Marigold — Chapter 21

Mari's POV

"Why the hell are you crying?" Y asked, his brows furrowed as he came to our usual spot. He stood in front of me, his eyes wandering among the people who had been staying with me. I'm not even surprised by how he found out.

I skipped my classes because I won't stop crying. Lennox went back to the school with me but as Zammy and Atlantis saw me, I just ended up crying the entire time. Lennox had to go to his class but I don't even care.

"Who made her cry?" Xander came and sat beside Atlantis.

Atlantis scratch the back of her head and wasn't able to respond.

"I didn't do it, idiot. I haven't even talked to your sister for a week," Y said as he talks on his phone.

Was that my brother?

My gaze landed on my lap. I was wearing black leggings and a yellow crop top which I paired with a denim jacket.

Why is Z dating another girl now? I mean, didn't he ask for my permission and said he will court me?

"I'm hanging up. Whatever," I heard Y answered.

"Fuck, Ashton's coming. Why did you call him?" Y turned to Zammy who just grinned.

"Because I need a ride anyways. What's he coming here two hours earlier?"

"You do know that Ashton has a job, right?" Xander asked.

"Why is she crying?" I heard Louise's soft voice. And before I knew it, she was already hugging me.

It looks like someone left a message in our group chat about me. I'm betting it was Zammy.

Instead of answering, I ended up crying even more.

Fuck, why can't I stop?

The moment Zammy said those words earlier, I have never felt scared like this my entire life. Sure I have thought about that before, especially when we were in the villa but half the time, I was drunk. And the other half, I was so damn sure Z won't stop talking to me.

By this time, I can see a few people looking at our direction so I turned to my right so I can hide my face to Louise.

"How do you make her stop?"

"What even happened?"

"She just came here with Lennox and then the next thing we knew, she was bawling her eyes out,"

"Did he hurt her?" I can hear the annoyance in Y's voice.

"I don't think so," Atlantis interjected. "Lennox was trying to coo her and make her stop crying too but she won't,"

"Huh? What's her deal then?" Y asked and I pulled Louise closer and cried silently in her arms.

"I want to go home..." I whispered. I don't think I have the energy to attend any more classes. My heart feels so heavy right now and I bet my eyes were swollen from all the crying.

"Are you guys sure Zammy didn't smack her or something?"

"Or let me just hit you for real Heron and we can all die happy?"

I wasn't looking but I was sure Zammy was smiling when she said those words.

Soon enough, Ashton came and as always, a lot of students were looking at him. He already graduated but he's still popular in our school.

Actually, he may be the most popular among us kids since he's the first in our generation. He got a taste of the limelight especially after he was introduced to the public, though I was pretty sure everybody tried to keep him off the public's eyes as much as possible. But growing up with famous parents will never be easy.

To be honest, we all had training and lessons for it. When we are at the age where we start getting curious about why we were getting so much attention, our parents would sit down with us and explain it in the simplest way possible. It's something every one of us had to go through.

So fuck those people who keep saying kids like us had it easy. Because it wasn't. It never was.

Ashton took me home along with Zammy and left my keys with Xander. He said he'll drive it home after his last class.

"Are you sure you will be okay? Do you want us to stay with you?" Zammy asked, concern laced on her voice. She was wiping the tears on my cheeks as we stood just right outside our house.

Even though Zammy acts harshly sometimes, she still the best in taking care of us.

I shake my head in response. “I’ll be fine. I'll just shower and rest, probably be asleep the entire evening,"

Ashton went out of the car and gave my stuff, "Do you want us to have a drink?"

I tried laughing off their worry. I look stupid crying when they don't even know the reason why. And what's even worse, I can't tell them the reason because, why the hell should I be crying anyway?

Mom and Dad weren't at home when I came so I just went inside my room, took a bath, and dried my hair. The moment I went inside my walk-in closet; I feel like crying all over again after realizing that more than half of my shirt are Z's. Now, I get why Aunt Max always calls out my Mom for it.

Fuck. Mom must have saved a lot.

Wearing the last shirt, I took out of Z's closet, I tried to get some sleep which wasn't really hard. Maybe because I cried a lot. Besides, I'm starting to feel hot too.

"I heard she cried," I heard my mom's voice but my head really aches a little so I kept my eyes closed for a moment, feeling her hand gently brushing my hair.

"Did you ask the kids, why?” Dad’s worried voice filled my airs and I wanted to open my eyes and tell them I'm fine but I feel like I don't have any energy left in me.

"Grey, I think she's running a fever,"

I blacked out half the time my parents were talking with each other. All I know is that at one point, Mom woke me up so I can eat and drink meds.

"Baby..." my lips puckered when I heard mom's sweet voice. I just finished the food the porridge she gave me. It wasn't much. I guess Mom knows I don't really have any appetite. But then again, don't we all lose our appetite when we're sick?

I stared down at my hands and wasn't able to speak. I know I got them worried.

"Is there something wrong?" she asked.

I shake my head in response. I can't tell my mom how weird I have been these days. How the hell can I tell her that it's boy problems when all I should be doing now was focusing on my studies?

I'm starting to feel like I am just a disappointment to her and Dad.

"Oh baby, if you need someone to talk to, your Dad and I are here, okay?" she whispered and my eyes closed when I felt her kiss my forehead. She lets me lay down on my bed while she brings the tray of my finished food outside.

I turned to my side and was glad Mom turned off the lights.

Somehow, I'm starting to feel even sadder each second that passes by. My lips started quivering and I feel like any moment, I will start crying again so I closed my eyes.

Just then, the door on my room opens. I don't have to guess who it was though because not a minute passed and I smell Latch's perfume.

"You okay, sis?" I heard him. He sat on the corner of my bed but I didn't turn around. I just want to be alone. I didn't even bother opening my eyes.

I heard him sigh.

"Goodnight, sis," he whispered and I felt him getting off my bed. I wasn't sure if he was hesitating but he left the room anyways. I'm pretty sure he'll be back though, probably to give me a glass of milk which he knows I enjoy especially when I feel so down like this.

I hate Latch half the time but we both know when to act like a brother and a sister to each other when we have to.

And I was right, it wasn't even ten minutes when I heard the sound of knocking on my door before it suddenly opens.

It's kind of new he was knocking though.

The light in my room opens but I didn't bother opening my eyes.

I felt his presence getting closer and even heard the sound of the glass when he put it down on my bedside table. He then sat on the space before me, pulling my blanket closer.

For some reason, my stomach started churning and a familiar scent suddenly fills me in.

My heart started beating rapidly. It was going crazy inside my chest I was afraid it'd jump out.

This presence, I knew this was familiar. But it wasn't my brother's.

"Get well soon, baby..." I heard him whisper. The sound of his voice sent chills all over my body and I have never missed hearing his voice as much as I do now.

Before I knew it, I was already crying once again...

Fuck. I miss him. ----