"I'm free! Oh my God, oh my god... Listen up, NYU: I'm finally untethered. Hear me out, America, the creatures of the earth, the objects of the universe... I'm fucking free! "

"For the love of chocolate muffins, Ivy, quit behaving like we're freed from colonial rule." I laughed and rolled my eyes at her.

"C'mon, dude! Our exams are done and dusted. Now it's time for a week off! This, man, is paradise! " She reacted with a fist bump in the air.

"So, you got any plan?" I collapsed on my bed, closed my eyes and basked in the sheer delight of my life.

"Fuck, yeah!" She screamed and squealed like an animal.

"So, today's Senior Drew, and Senior Diana's birthday." Did I mention they were twins? "And he's throwing a backyard party tonight, and..." I raised an eyebrow at her as she paused. Her lips were thinly pressed together.

"We've been invited... and we're going!"

"And who said I am going, Ms. Morris?"

"Hey, you can't do that!"

"Believe me, sweetheart, I can and I did!"

"Senior Aylwin will be there as well." She smirked mischievously as she yelled.

"That's why I'm not going." I muttered that under my breath in the hope that she wouldn't hear me.

"What? What exactly did you say? " She gave me a dubious look with her squinted eyes.

"Nothing! I'm not going. That's final! " I breathed a sigh of relaxation as I closed my eyes.

"Shit! Soph, you can't do this to me.... pretty please! I'll give you my ice cream and chocolate chips, as well as... "

"Hold on, hold on! I never asked for such things the last time I checked."

"Why are you so adamant about not going? There will be a food, wine, music, hot seniors, and so forth! "

"I'm going to bed now. Ciao! "

I wanted to attend, but a recent occurrence had shattered my tranquility. If avoidance is an alternative, it's preferable to take it than to allow minor issues to affect you to your core, and I was doing precisely that.

I had to turn in an assignment to the Dean's office at the Senior building two days before the test. I crossed the campus area after presenting my work, only to be ambushed by the day's shock. My feet came to a standstill as I took in the scene directly in front of me, which would haunt me for the next several nights. Senior Aylwin yanked her away, her eyes anguished and furious. As she dejectedly raked her hands through her raven hair, he uttered something to her, and her gaze inadvertently landed on mine. Her emotions were at bay, as usual, with no trace of anything. Something flashed in her eyes for a split second, but she was too quick to hide it under a rigid stance. I averted my sight after he followed her gaze. As his gaze prowled over my face, I forced a smile. I quickly walked away, turning on my heels. When I arrived at my dorm, I closed the door, leaning against it. I took a shaky breath and managed to recollect what had happened.

She was kissing him.

Azura Reynolds was kissing him.

Azura Reynolds was kissing Senior Aylwin.

I wanted to pretend that it had no effect on me, but I knew deep down that I was lying. It had an impact on me, extinguishing the embers of passion and sprinkling the ashes of misery across the rawness of our bond. I wanted to deny everything, but it was becoming exceedingly challenging to do so. I wasn't the kind to cry about such stuff. I didn't owe him anything, nor did he, so why would I act like a heartbroken teen? I wasn't expecting him to give me an explanation, and why the damn should I? It was his life, and he was free to do anything he wanted; I wasn't chained to him, and he wasn't obligated to me.

Then, what were we?

We were like strong silken strands whose ends had been gashed by rigorous handling, and we sought each other's support to stay afloat. The truth, however, was considerably more disconcerting: a knot can link two threads, anchor them, and fortify them, but it cannot replenish the gashed patches. In other words, we were the two sides of the same coin, on the same plane yet still far apart.

"Sophronia freaking Jasper! Wake the fuck up! Get your lazy ass out of bed right now! " Mr. Slumber, the love of my life, was ripped from me by the abrupt shouting and yelling.

"Come on, gal, don't be such a party pooper!" I pretended to be sleeping and disregarded the voices, but I knew exactly what they wanted.

"Now they're all saying, so better move your sexy ass now!'"

Wow, Damien is here, too!

"I'm sorry, guys, but I truly don't..." I drifted off in an attempt to silence them, but Saphy cut me short.

"Enough! Are you coming or else... we have got a lot of tricks up our sleeve. " They all gave me a warning glare, and I took a deep breath, knowing that these four faces weren't lying after all. Then an idea flashed to me, and I nodded at them. Their features burst into a triumphant smile, which quickly turned into a scowl as I said the next words.

"I'll go, but only on one condition."

"Accepted!" They yelled in unison, which made it much easier and quicker for me. I smirked as I faced the one and only culprit.

"Why did you lie, Mysie?" She let out a furious grunt as she realized what I was asking.

"Um... I lie? When? Why?" Her tone was light-hearted, but it couldn't mask the underlying displeasure and reality of the situation.

"Yes, you lied. Why?"

She sighed and drooped her shoulders a little as she revealed the real cause. "Look, that chick gets on his nerves. So, I had to teach her a lesson, and you two were destined to be together today or tomorrow." At her last words, I gave her a playful punch, which made her smirk. Others stared at us, perplexed, but neither of us attempted to clarify the issue.

"Sheesh, gal! You already know how much she likes him." I hissed back, knowing full well that she was the very last person Mysie intended to meddle with.

"For all I know, she can go and fuck herself! Such an itchy witch!" She deadpanned, which cracked me up because of the nickname she gave her.

Itchy-witch! Wow, that's pretty cool!

"Whoa, are you talking about Aria?" Was she well-known by that title? How come no one informed me? Either way, a few things have been clarified. I'd be lying if I claimed whatever Mysie said was a lie, since that girl was head-over-six-inch-high-heels for him, and she made no attempt to hide it.

"Indeed, Itchy witch, the one and only!"

"Agreed!"

"Will she be at the party?" For the first time throughout our talk, Ivy inquired.

Wow, I am proud of her for being silent for so long. After all, we're dealing about Ivy here!

"No idea, bud!"

"This is just stunning!" We'd been at Senior's for almost an hour, and frantically speaking, everything had gone splendidly marvelously with fun, jokes, laughter, so on and so forth! Their garden was awe-inspiringly decked with string lights, leaving us all speechless. A few folding chairs and tables were strewn about the yard, cozying them up with throw blankets and pillows. A portable bar cart with all the fixings for boozy summer cocktails was set up in the corner, with glasses, stirrers, and garnishes on the top shelf for easy access. Aside from such drinks, there were also refreshing slushies made with raspberries, peaches, or mangos.

"Are cheerleaders also gonna be here?" We were relishing the delectable tastes of pizza and hotdogs, as well as a pasta salad with chopped veggies and a creamy balsamic dressing, and let me tell you, it not only sounded delicious; it tasted divine! Lastly, there was a French Almond Cake, which was a nutty cake layered with jam, a cream-cheese topping, and sugar-dusted fruit for dessert.

"Nah, they're too busy with hooking up!" Senior Drew, a.k.a. our birthday boy, replied, chuckling, as the other lads joined in.

"Language!" Mysie rebuked them, staring at them amusingly. I picked out a can of coke from a large metal pail placed on the table.

"My bad!"

"Dude, those hot chicks are a blast to hang out with." Senior Will replied as he refilled his wine glass. We girls ignored their words instead focused on the tasty deserts, and gossips.

"Agreed, brotha!" Senior Ash responded with a chuckle. We heard a loud banging sound as soon as those words left his lips, and we were all stunned. Our birthday girl, Senior Diana, was the one who caused the noise. She glared at him, clearly annoyed.

"Listen there, I'm-walking-testosterone-baggage, there's no need to flaunt off your la-la lust land. Keep your thoughts to yourself."

"Why do you hate her so much?" Senior Ash inquired.

"And, what's there to love about her, Mr. I-defend-Aria's-bitches?"

"They're not that awful!" Her irritation grew in direct proportion to how much he defended her.

"Exactly, they're too girly-goo!" She snorted.

"You're a tomboy!" Senior Diana was, to tell you the truth, a tomboy. People from miles away could tell she was a certified tomboy by the way she dressed and her demeanor. Even on her birthday, she wore a black t-shirt, camo pants, and black boots. Her short side-parted blonde hair was disheveled. She exuded an aura that stated— 'I don't give a damn!'

"Guys, it's alright! Relax!" Mysie and Senior Ryder stepped in to break up their small brawl, which appeared to be a couple fight.

"Remind me Drew, why haven't we invited Aria?" Senior Ash inquired once again, his gaze fixated on Senior Diana, the two of them glaring at one other. They seemed to be about to pounce on one other from the way they glared at each other.

"Because our birthday gal threatened... no, scratch that! Threatened me with a knife on my throat, I quote it folks— 'Call the bitch, and I'll call mom-dad!'" Senior Drew imitated in a feminine voice, eliciting a chuckle from the entire group.

"Hey, Mysie?"

"Hmm?"

"Do they like each other or what?"

"Who?"

"Senior Ash, and Senior Diana?" With a goofy nod, she busted out a smile.

"They're simply too obstinate to accept it."

"I can see that!"

"By the way, I heard Aria's throwing a party."

"If you guys miss her, then you should have gone there," Ivy muttered to the Seniors as she popped a few wine cubes.

"Nah, bros before hoes!"

"Language!!!!"

"Sorry, Mother Mysie!"

Senior Dylan winked at her as she swallowed the icy cube. "Junior, our parties are better than theirs."

Bless her soul!

"By the way, Hazel Eyes, Aria sent bro a very special invitation." He had to incite my rage, of course. I kept my calm, with a lot of help from my coke.

"Oh, wow, that sounds fantastic. What was your bro's response?" I mocked him nonchalantly, as if it didn't bother me in the least.

"Guess?" Almost everyone's attention and ears were drawn to that conversation.

"My brain cells have gone into hibernation. Care to enlighten me?" I kept my calm, not allowing him to tease me in any way.

"He promised to make it up for her." Senior Jake answered with a wry smirk dangling off his lips.

"Anything I should know, guys?" His voice drew our attention to him. He was gazing at all of us, a hint of challenge beneath those beguiling orbs. He was dressed perfectly in a black tee with a navy-blue shrug and a pair of matching trousers. One hand was shoved into his pocket, his hair was artfully tousled. That was the first time I saw him since the incident, and it was the precise moment I had been dreading. I withdrew my sight hastily, not wanting to emulate his intensity.

"Nah, all's Righto, man!" exclaimed Senior Jake, to which everyone responded with a chorus of laughter.

Boys!

"Now, who should sing? Um... gotcha!"

Senior Aylwin, who was sitting on the backyard swing with a glass of wine in his hand and talking to his buddies, caught their attention. They exchanged smirking looks, which were quickly followed by mischievous smirks from the other. Senior Chase approached him, holding a guitar, and handed it to him. With a raised brow, he eyed him over warily.

He, on the other hand, yelled instead of responding "Guys, bro's gonna sing for the birthday lads. Woah, c'mon, bruh! Everybody!" Everyone started applauding and hooting, and I was no exception.

"I'm a girl!" Senior Diana screamed at the boys, earning a laugh from us, which abruptly died as she glared.

"A boy in the body of girl!"

"Or a girl in the body of boy!"

"Correction... sweetheart! It's Tomboy!" Senior Ash was all set to torture her once again.

"Don't call me that!"

"What? Tomboy? Or sweetheart?"

"Both!"

"But I never called you both!"

"Asshole!"

"Tommy-tom-boy! Crispy-comb-boy! Sizzling-hot-boy! Seductive-bomb-boy!" I could almost see the smoke pouring out of her ears as he sang loudly. We couldn't refrain ourselves from laughing.

"Ass-hole! Buckle-knuckle-trash-hole! Ugly-Dumbo-mole-hole! Junglee-Mowgli-gutter-hole!" Our laughter, guffaws, and giggles were the only things that resonated across the neighborhood since their interaction was so juvenile. Meanwhile, they both joined us, still insulting each other.

"Shut up! Are you guys finished yet?" Senior Chase's voice instantly brought us back to reality.

"Let him sing before he declines the offer!" No one dared to say anything as a wave of stillness washed over us. All of the heads turned to face him, eyes focused on him, waiting for his next move.

"You owe me one, Chase!" Senior Aylwin sighed, placing the guitar in his hand.

"You'll thank me later on." Senior Chase, who was seated next to us, grinned.

Puffs of breath left his lips as he closed his eyes. Slowly, his fingers brushed over the strings, and a peaceful melody billowed. The atmosphere was twirling with magical clouds of dazzling shine, and darkness felt ever so beautiful. Everyone's face was embellished with smiles and tranquility, as they closed their eyes and basked in the mellifluous melody.

"Whisked away by the dawn

Shattering I sworn,

Hovering darkness that's when

Count me on....

Retreating steps yet I heard them

In the thin air you just vanished away

Away... just far away

A lot to say when you turned your back,

Some words were left

Some stayed behind

Strewn doubts that met my way

I took it to my heart.....

I took it to.... my heart.....

A way to know

Or way to go

Silently behind..... silently....

Somewhere blue, and crimson rays

Chugged me down,

A bruised soul lying by,

Nothing to say

Nothing....

To say.....

I'm left... breathless!"

Each note he played, each word he sung, was oozing with raw emotions that he himself couldn't decipher. The magnificent night, along with his entrancing voice, mingled ever so delicately, presenting us with the best moments to relish. I pondered whether he could possibly be more beautiful.

"A clear sky

A magical shine

Shimmering, rippling, drawling.

It took me by... surprise...

Some stories to lie

Some lying endangered

Wrapped around my fingers....

Darling, I'm afraid,

Maybe I would miss it

Or it would pass smiling

Or I may end it... right then....

Ohhh.... right then....

Hold me on tight,

Cause I'm vulnerable.

Shades are missing, a beautiful hallucination...

And delicate tendrils lying by

I'm left.... breathless!"

The more I sought to stay away from him, the harder he made it for me to avoid him. After that, I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to keep myself in check.

Indirect confessions are invariably heartfelt, and they always strike you right in the core. He was doing the same, and his every word was doing the same thing. I wanted to open my eyes and gaze into the ones where my soul dwelt, the ones that were silently ruining me, the ones where I had found a sliver of solace, the ones where I saw myself. I wanted to question him, confront him, rebuke him, and fight him, but I had to remind myself that it wasn't my place to do so.

I wished I could console him, hold him tight, match the missing shades, listen to the gut-wrenching stories, and embrace the lovely sight, but was I ready to share my own story with him?

"I was done toying

I was done wailing

Got some risk on my way

Stumbled across my fate

It's a terrible joke

At last.... risk to race....

It's up to you

I'll follow by...

Blindly

It's a suspicious game

A hazardous maze, when I'm myself one....

Drops of illusion, that bathed me... once

Darling, can you see?

Oh, darling, can you?

A few more steps, because the time's less

A dying hope

And a final touch

In the end.....

In the end....

I'm left.... breathless!"

Just like that the knock in my heart went quiet, and the message from my soul answered my questions. I blinked open my eyes, meeting the ones wherein I felt at ease. The intensity had surged, the fire had been rekindled, and thirst had been reawakened, that time more fiercely than ever. It was a hazardous maze, with risks and sins coexisting. Twitches and yearns knew no boundaries, and with one last touch, we were done.

"Dude, in no fucking way, I'm graduating from here single."

"Being single is overrated, dude! Virgin Jake get laid. "

"Fuck man! I'm going to miss Uni. "

"Uni as in university or Ms. Unitya."

"She looks like a booty call, man!"

"Language guys, language!"

"Everyone, no bad words or Mother Mysie will throw you in front of the hyenas."

"Is she divorced or married?"

"Don't you get something else to talk about instead of such bullshit?"

"Ah lads, look what Mother Tomboy is saying!"

"Dude, but she's hot!"

"Aren't you into Claire's right hand?"

"No way! Flings don't count, and by the way, her name is Sydney. "

"Sydney, Brittney, Kidney..."

"He's wasted!"

Everyone was talking amongst themselves, so I excused myself to get my phone. It was none other than the Devil.

"Come on, Soph, your man's waiting." I heard Ivy yell from behind me. I mouthed her for two minutes before returning to the phone conversation.

"S, who's there?" He inquired from the other end of the line.

"No one! Just a boozed-up buddy." I made an excuse since I didn't want him to know about it.

"Who's the man..." I cut him off in a hurry, "Relax, dude! I told you she was drunk; I'll call you later. Lemme deal with her." I hung up without waiting for his reaction after saying that. Gawking at the starry sky, I exhaled a sign of relief.

"Bring her now. Let the little one paint her hand. " Her frail form flinched with revulsion as she heard the beefy man's voice. She strolled alongside two ominous men, occasionally fumbling. She arrived at the place where crimson liquid had been splattered. It was like being in a slaughterhouse, except much worse. Her stomach churned and she felt nauseous. She closed her eyes tightly, wishing it would go away, praying it was only a nightmare, but it was all for naught.

"Hold it, little one!" The same burly guy handed her a blood-splattered knife, which was nothing new to her. For her, it was just like any other day. Every day, for sure!