I waited outside Lily's house for her to unlock. The door opened, revealing Grace, who had a concerned expression on her face. "Thank God you're here, Soph." She sighed and motioned inside.

"Is everything alright?" She seemed quite exhausted and anxious. "Lily hasn't left her room since she got home from school. She'd been crying, and when I asked what was wrong, she wept harder. Neither is she saying anything, nor has she eaten. Please try and ask. Maybe she'll tell you. " Her eyes were glassy, filled with unspoken pain, and worry for her child. I took her hands in mine, guided her onto the couch, and handed her a glass of water.

"I'm here now, so don't fret. I'll ask her. Just give me the food and I'll take care of her. You, too, ought to be exhausted; c'mon, get some rest. " She handed me a plate of spaghetti and a glass of fruit juice with a smile.

I walked up to Lily's room and stood in front of her brown wooden door. The door was partially ajar, allowing me to see a hiccupping Lily clearly. She was sitting on her bed, snuggled up to her giant pink teddy bear, and mumbling something while in a deep thought. I could imagine how distressing it must be for a mother to see her child in such a state.

I walked quietly into the room and took a seat next to her. She averted her gaze away from me. I swallowed hard and coughed, "Um... Hey, have you seen my genius, little girl? She is a bold, beautiful girl with wide doe eyes and adorable pigtails. She never cries and is her parents' princess. Have you seen a girl like that around here? " She shook her head in denial, still snuggled in her teddy.

I let out a dramatic sigh, "That's fine, no problem! Please let me know if you come across my Genius. I've got her her favorite Choco-chip ice cream. Anyway, I'm going to go! Goodbye! " I turned to go with a few short strides.

3...

2...

1...

"BIGGIE! " She dashed up to me and hugged my waist, making me chuckle.

"Ah, my Genius, where have you been? I've been checking the entire house for you." I pouted as I knelt next to her.

Her grin faded as she dragged me to her bed, holding my fingers in her tiny little palm. She bent head and hugged her knees with crossed arms. I drew her onto my lap by wrapping my arms around her tiny waist. "Biggie, they teased me again," she murmured as she leaned on my lap. Biggie was the nickname she gave me. I kind of liked that.

"You need to tell me the whole story, Genius. Then I'll be able to help you with your problem. " Her head bowed down as she nodded. She seemed to be much too adorable. I couldn't conceal the grin that had spread over my lips.

"I was eating lunch in the school garden when a group of boys and girls arrived. They yanked my pigtails and told me I was worthless. They said I couldn't do anything with one hand. They forcibly dragged me into the fields, and pushed me. They were just making fun of me. " She broke down once more. Her state shattered my heart. I embraced her close, lovingly and affectionately caressing her head.

"Then you should have hit them."

"But Biggie, mama says hitting is bad," she said with her big doe eyes, which always made my heart melt.

Oh, Genius, you're such a sweetheart!

Before saying, I gently pulled her cheeks "Do you recall the story of Hellen Keller that I told you about? Some great people, including her, have been mocked and taunted, but that doesn't mean you'll succumb to them, my beloved Genius. You must show to them that you are capable of accomplishing anything, everything. Most importantly, love, hitting is bad, but defending isn't. If someone is bothering you, you must defend yourself. Crying isn't the answer. You must inform us, okay? Never do that again, Genius. Understood? " She gave a half-smile nod.

Children are fast learners; they perceive and absorb information from their surroundings. Such derogatory comments and behavior will only exacerbate her fear, negative thoughts, and hate. It was crucial to instill in her the ability to protect and love herself.

"Biggie, am I really worthless?"

"No, sweetheart, of course not! Always remember, Genius, that no force in the universe will make you inferior unless and until you believe yourself to be superior."

"How am I going to prove to them that I can do it all, Biggie?" She frowned and pouted.

"By rising to the top of the ranking in your class. Very easy! " I ruffled her pigtails.

"Where's my ice-cream?" she asked as she pondered for a moment before turning to face me with a beaming grin. Oh no! Oopsy!

I smiled innocently, "First finish this mouthwatering food, then I'll take you to the ice-cream parlor."

"I'll have chocolate, strawberry, vanilla... " Her list was excessively long. The girl was obsessed with ice-cream, and who could blame her!

"No, Lily, just two! You're going to catch a cold. " Grace sent a firm warning, prompting Lily to show her puppy eyes.

I, Lily, and Grace all headed to the ice cream parlor together. Grace deserved a break from her errands. As a result, I took her along with us.

"Just hold your horses before I arrive. I'll go get our ice creams. " She dropped us off near the park in front of the parlor. We sat on the bench, enjoying the scenery. It was late evening, and people were enjoying themselves in the park. The sky was clear, and the sun was about to set. The sounds of birds and honking engines were synchronized with the laughter and cheering of children playing. The trees swayed in unison, accompanied by gentle breezes. Elysian vision, told 'ya!

"Look at that, Biggie! I'd like to play with them as well. " Lily tugged at my dress, pointing to a group of kids who were playing football. I looked at Grace, who was standing in line, and then at the little girl, who was staring at the group intently. I pulled out my phone and dialed Grace's number. She received the call and turned her head towards us.

"Hey, Grace, Genius really wants to play with the kids in the park. So..." She cut me off, "Soph, that's a good thing. Take her with you. Moreover, it will take some time here. " I ended the call after that.

I scrolled through my phone, checking for any notifications. I responded quickly to Ivy's message that I'd be back in an hour. The last message was his, which read:

"When destruction crosses its limits, then, it's better to survive for them who are yet to heal. "

This man never ceases to astound me.

His words were so heartfelt and real. I had no idea what he'd gone through or why he was telling me all of this, but one thing was clear: he'd ignited a jolt of curiosity inside me, a thirst that needed to be quenched. I jotted down what I was thinking:

"How ironic! The one who is seeking to cure others has not even tried to heal himself. "

Sighing, I spun around to look for Lily, but she was nowhere to be found. Shit, where the heck did she go?

Before my mind could comprehend anything, I saw a large fluffy dog approaching me. I'd never feared anything more than dogs in my life. They might be the greatest pet a person might ever have for the majority of people, but they were a no-no for me!

Let's just say I've never gotten along with dogs.

I slammed my eyes shut, muttering curses and prayers at the same time. My pleas and curses mingled in such a bizarre manner that I was convinced even God would be plotting to damn me to death. I intended to curse the dog and pray to God, but really did the very reverse. I would have laughed at myself if I hadn't been in such a perilous situation.

I could distinctly hear his barks, which alerted me to the fact that he was close by. "Listen there, Mr. Dog or whatever your name is, please I request you, don't hurt me. I'm aware that I don't get along well with your kind, but it isn't my fault."

"Champ! Nico!" I heard a male voice but ignored it, thinking it could have been anybody.

"It was your uncle's paternal grandfather who bit me when I was six, and ever since then, I've avoided your family members. Please, Mr. Dog, if you let me go, I swear I'll throw a big feast for you all, with Mrs. Dog, Baby Pup, Maternal, Paternal, and the whole family invited, but please don't bite me. The last time he bit me, I had to take 14 injections, yes 1.4.—14! Ethel laughed his asses off for the next week, mocking me. I'll even share my coke with you. No-no, not I, but I'll tell Ethel to do so. "

"Unk Win, she looks so pretty while talking to Nico," I overheard a boy's soft voice, accompanied by giggles. Since when did dogs start to chat and laugh?

I opened my one eye, only to shut it again. It couldn't really be true. It was impossible! I opened both of my eyes after taking a few deep breaths, and reality slammed into me. I was still crouched down when my abrupt squeal knocked me off my feet and landed on my butt. Great, just very great! Note the laughing sarcasm.

"Biggie is afraid of dogs! Biggie is afraid of dogs! " Lily and a young blond boy who seemed to be a familiar one was both laughing their asses off. The dog was already staring at me from right in front of me. Darn you, Mr. Dog! But it wasn't these things that concerned me; it was the guy crouched next to the dog, his dark oceanic orbs amusedly staring at me.

"Didn't peg you off as a Cynophobic one, Fresher. " Fresher!? Damn! Way to go, Soph, way to go! I quickly composed myself and my posture, before facing them again.

Damn, he heard it all. My face flushed with embarrassment. I couldn't meet his gaze, but instead of looking around, I fixed my gaze on Lily, wondering why she hadn't told me he was here. Her guffaws died as she took on my enraged persona.

"Biggie, Bobo told me not to say anything, so shh!" She said, putting her index finger on her lips and pointing to Senior Aylwin, who smirked.

"Bobo?" I stood up, straightening my dress as Senior Aylwin, aka Lily's Bobo, followed. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. That's when I noticed his appearance for the first time, and I immediately regretted it. He wore a tailored shirt with a few buttons undone, allowing me a glimpse of... No Soph, no! Focus! His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, exposing a bit of tattoo to me.

"Yes, Bobo! Bobo, this is my Biggie, the one I was telling you about, and Biggie, meet Bobo, my new buddy. " Senior Aylwin, and Bobo? The thought alone made me laugh.

"How did you come up with the nickname 'Bobo' for him?" The young blond boy was having a good time with his dog, Nico, or whatever his name was. He was the same boy I saw in the fields last Sunday.

"Um... Don't you think he's a little strange and weird? " Wow, even the kid had figured it out! "And, he's a little dashing. So, Bobo is best, right Biggie? " Kill me now! With my jaws dropped, I just stared at this little child. Dashing?

My phone rang before I could reply. It was Grace. Oh, double shit! She must be finding us. I immediately picked it up, my eyes locked on a brown-colored small bird chirping cheerfully on a tree branch.

"I'm on my way home right now, Soph. Ben called me and informed me that he had a sprain in his foot. You two have a good time and don't tell Lily. She had been upset the whole day. Is it all right, honey?" I turned my attention to Lily, who was engaged in a conversation with Senior. Senior made her chuckle by whispering something into her ear. I was curious as to what they were talking about.

"Grace, of course. Don't worry about us; just look after Ben. We'll be back in a half-hour." I hung up the phone, staring into space at the soon-to-be-dark horizon. A crescent moon could be seen in the distance.

"Hey, one-handed girl, don't call my Unk weird. He's cool," he said, standing in front of Lily with Nico close by.

"You little blond boy, just shut up!" Lily snarled.

Wow, I have no idea my lectures would have such an immediate impact on her.

"My name isn't blond boy."

"Yeah, and my name isn't one-handed girl," she said, "and just because I'm one-handed doesn't mean I'm worthless." Oh no, the taunts were still fresh in her mind.

"Bad manners, Champ! Apologize!"

He mumbled softly, "Sorry!"

Lily turned to face me as I nodded. "I'm Lily, and she is my tutor, Biggie." She approached him and extended her tiny hand to shake.

"I'm Archer, and he's my uncle, Unk Win," he smiled as he shook her hand.

"Champ, it's time to go home; Dad is waiting."

Archer gave a half-hearted nod. He and Lily exchanged shy goodbyes, which made me chuckle. It was amusing to watch them. He then turned towards me, smirking, "Bye Girlfriend!" He winked and gave me a flying kiss. What the hell, girlfriend?

"Bye Boyfriend!" I laughed as I ruffled his locks and kissed his cheeks. Senior simply maintained his signature poker face and gazed at us. Ah, duh! Shouldn't I refer to him as Senior Poker Face? It was a better fit for him!

"Fresher? " I locked my gaze with him. I didn't think aloud, did I?

"If you have any future encounters with dogs, do remember, dogs do not drink coke. Even if Ethel gives them! " Smirking, he turned towards Lily, "Take care, Short Stuff! "

I stood there with flushed cheeks, imagining every way I could to kill the stupid fuzzy dog who was wagging his tail while walking alongside them. Double darn you, Mr. Dog! To my bad luck, he happened to tilt his head in my direction at the same time. I quickly grabbed Lily's hand and dragged us away from the park.