IT'S ALL DARK when I decided to go home after walking around the park. I saw all our cars are in the garage meaning my father, brother, and mother are home making me nervous.

I'm so dead!

They don't like it when I'm going home at this time; 7 pm. Because they said I should be home before dark. I still don't know why they are like that to me... only to me. Because Jane can party all night long and they won't even confront her. It's so unfair! And me? They are so strict to me! I don't recall that I did something wrong for them to don't trust me. Or maybe they are just over protective? Hell! Why they won't protect Jane instead of me? She's the crazy party goer and... I don't know, she's kind of... a b*tch. I'm sorry for the word but I'm just getting upset by what will happen once I enter on that house.

I sighed heavily and pray that someone wouldn't notice me going inside. Atleast I want this night to be peaceful.

"I'm not sure Mom, if my consumption is true. We have to do something."

I stop closing the door when I heard my brother's voice. I think they are in the living room.

Thanks for the wall that's separating the entrance hall of our house. But I still have to go to the living room in order to go upstairs where is my room. Maybe I should just climb to my room's window?

That's a good idea!

I'm ready to come outside again but I heard my name at what conversation they are having.

"We can't risk it." It's my father. "I don't care if it's true or not. We have to move Rexy."

Move me?

"And where do you think she will be safe?" Mom ask.

"We will go to France. I'll go with her there, on that, I can also protect her. And besides Celine is there." Lukas.

Why do I have to go to France and be with Lukas to protect me? Protect me from what?

"No." Mom firmly said.

"What do you mean by 'No', Selina?" My father ask in gritted teeth like he's suppressing anger. "It's for her."

"Do you think if he's really back, anywhere will be safe for her? Think Jonathan! The man is a monster! He can find her." Mom reasoned and I'm really lost.

Are they talking about me? And who's 'he'?

"Then what would we do? Wait until he get her?" Dad said in a calmer voice.

"I don't know." Mom said like she's about to cry. "We can't lose her Jonathan."

"Mom, calm down. We will figure out something." Lukas. "I'll work on it, it's been 14 years and he's still not back for us so maybe I'm just wrong. Maybe it's just a normal murder case."

I don't understand what are they talking about. I frown and decided to come out because I'm really confused that I can't just eavesdrop anymore.

"What are your conversation about?" I ask when I come out to the living room and I can see their shocked and stunned expressions. I frowned more. "I heard my name but I'm not really sure if I'm connected on what you're really conversing."

Because there's a murder case connected amd someone that I can't figure out. I'm sure it's not connected to me.

"Ahm, it's about my case right now." my brother said after a long silence where they are just all looking at me. "It's..." He glance at our parents then look at me again. "There's a girl name Rexy and I think she's somehow can be a... witness for the case and I'm scared for our family because what if the killer get to us? You know it's quite a big case."

I nod my head but thought about the 14 years. "How about the 14 years? The one that..." I snap my fingers remembering his exact words but I can't recall it.

"There's a murder case 14 years ago and it's similar to that so..." Lukas shrugged.

Oh! I thought it's something about me. I'm wrong. And come on Rexy! How would it be about you? My life is boring unlike what the students at ny former school is saying about me. It's not because you're rich and popular there's always something awesome that's happening in your life. You're just a normal human too, the only thing that's separate us from one another is our status but that's all, we are all the same humans who eat, sleep, laugh, cry, and... fart.

I nod my head and come to Mom and Dad to kiss them goodnight and they let me to go upstairs without further questions or what.

When I close my door and put my both hands in the air amd whisper a scream. "Yes!"

They are too into what they are conversing that they didn't notice that I came home in this time.

"Rexy! You came home late!"

I immediately sat down like a submissive kid on my bed and waited my door to be slammed open by my mother who's fuming mad.

I can't help rolling my eyes secretly. Seriously? I shouldn't have celebrated so early. And... seriously! What's wrong going home at 7 pm. Parents should be thankful that their child is going home at 9 because all my former classmates and senior even my juniors are coming home at 12 midnight, even 2 am! Then me! Just 7 pm and she is like this.

I counted 30 minute and she ended her speech for me in a kiss in my forehead.

"Good night, honey! Don't come home late again." She said in a motherly sweet tone.

I wonder how can she be a beast and a lamb in just a snap. My mother is a weird one.

I tiredly set my self at the bed. I envy Jane honestly. She can do everything she wants while our parents is focusing all their strictness to me.

I get my phone and texted Sarah, Julius, and Kael before sleeping.

Me:

I can't wait for college to start.

Sarah:

Did you come home "late" as they say again? Your parents is something, really.

Julius:

Can't wait too. I'm excited to see the hot football players.

Kael:

Did they get strict to you again?

I didn't reply to any of them and just sleep this day off. I seriously can't wait for college because being at school somewhat made me feel free.

"REXY!" I HEARD Mom me from the kitchen while I'm at the art room where I'm currently painting a big tree.

"At the art room!" I shouted and dip my brush at the color blue for it to mix at the pink color that I'd previously apply as leaves.

"There you are." Mom said when she saw me sitting at the high chair painting at the canvas.

I glance at her while currently drawing the brush in a circular motion at the brunches ofthe tree. I gave her a smile. "Hi Mom."

"What are you painting?" She ask looking at my work.

"It's a tree."

"I see." She nodded while examining the painting. "It's pretty. I like the 'out of this world' color of it."

I laugh at how she see my painting. It's actually different because it's color isn't the typical color of a tree. It's body is dark blue and its leaves and brunches is mixing in 5 colors; Pink, skyblue, red, violet, and a little of yellow and its background is mixture of faint red and orange.

"It's weird." I admit.

Her turn to laugh. "No, it's not. All paintings are weird anyway." She admitted too. "But it's really beautiful."

I shrugged. I find it beautiful too but I'm not sure if I'm being bias or its true. "Well, I'm not done finishing it yet."

"But already beautiful."

I look at her and raise an eyebrow at her. "Why you're calling me?"

"Oh!" She said remembering why she's calling me earlier. "I actually need you to have grocery for me because I have meeting in a few."

At that I look at her clothes and she's wearing her usual formal attire. "You have a trial?"

"Yup. Theft."

"Ahh."

"So, please have grocery unless you want to be hungry. I have to go." She kissed my forehead before walking her way out but glance at me again. "I left the money and the list at the ref amd please pick up Styles in school."

I nod. "Yes, Mom."

"Good, take care!"

"Take care!" I respond and look at my painting. "I'll be back to you sometime, okay?" I smiled before leaving the art room.

I drive to the grocery store and buy all the things that's listed on the list when my cart bumped into someone becouse I'm busy looking at the items.

"Sorry, I didn't mean it." I said quickly and look at the guy that I bumped into.

"It's fine, don't worry." It's tall man with wide broad shoulders, he has gray eyes and black hair, his nose is pointed but there's a scar and crook at the middle like it's been hit or something, and his lips is I think a naturally pinkish, and he have a sharp jaw. He's wearing brown shirt, black jeans, and black boots. He look hot. "You're obviously checking me out."

"Yeah." I answered not thinking and widen my eyes when I realize it. I sheepishly look at him. "I mean... Uhm..."

He chuckled. "It's fine, but I don't know if it's fine to your fiance to flirt with some strangers. But I'm really not totally a stranger as you know, I'm Brix." He extended a hand to me and I hesitantly accept it.

"I'm Rexy." I smiled at him. I'm always getting scolded by being too freindly but I don't really care. It's fun exploring with new people!

"Rexy!" He said in a cheerful tone like he knew me. "Your name suits you. so.. sexy." then he laugh.

I don't know if it's true or he's just making fun of me. I just laugh with him so he wouldn't look like a fool although my laugh seems awkward. Then, he suddenly stop laughing causing me to stop too but he he laugh again so I laugh again too. Really... I think I just joined him looking like a fool than saving him looking like fool.

Tss, anyway! It's fun!

"You're funny." he said while lauging.

"You're funny too." I bring back the compliment but. "Why we are lauging?" I ask curiously whule laughing.

"I don't know. I started it though." He said and stop lauging thinking of the reason.

"What's happening to the current generation?" A passers-by old woman, shooking her head while picking chocolates said. "The world is in danger in the hands of these crazy kids."

I frown at the old lady and look at this Brix guy. "I think she's talking about us." I said in a hushed voice.

"Pfft! Of course not! I'm too sane to be crazy. Did I do something that crackheads did?" He said confidently that earned a flat look from the old woman.

"I'm talking about you idiot kid! I'm worried on how will this economy raise in that kind of... a fool." the old woman almost spat angrily, pushing her cart away from us.

When she's out of our site we just both crack on laugh.

"That's dope!" He said while lauging and I have to agree but I'm busy laughing.

After a minute of laughing we both look at each other and surprises me that it's not awkward.

"So, I'm sorry but I have to go." He said and get my hand to kiss it gently. "Let's see some other time. I'm sure I'll see you again." He wink before going out, didn't waited for my reply because I can't reply either.

I'm busy frown in confusion. It didn't bothered me that he kissed my hand... not like how I'm bothered to that guy on the park. And why are guys suddenly doing that gesture again? Are we in some old century throwback? And also... We'll see again? How is he sure?

And why am I always asking questions in my head? I told you Rexy, stop overthinking and let things go and flow.

I shook my head and push my cart when I bumped into Brix's cart. Wait!

Is it?

But he already go!

He left his groceries? Or forget it? Or maybe it's not his? No, I'm sure it's his. He's holding onto it when I look at him after I bumped into him.

Wierd.

A hot wierd.

I got a text from Mom that I don't have to pick up Styles from his school because Dad already pick up Styles to bring to the Waterpark because he had event there and uses that time to bond with Styles.

I send okay and decided to go to the mall. I decided to go to my favorite bookshop and buy acrylic paints because I remembered that I'm running out of color green, the real reason why I used different colors for my big tree. But while choosing colors I found myself looking at the books.

Books is my weakness, I can't help but to be seduced by it.

"Books."

I'm startled that I almost jump from this aisle to another becouse of the voice from my back, even its overreacting. I'm startled okay? I warily look at my back, erasing the thought that it's a ghost. Come on mind! Don't be so ridiculous!

There, I saw the same guy the last day, the guy with gray hair and bluish gray eyes, but looking at him this close its more blue than gray.

"Did I scare you?" He gave me a little smile.

I shook my head. "Not really, just... startled."

"Because you're too focus on one thing that you're not realizing what's surrounding you. You should be wary." He get the book that I'm holding and read it's cover.

My brows crease because I didn't like what he said. I find it too nosy. But he say nothing wrong. But still, he have no rights to told me that. What now if I'm too focus on what's in front of me?

"Mind your own business." I snatch the book from him and put it back to he shelve.

He smirk that look like he's mocking, and it didn't help my running thought of hating him. "I'm just telling you to look outside the box. You're getting isolated."

Now, I think that sentence hit something that's out of our real conversation. Wait! Are we even conversing? "I don't know what are you talking about. I don't even know you, so can you please get lost?" I shook my head and turn to go to be away on him.

I don't even know him.

And he's following me.

I look at my back where he is, stopping like what I did and he really have the guts to look at me in the eye. I averted his gaze and angrily bit my lips. I find him really annoying now.

"Are you following me?" I spat.

"This is a store. It's normal for people to be at the same way because it's not really a spacious space." He motion his hand around us. "As you can see."

Strike 1000! I glare at him.

"But yes, I'm really following you." He said again that stunned me for a while.

He really have guts. But sorry I'm not the kind of girl that will be swoon by a charm. He's a jerk. "Stay away from me." I said in a firm neutral voice. "I hate jerks." I continue walking to the paints corner to get what I really need.

"And why am I jerk now?" He ask.

I rolled my eyes. What did he want?! I ignored him and get my paints.

"I'm sorry if I triggered something on you." he said in a gentle voice.

I stop because that one is the real triggering. I look at him with furious. "Stop being a jerk and just stay away. You can understand English, right?" I spat angrily and whispered. "I don't even know you." I didn't wait for him to reply and just walk away going to the counter to pay but I felt the urged to look back so I did.

But I frowned when I didn't saw him where I leave him. I look around to look for him but he's not anywhere. The bookstore is not a big store and the shelves, aisles, and corners are all see through from here so... Where did he go?

"Yours ma'am?" the girl at the counter ask me.

I shook my head and paid for the paints.

Such a creep.

"COLLEGE!" I SHOUTED and jumped when I entered the University with Sarah, Julius, and Kael.

Julius and Kael laugh while Sarah pull me to her and scowling at me.

"You're embarrassing Rexy! Stop it!" She said to me, widening her eyes to scare me.

I snort at her. "I'm excited! I can't help it."

She shook her head in disappointment for me that made me playfully pouted at her.

"She's having fun, let her." Julius said to Sarah.

"Right, Sarah! Just let the little kid have fun in excitement." Kael laugh mockingly earning a punch in the arms from me.

"You meany." I hissed at him bit he only laugh.

"Come on, we have to look for our rooms first." Julius said and pulled Sarah and Kael with him while Kael hold onto me making us four rushing inside the main building.

When we come inside we stop at the main hall looking at the University building's interior.

"This is college, everyone! Lets have fun!" Julius said.

We are all smiling when we look at each other and nod.

"Lets rock this place!" Kael laugh making us laugh.

Making me think. What college life difference would I experience? Would it be boring because we're going to be an adult or... I don't know.

We are making our way to the Cafeteria when everyone stop their tracks, as in everyone that made the building quiet all of a sudden.

"What?" Kael ask us. "What's happening?"

I shrugged. "Don't know."

"Try to look at where are we looking." Sarah said while looking at the entrance where everyone is looking.

I furrowed my brows and look at the entrance. I gasped when I saw who's there. The guy with gray hair and Bluish gray eyes that's now look more gray in a far distance. But I turned into normal when I realize that there's nothing to be shocked for.

He's going in this University too, so what? It's the only University in Muein Red. Come on people, what's the matter?

"Why are we staring at him like he's an alien?" I ask the guys who's lost looking at the guy.

"You don't know him?" Sarah ask me.

Uhm, do I have to know him? Yes we met 2 times but that's it. I didn't even know the guy's name. I shook my head to answer Sarah's question.

"Girl he's Ethan Rondelle Hayes, the infamous heir of Hayes Family. He just came back from Greece where he grew up because now he will be inherited his Family's legacy." Julius said while still looking at the guy. "And he's so freaking handsome."

"And you're a Mayor's daughter." Kael said sarcastically.

I know the Hayes Family. They are one of the founders of Muein Red, one of the richest here, and as I remembered they owned half of the forest vacinity and they have soany properties all around the Muein Red. He's very rich and grew up in other country. The reason why he have that kind of wierd attitude. Gentlemanly jerk! There's no thing like this but now there os because of him.

"But still I don't know him and I can't see the worth of this act. He's just rich, so what." I said earning a glare from Julius.

"You can't understand because you're rich too." Julius.

"My isn't that rich. My parent's just earning." I defended.

"Rexy has a point." Kael agreed to me. See?

But the silence is still deafening that when the guy with a long name that I forgot walk, his shoes steps is heard.

"Is he going here?" Julius ask in a panic when we saw his way in towards us.

I look at our back where there's tbe way to the Cafeteria. Maybe he will go there too. I look back at him and saw him standing in front of me.

What now?

"Goo to see you here." He smiled and bow a little. "I'm sorry the last time, I didn't mean to he a jerk. Please don't hate me."

I blink many times. What?

He smiled again one more time before taking my hand and before I can stop him he's already kissing my hand. "Have a nice day, Rexy!" then he walk passed me to walk to the way of Cafeteria.

What... was that?