wow! Ayke exclaimed at the bottom of the stairs when he noticed Howie. What else have you done to your hair or anything? You have changed a lot since yesterday sweetheart.
What's going on here, is it me or did you transform overnight? and for the better I see. Does anyone want to explain to me?
Howie shone like a ray of morning sunshine that filled human beings with good energy and put them in a good mood. The sun has a draining and revitalizing action on the human body.
Its heat stimulates blood circulation and thus promotes the elimination of toxins. Its slightly antibiotic action also has a positive effect on our energy.
Why love the sun?
The sun, or rather the light it gives off, gives people and even plants a good mood. it makes living beings more expansive, more euphoric, and more energetic because it blocks the synthesis of a particular hormone, melatonin.
So to speak, walking in good weather would be an opportunity to fill up on light. This is how the twins see Howie this morning a halo of light with positive and healing effects.
After a moderate exposure to the sun, the human being has therefore recharged their batteries for a radiant day, this is what Howie represents at the moment. It shines and the boys don't know where exactly this light comes from which envelops him and makes him irresistible but they still love the effect.
No turtleneck this morning, his strict appearance which makes him look like a snob in the eyes of some is completely turned into a cool one. Anyway, he never stand wearing the tie and it is one of the reasons why he preferred the turtleneck to the white shirt.
His shirt is open on his chest, giving a precise idea of what is underneath the shirt, a very thin pendant at his neck, and his jacket in his hand. unlike El, he does not wear a tank top under his shirt.
No moccasin either, his pairs of moccasins are replaced by very stylish black flat tennis shoes. He looks more like a bad boy this morning, he dressed according to the mood he woke up in this morning.
His hair was a little curly after the shampoo he had done, and which he had dried with a towel, rubbing it so as to obtain messy curls.
Now they are free as the air floated down his back and over his shoulders. Not to mention that line of tiny hoop earrings, which literally cover his left lobe while the right only wears three.
You put a lot this morning noticed his father who has just appeared in the room. at a glance, Marc was able to inspect him from head to toe.
He hears Ayke talking but not Howie, he hasn't even responded to the sweet little words Ayke used to greet him as usual.
He just contented himself with greeting them with a wave of his hand as if they were strangers while avoiding meeting the gaze of Aike who remained silent to observe.
He turned to his father, who understood right away that he was in no mood to chat, and that this discussion about his piercings, which were multiplying every day, had better be left to later.
He turned to the others with a charming smile, well kids I think it's time to leave, otherwise, you were going to be late.
And I think your friend here will need some time today to adjust to get into the same good mood as you. So make sure he doesn't bump into conflict with anyone for the day.
I count on you. He handed the lunch box to Aike who takes it from his hands shyly, who is also avoiding meeting H's gaze who observes them like a predator.
Would you like Mr. Hucklebury to drive us to school this morning? I don't think Howie is in the mood for this task, we don't want to bother him again with…
he couldn't finish his sentence, that Howie puts his car key in his hands without a word and without touching his hand, then he walks towards the exit, hastening his pace.
What, exploded Bravael raising both his hands to the sky, you leave him the key of your car without making a fuss, while you threaten to put me on the wheels every time I try to have a conversation on the places with you.
He can drive it, but I can't, right?
Without waiting, Bravael rushed towards Aike to snatch the key from his hand but Howie's threatening and unsympathetic voice stopped him in his tracks.
Don't even dare to snatch the key from his hand. He will drive, and that's all. Without even turning to look at him.
El rolled his eyes, wondering mentally to avoid being overheard. How many more times will he have to go through all this, is this my punishment?
He gave you his car key. Ayke intervenes in his brother's head, he has understood that H was not in the mood to laugh and fool around this morning so he avoids making a fuss.
You know El will kill, so he'll let him drive it, but he gives it to you like this.
You want to drive it, Aike asks him, feeling the weight of growing stress weigh on him.
His brother burst out laughing in his head, what are you kidding, right? If it was someone else I'd gladly swap places with you, but this is H, so I'm not going to do that in any case.
Well yeah okay, I didn't want to drive myself, I was just afraid he'd do the same thing to us from the last time. I know bro, but now it's your responsibility. So hurry up because he's waiting.
No, wait a minute I'm probably gonna make mistakes if he sits next to me, I'm screwed Ay.
Hey, calm down, you're making me laugh there, why are you so scared of him? Sometimes I wonder what you two are playing. You should know better than anyone that he's not as tough and rough as he looks, right?
I know, but that doesn't stop him from scaring me sometimes. And yet you are drawn to him like a moth to the light?
It's not cool to say that, Aike pouted. He hands the lunch box to his brother who takes it smiling, under the amused gaze of Marc, while El looks at them longingly, his hands fled into the pockets of his pants.
When they finally got out of the house, Howie let out a sigh, he can't stand being kept waiting and he's not in the mood to scold people this morning because if he does it's going to get really messy.
Especially since he left the key to Aike, he doesn't want there to be any misunderstandings if he loses his patience.
He took his place in the back of the car, plugging in his headphones to avoid being disturbed even more, and he closed his eyes, leaning his head against the headrest of the seat.
Ayke opened the left side door because it became a bit like his. And rushed into the car, when he noticed that H was sitting peacefully on the other side.
He hurried out, signaling El not to open the door and to move forward.
By making big gestures without making the slightest noise. He sighed in relief when El pulled his hand away from the door very quickly as if she had burned him.
They all got into the car with a little scowl but Bravael at least was happy because, in the end, they all had a place in the car. He just wanted to piss me off, that little brat, he thinks.
Don't panic, he said to Aike, seeing him hesitate while casting worried and furtive glances in the rearview mirror.
The other wasn't paying attention to him but he feels all the worry going through him. And Ayke's admiring gaze on him with a goofy smile on his lips.
Why are they so different if they are the same person? He thinks while adjusting his position more comfortably in his seat without opening his eyes.
It's only El's emotions that he can't make out. This boy is worrying, Howie thinks.
He increased the volume of the music to better concentrate, he doesn't want to feel the emotions of Aike and his brother or think about Bravael who knows only too well how to hide his smell and also his emotions. It's almost an art for him.
When they finally arrive at school it was time, Howie got out of the car and made his way away from them while the twins went to drop off the car in the parking lot.
Bravael wanted to talk to him but changed his mind when he saw his distant gaze and the unwelcoming aura that emanated from him, like a sign that clearly displayed in gold lettering "Do Not Disturb".
He grabbed his phone and texted Howie who doesn't give a damn about the notification showing up on his phone screen. El rolled his eyes, backing away from him, cursing him inwardly.
Howie went to check that the twins were okay without him letting them notice his presence hidden behind a pestle.
When he sees them pass, he waits a moment before heading for the lockers where he takes out his books for the day.
He didn't want to leave them alone under the parking lot when he knew there was a wolf lurking around, but he didn't plan on being noticed either.
The rest of the day passed in a frustrating and unexpected calm because normally when they have an important game to discuss the whole school is teeming with excitement.
But today it's different for one reason or another. And a certain person prefers him that way with his senses which are even sharper than before he doesn't know how he would manage to control his impulses so as not to kill a good dozen of them.
However, he does not feel at peace for all that, he feels rising in him anguish that squeezes his guts. And he doesn't know where this weird feeling comes from.
Throughout the day, he hasn't taken his eyes off the boys for a minute, he follows them like their shadows without appearing near them or speaking to them.
He hasn't even eaten the day long. What Bravael let Marc know because the latter asked him to keep an eye on him and let him know of any type of change in his behavior.
He hasn't eaten since yesterday and after what just happened he should be swallowing a ton of bloody meat.
But Howie is Howie, right? The ritual was completely botched as far as he is concerned, so holding out hope that he'll follow the other steps to the letter is completely insane.
The cruelty he faced in the memories he had of his inner life completely devastated him, and the pain he caused him by keeping him from going out broke his heart.
After everything leading up to his death, that was not the way to receive and treat him.
While he did everything to help him be less alone by connecting him with someone he thought was a figment of his imagination. He wanted to have siblings and he gave him a friend who turns out to be his heartmate on whom he set his sights a long time ago.
He is angry with him and the circumstances that caused the death of Lyke and his companion whom he tried to save at the cost of his life.
The pain he felt is so devastating that he is afraid of going through such a thing again. It's a burden to bond with someone to the point of feeling all their emotions as small and insignificant as they might be.
How do the two of them stay glued to each other from morning till night, seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day for sixteen years without going crazy? he wonders. Because he is afraid of that and he no longer wants to relive such a void when the other will no longer be there or when he will no longer be there.
Lug is from an Indo-European couple of the Dioscuri, the Divine Twins, one of the oldest figures in the Indo-European pantheon, Lug Samildanach the god of multiple arts, by his intervention restores order and law when the other gods have fallen in oppression.
Lug plays a vital role in solar motion. The god proclaims during an epiphany reported in The Foundation of the Domain of Tara (Suidigud Tellaig Temra) to be the cause of the sunrise and its sunset.
It is also to tell, that it intervenes in the passage from the night to the day. Agent of the Dawn who brings light and, in general, the beautiful season and life, Lug ensures the birth of a stable and balanced society, governed by seasonal alternation.
Lug appears as a psychopomp deity "who accompanies souls into the Beyond, as he accompanies the sun in the twilights which mark its passages between darkness and light", psychopomp in the manner of Ogmios.
But for Lyke Lug was the one he could count on in his dark days, the one who watched over him when everyone said he was strong enough to watch over them, without him needing someone to watch over him.
Lug was the one he could chat, sing, and dance with, forgetting his responsibilities for a minute until they conspired to take him away from him. He was all he had, a companion, a friend, and a protector. The light of his life.
He understands that attraction he felt for the boys, that urge to protect and watch over them, that feeling that he always knew them, only when he understood what Lug meant to Lyke and Lyke lived in him.
But he refuses to let the things that have been done in time guide the steps of his life. Today he is someone else and the boys are split into two separate beings despite the many aspects of their lives that tie them together.
They have the right to be happy without him and he has no right to impose his friendship on them again. This friendship once caused his loss.
He had promised to be there for them, which means he can't go back on his words anymore, but he's now quitting the sensual and seductive little games he often plays with Aike. He has no right to snash from him the life he deserves to live as he wishes. When he remembers the evening at their house when he got angry because he got sucked off by Tess kneeling in front of him with a greedy mouth.
It was disgusting, he said to himself, making a face, recalling the image he had in front of him that evening. He really let her touch him that far. When I thought he was shy and sweet and very reserved and that Ayke would be the one to behave like that. I had it all wrong, he said aloud, which drew the attention of the others to him.
When he felt the curious gazes of his teammates intently weighing on him, he lifted his head to face seventeen pairs of astonished eyes.
In the whole morning, since he left his house, it's the first time he's opened his mouth to utter a word or a whole sentence. It's only now that he realizes he just spoke out loud.
They were gathered in the locker room to prepare for the match and listen to the coach's latest instructions. The twins are not going to play because of their shoulders but they are there anyway.
Todd hasn't spoken to him since the incident with Hugg, nor fussed with him after the hard training he had. he said to himself that he will find another way to discover the junk he hides under his beautiful princely airs which pushes everyone to admire him even if they know that he does not have a single penny.
He teams up with Hugg, who seeks revenge for what he did to him in front of his father. They aim to knock him off his pedestal and humiliate him by exposing all his secrets, and finding out how he got such an expensive car.
What Hugg ignores is the fact that his so-called friend has nothing solid against Howie for what he accuses him of, there is only his hatred against the latter that animates him to do such degrading things.
Without paying them the slightest attention he lowered his head to concentrate on tying his shoelaces which he was trying to do correctly. All the equipment is completely new, the balls they will use tonight until their basketball sneakers are new.
A donation from one of the school's top donors, whose face and name no one apparently knows, who has expressed a desire to remain anonymous.
Every year this mysterious person since Howie was admitted to Wood Hill, invests a colossal amount of money for the various activities of the school and the equipment that has been provided by the mysterious donor is always of good quality.
The boys were all happy when they discovered their new pairs of Jordans and Nikes, but there was only one pair of different ones, a pair of white sneakers with a high head and sky blue sole, the famous signature of Babyface which coincidentally is the only number available for size H.
which earned him a murderous glare from his dear friend and hater Todd. Todd has this bad feeling that everything he wants is directly related to that damn rascal Howie, and it pisses him off.
Oleck and Raphael have noticed the drastic change in H's behavior, from experience and understanding they know they should leave him out for as long as he wants. As a result, they kept their distance while watching his various movements out of the corner of their eyes.
But when they see how much he struggles to tie the laces of his sneakers they approach him, and they each take their places next to him, putting him in the middle.
Without giving him time to ask questions or push them away with his gaze that says a lot. They bend down to his feet and in no time the laces were done.
You can't imagine the disgusting grimace that formed on Todd's face being one of the spectators of this scene.
Why do they worship him so much, why are they willing to kneel at his feet, what is so extravagant and extraordinary about this arrogant, snobbish, indifferent fool that they always take care of him? he mutters to himself as he glares hostilely at the small group formed by Howie and the other two. They're disgusting, he finally blurted out loud, clicking his tongue.
He has everything, whispered a soft voice behind his head, everything that no one here let alone you of course because you are an unimportant subspecies will ever have and this no matter how hard you try. He has everything for him, and that's why you hate him so much.
He jumped at the sound of the voice very close to his ear which made him flinch, he turned abruptly to face Aike who leaned towards him with an amused expression, his eyes shining with excitement and pride.
Hey, keep your paws away from me, you disgusting faggot, the latter shouted, jerking backward.
Aike straightened his back, he stands upright crossing his arms over his stomach staring haughtily at Todd.
Todd already regrets having pronounced these words aloud with all these witnesses around. If he continues to cause problems to the Morgenstern, as his father had told him, he will risk paying it dearly, because he values his relationship with this family even if he does not associate closely with them. Besides, who would have wanted to spoil their relationship with them for kid stories or others, they all want to be seen well by them.
Aike clicks his tongue against his palate before responding to Todd with the same smile as before.
At least I have someone who likes me despite I'm disgusting as you say but with your shitty personality can you say the same? And nobody's going to bother reminding you how disgusting you are because that's a weak word to describe you.
If you didn't have your mother who could love you as you are, what would you do?
Hurrays and bursts of laughter rose in the room, the boys began to drum on the benches and the lockers, pushing joyful cries.
It was the first time the twins had the nerve to respond to an insult from Todd and they were all tired of hearing him complain about everything and nothing all the time.
And above all, he always has unpleasant and degrading comments to make about everything without exception. They have never seen a boy with so many flaws and such a shitty character.
They were all fed up with him and his bickering, he really is his mother's son yet his sister isn't as loud and hysterical.
Outraged by the reaction of his teammates who are almost all of his promotions, he suddenly got up to rush at Aike who still stares at him with disdain and contempt, because for him Todd is a despicable person. the worst kind that is.
But he stopped abruptly when he heard Howie's voice behind him.
In his haste, he had completely forgotten his presence. And the memory of this body-to-body that he had with him during training is still present in his body and in his memories.
He doesn't want to face that weirdo again, but he doesn't want to let them fuck him like an idiot either.
Watch your movements, Todd, if you don't want to regret this day for the rest of your life. Because I'm only waiting for this, for you to make the mistake of touching him.
The voice was calm, confident, deep, cold, and hoarse without any threatening and high-pitched notes. Todd is torn between the desire to teach Aike a lesson once and for all, and that of having his face dismantled by this psychopathic brute who is only waiting for a signal from him to beat the shit out of him.
He went to lower his hand when the coach appeared in the room.
What is happening here? the latter yelled, staring at them one by one, his hands on his hips.
He was the one who started it all, Todd hastened to answer, turning to point an accused finger at Howie.
When he turned around he was surprised to notice that H hadn't even gotten up from his seat and was keeping his head propped against the wall behind him with his eyes closed and his headphones plugged in.
He looked at his still outstretched finger then looked at Howie, I thought he was right behind me. he mumbled
What's going on, did I play a whole movie in my head or he was he able to return to his place so quickly? Confused he dropped his hand along his body and turned to the coach a little embarrassed.
I'm listening, the coach told him, staring at him. It's nothing, sir, we're a little excited before the game, we took the opportunity to make jokes to get us in the mood.
I hope for you, replied the coach.
Howie hadn't left his seat, he just wanted to avoid Todd hitting Aike and that could have led to some uncontrollable actions on his part.
He barely controls this urge to scream which gives him stomach cramps to let off steam and drive away from this anguish that overwhelms him.
His decision to accept Lyke begins to cost him dearly, his feelings are complex and difficult to manage.
He would have liked to have had the opportunity to try things out before accepting this heavy package made up of tragedy.