Chapter 5. Thus, Clayton had found a reason.

Clayton trailed a few steps behind Hermonie, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his gaze shifting upward toward the open sky. The clouds moved slowly, carefree and unbound... Sometimes, I wish I could be a cloud. Floating along, going wherever the breeze takes me.

Then maybe, Clayton wouldn't have to be haunted by the world. He could live free from responsibilities, conflicts— Clayton wouldn't have to worry about being stabbed in the back by others. 

Clayton's pace slowed as his thoughts deepened. His footsteps faltered, and he stopped entirely, staring at the others as they continued ahead. A sharp gust of wind brushed against his face, pulling at his hair and his bowtie. 

If you had no one to wake you up, no one to say good morning to you and no one to scold you for your mistakes... Would you call it 'freedom' or 'loneliness'? 

He clenched his jaw, his gaze dropping to the ground. Slowly, his right hand left his pocket, trembling slightly as it rose to his head. He gripped his hair tightly, his fingers digging into his scalp.

My answer is neither, no... Rather, I have no idea. I've lived without anyone to wake me up, scold me about my mistake or even ask about how my day was, for so long... There are times when you fall into despair and loneliness in life, there are also times when you find friends. But I'm scared.... I don't want to get betrayed! I don't want to fall into 'trash' like my father did!

Clayton's chest tightened, his breath catching as doubt crept in, as his hand fell from his head, trembling at his side.

That's why, I refuse to trust anyone, I refuse to be loyal to anyone. I fear friends... as 'betrayal' comes where it is least expected, and 'loyalty' to others is 'betrayal' to oneself. I've come to realize that true strength lies in relying on no one except yourself.

The sun had revealed itself behind the blue mountains in the distant. The Autumn moon in the far sky, with the wind of spring brushed past Clayton as he gazed towards the school. 

A tale of this world continued to flow on.

But then, just as the two left Clayton behind, Evelyn peeked through the window with slightly unsure, hard-to-read face of someone/something was about to be lost forever. Even Ethan looked back too. Clayton and Evelyn's gazes ran into each other's, but no one looked away... 

"Where are you looking at? Hurry up!" Ethan's voice rang out, jolting Clayton awake. And then, another voice called out. "You've ditched enough class for today, come on!" 

An overwhelming, ineffable feeling arose in Clayton's chest as his back felt heavier. Maybe...

Clayton felt extremely hollow, consumed by inner conflict, but he broke through it all alone. He had always been lurking in the shadows, silently observing others. He was lonely, exhausted. But as a result, he had gained knowledge, he learned to read people—their emotions, their intentions. Or so he had believed… 

Because at this moment, he was utterly blind.

For the first time, he couldn't understand what Ethan, Hermonie, or Evelyn were thinking. He had always been able to see through people, to strip away their masks with a single glance and demystify their true self through interacting.

I will see through those eyes of yours, Evelyn!

Clayton had found a reason to continue forward. He ultimately wanted to solve that mysterious gaze's secret. He wanted to...

Clayton subconsciously took one, then two, three steps. He took his hands out of his pockets and began sprinting towards the two, brushing all sorrow and doubt behind as he was encouraged to strive forward.

That's right. Everyone has a different story and understands things using different contexts. My story might just be different from my father's. 

Clayton wanted to believe, dream! He thought he would have a different life from Samuel— with less pain.

.....

Even after Clayton had left Evelyn's sight, she remained still— staring at the spot where Clayton had stood. When they're gaze ran into each other just a moment ago, she wanted to look away but couldn't. Then why couldn't I look away?

And what was that strange feeling just now? My gut twisted, whispering that I was about to lose something very precious. But it was just Clayton.

Growing up, Evelyn had always been a peculiar girl—not in a way that could be easily described. She wasn't odd in the way people might expect. No one truly understood her and so did Evelyn.

She had spent years believing she was no different from millions of other girls in the world. And to those around her, she had seemed the same as everyone else. But eventually everything unraveled itself.

Evelyn wanted to be like others but also didn't want to be anyone. She wanted friends but would often end up ignoring the opportunities, isolating herself. 

She was the most introverted among extroverts and the most extroverted among introverts.

She wanted to belong yet refused to become anyone. She wanted friends, yet time and time again, she ignored the opportunities, isolating herself.

As time flowed, she lost many friends and lost herself once too.

That's why she hated 'superficiality', she hated when people have high expectations of her, she hated when people compare her.

Because growing up she had experienced many superficial things and was constantly compared to her older sister. The so called 'perfect' child for her parents.

|||| Try to be more like your big sister! ||||| 

Those words had carved themselves deep into her soul. She had resented them. Because of them, she had spent years blaming herself, diminishing her own worth. She feared disappointing those who placed expectations upon her. In time, that fear turned into hatred—hatred that bound her, restricted her

Why can't I see through you Clayton?

Through her experiences, Evelyn had been granted a rare ability— the power to see through people's true intentions, to glimpse their genuine selves. And through this omniscient vision, she had come to realize that, though she had only a few friends, they were not superficial. Their hearts were honest, untainted by deceit.

But when she tried to look through Clayton, she saw nothing. Only glass, shattering violently— like sand, caught in the wind— drifting away.

I hate myself for various reasons, I'm not fond of the fact that I can't see through myself. So, if I can't see through you. Does that mean we're alike, Clayton?

Evelyn shook her head and slapper herself on her cheeks to jolt away from that ridiculous thought.

No way... There's no way an idiot like could be identical to me.

The memories of her freshman year began to surface on her mind...

Evelyn sat at her desk, her posture relaxed as her friends gathered around, chatting and laughing. However, it was soon abruptly shattered by a loud yelling in the distance.

As usual, they're in trouble.

At the front of the room, Miss Mae clenched her fists, her face tight with frustration. "Why are you two disturbing the poor teacher's class? Is it because he's a foreigner?" Her voice carried a sharp edge. "I seriously need to call your parents!" She threw a few exaggerated air punches as she scolded them while the class president, Hermonie sat at the front-left, stiff-backed and obedient as she cast them a glance with a mix of pity and exasperation.

Whilst all the threat Ethan and Clayton stood unbothered— precisely Ethan, making a dumb-founded expression as they tried to hold their laughter. 

|||| Even if she calls them, they're not here anyway. ||||

Ethan's parents and his little sister lived in another city. As for Ethan, he lives with a relative— charming dorm owner with a beautiful blue hair and long dark eye lashes. People tend to envy Ethan,

Here's a refined version of your passage for improved clarity, flow, and emotional depth:

Despite the teacher's threats, Ethan and Clayton remained completely unbothered— well, Ethan in particular. His dumbfounded expression twitched as he struggled to hold back laughter.

|||| Even if she calls them, they're not here anyway. ||||

Ethan's parents and little sister lived in another city. As for him, he stayed with a relative—a charming dorm owner with striking blue hair and long, dark eyelashes.

People envied him.

"Living with a hot woman?" They'd joke, eyes filled with something close to jealousy. "Must be a dream come true! "But to him, she was nothing more than a relative. She often scolds and beats up people, but deep-down Ethan knew she cared, that's why she went around scolding not just him but others. 

.....

But was it really same for Clayton? 

Try calling them, my father wouldn't give a rat's a** anyway.

Clayton was unbothered because he had no such thing as family anymore. His mother had abandoned them, and his father had turned alcoholic, with no concern of Clayton.

|||| Seriously, she's even threating to call their parents! How can they remain so relaxed anyway! ||||

Hermonie muttered under her breathe as she massaged her temples.

||||| To think such fools can exist. |||||

While Evelyn glanced at the two for a brief second with a mocking thought before joining back with her friends.