02 | Here's To New Freedoms

NATASHA EQUINOX COLDWELL's POV

"Hey wake up..." I felt my sister repeatedly shaking my shoulders. "Hey!" I woke up to Naz's screams. "Woi....WOI! Wake up! Hurry up! Your patient is going to die!" She's overreacting again.

I got up annoyed and scratched my head. "What's with the ear-shattering voice, Naz?" I let out a sigh.

"Psh! Why are you even walking alone?! Hey, you're already awake! I already treated his wounds, they weren't really severe but he refused to answer my questions. Right, hot guy?" She hurried to get up and fixed her things. "Wrap the bandages for me, I still have a duty later. Ciao!"

After my sister left, I looked at the time. 12:45 am. I took the compression bandages she gave me and sat down in front of the guy. He looked at me for a long time. Why is he looking like that?

"Listen," I gave him a stern look before proceeding to wrap his shoulder. I really don't want any problems that could affect me, especially that our family is known to people. "This is the first and last time I'll be seeing you. I don't want any rumors to spread-"

"What is your name?" He began asking me nonchalantly, cutting me off. I started wrapping bandages below the point of his shoulder.

"I don't give off my name to strangers," Even though I didn't mean to, I still can't avoid the cold tone in my voice. It's best to not share my name. I don't wanna judge but I don't wanna trust either. I purposely tightened the tie to him. He grabbed my attention when he let out a laugh.

"But you let me into your unit."

***

I walked quickly and looked for our meeting place. Clyzyll told me that we should hang out with 'our' friend group. At first, I wanted to decline her offer then remembered that we were already friends. I need to make some effort. Yesterday she said we were friends, now, we're already called best friends. Maybe having friends isn't so bad. This can be a part of my freedom.

I stopped walking when I suddenly noticed the flyers posted to the glass window of the coffee shop. I suddenly remembered that I needed to find a job to help with condo expenses. I promised myself to be independent and wouldn't ask for money. I wanted to do this. To stand on my own steps in order to walk on my own paces. I also don't want to touch the savings my sister gave me.

I went into the coffee shop since this is our meeting place. Clyzyll saw me so I stopped and mouthed "Wait." Although she was confused, she did not lose her smile and went back to their conversation there.

I approached the counter and went through the papers posted on their bulletin board but I could not find anyone.

"Looking for a job?" Suddenly, someone spoke next to me.

A tall, lanky guy appeared in front of me with the coffee shop uniform on. He scratched his ear and smiled sheepishly. He looked like a good person, a person who would always obey his parents. He fixed his transparent, round glasses, waiting for a reply. Cute. He reminds me of someone.

I cleared my throat. "Night-shift and not illegal."

"Well making coffee for people is definitely not illegal." His white teeth blinded my eyes that's why I nodded quickly and took a flyer. "Later during our break," He checked his watch and laughed softly. "Our break is starting. Anyways, tomorrow bring a resume with a 2x2 picture. Just a little training, you can already start."

"Why not later?"

"I have a meeting with my friends."

"Do you own this shop?"

"Yes, but technically no, my parents." He smiled with pride. I immediately nodded. "Can't you smile?"

"Nyx! Come o- Oh! You've already met." I heard Clyzyll's voice and suddenly looked at who I was talking about earlier. My eyes narrowed at their smiling faces and their resemblance. "His Cyzeus. Call him Zeus. My twin brother."

I approached their table as they looked at me at the same time. I flushed and looked away in embarrassment. They haven't started eating. Did they wait for me?

"Finally! We can eat!" I was even more humiliated when a guy shouted.

"Shut up and be quiet Zhyan! Let's introduce ourselves first." The angel-looking girl handed me her hand. "I'm Verica Kynthia Faraldo. You can call me Kynthia. I'm a Libra." My lips parted, taking her hand. I realized that she is a famous vlogger my sister idolizes. Cute.

"You okay? Starstrucked?" Zhyan laughed, pointing at me.

"Natasha Equinox err..." Until now I do not know why I can't say my name confidently. "Coldwell."

"Just call her Nyx!" Clyzyll giggled and cupped my cheeks, before giving me a plate of blueberry cheesecake. My forehead creased. I don't understand. Where are the judgments? The questions about my family? "Starting today we all are already best friends, huh?" Before I could nod, they shouted and applauded at the same time. I was still in shock. This is new. That's when I realize that there are people who accept. There are people who understand.

"I haven't introduced myself yet!" Zhyan stood up so we all looked at him. He's the tallest among us. Even though he is tall, he does not look scary. He smiled and looked friendly. A guy who likes to tease. "Zharick Yander Kim. Zhyan." He pointed finger guns at me. "You sure don't smile huh? You look like a ghost. W-wait are you a ghost?" Cute too.

"What?" I looked at him flatly.

"Don't mind him, he's a walking prankster. l believe I haven't introduced myself. Cyzeus Jan Allister." He fixed his glasses and handed me his hand. "I'll be your best friend and boss from now on."

"B-boss?!" His sister blastered out. "You'll be working here? O.M.G. How will you work when you'll be busy?" I smiled sparingly at them and tried to change the subject.

"H-hey what are your courses?" Although it is awkward, I still asked them.

"Coldwell Theatre Arts!" Kynthia shouted excitedly.

"Criminal Justice," Zhyan smirked. "I want to be a detective." He said and began shooting finger guns at random people. I covered my face since it was embarrassing while the others shook their heads. I guess they are used to his behavior.

"Engineering. Buy 1 Take 1." Zeus put his arm around his twin sister. I was about to speak when a group entered.

"Harriet Hills Academy students," Kynthia whispered. I also looked at them. "Why are they here? Is their university nearby?"

"O.M.G, my crush is there! That stiff, cold-hearted prick! Acting like he owns the world but I still like him." She sighed dreamily. "O.M.G don't look at them okay?" Zhyan didn't listen and still looked at them. "Stupid." She pulled his hair.

"W-wait ouch! Who is it?"

"The guy with the specs!"

"There are two of them wearing specs!"

I laughed for a moment at their conversation but I saw someone familiar. The injured shoulder guy in the condominium. "Who's that?" I asked Kynthia and she immediately shooked her head.

"I really don't know about that guy. People say he's problematic. Well, I guess all of them. He's probably the most edgiest guy in Coldwell Streets."

Huh? The way he pleaded me to help him?

"No one. No one would even dare to talk to him."

But he talked to me first.

"No one dares to touch him."

I treated him.

"River Laurent Sanchez, the guy of many rumors."