Valiant Lover Of A Rose

This right here is Kody's alter ego. In most instances, he's carefree and goofy, but in times of calling for prominent help and a shoulder to lean on, he will no doubt come your way and lighten up your mood. The story he had narrated was a chapter of his life that he never uttered nor opened up with anyone and I had discerned that even the happiest and blissful human beings can experience many heart-wrenching and soul-eating moments.

"Thank you, Kody."

"It's nothing, chap. You deserve it after all."

He smiled and we both disembarked the vehicle, walking across the street to get to the university. It was still serene and vacuous, some of the janitors and janitresses swept the campus ground and put up the MCKU's official banner. It's been 6 years since I decided to have my education here and back then I was so different because I never engaged in any activities and barely left the classroom, it felt like I wasn't made for this university not until Grade 9 strucked. My self-esteem was at it's peak that I came up with decision of joining Mystical Melody, a music club, despite my prominent loss of care and motivation for music.

"Do we really have to decorate the auditorium?" Kody asked, letting out a sigh.

"Unfortunately, Yes. He didn't do any of it, so I guess we're the second line of defense."

"I feel like a babysitter. All things that are at his fault, we fix it for him." he complained, "When is he ever gonna learn or grow up?"

Kody and Franco have not interacted with each other, not even the smallest interactions. His first notion of Franco was a baby and he wasn't wrong. Franco tried reaching out to him once and he literally ran away, avoiding anything that has something to do with him. Kody is the type of person who hates to slack off, he wants to get everything done within a day or week.

"I feel you, but we have to do this for him and for everyone else."

"It would be better if you were the president, but you're gonna reject the offer anyways."

"We both know that Franco and I have similarities, I'm lazy and irresponsible."

"You are, but you try to correct that. Franco? He doesn't do anything, but ignore it."

"Franco's just busy with soccer—"

"As if I believe that, I'm pretty sure you learn those values in that sport or any sports."

"—that's a good point, but we can't really decide for him, can we?"

"Right, we can't decide for him, but we can teach him."

"We can, but he doesn't listen to anyone, not even to his parents."

Franco never listened to anyone and his parents again after gaining the limelight and stardom he'd been desiring for. It drove him to ignore any teachings coming from anyone, but himself. Pride and greed consumed him and the values his parents taught him at such a young age. Honestly, it was a clear expectation from the very start, but I didn't think it would go this way, ignoring and pushing a loving, caring and genuine family away.

"He's one of those concrete evidence that fame really changes people in a snap."

"How can you tell? You haven't interacted with him."

"Yeah, but you've ranted about him and it was enough statements for me to have a clear description of him."

"How do you read people clearly—"

"Good morning, boys! My two favorite students." Mr. Mcnuggle beamed, the headmaster.

"—Mr. Mcnuggle! We're on our way to the auditorium."

"That's good to hear, boys." Mr. Mcnuggle sighed, "We really need to teach your cousin discipline, Ethan."

"Yes, we really do. We're complying all things that are under his responsibility and supervision." Kody stated, rolling his eyes.

"Let's go easy on him, Kody. I'm sure he's also thinking about it right now—"

"Are you sure? Cause from what I'm seeing now, he is nowhere near that." Kody responded, looking over at his shoulder.

"—I've contradicted myself once again, why do I keep doing this to myself?"

Mr. Mcnuggle, Kody and I witnessed Franco barely on his feet. This is why he needs to go home cause he is never able to take care of himself.

"Looks like someone's three sheets to the wind." Mr. Mcnuggle remarked, walking away. "Make sure to get the work done, boys and deck him out, will you?"

Kody and I saluted, rushing over to Kody. We grabbed each of his arm, dragging him to the auditorium. How many shots did he take? He's wasted and his breath smells like vodka mixed with tequila.

"Twinkle, twinkle little star.." Franco sang, smiling. He might've changed, but this part of him hasn't. This is the song that he sings every time he's drunk, a special song taking him back to a carefree life.

"He smells disgusting, chap." Kody remarked, disgust smeared on his face. "It seems like he had puked over his shirt."

"Do you have an extra shirt?" I asked, pointing my lips at his bag. "I didn't bring one with me."

"I do, but I'm not risking it for him." he groused, "I am sure he brought one. He's an athlete, duh?"

We arrived at the auditorium, chancing on his student council members. As soon as we were on sight, they rushed over to us, plopping him down on an armchair.

"What happened to him? He seems so drunk." Amber inquired, the vice president.

"That's because he is drunk." Kody replied, sitting on a stool. "He's always been like that, didn't you notice?"

"We did, but thought it's just a phase." Logan joined, the secretary. "Never thought it's anchored to him this way."

"Anyways, you guys take care of him," I requested, as I rummaged in my pocket for my phone. "While on the other hand, Kody and I will continue decorating."

They nodded and went back to taking care of Franco. Kody and I started to grab all the banners that had all of the student council's name and faces. It's required for all of the students, transferee or not, to know the student council. Every start of a new school year, our university invites us to this opening program wherein we engage in social activities, or learning the mission, vision and goal.

As we were putting up the banners, Kody called out to me and pointed behind me. "Looks like someone you know is here."

I furrowed my brows, asking for context. "Huh? What do you exactly mean?"

He laughed, "Look behind you, chap. I promise it will make you smile."

Trusting what he said, I rolled the banner, gazing over my shoulder and saw her, Emily. Entering the room, she didn't notice us, but Franco reclined on a chair, wasted. Her face and heart fell seeing him helpless and barely alive. In an instant, she raced down the aisle of chairs, pulling out medicines and a bottle of water from her bag and conversed with the students who took care of him. From such a distance, I could see the care and concern glistening in her eyes.

"Did it make you smile, chap?"

"Now I know." I mumbled, staring at her. "No wonder it was so familiar, it's him. Of course, it's him."