Not Br(OK)en

Kiera was shaken awake by the librarian.

'Huh?' was the only thought in her mind as she rubbed her eyes groggily. The librarian peered at her with sharp eyes.

"You have been sleeping the whole day," she informed her, "I didn't want to wake you up, but I don't think you'll like the idea of being locked inside the campus."

Kiera took in the librarian's age. She wasn't much older, perhaps just in her thirties, with a curvy figure, raven hair which was probably coloured and caramel eyes. She had a kind expression as she stood hovering opposite her.

"Oh," was the only response that could be gotten out of her. She had missed a whole day of class. Not that it actually mattered. The university would somehow excuse her for missing class. She couldn't just wrap her mind around the fact that Liam was sleeping with Stacey. It somehow bothered her that her own cousin would do something like that. Besides Kent and herself, Liam knew what happened that night. And yet…

Kiera shuddered when she thought of returning home. Her mother probably wouldn't be there right now, but the thought that her mother actually didn't want her around brought tears to her eyes again. Blinking them back, she greeted the librarian before grabbing her bag and leaving.

She had just gotten out of the campus when she had collided with a wall.

"Ow," Kiera rubbed her nose slightly as she wondered from where the hell a new wall had come up.

The wall was in fact, not a wall.

A pair of shining blue eyes met a pair of green ones. Disgust filled in Kiera's eyes as she tried to walk away from the person to whom those eyes belonged to. She would recognize those eyes anywhere around the world.

"McKinnon," she spat as she tried to move past him. She had learnt basic manners to at least greet someone.

"Kiera," the voice added as a hand held her wrist.

"I don't want anything to do with you, McKinnon," Kiera breathed heavily, trying her best to swallow down the sobs that had been suffocating her.

"Kie, please listen-"

"No you listen to me Connor "I can sleep with any girl" McKinnon," Kiera yanked her hand away from him, "I thought I made myself clear at Kent's funeral, I don't want to associate myself with a murderer."

Connor's eyes softened at her remark, "Kie, you know it was an accident, I was drunk,"

"You still pushed him off the balcony, McKinnon, I am not gonna forget that."

"Kie, I'm sorry, I think my drink was spiked."

"You ruined my life, McKinnon, you ruined every single thing I held dear to me. You killed Kent, you're the reason my best friend hates me, and you're the reason I am like this. Unless you can bring Kent back, you can take your sorry and shove it up your ass."

Kiera walked away to her car and drove away without sparing a second glance at Connor.

***

'Looking for the lost hope

In your eyes

Waiting for the first snow

And the next sunrise.

You'll never walk alone

Cuz I'll be waiting at the horizon

It's the promise

When the first snow touches the ground, your wish will come true.'

The members of Ivy walked out as they finally finished recording their new song. It was called "Promise" and was a part of their new album called "Winter Sunrise". It was one of the most anticipated songs in the whole album and KaS entertainment knew fans had been waiting for it most patiently.

"Katsu," Hanseok swung his hand over his shoulder as the two of them walked to the changing rooms with the other members.

"Hanseok-hyung," Rin acknowledged.

"Did you speak to Joon-nim? Or Seojun hyung?"

Rin stiffened. After their talk, Rin had tried his best to avoid everyone like a plague. He didn't want anyone to know about his health. He hadn't even visited the hospital for his regular check up. He just didn't want anyone to worry about him, even his brother.

"Yes," the lie flowed out so easily that Rin himself found it hard to not believe himself.

Crinkles appeared at the corner of Hanseok's eyes as he smiled.

"Glad you did that, you don't have to stay late then."

Rin didn't want to burst his bubble as they continued walking home after their recording.

***

After reaching home, Rin still hadn't forgotten about the author who had written such an angsty chapter. Everyday that he tried to speak to the author in his free time, he would always find her offline and the others advised him not to disturb her. It had been the first time he had been worried about someone in a long time, it wasn't so easy to forget about that person.

Instead of his normal routine of going into Webnovel, he logged into Discord instead.

Ratsu: Hey everyone [Wave]

veteran tea (Rianolinon): and now my nose started bleeding. Dammit.

Dreamygurl is ded: Get some help.

Gracey(LaLuna) is ded: Yeah you should, nosebleeds aren't good.

Veteran tea (Rianolinon): Well thanks for the info, captain obvious.

Roselia_Black: let's not get into fights early in the morning

Veteran tea (Rianolinon): It's 11pm for me, so perfect time to fight.

Rivkin: CHEESE.

Roselia_Black: Fuck off Riv.

Rivkin: Nah, I'd like to keep my fuck on Rosaline.

Roselia_Black: it's "ROSELIA" you dipshit.

Rivkin: Yes Rosalina :)

Roselia_Black: Ughhhhhhhhhhh

Dreamygurl is ded: and who was the person saying it was too early to fight?

Roselia_Black: it's not the same Dreamy.

Ratsu: uh, uhm, hey guys.

Veteran Tea (Rianolinon): hey there, sorry for this ruckus.

Ratsu: it's not a problem, I am just wondering what is happening.

Gracey (LaLuna) is ded: No one knows either. This place is 90% chaos and we never know what is happening.

Rivkin: I just had some cheese.

Roselia_Black: No one was bloody interested, sherlock.

[Rin couldn't help but widen his eyes, impressed at the bluntness, in which his favourite author just replied to everyone. He could somehow understand where the angst came from.]

Honey15 : Just ignore those two, they're always fighting.

Roselia_Black: He started it.

Honey15 : I don't care who started it, I will finish it.

Roselia_Black: Fine.

Honey15: Don't roll your eyes, young lady.

Roselia_Black: how did you-

Honey15: I know you.

Roselia_Black: Aw come on.

Docaqui [Danger Zone] : it's okay Rosechiin, calm down.

Ratsu: Has anyone seen Mitsue Keisha?

Roselia_Black: You still got a crush on her, kid?

[The question was so blunt that Rin couldn't help but blush.]

Ratsu: No, nothing like that.

Roselia_Black: I think you can dm her, she's offline due to some reasons, but she's answering her dms. Thank me later when she's your girlfriend :)

Ratsu: uhm…

Honey15: Rose

Roselia_Black: Sheesh. Fine, you can dm. Keisha#4099

Ratsu: thanks!

Roselia_Black: I want invitations and a full paid trip to the wedding.

Docaqui [Danger Zone]: Lol Rosechiin

___

[IN DMS. Rin wasted no time as he quickly sent a friend request to Mitsue_Keisha, which had been quickly accepted, followed by a quick message]

Keisha: If you're someone asking for a review swap or ps, let me tell you beforehand, I don't do that stuff kid, I am not in the mood for giving any free reviews since they're pretty much useless.

Ratsu: I wasn't gonna ask that.

Keisha: Then you don't have any business here, kid. I'm an author, I don't even do commission covers.

Ratsu: No, it's nothing like that, I am one of your readers.

Keisha: don't lie, I don't have readers.

Ratsu: No, I'm not lying, I actually read your books and I really like the fanfic you wrote on Katsuki.

Keisha: thanks. I guess.

Ratsu: I just wanted to ask you if you were okay. I mean the last chapters are too painful, I just couldn't help but ask.

Keisha: I'm absolutely fine, nothing happened.

Ratsu: People aren't fine when they say "I'm fine."

Keisha: None of your business kid, you don't even know me.

____

Rin was about to say something when the author went offline again. He sighed as he kept the phone beside him. Something didn't seem right with the author and the author, unlike what she was claiming was absolutely not fine. He knew that she was lying and the author knew that he had seen through her life. Whatever was the matter, Rin was now decided on finding out.