Prelude

"Selina? Come take your paper!"

"Yes! I'm coming, sir!"

"Eren?"

"Here!"

"Teo, this is yours."

"Thank you, sir."

"Yasemin..."

"I got an 86!?"

"And this wraps it up. Everyone happy with the results?"

I watched the teacher looking at her students' reactions while slowly tidying up her desk. Of course, my paper was forgotten again - it would in fact be odd if it wasn't. I raised my hand not because I wanted to see my paper, but because it was my responsibility.

"Is there something wrong, Roman?"

"I didn't get my paper." I said, with the dullest sound I could use.

"Oh..." she said. "How did we forget you again? This happens a bit too often, doesn't it?"

She was laughing on her own while all the students were sharing their grades among their friend groups.

"Say, Roman, how many black cats did you see today?"

It wasn't funny the slightest bit, but I tried to smile nonetheless. I don't know how well I did, but I didn't have to do it for too long.

"Well, there you go." said the teacher, and her eyes widened for a moment. "Wow, you seem to have done quite better this time."

I slowly stood up and walked to the teacher's desk.

"Thank you, sir."

I usually wouldn't even look at my grade, knowing how bad it was beforehand; but this time was different. Since even the teacher was surprised with my success, I wanted to treat myself a bit; so I flipped the paper. The blue ink on the top right corner read 82.

For once, a genuine smile appeared on my face.

And then, the bell rang.

"See you all tomorrow, then! Have a good day, people!" the teacher said as she walked out of the classroom. Those who grabbed their bags quickly enough followed her out. Unlike other times, I took my time to carefully place my exam paper in my bag instead of rushing out of the school building.

After the crowd in the hallways disappeared, I was on my way home. And I was happy, because my father would have no reason to start another 2 hour lecture today. Knowing that, I didn't walk slower on purpose, or took a longer path home... yet I still found time to enjoy the chilly wind blowing on my face, and the light rain that started afterwards.

It was amazing how such a small thing could change the way I experienced those natural happenings.

I came to the apartment and climbed the stairs with joy.

That was until I saw two people in front of our door. My uncle and aunt were standing there. This would be very normal as they usually visited us every week or so, but this time, I could feel that there was something different. They both were watching me climb up the final stairs, with a gloom on their face. I hesitated for a second, then kept walking towards them.

"Uncle, why are you standing here? Are they not answering the door?" I asked.

My uncle lifted his head a little, and faked a smile. It was very easy to read his emotions.

"Roman... uhh... Why don't you come to our home for a while? It's been a while since you paid a good visit to us."

"I can read the atmosphere." I said. "Don't lie to me, something unusual is going on. What happened here?"

My uncle went silent, my aunt continued.

"Look, it is not something we can tell right away. Please, listen to your uncle and come with us." she said.

"I'm sorry, I have things to do at home."

"Roman, I'm afraid that's not possible right now." my uncle stopped me.

"What do you mean?" I raised my voice. "It is my home, and I don't want to come with you!"

"Roman!" my aunt raised her own voice in response. "Your parents had a traffic accident."

It was my turn to go silent.

"Traffic accident?" I mumbled. A traffic accident... What would be the normal reaction of a high school student whose parents were involved in a traffic accident? Terror? Sorrow? Depression?

I didn't know, and I would not know; for I have never felt any real connection to my parents. But I had to come up with something to put a cloak on that black heart of mine.

"I know you are screaming inside but speechless on the outside..." said my uncle. "But you don't have to say anything. Please hang on, and come with us. Everything is okay."

"I want to be left alone." I said. "Please just let me in for now."

My uncle and aunt looked at each other. They weren't sure if leaving me alone was the correct choice in this situation.

"I will be okay, don't worry about me." I said.

"Look at me." said my uncle, putting his hands on my shoulders. "We have things to talk about."

"Like what?" I asked, dismissively. Only then I realized, that unlike what anyone else would do, I hadn't asked them about any details. When did the accident happen? Where did it happen? And more importantly, how were my parents' situation? I truly had no feelings whatsoever...

"Roman..." my uncle cut my train of thoughts in half. "I'm afraid we lost your parents. They passed away this afternoon."

I just stared ahead with a blank expression. What did this mean to me? What would change in my life now?

"Roman..."

"Let me in." I said. "Please... I beg you. I really need some time alone."

My aunt looked at my uncle. He nodded softly, so my aunt gave me the key to our apartment.

"Roman, I know how you feel." said my uncle. "Please remember that this is not the end of the world. And for the love of god, please don't take long here and make us worry about you. Come to us, we are here for you. We will be waiting you. Granted, we will never replace your parents, but-"

I walked into the apartment and closed the door in his face.

"Let him go for now, he is in shock." I heard my aunt talking to my uncle behind the door. "Don't worry, he is a strong kid. He will recover."

Then I listened to their footsteps as they moved away and downstairs to their own apartment.