DARYL'S POINT OF VIEW:

As soon as my heat cycle ended, Justin accompanied me to the police station for me to give my statement about what happened the other day.

To be honest... my memory was quite fuzzy and I didn't remember much about that day but I remembered being carried back to my bed. I don't remember that person's face though.

"Is that all you're gonna eat?"

I lifted my head and saw my brother's stone face. After that incident, my father told me to go back home—not the one where Justin and I stayed at last time, but the one where my parents and siblings live in.

I nodded slightly and stood up.

"I'll be in my room if you need me," I said and walked away from the dining room

I couldn't care less whether they find me rude for leaving the dining room when they're not yet finished. I would rather leave right away than choke on my food.

Being in the same room as them still feels... uncomfortable.

I opened the door to my room and locked it. I wouldn't want anyone barging into my room.

I've been feeling somehow lonely these days. After that incident, I feel like I'm being chained down. I've been locked up inside this house for days already. I do understand that maybe my father is worried about me, but doing something like that would only make me feel worse.

I didn't do anything wrong but it feels like I'm the one who's being imprisoned.

I sat on my bed and stared at my phone.

I want to call Justin or anyone to feel less lonely but I can't bring myself to do that. I kinda feel like... I'd be bothering them.

I slumped on my bed and stared at the ceiling blankly.historical

As I was spacing out, I heard a sudden knock on my door.

"Daryl? Someone came here to see you."

Oh, it's my brother's voice.

"Who is it?" I asked, still lying on my bed. "It's my friend," he replied.

Friend? What does his friend have to do with me? I don't even know any of my brother's friends.

"I don't even know who your friend is," I said and rolled on my bed to lie on my chest. "You do. You've met him before. Thank him for saving you from last time," he said in a weird tone.

He somehow sounds upset. Why? But...

"I'll be out in a minute. Wait for me," I said as I stood up. I walked to my mirror and looked at my reflection.

I looked a bit pale and I have bags under my eyes. My clothes looks fine but my hair looks so messy.

I combed my hair with my fingers to fix it and went out as soon as I finished. My brother was waiting outside with his usual stone face.

"He's in the living room," he said and started to walk to the direction of the living room.

My room is just in the first floor of the house because I find it convenient, that's why it's pretty close to the living room.

As we neared the living room, I saw a man with black hair, playing with his phone with scrunched eyebrows.

"Argh, I suck at this," he whispered to himself and let out a deep breath as if to calm himself down.

I wanted to let out a laugh because he reminded me of how Andre reacts when he plays—Ah...

I blinked a couple of times as I stopped walking, finally realizing that I was thinking of him again.

I should really... forget him.

"Daryl?" My brother called as he turned to look at me. "Ah, yes. I'm sorry," I said and walked towards him. We walked together and he told me to sit when we were already at the living room. I'm sitting on the sofa in front of him, with the coffee table in front of us.

I looked at Christian, expecting him to introduce his friend to me but instead of doing that, he just left us alone.

"Uh... Hi," I said as I awkwardly fixed my sitting posture. "Hey, great to see you again!" He said as he put his phone down even though his game hasn't finished yet.

Is it really okay for him to do that? I kinda understand the frustration of quitting in the middle of a game and facing a punishment afterwards.

"Have you been doing well? I've been worrying about you these past few days. I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit you before. Someone literally threatened me that he'd gouge my eyes out if I even dared to look at you," he said and chuckled.

Oh, he's the talkative type huh?

"Ah... I'm doing fine, I guess? But uh... I'm really sorry but I kinda don't know what your... name is..." I said as I awkwardly scratched the back of my neck. "Oh, I'm sorry for the late introduction. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Lucas Ty, Chan's best friend and Justin's friend," he said and stretched his arm for a handshake.

Haha, Chan. I haven't heard my brother's nickname in years.

I stood up, took his hand and shook it. "I'm Daryl Chen," I introduced myself as I shook his hand. I let go of his hand and awkwardly put my hands on my lap. "I'm surprised that you know Justin," I said and smiled.

"Ah, well... he is the reason why I went to your condo that day. We're actually childhood friends and I went to visit him that day. Thankfully, I managed to save you on time," he said and lowered his head a bit. "I'm sorry for reminding you of that, by the way," he said and apologetically smile.

"Oh, no! It's alright, really. I should thank you for saving me that day," I said and bowed my head to show how thankful I am. "Haha, please lift your head. And you don't have to act so formal and polite with me. You can talk comfortably."

I lifted my head and saw that he was smiling. His eyes caught my eye.

He has sharp grey eyes that completely turns into a crescent when he smiles.

His eyes are pretty.

"Hmm? What is it?" He said as he raised his brows. That's when I realized that I was staring at him. "Oh, uh... Your eyes are pretty," I said and chuckled to brush off the embarrassment that I felt when he caught me staring. "Oh thanks. Yours too," he said and smiled again.

As we were speaking to each other, I felt someone staring at us. I turned my head to steal a glance and saw my brother peeking behind the wall, glaring at us.

What's with him?

"Hmm? With who?" Lucas said as he scrunched his brows.

Oh, I must have said that out loud.

"My brother, Christian. He's been staring at us since earlier," I responded as I shrugged. "Ah, don't mind him. He's just..." He paused for a while and bit his lower lip as if he's stopping himself from laughing or smiling. He shook his head and said, "Never mind."

Is there something going on between them? Is that why Christian is acting like that? He never acted that way before so that must be it.

Well... Lucas does look attractive.

Maybe this is my brother's type? The black haired ones.

"Oh by the way, have you played this game? It's really fun," he said as he showed me his phone.

Oh, this looks familiar.

Gun Raid, huh?

"This is an FPS game, right?" I said as looked at it. "Yes, yes, it is!" He stood up and sat next to me.

[FPS = First Person Shooter]

I was a bit taken aback by it, but I didn't mind it. I'm not that comfortable with new people but since he's got something going on with my brother, I guess it's fine. Not like I actually get along with my siblings but... oh well.

"Do you play games? I've been playing this game since last month but man... I still suck at this," he said and laughed with an embarrassed look. "I did play games before but I don't play much now. I'm graduating, you see, so I don't have a lot of free time. But I can teach you a thing or two if you want," I said and smiled.

"Yes, please do! I'm really desperate. Your brother keeps on telling me that I should just quit if I suck at it that much," Lucas frowned.

I cackled at his words.

I never thought my brother would say something like that. Maybe I don't know him at all. Lucas knows him better than I do.

"Alright, alright. Let me see your gameplay first. I'll point out your mistakes if there are any," I said and leaned my back against the sofa.

He started playing and what happened after that shocked me the most.

"This is...!"