005 - Tough Morning

Leithe’s POV

I got up earlier than normal. There is excruciating pain in my head. Its sharp throbbing began the second I opened my eyes. As usual, I found my clothing drenched in sweat.

“Well, that was quite a ride.” As I stood up and made my way to my desk, I retrieved a bottle of water that I had put there last night, anticipating this very moment. The same thing would happen every time.

My dreams frequently revolved around the memories I scanned from random people. From time to time, I get dreams about things that happened when I was a kid that seem to resurface out of nowhere. Occasionally, it is extremely lovely, and occasionally, it is very unpleasant. There is no in-between.

The one I received just now was so unpleasant that it brought back a flood of memories from my history. In all honesty, I do not even wish to recall what it is once more.

I retrieved my towel from the closet hanger and showered once I felt my anxiety subside and my pulse rate return to normal.

I get out of the shower a few minutes later, wearing nothing but a towel around my waist. Seated in my chair by the desk, I faced the mirror hanging right beside it. I look in the mirror.

"It’s only the morning, and I’m already exhausted." As I reached for my glasses on the desk and put them on, I whispered to myself.

*Ping*

The sound of a notification was originating from my phone, which was peacefully lying on the pillow. I was sure I had switched it to airplane mode last night, but I must have forgotten, and that memory might be someone else’s.

This is also a significant contributing factor to my fatigue. Occasionally it is hard for me to tell which one was actually mine. It is as if I am experiencing the lives of others simultaneously and as if I were a character in their lives.

As I flopped onto the bed, I fumbled for my phone. I had no problem letting my wet hair on the bed.

I noticed that Griffin had sent three messages. On it, I tapped.

[Morning bbg! Don’t forget about our date after class]

[I promise I’ll tackle you if you forgot]

[or pretend to forget (-_-)]

[cya]

His reminder came just in time to save my ass from a quarterback like himself, which was a huge relief because, to be honest, I had completely forgotten about it.

[Sure]

After that, I lock my phone and hurl it between the pillows. Feeling unprepared to face the day, I collapsed into bed and gazed up at the ceiling. Since I was deep in thought, I didn't hear my brother storm into my room.

“Bro! Do you mind tucking that kid up?” He said, half yelling, while covering his eyes, but I could see he was peeking through his fingers.

I swiftly glance down. I didn’t realise that my towel was undone, that it was no longer covering my groin and now promoting it for the world to see. No wonder I felt so liberated.

I quickly grab the towel and adjust it until it covers my member again. "I appreciate it if you knocked." Looking at him, I spoke.

“Your door was wide open. I thought you were inviting me," he said. His expression remained bland, yet a smile crept over his face. With an air of scepticism, I gave him a piercing stare.

I was staring at him intently when he unexpectedly uncovered his eyes, revealing them entirely to me.

[we’re hanging out after school right?]

[yess]

[my place *wink*]

“Your partner is lucky, BIG bro.”

I immediately look away from him. "Geez, Kai." I continued to look away from him as I spoke. His laughter pierces the air. I could tell he had planned to do it.

"Relax, I’m simply enjoying myself with my big brother," he remarked with a hint of amusement.

I stood up, adjusted my towel, and headed towards the closet after giving it a scowl.

“What do you want?” As I flipped through it, trying to find something to wear, I made the comment. Most likely, some black trousers and yet another hoodie.

As he works on his hair, he walks towards the mirror and brushes it back. "I’m just gonna tell you that I’m gonna be late tonight. There’s something I need to take care of." he stated.

“Yeah, right. Just don’t overdo it, Kai. Mom’s not gonna be happy.” I tossed a pair of black trousers and a baby blue hoodie onto the bed as I uttered the words.

From the corner of my eye, I can tell that Kairo has stopped what he is doing and turned to face me. "Impressive," he says after pausing. "In such a brief moment, you can perceive both my thoughts and memories simultaneously," he added.

I observed his expression of wonder as I gazed upon him. To be honest, I am repulsed by it. "Don’t say that. It’s nothing.” I said as I hurriedly got ready.

“You said nothing, yet it is something. Why can’t you just accept it?” As he maneuvered closer to me, I overheard him say.

I observe him as I am putting my trousers on. Then I averted my gaze from him. “I don’t wanna talk about this now.”

“I’m just telling you if you use your ability to help people y-”

“No, Kai. I’m done listening. This is exactly why I don’t want anyone to know.” I am simply not prepared for this kind of conversation.

I was filled with guilt when I beheld Kairo's bewildered expression and sighed.

“You should get ready for school.” I said, looking the other way. The pressure between us is palpable; I need to pause my movement for a while to register the situation.

Since we had not had a serious conversation in quite some time, Kairo was taken aback at first. Of course, there have been instances of misunderstanding, but we have always managed to resolve them amicably. However, this is no longer the case.

I swear he is glaring at me with a dagger; I can feel the pain in the back of my skull. "Whatever," he muttered before storming out of my room, stomping his feet.

I let out a sigh. “It was meant for me. Why did I go and say it?" It was then that I proceeded to put on my hoodie.

As soon as I finish, I gather all of my belongings and head downstairs. Mom had called out for breakfast, but I chose to ignore her and instead simply took my keys and walked out of the home, slamming the door behind me.

I got to my faculty building within twenty minutes of driving because of the light traffic. What surprised me is how early it is. I check the time; it is 6.23 am. That clarified why the normally bustling parking lot was deserted.

Typically, I have breakfast and then relax for a bit before leaving at 7.15 in the morning for my 8 in the morning class. I arrived usually around 7:50 in the morning, which is right about when my class starts. But today I arrived really early due to my argument.

“What am I gonna do now?” I said to myself. I took out my phone from my pocket and texted Griffin.

[You still home?]

After a few minutes of waiting for a response, I proceeded to lock it and toss it onto the passenger seat. He was probably still asleep.

Looking around, I recalled that Bella had mentioned the opening of a new Moonstruck coffee shop nearby. I am not really a fan of it for the simple reason that I prefer my coffee black and do not see the point in paying extra for it.

I would like to go to a tiny, unbranded coffee shop in order to save money, yet for now, though, I really do not have a choice.

Already feeling remorse for opting to wear glasses, I glance at the mirror to adjust my hair and fix my glasses. I do not want to appear like a nerd, but I am not really feeling contacts today. Conundrum: how to be both comfy and appealing.

I retrieved my keys and exited the vehicle, abandoning my belongings and phone inside, after failing to improve my appearance. I rarely get to see the sunrise, so I really should get outside and appreciate it without any distractions. Being able to stroll down a street with few people around is quite relaxing.

I glance around as I make my way to the coffee place. From the looks of it, it seems like most people are ordering drinks to go since there are barely any customers in the store and Moonstruck is usually packed.

Upon entering, I proceeded to the counter to place my drink order. Because a plain coffee did not take long to brew, I waited barely two minutes before the barista called my name. She shouted, "Americano for L!"

I approached her with a smile, indicating that it was mine. She smiled back at me, appearing shy, and then she handed me my drink.

“Thanks.” I said as I walked out of the store.

Just as I was about to take a sip of my coffee, I noticed there were some more scribbles under my name.

L<3

819-XXX-XXXX ava

That’s what she’s shy for. She seemed to be waiting for me to notice it as I turned around to grin at her.

Since I was rather close to her, I accidentally hopped in.

“Hi, welcome to Moonstruck! What can I get you for today?” She said to me, who was standing in front of her.

“Just a tall black coffee with double shots.” I replied, while simultaneously fixing my glasses and smiling at her.

‘Oh, my. What a fine sight.’

She gave a slight nod. While she was watching me struggle to get the money ready, she asked me, "Do you want it hot or iced?" in a questioning tone.

‘Gosh, he’s so cute! Calm down’

“Hot, please.” I said while still fumbling with my wallet.

Her gaze remains fixed on me. ‘Like you, hottie.’

She grabbed a tall-sized cup. “Okay. Your name, sir?”

“L.” My gaze had shifted to her. That was when she added a heart at the end of the name and proceeded to brew the coffee after I paid.

As she waited for the espresso to be extracted, she approached her friend, who had just finished cleaning a table.

“Lisa~ He’s adorable, isn’t he?” She then pointed at me, who was staring at the floor with my hands in my hoodie's pocket and wearing my hood on.

“Go for it, girl.” her other friend, Lisa, suggested.

“I should give him my—”

My body seems to have stumbled onto something, and I nearly knock over my drink. A huge, bald man with massive tattoos on each of his biceps greeted me as I frantically shook my head in an effort to return to reality from Ava’s memory.

“Oh, my! I’m so sorry, sir.” As I examined his shirt, I spoke. The absence of any stain or other mark is a relief.

I look up at him.

The sound of gunfire pierced the air, and following suit, a heavy thud. I witnessed a man writhing on the stairs, bleeding, as the gun was brought down. As the memory's owner descended the stairs and entered the living room, he observed the other lifeless bodies, strewn about on the floor in a careless manner.

Four corpses, precisely. On one end of the couch sat an old man, while on the other lay a woman, perhaps his wife, and on the floor lay two other men in their mid-30s. They are all covered in blood with multiple bleeding spots, and most of them have been shot in the forehead.

As a result of their profuse bleeding, the carpet and couch where they lay were entirely red.

“Don’t play with me.” the owner said.

“Look where you’re going, kid!” He spoke it in a distant, angry voice, and I could feel it. That deeply frightens me.

“Sorry, sir. Have a nice day.” I swiftly walked away, not even bothering to look back at him.

In an instant, I felt my knees weaken. The shaking is so severe that it takes me some time to get back to my car. When I finally arrived, I went straight inside and locked it as soon as I could.

For a considerable amount of time, I kept looking around to make sure that he was not following me since I became paranoid.

I heave a sigh and close my eyes, allowing my head to comfortably rest on the seat. “That’s a close call to heaven.” Placing the drink on the cupholder near the handbrake.

My body is tingling with chills, and my pulse is pounding since that memory.

As I shut my eyes, the memory resurfaces, and I feel sick to my stomach. On the verge of throwing up, I hurriedly exited my car and vomited up all of last night's dinner. I go back inside and lock my car again once I am feeling better.

Breathing deeply, I put my head back on the seat once more. "I’ve already had a lot of things happen to me, and it is just morning. The day is going to be tough. " I muttered, half asleep.

My mind then began to wander off to sleep.