Chapter 33.5 - how we got together (Part 6)

Alex’s POV (Present Day Narration)

Looking back, I wasn’t exactly the brightest bulb in the room… but I did what I had to do.

Flashback – Morning in Phoenix

The sun hasn’t even fully risen, but the cold bites through my skin like tiny needles. Desert air or not—autumn here in Arizona is no joke. I step out of our small apartment unit, barefoot on chilled concrete, carrying only my resolve and my dad’s teachings.

Mom’s voice echoes in my memory: “Be respectful. Even if the world mocks you.”

I find a patch of earth near the hedges. Kneel.

Scoop up dry sand.

Rubbing my hand, then layering it again with water seven times.
It’s how I was taught to cleanse after touching something deemed najis mughalazah—impure in our faith. Koby had licked my hand the night before, and even if he’s no ordinary dog, faith is faith.

Suddenly—

“Oi! Look at that! Jungle boy playing with dirt again!”

A group of kids from the block—led, of course, by none other than Wan, King of Wannabes.

“Hey! Ablution’s with water, not sand, dumbass!”

They laugh, loud and ugly. My fingers clench, but I stay still.

I breathe out.
Control…
For Mom. For Hana.
For me.

Then—SPLASH!
Cold water douses me. My hoodie sticks to my body like wet cling wrap.
Wan tosses the empty bucket aside like a victory flag.

The laughter gets louder. My resolve… thins.

Just when I think I’m going to snap—

“Oi!!! What the hell is wrong with you guys?!”

A boy steps out from the crowd. I don’t recognize him.

Tall. Confident. Spiky hair. His eyes? Full of fire.

“I swear—are you even Malaysian?! That’s najis mughalazah, you morons! He HAS to do that!! Touching dog drool? Seven times with water and earth, you fools! Didn’t your Ustaz teach you anything!?”

Wan blinks. “Faiz?! Stay outta this!”

But Faiz doesn’t flinch.

“Or what? You’ll get your dad to yell at me for actually being Muslim?”

Damn. This guy’s a grenade waiting to explode.

I stand up, dripping wet, calm but finally done with the nonsense.

“Wan,” I say, voice low. “I bet you don’t even know what Ayat al-Kursi is. Or what prayer you read before eating.”

The silence?

Deafening.

Everyone stares.

Faiz’s father suddenly appears, shouting: “What’s going on here?!”

“Dad! Wan threw a whole bucket of water on Alex!” Faiz points at me.

Faiz’s mom rushes from the doorway. “MashaAllah!! Honey, get a towel!”

Wan’s family is frozen. His dad tries to interject but—no use. Wan’s mother steps up instead.

“WAN BIN SHAHIR!!!” Her voice rattles the windows.
“What in Allah’s name did you do to this poor child?!”

She runs to me, apologizing profusely and handing me a thick green towel.

“Son, are you okay? Why are you out here so early doing sertu?”

I nod politely. “Yes, aunty… Koby drooled on me last night, so… I needed to cleanse.”

Her eyes soften.

“MashaAllah… such discipline in a boy so young. Who taught you that?”

“My Ustazah. and… my dad.”

She nods again. “Good. Very good. Where’s your apartment? Come. I’ll walk you.”

Wan storms off in the background, tail between his legs.

I sigh. Another morning. Another mess.

Inside Our Apartment

Mom opens the door just as we arrive. She’s got bed hair and a toothbrush in her mouth.

Her eyes narrow. “Uh huh… I know our budget’s tight, but did you have to go out looking like a half-drowned chicken?”

“Good morning to you too, mom.”

I shuffle past her into our little studio, wet footprints trailing behind me, while aunty stands in the hallway, eyes lingering on me with warmth and pity.

I change into dry clothes, trying not to think too much.

Not about the neighborhood.
Not about the stares.

Just that wanted to prove to mom….not another problem for her…eventhough I’m not sure what I want.

Narration – Present Alex

Looking back now…
That moment wasn’t about religion.
Or bullying.
Or even the dog.

It was about something bigger:
Choosing to be the better version of myself—even when the world didn’t.

And maybe… just maybe…

That’s where the journey really began.

- Natalie Side -

(Present Day Natalie – Narrating)

Being different, huh…
Dad always told me, “They’ll call you strange before they call you brilliant.”
So I learned not to care what anyone says.
In the end—you just be yourself.

I wake up, sunlight creeping through the blinds. My body’s rested, but my mind? Still spinning like a broken cassette tape.
What happened last night… Ugh!!
Phylis!!!
Why, in the name of everything sacred, did she talk to Alex like that?!
Is she… trying to mess with me!? Or worse—trying to ship me with him!?

Dad and Mom?
Yeah. Useless.
They just smiled and encouraged it like they were writing a fanfic themselves!
TRAITORS.

I try to shake it off. Focus. Today’s a new day.
I stretch, brush out my curls (which take forever), and reach for my usual outfit.

Except…

Huh?

A traditional Navajo dress is laid out on the dresser.
Colorful. Beaded. Handmade.
It’s old-fashioned, symbolic… and powerful.

And—
It’s. So. Cool. 🤩

Without thinking twice, I slip it on.
It feels like wearing a story.

I walk downstairs. Everyone’s already at the table.

Dad looks up and beams.

“My little bird… looking radiant.”

“How do I look?” I ask, spinning around, slightly proud.

“Beautiful. As always,” he says, nodding with approval.

Phylis smirks with a cup of tea in her hand, barely glancing at me.

“Once in a while, you actually look decent.”
She gives me a sarcastic thumbs up.

…Rude.

Mom smiles and sets a plate down.

“Good luck out there today.”

Good luck?
Wait, what do you mean "good luck"?
Why do I feel like she knows something I don’t?

I squint at her, suspicious.

“Uhh… Okay?”

Something’s up.

And I just know.

- Alex Side -

Morning light spills through the thin curtains of our tiny apartment, painting the floor in stripes of gold. I rub my eyes and stretch, the scent of nasi lemak somehow blending with the chill Arizona air.

Mom's already multitasking—stirring Hana’s porridge with one hand, grading papers with the other, and shouting at me from across the room.

“Alex, you better get ready before I dropkick you into next week!”

“Yeah, yeah! I’m getting ready, Supermom!” I shout back, stuffing my textbooks into my backpack.

Mom adjusts her hijab with one hand, Hana on her hip—still in her baby pajamas and giggling like she's got front-row seats to a comedy show.

“See you after school, okay?”

“Uh… yeah.”

“I mean it. Say it properly.” She narrows her eyes.

“Yeah!! I mean, yes!! I’ll be back, alive and in one piece!!”

“Okay then.” She winks. “Don’t charm any American girls just yet.”

“What!?” I fumble my shoes while Hana claps like she understood that perfectly.

“Nothing~!”

I grab my bag and step out the door, the cool autumn wind smacking me awake. Kids from the complex are already heading to school—most of them in carpool rides, chatting, laughing.

Wan, of course, zooms past in his dad’s van with a smug look, sunglasses and all like he’s some celebrity. What a show-off.

Mr. Shah, standing near the fence, waves at me. “Walking to school today?”

“Yes, sir.”

He gives me a thumbs-up, but his eyes linger as if he knows the chaos I attract.

As I round the corner, I hear footsteps catch up.

“Hey!! Alex!!” It’s Faiz—the boy who backed me up during that mess with Wan.

“Oh, hey.”

“We’re in the same school, right?”

“Seems like it.”

“Cool! Let’s walk together! Easier to dodge stray dogs and bullies that way, kan?”

I let out a short laugh. “Not like I care. But… sure.”

Faiz grins. “I’m Faiz, by the way. From Terengganu. What about you?”

“Alex. Sabah.”

“Waaa, Sabah! Never been. My dad says it’s like Malaysia’s lost jungle treasure. Waterfalls, ancient trees, spirits maybe?”

I shrug. “Kinda. Depends on where you step.”

As we walk, the street gets busier—bikes zooming past, sprinklers hissing, kids racing ahead with backpacks swinging.

Faiz lowers his voice a bit. “Hey… just curious. Why do you think Wan acts like he owns the place?”

I glance sideways. “Got a guess?”

He pauses, then sighs. “Honestly? I think he’s just insecure. He came a year and a half ago, right? But since then—it’s like a parade of wannabe tough guys. Rani, Faisal, Ramli, Wahyu…”

“Let me guess. Each one louder than the last?”

“Exactly. It’s like a new 'gangster' spawns every semester.”

“Sounds like a virus.”

“More like a drama series. And the worst part? Their parents don’t notice. Or maybe they just pretend not to.”

Something flickers in my chest—that kind of neglect… I’ve seen it before.

Faiz continues, “There was this guy. Claimed to be a ‘ustaz’. Started rallying the boys like he was building his own empire.”

Before I can ask more, we hear someone calling from behind.

“Hey!!! Alex!! Faiz!!”

It’s Marina, bouncing toward us like she’s late for an anime opening scene.

“Oh hey, Marina,” Faiz says, smiling.

“Didn’t wanna ride with Uncle Halim today. He’s got a headache and I didn’t wanna be a bother.”

“Classic Marina. Independent as always,” I mutter.

Marina punches my arm lightly. “Hey, you got a problem with that?”

“Nope. I respect the chaos.”

She snickers. “You better.”

And so, the three of us walk toward Desert Primary, three very different kids from three different corners of the world—united by circumstance, awkwardness, and an invisible thread none of us understand yet.

But somehow, I know.

Something is changing.

And it starts with this morning walk.

We reach the school entrance—only to find a commotion right out front.

“Huh? What now?” I narrow my eyes.

Wan’s yelling, already up in someone’s face.

“You better move outta the way!!” he barks.

It’s Will—quiet Will—who’s standing firm like a brick wall. His eyes are locked ahead, face pale, but unmoving.

Marina’s trying to calm him. “Will? What’s wrong? Say something!”

Will doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t speak.

Something’s off.

A faint sound slithers through the air.

Chik-chik-chik-chik.

Rattling.

Oh hell no—

A rattlesnake. Coiled behind Will.

Wan sees it. The bravado drops from his face like a kicked bucket. “W-What the—!”

I step forward before I even think.

My body moves on instinct.

The rattlesnake lunges.

A blur of motion—and I catch it.

Gasps.

I grip it behind the head, firm but calm. It thrashes in my hands, angry and dangerous.

“Geez… this one’s loaded with venom.”

I hold it steady, my fingers locked with focus. The surrounding kids back off. Will just stands there, eyes wide.

“Alex!!” Ms. White rushes over, eyes bulging. “What are you—Hang on! I’m calling animal control!!”

Wan and his crew? They bolt. Cowards.

Will’s lips tremble. “Th…tha…nks…”

I wink. “Don’t sweat it. Just head inside, yeah?”

Marina and Faiz guide him away, still stunned.

“You okay?” Faiz asks.

I nod. “Yeah, yeah. Just keep Will steady, alright?”

Truth is, this ain’t my first snake rodeo. Back in Long Pasia, it’s either dodge a venomous serpent or get strangled by a python the size of a sofa.

I glance at the rattler’s cold eyes. Grandpa’s voice echoes in my head:

“Every creature’s got a reason to strike, Alex. Show ‘em you ain’t a threat… and they’ll back off.”

This one though? This one’s still ready to bite.

I kneel, keeping my breathing slow. “How the heck did you slither your way into a school, huh?”

Then—voices.

Familiar, annoying voices.

“Oh hell no…”

“Is that—? Is that a SNAKE?!” Luna gasps, half in awe, half in horror.

Natalie steps up, hands on hips, smirking like a theater star. “Wait. Are you gonna eat that?”

“AS IF!!!” I shout.

The snake writhes more violently. I tighten my grip, shooting them a glare.

“Can you NOT?! You’re freaking it out!”

Luna backs up, waving her hands. “Okay okay!! Geez!!”

Both standing like they’ve just walked out of a wild-west.

Natalie’s wearing some kind of Native American-inspired dress.

My brain shorts.

And… damn it.

Why… why does she remind me of—Frederica?

No. Don’t go there. Not now.

I shake it off—but she’s too close. My heart thuds hard.

Natalie tilts her head, inches away. “What’s wrong with you?”

My inner sirens blare.

CODE RED. CODE RED. CUTE GIRL TOO CLOSE.

I flail.

“EWWW!! Cooties!!! GET AWAY!!!”

CHOP.

She smacks my head with a swift karate chop.

“DUMB!!! IDIOT!!!!”

“OUCH!! What the heck was that for!?”

Before the snake explodes from the tension, Ms. White arrives—blessed, beautiful timing.

“Alright, alright! Girls—out of the danger zone! Shoo!”

“Who’s a danger zone?!” Natalie barks.

Luna tugs her away. “Nat, come on! Let the jungle boy do his thing!”

Ms. White escorts them out with a 😅 plastered across her face.

Snake guy finally shows up—a wildlife specialist.

“You good, kid?” he asks, eyeing my grip.

“Yeah, but this guy’s ready to strike the moment I ease up.”

“Alright. On my mark.”

Together, we maneuver with practiced rhythm. The rattler calms. We bag it clean.

He slaps my shoulder. “You ever consider working wildlife control?”

“Me?! I just want to survive school without holding reptiles and dodging psychos!”

He laughs. “You’ve got guts, kid.”

I exhale, hand sore, heartbeat racing.

Behind me, the whispers start.

“He caught a snake…”

“Is that the new Malaysian kid?”

“Is he, like, Tarzan’s cousin?”

I ignore it.

Ms. White approaches again, smiling with that teacher-who’s-seen-it-all face. “Alex… You okay?”

I nod.

“Yeah. Just another day in America.”

The commotion ripples through the hallway like a shockwave—people whispering, kids peeking out of classrooms, teachers furrowing their brows. And then…

Ms. Forest appears, striding toward me with that dramatic flare only she can pull off—coat fluttering, heels clicking, glasses glinting under the sun.

"ALEX!!" she yells—and before I can even respond, she pulls me into a tight hug, like a mom who just found her lost son.

"Are you alright, son?! Will just told me you ran into a rattlesnake—a rattlesnake!"

I flinch a little but throw her a crooked grin, holding up a shaky thumbs-up.
"Y-Yeah, ma'am! It’s all good! Just a little wildlife exercise, hehe…"

She releases me, staring at me with a mix of relief and disbelief.

Behind her, Xavier is practically bouncing with excitement.
"Amigo! Are you sure you're ten?!"

"Uh… yeah? Why?"

Francisco, the loudmouth of the class, shouts from behind in Spanish,

"¡Hey Alex! ¡Llegas tarde! ¡Pero mira lo que atrapaste! ¡Una serpiente! ¡Je je!"
(“Hey Alex! You show up late but you caught a snake! Haha!”)

Xavier elbows him and fires back:

"¡Pendejo! ¡Atrapar una serpiente? ¡Ni de broma!"
(“Idiot! Catching a snake? No way!”)

Everyone bursts into laughter, even Ms. Forest tries to hide her smirk. A few students in the back begin clapping like I just walked out of an action movie.

"Alright, alright!" Ms. Forest calls out, her voice regaining control. "Enough National Geographic for today—back to class!"

As I’m walking back to my seat, I glance at the window. The Arizona sunlight filters in like a spotlight, and I feel something swell in my chest.

Not fear.
Not pride.
Just… something strange.

I’m finally blending in, maybe for the first time.

A good day…?

Yeah.
A good damn day.

Lunchtime – Natalie’s Side

The cafeteria buzzes with noise and smells I don’t care for. I swirl my drink with the straw, watching condensation roll down the plastic cup. That’s when Luna pops up with her usual hyper smile.

“Hey, Nat!! I’m going to meet with Dino, okay? See ya!!”

She vanishes before I can say anything. Figures.

Well… I’m not hungry anyway.

I push my chair back and stretch my arms. Might as well head somewhere peaceful…

The quiet click of my shoes echoes as I enter the library.

Haahh… finally. Tranquility.

Our school’s library is tiny—two shelves of donated books, a round table, and a faded couch that’s seen better days—but to me, it’s perfect. A sacred place away from the chaos. Just me, the books, and the scent of old paper.

Except… I kinda regret today’s outfit.

I glance down at the fringed fabric brushing my knees. Why did I agree to wear this Native American outfit for the culture exhibition again?

I adjust my feathered headband, sighing.

Ugh… I look like a bootleg Pocahontas.

“Hey, Nat,” the librarian says as I settle into my favourite bean bag near the window. “What are you reading today?”

“Matilda by Roald Dahl.”

She smiles. “Again?”

“I love it. She’s so clever… and those powers—imagine messing with people like that…”

Especially Alex… ohhh if only I had those powers… he’d be floating upside down right now with spaghetti in his pockets—

“Ekkk!!” I squeak out loud, clutching the book to my chest as my brain plays out the fantasy.

The librarian raises a brow. “You okay? You just made a face like a cartoon villain chasing a bird.”

“Huh?! N-no, I’m fine! I just—um—felt like it.” I giggle nervously, curling deeper into the bean bag.

That’s when I hear the soft jingle of the door.

The librarian stands to greet the newcomer. “Hi, welcome. May I help you?”

“Uh… just looking. Never been to a library like this before…”

That voice…

I freeze.

Peering through the narrow gap between books on the shelf, my heart does a somersault.

It’s Alex.

Alone.

What the heck is he doing here?

I instinctively duck, heart pounding. Hide. Hide. HIDEEEE.

I peek again.

He’s not looking in my direction—thank goodness.

“Do you have anything about American history? Culture? Maybe maps?” he asks the librarian, his voice low but oddly… gentle.

Wait. What? That’s… advanced. Even I wouldn’t be poking around those sections casually.

The librarian nods. “Hmm… Here. These should help.”

She leads him far from my corner. Thank you, book gods.

Alex sits down at the corner desk, flipping open a thick hardcover and pulling out… a journal? He’s jotting notes, fast and focused. Wow… he’s really into it.

I try to return to Matilda, but curiosity itches my brain.

Minutes pass.

And then—

His head dips forward. Snooze-mode: activated.

I stare. Seriously? Just like that?

😓😳

The librarian walks by, arms crossed. “That was fast.”

“Uh-huh,” I say, still watching him. “Didn’t think he was the type to crash like that.”

She shrugs. “Kids with heavy thoughts tend to burn out quick.”

Eventually, I get up and move to the table next to his, pretending to still read. Just being close makes my stomach feel funny. But… I can’t leave.

The clock ticks lazily. Still, plenty of time before the bell.

Then—

Alex murmurs in his sleep.

“Hey… why… Fred…erica… why… you… running… hey…”

I slowly lower my book, eyes wide. His tone shifts—uneasy, pained.

The librarian notices, frowning. “That kind of sleep talking… that’s not normal. It sounds like trauma.”

I nod slowly, my heart tightening.

“Get… away… that’s… danger…ous… ge…t away……no…”

Tears stream silently down his cheeks.

He’s still dreaming.

What is he seeing?

My chest aches just looking at him. The Alex I know is stubborn, sharp-tongued, unreadable… but this? This is like watching a broken memory flicker out loud.

The librarian whispers, “Told you… he’s been through something.”

Then the library door creaks again.

Ms. Forest walks in with soft footsteps. “Oh dear… he must be exhausted. Poor thing’s always struggling in math.”

Alex stirs again, murmuring:

“Ple…ase… get… well… Frederica… you’re… not… died… right?”

My breath catches.

Ms. Forest kneels beside him, brushing hair from his forehead gently.

“He’s gone through a lot…” she says softly.

I manage to ask, “W-who’s Frederica…?”

She looks up at me, her expression distant and bittersweet.

“Not sure about that but I’m pretty sure that must be someone that he cared about….”

Ms. Forest nods. “I heard from Mr. Hopkins… she had a mild heart attack recently. Alex was the one who found her and got help just in time.”

I blink. “Wait… that woman…?”

My eyes widen. “The one that I’ve been to his house?”

“Oh you been there as well? Yeah I heard from Hopkins that he stayed calm. Called an ambulance. Kept talking to her, holding her hand until they arrived. That boy’s more mature than most adults I’ve seen.”

She gently kisses his forehead. “Thank you, Alex… for saving my sister.”

My heart can’t make sense of all this. The mystery, the weight behind Alex’s silence, the glimpses of his past bleeding through sleep…

Just what kind of life have you lived, Alex?

And why does my chest feel like it’s about to burst?

Alex shifts slightly.

Then—

His eyes flutter open.

A second of pure silence passes.

Then—his head jolts up.

He blinks.

Looks around the room.

His eyes land on me.

Still in this absurd red Native American outfit, feather and all.

Oh no.

OH NO.

My soul leaves my body.

“No, no, no—not while I’m wearing this!!”

His gaze narrows.

Then he squints… tilts his head.

“…Huh. I must still be dreaming. That crazy girl’s here again… this time dressed like a cartoon Pocahontas.”

💢💢💢💢💢💢💢

“EKKKKKK!!!!”

My face explodes into crimson as I nearly chuck my book at him.

The librarian stifles a giggle. Ms. Forest just sighs, facepalming so hard you could hear it echo.

Alex yawns and stretches like a lazy cat, utterly unbothered by the chaos he just triggered.

I clench my fists. Ohhh just you wait, Alex… once you’re fully awake, I’m gonna make you regret being born with that tongue!!

Before I can explode, the door creaks open again.

A group of teachers quietly enters—like a gathering of worried ghosts.

Leading them is none other than…

The Principal.

😨💀

Just my luck.

“Wow…” she says, staring at Alex still slouched in the chair, half-conscious. “He really did knock out cold, huh?”

Ms. Forest nods. “Yeah. But did you find anything in his records?”

The principal crosses her arms, her tone low. “Nothing specific. But something’s… off.”

The librarian steps forward. “I’ve been observing him. That sleep talking of his… it wasn’t normal. He was whispering names. Pleading. Like someone clutching onto a ghost.”

There’s a long pause.

“…Do you think he’s haunted by someone he lost?” Ms. Forest asks softly.

The principal’s voice lowers. “If so, we need to be careful. This isn’t something we can ignore. We have to help him heal.”

She exchanges glances with the others.

“From what I’ve seen… he never lashes out randomly. He’s not scared. He’s guarded. Like someone used to fighting to survive.”

The librarian adds gently, “He reminds me of someone who’s been through too much, too young.”

My eyes drift to Alex again. He’s fully awake now, pretending not to hear—but his knuckles are white, gripping the edge of the chair.

He knows they’re talking about him.

The principal sighs again. “He’s been transferred here because his mother wanted him far from the old school. From something that happened.”

She looks toward Ms. Forest. “His discipline file reads like a police report. Fighting older students, even adults. Detentions. Suspensions. Teachers wrote he was impossible to reach.”

The librarian mutters, “That kind of behaviour… isn’t just delinquency. That’s trauma talking.”

“I might know someone,” she adds. “Sister Theresa. She used to be in the same district. Maybe she can tell us more.”

Ms. Forest kneels beside Alex again. “Still… he doesn’t feel like a threat to me. If anything, he seems… tired.”

“More like someone running away from a past too heavy to carry.”

The principal nods. “But he’s different here. Calmer. Maybe this school… this place is what he needs.”

There’s a strange silence after that.

I look at Alex again.

He still refuses to meet my eyes.

He’s awake—but it’s like his soul is still stuck in that nightmare.

I can feel it. That weight in his chest. Like he’s hiding a battlefield behind that quiet stare.

And for a moment… all the teasing, the snark, the little jabs we throw at each other…

It all fades.

I just want to know—

What really happened to you, Alex?

Why do I feel like I’m only scratching the surface of who you are?

Alex stretches with a dramatic yawn.

“Uwaaaahh…!! Huh? Ms. Forest? Ms. White?!”

He blinks, eyes darting like a rebooting robot.

Ms. Forest smirks, hands on her hips. “Huh… about time you woke up. What were you reading that made you pass out like a rock?”

He rubs the back of his neck, groggy. “Just something about America… kinda got interested in this stuff lately.”

Ms. White tilts her head. “Oh? What kind of books?”

Alex shrugs casually. “Umm… more like culture, history, myths… I mean, mom and dad also told me to read encyclopedias, religious books too. Christianity stuff from mom’s side—her family’s mostly Christian or not religious at all—and Islam from dad’s side.”

Whoa. That was way more than I expected.

Ms. White gives a soft laugh and pats his shoulder. “Interesting. Well, carry on, kid. You’ve got about 30 minutes before lunch is over.”

“Uh… okay…”

Then it happens.

His eyes move.

And land.

On. Me.

………

………

………

“Um……….”

Oh no. No no no—please don’t say it—

“…Natalie, right?”

He remembered my name! He remembered my name!

Wait.

Why am I happy about that?!?!

“Natalie,” he continues, “aka the crazy girl with the outfits.”

💢💢💢🤯

“But… nice dress though. Kinda reminds me of my mom’s ethnic outfit… the Lun Bawang.”

I’m ready to launch a dictionary at his head—but then he says that word.

“Lun… Bawang?”

“Yeah,” he nods, suddenly more animated. “I’m mixed. My mom’s side is Lun Bawang and dad’s side is Tausug.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “That sounds… complicated.”

“Kinda. Dad told me not to mention it too much—especially the Tausug part, cause of some piracy history or something. But ironically, mom’s side had some headhunting stuff too.”

“W-wait… headhunting?! Like real—?!”

Alex casually nods, like he’s talking about Pokémon cards. “Yeah, my late grandpa had a collection of real skulls.”

Ms. Forest chimes in, wide-eyed. “Wow. That’s… an interesting family you’ve got.”

“Yep. Grandpa was the patriarch. Grandma was the matriarch. They ran the family like a kingdom.”

Ms. White arches a brow. “You know what those words mean?”

Alex grins faintly. “Yeah. Patriarch—big boss man. Matriarch—big boss lady. Grandpa always said a man must speak like a sword and a woman must move like wind. He knew Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and English.”

He pauses, then mimics a grumpy old lady’s voice.

“Alex! You must marry a girl who is loyal, obedient, and knows how to scrub the floor ‘til it sparkles! Or I won’t bless your marriage!! Maybe Freder—”

He freezes.

Dead silence.

His face tightens. That spark in his eyes dims—like a candle flickering out.

“...Yeah. Forget it.”

Ms. Forest gently prods. “Hey… who’s Frederica?”

Alex stares at the table, then exhales.

“She’s… my best friend. Back in Long Pasia.”

Best friend, huh…?

Ms. Forest smiles. “That’s nice. Is she still around?”

“Yeah!!” he says too quickly. “She’s still up and kicking in Long Pasia!”

But the way his voice cracks near the end…

The way his shoulders rise slightly—defensive…

Something’s not right.

Ms. Forest, Ms. White, and the librarian all exchange quiet glances. Their expressions say everything.

They don’t believe him.

They know.

And… so do I.

Alex abruptly stands up, face blank again. “Well, gotta go. See ya.”

He bolts for the door without another word.

He’s running again…

I watch him disappear down the hall.

Ms. Forest exhales beside me. “That’s… not something you see every day.”

Ms. White folds her arms. “It’s true, then…”

I glance between them. “True?”

Ms. White nods, eyes soft but sad. “He’s in denial right now. I spoke to his mother. She told me… something happened. Something bad. He’s shielding himself—refusing to let the truth in.”

Ms. Forest nods. “That boy carries a weight far heavier than most kids his age.”

“He’s built walls around his heart,” Ms. White adds, “and made them look like silence, sarcasm, and tough skin.”

The librarian joins in quietly, her voice gentle. “You might be one of the few who can reach him, Natalie.”

“Huh? M-me?”

Ms. Forest smiles knowingly. “I’ve got a strong woman’s intuition.”

She leans closer and says warmly, “Be kind to Alex. Somewhere in there, he’s a really good boy. He just doesn’t know how to ask for help yet.”

I look down at my feathered dress.

Me… helping him? The same boy who teases me every five minutes and calls me crazy?

But somehow…

That idea doesn’t feel so ridiculous anymore.

In fact…

It makes my heart race just a little faster.

(Present time Natalie narrating - When I hear it—from his mom, in a voice as soft as folded paper—I feel something inside me uncoil.

“He visited Frederica’s grave.”

The words sink into my chest like warm rain after a drought.

Finally.

For years, Alex kept repeating that lie.
“She’s still alive.”
“She’s just in Long Pasia.”
“She’s fine.”

Like some mantra he had to believe to keep himself from breaking.

And now… he’s finally accepted it.

I don’t know why, but I feel like I can breathe again. Like he can finally breathe again.

I’m on my way to class, books clutched to my chest, when the hallway suddenly dims.

Not literally.

Emotionally.

Because standing there like three unpaid stormtroopers from a low-budget anime…

Wan. And his goons.

Oh, great.

“Hey, Nat,” Wan drawls with a crooked smirk. “Why don’t you ever hang out, huh? Always sittin’ in the library like a statue.”

I raise a brow. “Well, at least I’m learning something. Unlike some people who use their heads for helmet testing.”

“Oooooh—burn,” one of his lackeys hisses, pretending he understands what that even means.

I try to walk past, but of course—

“Red Indian again?” Jackson pipes up. The token Caucasian kid in the gang with a superiority complex bigger than his vocabulary.

I stop.

Slowly turn my head, smiling sweetly. “Is that a problem?”

“Yeah. ‘Cause this ain’t no freakshow, Pocahontas. It’s a school. Got it?”

Wow. So original. Somebody give this guy a medal made of expired cheese.

More like he’s just being a total prick.

They start trailing me like mosquitoes in a heatwave, slinging their usual grade-A idiocy. I grit my teeth, trying to stay calm—

But then I see him.

Alex.

Washing his face at the hallway sink.

Water drips down his jaw, reflecting the sunlight like glitter on steel. He’s leaning on the counter, his hair a bit messy, eyes half-shut like he’s just come back from a warzone.

My heart skips a beat.

Then—
My legs move before my brain does.

“HEY!!!”

WHAM.

I kick him right in the butt.

BAM.
His face hits the sink with a loud clang.

He jerks up, water splashing. “OW!! What the hell, Natalie?!”

I close my eyes, pressing my books against my chest.

I don’t say anything.

But he watches me for a second… then—

He gets it.

His expression softens.

He turns to the idiots behind me. “Yo. What’s up?”

Wan scowls. “We’re escorting her. Move it.”

Alex tilts his head, looking around theatrically. “Escort? Who’s the VIP?”

“Don’t play dumb with me!!” Jackson yells.

“Ohhh,” Alex chuckles, pointing at me. “You mean this crazy girl? Wow. Then I guess you guys have bird brains. Oops.”

Bird brains?! Excuse me—

💢💢💢

I stomp on his foot.

THUMP.

No reaction.

He doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t blink.

He’s completely still.

That’s when I notice something strange.

Wan and his crew stop.
Their arrogant grins vanish.

They don’t come any closer.

They just… stand there. Like they suddenly realize they’re poking a tiger with a stick.

Alex isn’t yelling. Isn’t posturing.

He’s quiet.

Too quiet.

His gaze has shifted. Cold. Focused. Like he’s staring through them. Like he’s calculating.

And that face—

It’s not the face of a normal teen.

It’s the face of someone who’s survived something.

Someone who knows how to hurt if he needs to.

Wan gulps. “Tch. C’mon, guys. Let’s go.”

They back off. Fast.

No snarky last word.

No attempt to look tough.

Just retreat.

I blink. Staring.

Alex doesn’t move.

Then he turns to me.

Still quiet.

Still unreadable.

Then, in a low voice, as he walks past—

“If they give you trouble again… just call me.”

And he walks away.

No looking back.

No dramatic exit.

Just silence.

But my heart…

It won’t stop racing.

Not from fear.

Not from confusion.

But from the warm, fluttering feeling in my chest that whispers—

“He came back.”

I barely make it past the door when I hear the thundering stampede of sneakers—
And then—

“NAAAAAT!!!!!!!”

Here she comes.

Before I can react, Luna crashes into me like a heat-seeking missile, arms outstretched as if we’ve been separated by war.

“Where have you beeeeeeen?! I thought you vanished into another dimension!”

“I… I just went to the library—”

“I was so worried!!” She grabs both my shoulders, staring at me like I’ve just returned from somewhere dangerous.

“…I’m fine, Luna. Really.” I sweat nervously.

She finally calms down and grins, brushing her curly bangs aside. “Well, I’m good too~”

But something hits me.

A weird smell.

Like… sweat, perfume, and something else.

Wait…

Is that…

My brain flashes through The Talk I got from my parents last year—complete with awkward drawings and way-too-detailed metaphors.

I sniff again.

Oh.
Oh no.
Oh my God.

That smell…

She didn’t just “meet” Dino.

💀💀💀💀

YOU’RE TEN!!!

I stare at her, blinking in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Luna skips beside me like nothing happened. We head toward class, but something feels… off.

The moment we step into the room—

Silence.

Eyes turn.

But not the usual mocking glares.

Not the whispers and snickers I’m used to.

Today…

They’re just watching me.

Like I’m suddenly… different.

Even Wan—WANNY THE WANNABE—won’t meet my eyes.

Okay what in the drama cliché is happening here?

Then I glance at Luna’s face.

She’s smiling.
Like, romcom heroine about to drop a bomb kind of smile.

“Nat…” she says dreamily.

“Huh?”

She leans in.

Whispers.

“Good for you…” 🥰

“Wait—what?”

Before I can even process her cryptic nonsense, Toby from across the room gives me a thumbs up.

“Knight in shining armor, huh?”

“Huh?! Knight?! What are you people TALKING about?!”

Then even Mylie—yes, Mylie the Queen of Sass—glances up from her phone.

“Well, color me shocked. Even a bookworm like you got a guy? Damn.”

“HUUUUH?!”

I nearly drop my books.

Luna pulls me back into my seat before I self-combust and then leans in again, voice low and giddy.

“Apparently…” she whispers, “…someone saw what happened in the hallway.”

My brain freezes.

“No…” I whisper.

“Yep,” Luna beams.

“No, no, no—”

“Apparently…” she giggles, “Wan tried to mess with you and Alex came in and protected you~”

🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

“WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!”

Every cell in my body screams in denial.

My eyes start spinning like I’ve been hit by an emotional nuke. My soul is halfway out of my body.

“EWWWWW! THAT’S NOT TRUE!! WHO SAID THAT?! WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?!”

Luna covers her mouth dramatically. “Too late. The rumor train has left the station.”

“BUT I’M NOT WITH HIM!!! IT’S NOT LIKE THAT!!! I JUST—WE—IT WAS AN ACCIDENTAL DEFENSE MECHANISM—AND I—!!!”

She grins.

“Sure it was…”

“NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!”

But the damage is done.

I can already see people whispering behind their notebooks. Giggles. Looks.

Why does it feel like I just unlocked a new route in a dating sim I never signed up for?!

To be continued