As they were talking, they stopped at a crossroad and going again when the light turns green.

“You’re only saying that because I have an A+ in Algebra 2. In case you haven’t forgotten, I have three B minuses in my other classes and a couple of C as well.”

“Yeah, I noticed…” Ace threw a smirk at him, “You’ve been holding yourself back, haven’t you?”

“What are you talking about? I’ve been trying my hardest but I still get B’s and C’s!”

“I’m just lucky to scrape a D in Biology.”

“You’re forgetting. Hmm, let’s see…there’s Algebra 2, English and Literature…oh yeah, and World History. You really should pay attention to school, Ace. At least study at night if you can’t pay attention in school!”

“…says the guy who fell asleep in class!” Ace quipped at him.

Benny turned red hearing that.

“It’s because you kept me up last night!”

“I told you it was those little twerps’ fault for sneaking in to my room last night!”

“Ever tried using the lock on the door?” Benny swerved to the right to avoid a jogger.

“It’s been broken ever since Pops kicked the door open when I tried to hide my last report card from him.”

“That’s the Head of Security for the Perlasreyna Group for you…” Benny mumbled to himself in an amused way.

This boy was his friend, Voltaire Pablo Unos, who goes by the nickname ‘Ace.’ He is, by Benny’s own definition, his exact opposite. Benjamin Luke Estrella was a shy and quiet fourteen year-old, who doesn’t stand out much in anything (and prefers it that way). Ace was loud and rather active kid who often catches everyone’s attention. One can tell he is obviously the sporty type. His has tanned skin, a built figure and his signature sports headband he wears to keep his hair up from his eyes. And unlike Benny, he’s the best player in just about every physical sport, whether its soccer, basketball or even softball! Hence, his teammates gave him the nickname ‘Ace’, although Benny had called him that way longer than anybody did.

However, like most sporty types, his greatest weak point: Academics.

Benny had to tutor him in several places. Despite being academically challenged, he manages to scrape at least a passing grade.

Yet despite being completely different from each other, with Ace being a sporty, popular kid and Benny being a nerdy, average-to-nobody kid (again...his own definition), they were very good friends. They’ve always stood by each other. Ace always dragged Benny along for adventures and shenanigans. Benny always made sure he kept within the line (Although there were numerous times that he wasn’t so successful.)

The boys soon reached the part of road where it went uphill. It was too steep to pedal so they had to walk, dragging their bikes with them.

“Hey, Crusoe!” shouted Ace, “Are you listening?”

“Ace, quit calling me that!” Benny snapped in annoyance.

“About tomorrow,” Ace continued as if he didn’t hear him, “What did you get for Anna’s present?”

“Say what?”

“Anna’s birthday present for her birthday party at their beach house tomorrow, remember?!”

Last week, Benny and Ace were invited by their other childhood, friend Anastasia Perlasreyna (popularly known as Anna) to her birthday party on her dad’s huge beach house. Anna is the only daughter of the president and CEO of the Perlasreyna Group, one of the biggest manufacturing companies in the country with many subsidiaries. That basically means Anna is practically the riches kid in school.

One would wonder how two ordinary kids like Benny and Ace became friends with her. It is simply because their fathers are all well acquainted. Ace’s father is the Head of Security at the Perlasreyna Group Headquarters building. Benn’s dad is Mr. Perlasreyna’s attorney.

The three of them had been good friends since elementary but of course, one big problem is what kind of present to give her when she has shiny black credit card in her wallet.

“You haven’t forgotten about it, right?”

“Unlike you, no, I haven’t. In fact, I already got her a present and it’s all wrapped up!”

Benny could’ve sworn he hear Ace cussed in a low voice. “So what is it?”

“Nothing too special…” Benny twiddled with his fingers against his bike handles, “It’s just that pink hair band with a tiny bow we saw last week.”

“Is that all? Figures that you’re so cheap, Crusoe!”

“Quit calling me that! And I only have 500 pesos a week allowance! Not much to buy if you spend 90 a day for lunch! Speaking of which, what did you get her?”

Ace cheeks turned red and looked away, “Well…I…um…”

“You’re the one who forgot, didn’t you?”

“Oh, shut up! I’ll scrounge something up for her. There’s a ton of things in the attic!”

“Ace, there’s no value in that! You’re just going to give her hand-me-downs?”

“Hey! What can you give a rich man’s daughter?”

“Something you can give with your effort! Not something from your attic!”

“Hey, Anna likes antique items. We have a ton of that!”

Benny rolled his eyes. If there’s one thing Ace was good at aside from sports it was finding excuses.

“I won’t bother if you won’t bother with my present.”

“Agreed.” nodded Ace.

“Let’s hope it’s not the veil of your Mom’s wedding dress again like last year. I still remember the look in Anna’s face when she saw that in the wrapper.”

“Hey that was accident! I thought it was the old scarf my nana made long ago. I meant to give that to her.”

“I can’t believe you were trying to give your grandma’s old scarf! Well, at least it’ll stand out of the other’s gifts!”

“Speaking of others, who else are coming to the party?”

Ace was clearly trying to change the subject.

“Come to think of it, I did see her trying to invite Martin Benedict from Home Ed Class.”

“That American exchange student she likes? Figures she’d tried to invite him.” Ace rolls his eyes.

“Although, I haven’t told her that Martin’s going back to the US for the summer…” Benny shook his head.

“Don’t tell her, obviously! She’ll bawl her eyes out! But do you know? I’ve heard Anna invited her clique along. You know those Divas?”

Benny stared at horizon dismay, “Them of all people…”

The Divas was a term used by the two to call Anna’s circle of popular friends. Although Anna herself is childhood friends with Benny and Ace, she is part of group of the most popular girls in school.

But none is the most popular among them is as Courtney, who is Anna’s best friend. (At least that’s what Courtney says.) Courtney and the rest of the popular students have a way towards the rest of the students like any typical popular group. They treat those who aren’t cool like dirt under their shoes.

Ace being a soccer star is okay with them, although it was a bit one-sided as Ace never really liked them.

As for Benny…well, they just treat him like any other nobody in the school: like he was part of the wall or a rock. And if he ever got under their radar, it wasn’t so pleasant.

The two always tried to avoid them if they can. Benny and Ace couldn’t understand how Anna, who was so sweet, kind and carefree (and albeit of an airhead though they never told her that) could hang out with them. They especially couldn’t understand how she could stand Courtney who acts likes the whole world revolves around her. Both assumed however that she and the “In” crowd probably only liked Anna because her father’s a super rich businessman.

“Yeah, I know right.” Ace said catching the expression on Benny’s face.

“I wish those Divas all came down with Chicken Pox or something. Let’s see how they like it when they get pockmarks all over their skin and get commented on that!”

“Dude, that’s one dark comment. Though I guess it’s better them than instead of Ken. At least he doesn’t comment about our shirts every time we pass their lunch table.”

Benny couldn’t help but smile back at that.

Soon they reached the top of the hill, getting on their bikes, both boys sped onwards making several turns and stops before finally reaching Narra Street. This was where Benny and Ace’s neighbouring homes were near the banks of a small creek. Benny and Ace were not just best friends but were also neighbours.

Usually the place was quiet and peaceful but today something was a little different.

“Hey! What’s going on?” says Ace when he first catches something was off. There were an unusual number of cars parked in front of their homes. “Is there a party or something?”

Benny notices an SUV with a familiar car plate.

“Maybe…Wait a minute! That’s Uncle Eddy’s car!”

“Hey bro, doesn’t that one belong to your cousin Richie?”

Ace points to a rather expensive red Mercedes that belonged to Benny’s maternal cousin who was a top IT exec.

It did not take long for them to realize that the rest of the cars belonged to Benny’s relatives.

“Why is all your family here? Are you guys the one’s having a party or something?”

It was then that Benny remembered important and slaps a hand to his forehead.

“Dang, I forgot…” he slumps to the side of a vehicle. “Kuya Em and Ate Cathy’s welcome home party is today!”

“So there is a party! There’s a party in your place and you didn’t bother tell me?” Ace says, clearly offended.

“It was on short notice.” Benny said as they walked towards his house, “Kuya and Ate just got back home the day before yesterday and we were just planning a simple family dinner. But when Uncle Eddy got wind that they were coming back he had other ideas. He demanded that we host a party for the whole family.”

Ace shakes his head disapprovingly. He looked less annoyed now.

“Doesn’t that uncle of yours have better things to do than parties on your dad’s wallet?”

“What can Dad say? Apparently the whole family backed Uncle Eddy up on this. After all, who wouldn’t celebrate Kuya Em’s and Ate Cathy’s return from abroad?”

Amongst all his siblings, Benny stood out the least. And for good reason: they were probably the best about everything and were well known.

They were five in the family, seven including their parents.

His elder brother, Emmett is a medicine student in a scholarship in a high strung university in America. He apparently made several thesis and breakthrough researches that are being reviewed and praised in the medical world. Some of which had been published in some periodicals and books.

His elder sister is a champion in the international junior volleyball and lawn tennis tournaments. She is currently in studying fashion design in a big university in Barcelona, Spain. Despite being a fashion student there and she was already getting some of her designs made!

Even his little brother and sister were high achievers for their age. Tom is an excellent artist with one of his paintings was once featured in a major gallery as a prize in a junior competition. Lily has awards in her ballerina competitions.

Only Benny, the middle child didn’t make such an impact in any academics, sports and creative talents.

It’s safe to say that he was the most average of his family.

“Yeah…it is…” Benny admits with a sight, “I better not keep them waiting. Are you coming?”

“You go on ahead. I better head on home.” Ace nods to his own house, right next door.

Benny gave him a look, “A while ago you demanded why you weren’t invited and now you don’t want to come in?”

Ace gave a fake look of being shocked. “Geez, that’s harsh! And besides it’s your own fault for not telling me!”

“Err…sorry about that. So now will you come? It’s likely that there’s a buffet in there…”

Benny said that, knowing Ace to be such a big glutton. But Ace caught on to what he was trying to do.

“Nice try! But no, I have plans tonight.”

“What plans?”

“Isn’t it obvious?! It’s the ‘beating the dungeon boss and becoming the Hero of Arendal!”

Ace said that with fierce determination and Benny responded by nearly falling face-forward.

“You mean you’re going to play Ancient Rune Wars Online again?”

Ancient Rune Wars Online is the most popular online game of the year. Benny himself plays it but Ace has been addicted to playing that game almost every night. If only he were that pumped up on his studies...

“That’s right! I’m just a few levels away from reaching the dungeon boss! Are you going online tonight?”

“If I can escape Emmett’s monologue lecture about his new medical breakthrough, you know how there’s a hundred percent chance of that happening.”

To which they both laughed. They then fist bumped and went their separate ways, with Ace disappearing behind his front gate. Benny rolled his bike over to the garden shed and headed up the front porch. He heard some very excited voices from the inside, recognizing some of them.

“Well, I might as well get it over with.”

He enters the main hallway where several of his relatives were busy chatting away. And the first to see him was no other than his older brother, Emmett.

“Benjamin! Finally you’re here!”

“Hey, Kuya Em…” says Benny, albeit quietly.

Emmett looked the same as always, he was tall and very built young man. His hair was sleek and neatly combed. Like Benny he wore glasses, except his were rimless and made him look grown up.

Benny’s glasses, on the other hand, made it a clear sign he was a dork.

“You know I’ve only just notice but you’ve grown taller a bit since I’ve last seen you.” he ruffles Benny’s hair.

“What are you talking about? You saw me this morning…”

Benny fixes his hair. He hates it when people do that.

Entering the hallway he got a full view of the crowded living room. A lot of their family friends and relatives all over the city were here right now, catching up with each other. He waved to a few of them but as ever it was like he never met their gaze.

“So where’re Mom and Dad?”

“Dad’s out back talking with Atty. Ascenas from the firm.”

Their father, Atty. Jacob Estrella, is a high powered attorney and a partner in city’s top firms. He is well respected and just like the rest of Benny’s relatives, is quite well known. Benny should’ve known that he would invite some of his colleagues over.

“I guess I’ll talk to him later, better not disturb him. What about Mom, Ate and Abuela?”

“Mom’s in the kitchen and I think Catherine’s in there helping her out. Abuela is upstairs taking her late afternoon nap…”

“Thanks. And I’m glad you seem to be enjoying…” but he barely got the words out when a large bellied man came to them.

It was Uncle Eddy, a rich business man and a class-A sycophant/spot-light hog.

“There you are Emmett! Come on, everyone’s been waiting to hear how’s America been like!”

“H-hi Uncle Eddy,” Benny greets him.

Uncle Eddy looks down at him and was a little bit surprised, “Oh! Hello there, Benjamin! Didn’t see you there,” He nods at him before turning to Kuya Em. “Well come, Martha’s been asking for you for a whole hour now!”

“Alright… Excuse me, Benjamin.”

He and Uncle Eddy went into the living room, leaving Benny in the hallway.

Benny sighed not being the least surprised that he was easily brushed off. Benny proceeds down the hallway and enters the kitchen. Mom and a couple of his aunts were working in the kitchen, garnishing the remainder of the dishes. He also finds his sister lending a hand with setting the plates. From her conversation, she seemed to be talking about her experiences in Spain.

“And you wouldn’t believe how huge the Sagrada Familia church is! I keep going there for Mass every Sunday and I… Well, look who’s finally back from school!”

Cathy had her auburn hair tied to a sleek ponytail and she was wearing some of clothes she designed herself.

“Welcome home, dear!” Mom approached them with a tray of potato gratin.

“Hi Mom, I’m home! Where’s dad?” he asked even though Emmett had already told him that. He only said that to show he was a polite child looking for his father.

“Oh, your father’s out back with some of his co-workers from the firm,” says Mom, turning to the oven.

Despite her age and being a mother of five, Rachel Estrella has quite the natural youthful complexion. Often she was mistaken to be Benny’s elder sister (much to his embarrassment.) Being half-Spanish, she had brown eyes and auburn hair, which was elegantly style for the occasion.

“Hello Benjamin! You’re looking so well!” Aunt Cecilia greeted him with a smile, setting a tray of potato gratin on the counter.

“It’s been a long time! My, you’re wearing glasses now?” Aunt Josephine peered at him. “You look so much like your father and brother with those on.”

Benny adjusted his glasses on his nose.

“So how was school?” asks Mom, as soon as he was done.

“F-fine…Never been better!”

Benny never bothered to mention that he slept in class, otherwise he’d be told off for a good whole hour.

“Well, that’s good!” She says as she pulls out a roasted chicken that sent a delicious aroma in the room. Benny saw the dining table was also filled with a lot of her home cooking.

“So…you were talking about something in Barcelona?” Benny asked his sister.

“Oh it was amazing! Let me tell you I-”

But at that moment a loud beeping sound rang from her pocket.

“Excuse me, give me a minute!” she motioned to him, before she answered. “Kara! It’s been a long time girl! No I just arrived!”

Benny could tell this could take more than a minute.

“Dear, you should go up and change into something nice. It’s almost time for dinner!” said Mom hurrying him out the kitchen.

“S-sure Mom…”

Benny he walked out the kitchen and headed for the stairs. As he does so, he passes by the living room where he caught sight of Emmett being congratulated by another uncle.

“He looks like he’s enjoying himself.” murmured Benny.

Benny made his way up the stairs. But just then some of his younger cousins began stampeding down in a flurry.

“Whoa! Watch it! Don’t run in the stairs!” Benny says at them, sidestepping to avoid being knocked down.

“Kuya Benny, you’re home!”

Benny looked up at the top of the stairs to find his younger brother and sister standing at the top step. Tommy is Benny’s ten year old, younger brother. Auburn-haired like their Mom but has the same wide dark blue eyes as Benny’s, though without the glasses.

“Kuya, Kuya,” Lily shows him a large stuffed teddy bear. “Look at what Kuya Em gave me!”

“Wow! Isn’t that nice?” Benny pats her in the head.

At age seven, Lily is the youngest of Benny’s siblings. She is the spitting image of their mother in miniature. She had her hair tied into to two pony tails and was wearing a frilly dress for the occasion.

“Isn’t he fluffy?” She snuggled the teddy bear. “I’m going to call him Andy!”

Benny smiled at her, “Well, take care of Andy okay? Oh yeah, Mom says you two have to get down for dinner.”

“What about you, Kuya?”

“I’ll have to change first. You two go on ahead…and no running in the stairs! You’ll wake Abuela.” Benny added sternly.

“I won’t!” Lily says but as she made their way downstairs, running like the rest of the cousins.

“She totally ignored what I just said…”

“Don’t beat yourself up, Kuya!” says Tommy, before following their little sister downstairs.

Benny made his way into his room, which was at the end of the hallway. Benny’s bedroom was strangely the biggest room amongst his siblings, about twice the size of the other bedrooms. Benny always wondered with how he got the big room and often tried to ask his parents about it. They always said that it was mix-up from the contractor who built the house.

He tried to use as much of the space as he can. He had a couple of large shelves were he kept his school and research books in one and kept his anime manga and character figurines in the other. He had a wide desk with a desktop computer that once belonged to Emmett, complete with a printer and modem. There was a closet where he kept his clothes on one side. In the corner was a beanbag chair with a reading lamp over it. He also covered some parts of the walls with anime posters.

But as much as he tries to utilize the space the room felt as if it had something missing.

But it was no time to dwell on that.

He had a party to attend and wasted no time as he tossed his bag on the floor and hurried to the closet. To his surprise he finds a new set of clothes lying on top of the old ones. There was a note written in his Cathy’s handwriting taped to it which read:

‘These are my latest designs! I think they’ll suit you better than those clothes you always wear.’

The clothes looked nice but the problem was they were not his style! Benny preferred more comfortable ones than stylish ones. The one’s Cathy made looked a little too glitzy for him. If Ace saw him wearing these, he’d laugh his head off!

“Thanks but no thanks, Sis.”

Benny folded the paper and began rummaging the closet for some decent clothes. Just as he scanned through a couple of shirts he heard a loud yell from out the window. He looked out the window and saw Ace’s silhouette moving around from behind the curtains of his room. One of the things Benny liked about his room is that one of his windows faces Ace’s bedroom window.

Because of this, Benny and Ace can talk to each other without using the phone.

Right now it seems Ace was chasing his two little brothers, the twins Jim and Jay out of his room. Benny knows all too well how they act like angels in front of their parents but when they weren’t looking they become the most annoying pests. Their favourite victim for pranks is their older brother, and occasionally Benny if he was ever unlucky to get mixed up in it.

“GET OUT!!!” Ace yelled again.

Benny could hear peals of childish laughter.

“If I see one thing missing from my room again, I’m gonna-”

“Pablo!” A tall silhouette appeared in the windows.

Uh-oh, looks like Ace’s Mom has come to the twin’s rescue again.

“How many times do I have to tell you not to scare your brothers?”

Ace’s shadow looked like he flinched and cowered away, “S-sorry Mom-”

“Don’t apologize to me, young man! Say it to your brothers.”

Benny tried not to laugh out loud. He didn’t want Ace to find out that he heard the whole thing and wind up facing his wrath the next time they meet. That was the downside to having their rooms near each other. So he draped the curtains over windows. But as he did, something caught his eye. The window also had a small view of the street below. It was now dark and street lamps were on. But usually it didn’t have anything interesting to glance at.

But now there was something there.

A strange figure wearing some kind of robe with its hood over its head was standing there underneath the streetlight. He was holding a long staff that glinted in the streetlight. From the looks of it, the figure was staring directly where his window was.

Benny quickly adjusted his eyeglasses. But when he looked again the person was gone.

“What the-” Benny squinted at the street lamp, “Was I just seeing things?”

But he didn’t have long to ponder as there was a knock. Benny jumped in fright as Mom entered the room.

“Benjamin? Have you changed out of your uniform yet, honey?”

Benny hastily covered the windows, “Um, not yet!”

“Are you okay? You look a little pale.”

“I’m fine…just a little tired.”

“I see, well you better get the move on it.”

She saw the clothes on the bed and smiled.

“Oh! So you found the clothes your sister bought for you?”

“Yes, but they’re not really my style…” Benny admitted.

“I know. Cathy bought these for me to wear as well…and they’re a little too glitzy for my taste.”

She motioned to the red dress she was wearing, which Benny didn’t notice it before because she had an apron over it. It looked like something a runway model would wear in a red carpet premier. And although Mom looked like she didn’t like wearing in it at all, she did look rather good in it. She was like a supermodel, he had to admit.

“Cathy said these are the latest style in Europe! So she personally designed her own line!” she took the shirt and placing it in front of Benny’s chest, “And this is just your size too!”

“They’re nice and all but they wouldn’t suit me at all!”

“SO does mine but I’m just wearing this so your sister will be happy when she sees it. Well, hurry up and change into them!”

What? Mom isn’t thinking… Benny thought,

“You want me to change into these?” stuttered Benny.

“Well, of course! Your sister will be so happy to see you wearing her new fashion line. Plus it will be like putting a little fashion show to our guests! Now hurry!”

She tossed the rest into his arms and with a rush she made her way out the door.

“B-but Mom…”

“Dinner is about to start soon and we can’t keep the guests waiting! Yes, yes, Cecil! I’m heading down!” she said to Aunt Cecilia before heading out the door.

Benny tried to protest, “B-but Mom! There’s no way I’m going to wear this…”

“Be down in three minutes!” she says, evidently not hearing him.

There was a moment of silence as Benny was left alone.

Benny sighed in defeat, “They do look nice but not on me! Not that I have any choice though.”

He started to take off his uniform when a cold breeze blew through the windows. The sudden cold sent shivers down his spine, prompting Benny to head towards the windows and close the panes. But as he did so, he glanced out of the window, to make sure if what he saw was still there.

There was none…

“I must have imagined it.” He said pulling the window pane down.

Benny then turned his attention to a more pressing matter, taking the shirt gingerly, “They’re going to think I am some kind fashion wanabee. I guess it won’t matter anyway… It’s not that any of them are gonna notice anyway.”

Benny caught his reflection in the mirror.

“There’s no way someone like me is going to stand out at anything…I just hope this party is over soon.”

As Benny began to change out of his uniform…unaware that he wasn’t seeing things.

Someone was indeed watching his window.

A lone figure was standing in the middle of the street watching the lit window of Benny’s bedroom.

“I wouldn’t say that…It’s only just begun!”

The person swept his cloak and disappeared.