“Tonight, Hillview is getting lucky with a meteor shower. Couples of Hillview, be sure to take advantage of this to-”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZYJMRf4vf
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5GdkJrPb6
I change the channel. Why does everything remind me of him? Now I know what Nao felt like back he was rejected for the first time. I shouldn’t have made fun of him, this feels terrible. 295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH1L26E21J
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVGE0ky9eZ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToo29mI1DG
I look at my phone and the desire to call him consumes me again. No, I’ve called enough. At this point, I’m probably coming off as a stalker. I lost my chance at a love life.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx0jcn9SLq
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70hFDyiwCL
Look at me, I can’t even gather the strength to go to school early anymore. But I still have to go. I leave my room and go to the bathroom. At least, I try to but Nao is still inside taking a bath.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoT2aPrYYP
*Knock*295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jxdeZGbee
*Knock*295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYikqlscZE
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIApMSjoP5G
Alyson: “I still have to go to school Nao, get out already.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37xt0rFCCs
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRU4ikIeWA
*Bathroom door opens*
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqoVaXCT2V
!!295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlYDplqy6f
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv9WYkEhTS
Nao: “H-Hey Alyson.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzXoht0FIQ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQKGu697vS
Holy….he…actually looks…hot? How did he get so tall and…well built? I actually have to look up a bit.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO2pvO44Nb
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjHPDBHquz
Nao: “Are you…blushing?”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOpBAgYEfM
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnRt5ZEHyK
Alyson: “N-No! Your growth spurt just caught me off guard. Out of the way.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUPWBZWuIU
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTrBeW75mg
He gets out of the way and I ran past him into the bathroom.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJcoVu3USX
*Sigh*295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyPYE6LsU1
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjUmqspENv
Alyson: “I must still be emotionally compromised. There’s no way I would find him attractive. Yeah, I just need time.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0KJ6qg0fe
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs7grhHnh8
I say that but a familiar smell fills my lungs. All around I can smell him and I start to think back to that night. What we almost did…
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREdbOjJyZl
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEvPcLH2Kk
Alyson: “Haah…”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQceSycw1F
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wC6dWewH0
I stop myself from reaching down with a hard slap to the face.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusCJWAJXgT
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6dwDQxxTR
Alyson: “Calm down, I’m not some lovesick puppy.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEoqriBvML
*Sigh*295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZZv33QDiF
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh15HJHqZSq
Alyson: “Why is the bathroom smell like Alphon anyway? Damn, I must be losing my mind. All from my first and only crush, god I’m pathetic.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3ZvffAAGF
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVufx2SlyFn
I recompose myself and get ready for school. After washing up and getting dressed I go downstairs to see Nell watching TV.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24jIjISdBs
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv87uGICVXz
Alyson: “Hey Nell, I’m going to school.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90LeAA1DEX
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzej3vdzG1
Nell: “Yes, I’ll see you later.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggsrLLLy30
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g8ekGmZPP
Alyson: “You usually cook around this time. What’s wrong?”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaDP6G8m15
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6ZyEjrxfY
Nell: “N-Nothing, I just have a lot on my mind. Have fun at school.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ513J76rwmX
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPTfeorY2c
Alyson: “…Sure, later.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJPJEBBWjF
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVcJyHh4yN
First Nao, and now Nell is acting different. What’s happening to my family? It’s…starting not to feel like home anymore.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmhZE8WWXd
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGepsiOJrv
I walk out the door to school and wonder who’s fault this all is. These and more thoughts cloud my mind yesterday and today. I just can’t put them completely down and my grades suffer for it.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZQKbWmmj0
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBrisWrmv8
I pull myself through the school work the best I can until lunch comes. At least I can relax here.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOug0XrO1yB
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7C5GVycNq
“Hello Alyson.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nRcZmDHal
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOB0pb3FKO
My mistake, I forgot about the vultures.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxH037227S
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTEePszxyz
Alyson: “What?”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XuiDvDhfA
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRraBx5Zjd
“What’s wrong? Your grades have been slipping, does this mean we have a chance to become queen now?”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjv5mqNPEr6
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSSohNioiA
Alyson: “Pft, you? I might be falling down a bit but you 40 places too low to threaten me.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92tlYTUPHy
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6pg9lT0Kc
“What the hell you say bitch!?”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDrBubFDFf
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o7P6P0ESo
I raise my hand and prepare a snap.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkjWnySSzq
“!!”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxhg7Hv2Xx
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxxR9uZbvQ
Alyson: “I’m still queen and you will show me respect. Go back to your sits before I add you to the black list with the rest of the trash.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9KV1RTxzm
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXaVsfUwIU
“…I-I’m calling your bluff. You never put anyone on the black list and the one you did managed to get off of it. Favoritism much? Deanna would never do that.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVliZJmfC0
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIo0LcM4b7
Alyson: “So what?”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU2OQ7lZ6D
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8tnBeZKGS
“What?”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB5pEUYR6L
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFuIndUPNf
Alyson: “If it was mercy for my brother that means I would have no trouble sending a bunch of nobodies into the black list. And unlike Nao, there are no second chances.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXCefiJhAd
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36aEMK88Iw
“…Tch, Deanna might have been a bitch but at least she was fun. Let’s go.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNazuOIm1qu
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkbPQNuR0h
The 3 harpies leave me to my food and I sigh in relief. This will only get worse if I don’t pull myself together.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCuJ8X81sH
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKYdT22w3V
???: “Don’t let them you down.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VoLz9cFVp
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqQkooJE4s
Alyson: “Huh?”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSnSVA9gp2
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uyTCARTJK
I turn around to see a surprising face.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPqOpC8JIX
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNaGwB0vy3
Alyson: “Deanna?”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHNskUmQM9
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyEADu86VG
Deanna: “Huh, you actually responded to me?”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXIF98DqlC
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbHyHp9kM9
Damn…
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoLxLv5gOZ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u0v3mbAM2
Alyson: “Think of it as a small mercy.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlrRbuDs4Q
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrq8D6zA7P
Deanna: “Heh, you must really be out of it.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85n8mRvrCq
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z8y8wc073
She sits next to me with her own small plate of food. I wonder if this will harm my image but…I don’t care right now.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMW6XjysSz
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEbGhHksOM
Now that I look closer, she’s changed a lot. The vain bitch I shoved into the dirt looks like a typical nerd with glasses.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3azV9KVCI7
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Jl9azma3o
Alyson: “You’re bold sitting here while being a Black Lister.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4v2ZliBnE
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYCbaM93at
Deanna: “You looked like you might need some help. One queen to another.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINiN8r5XQq
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Tthr5Q2yG
Alyson: “Why would you help me? This is not some scheme to escape the black list right?”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7lfrMMpcf
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnGuGoFNZK
Deanna: “No, I’m actually happy with the position.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUzusQOGKZ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p425UtMxQ
Alyson: “You’re kidding?”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHx44QehfH9
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLlFen1AZN
Deanna: “Less pressure and I can focus on studying.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqDlQrzd8R
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRbZ12PlHP
Alyson: “…S-Studyng? You?”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TGP43WA8h
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjQlbojIfN
Deanna: “I know you had a lot on your plate so you didn’t notice but I’m done faking my grades. Besides, no boy wants to do my work for the nonchance of fucking me.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon5ugJyfnt
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS2qo0UEiZ
Alyson: “Damn, I didn’t see that coming.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3ioIEyLa1
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5JhBHhtC8
Deanna: “You let a lot fly past you. Even I didn’t do that, I always had ears everywhere. You’re too busy studying and being an unobtainable flower.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1YaKtp5Z4
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko5HtPHBTw
Alyson: “That’s all that matters to me. Becoming queen is only a stepping stone to greater things.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNG6N4Zxfj
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpdutxpPqB
Deanna: “If that’s all that matters what’s stopping our queen’s march to victory?”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v3kJUvQS6
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrem9TrBLpv
Alyson: “…I don’t know if I should tell you. The last time I saw you, it was when you were on the ground crying from losing your empire. Why approach me now?”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofMa6S5k7B
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj5rAF4NME
Deanna: “Because you replied back and you’re going to lose the queen position like this.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExHzBcK0cN
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AgIVEW7BF
Alyson: “No I’m not, I’ll bounce back when I sort through some issues.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTmHTSa5OH
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY971JwCbe
Deanna: “I hope so because no one else here deserves that title.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpRxkL0fS9
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq5cTBSlsF
Alyson: “…Thanks.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsxxXVxFrB
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXwFsvCmIa
Maybe…she can understand what I’m going through. Just a little bit of the pressure. But before we can talk more I start to notice some mumbling and glares.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyaJdDcvQO
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIKOrGi4t0
Deanna: “Seems like my time is up. See you later Alyson, I hope you can find a break from that pressure you put yourself under. And if you made a mistake, you should admit it and apologize. It was too late for me but not for you.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKIdxtk2hc
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU8QflrxiW
She leaves my table and slowly disappears back into the background. I’m left with a slightly clear head. What’s important isn’t my feelings for Alphon but my family’s feelings.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTAjxcjk1f
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yzu3DIS6B
I need to know what’s going on with Nell and…Nao. Maybe I should apologiz-
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2c5u9qWEc
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvvBHy4h3e
NO! HE IS A THREAT TO YOUR FAMILY. REMOVE HIM LIKE YOU DID TO-
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiDYPt8kSy
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3HdQGLUBc
No…I don’t want to do that again. He’s…my family too. Family, I fought so hard to earn. Someone else can motivate me to improve.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq8gzPOXK4
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKz9625C6M
YOU’LL FACE DISAPPOINTMENT! IN THE SAME WAY HE WILL DISAPPOINT EVERYONE WITH HIS INEVITABLE FAILURE.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdoDzPV2cV
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWhtCglN7b
You’re right mam….you always are. But…I shouldn’t be the reason for his failure right? I shouldn’t have Black Listed him and sicced Anton on him.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQq7VejYDQ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKepuay3zx
It all hits me at once. I’m…the reason why my family crumbling like this.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlVPxltwAq
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK2kTTC1I1
That one mistake…
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzWZ27nOxc
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNA3G7TXBc
All because of my desire to keep appearances. It caused Nao to explode and strive beyond what’s possible. Even before that, if I encouraged or helped him maybe he could have been better.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyC2lVG8DV
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjMSsN6gBl
…But doesn’t that Lilly-
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQxjkfCyvt
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCy8boxQnN
Trevor: “Alyson, babe, I need a favor.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8pp0OnS4e
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWMIeB78eE
*Sigh* I’ll put it out of my mind. It’s all in the past anyway.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwoLfx3oS2
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvGTOUNFot
Alyson: “Stop calling babe, we’re not dating.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphjs7mFW1r
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyVPBgDBow
Trevor: “But you are a babe so I don’t see why I can’t call you that.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuMlGq2pk0
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzU2q1NvBS
Alyson: “…What do you want?”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFstXvjZws
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8oOsvDxKh
Trevor: “Two things. First, I don’t want anyone else as queen so I hope you get better. Deanna was annoying and a bit clingy. You’re much more interesting.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G8NiOLBOG
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6XzDM8Yuv
Do you not resemblance, you’re perfect for you each other. Well, used to be.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk4HBCMZxK
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInT8saHQ62
Trevor: “Second, I’m dying to know what Nao is up to.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtplzPL3TFq
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88LXEtlC3c
Alyson: “…I don’t follow his every movement.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLytrEREcs
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLgQFvKquq
Trevor: “You live together and your siblings. You really don’t know what he’s doing? Man, you two have problems.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nNRLp78it
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69MWwIWaUC
Alyson: “…Can’t you just leave him alone?”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSnNN2GbSN
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZd9e7OTAn
The air starts to freeze as Trevor’s eyes narrow and burn with searing intensity. I-I never saw him look at me like that before. I can feel my legs begin to liquefy and shake. Is this what Nao has to deal with it…what everyone else sees?
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1huGwN5To
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vFP34HJZX
Trevor: “That’s one thing I won’t do, even for you. I don’t have a lot of time as it is. You have no idea how hard it is to not siege your house for Nao.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHFbmAgfl7
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwmJbYTR4e
Alyson: “W-What do you-”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOazVJrlBhL
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S5Si7OoIr
Trevor: “It’s fine, I’ll ask his friends instead.”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7bTC1iYLP
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYID2hqJDP
Alyson: “Wai-”
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2Wz5ZhCDP
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiBMMxVl5r
And he’s gone….he’s way faster than usual. The rumors of his training weren’t lying. Nao…
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuSmY9YDNJ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3VF4zW0OI
I ignore any prying eyes and scarf down my remaining food. I run after Trevor and after some minutes I find him intimidating Anthony’s group.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5tv11Vqf9
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq62P0VZbj
I stop him from hurting Nao’s friends and make sure everyone leaves. After one last look, I return to my day.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewja6THVrn
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4vz2cNytZ
With a more clear view of what to do, I blasted through my school work like usual.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdPqV6MxKD
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYwYXclcoG
I return home and for the first time, Nell isn’t there to greet me. I go to my home and wait until Nao comes home. By then I’ll have everything ready.
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7jsg0XcUv
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOS95rOml0
Tonight, I’m going to start fixing the damage I’ve done.
ns3.21.168.188da2
