Az was awoken by the sound of knocking.

He opened his eyes to find that it was quite late and upon checking his phone, he saw that it was two A.M in the morning.

He groaned before stumbling towards the door which he opened to find a sleepy eyed Rose.

“Hey.” Rose whispered. Her breath still had faint traces of alcohol, but Az could tell that she was sober.

“May I come in?”

Az’s eyes widened.

He wanted to slam the door shut and ignore her, but his heart ached when the thought surfaced and so he didn’t.

Az nodded before allowing Rose in.

She sat on his bed before patting the spot next to her.

Az sat next to her while remaining completely silent.

“Az… did- did I do something to make you look at me the way you do?” Rose asked.

Az remained silent while keeping his gaze low.

“Az, look at me.” Rose said as she raised her hand to touch Az’s cheek, but he shifted his head sideways.

“What did I do to make you hate me?” Rose asked with a trembling voice.

She messily wiped her tears as Az’s mind rapidly flashed back to those oh so terrible scenes.

Az turned to face Rose as tears rolled down his face.

“Aunty.”

“Yes?” Rose asked as she looked into Az’s trembling eyes.

“You and dad…”

Rose’s eyes widened.

“Oh my God… you saw us?” She asked, but Az didn’t reply.

“Oh.” Rose sounded as she dropped her hands.

“So that’s why.” She muttered.

Silence befell the room as Az’s heart raced.

“Will you tell mom?”

“No! Anything but that!” Rose said as she frantically waved her hands.

“But when she finds out-“

“She won’t find out. I- I’ll leave. That’ll fix everything, right?”

“No!” Az said rather loudly.

“Shh! I’m begging you. Don’t say a word. I’ll disappear. It’ll be like I was never here. Just please don’t say anything. It’ll break Gloria’s heart-“

“You should’ve thought about that before you had sex with dad!”

Rose noticed that Az was getting louder as he desperately tried holding in his tears.

They then heard a knock on the door.

“Yo, Az. Are you ok?” Radhi asked.

Az looked Rose who shook her head repeatedly.

“I- I’m fine.”

“Oh. Let me know if you need anything.”

“OK!” Az said, even though his tightened throat hurt when he spoke.

Rose then sighed deeply before quickly holding Az's hands.

“Please. I’m begging you. Don’t tell Gloria.” She said as she moved closer to Az.

“Az…” Rose whispered before trying to hug Az.

Az pushed her away before getting off of his bed.

He then pointed at the door with a shaking hand.

“Get out.” He said in a silent scream.

Rose opened her mouth to speak, but she closed it before standing up.

She walked towards the door, but stood in front of Az.

She reached out to touch his cheek and this time, he didn’t move.

She gently patted his cheek before leaving.

Az then slowly crawled into his bed before folding himself into a ball.

.

..

Az awoke with an ear splitting headache.

He crawled out of bed, hopped into the shower, got change and made his way to the kitchen, where his dad was having breakfast.

Az spotted Rose sleeping on the couch in the living room, but he ignored her before making himself some breakfast.

“Mornin’ champ.” Radhi greeted.

“Hey.” Az greeted as he ate.

“Everything alright?” Radhi asked.

“Yeah. I had a nightmare, is all.”

“Oof. Sounds rough. You wanna talk about it?” Radhi asked.

Az took deep and even breaths.

“Nah, it’s just a bad dream. That’s all.” Az said.

Radhi nodded before placing his bowl in the sink.

“My offer still stands.” Radhi said before going upstairs.

Az sighed before finishing his food.

He then heard movement behind him, but he ignored it.

Rose sat next to Az. She offered him her hand, but he ignored her before standing up to leave.

“Az.”

Az stopped.

“I’m so sorry.” Rose said.

Az went to his room and gently closed the door before plopping onto his bed.

He closed his eyes and thought about the previous night.

He grabbed some earphones and tried listening to some music at the loudest possible volume, but it didn’t work. Nothing could make him forget what he had seen.

.

..

Az opened his eyes to find that it had gotten rather late.

He checked his phone and saw that it about one o’clock in the afternoon.

He stepped out of his room and made his way downstairs. He saw that Rose was watching TV and so, after taking a deep breath, he approached her.

“Aunt Rose.” He called, startling Rose slightly.

“Yes?”

“Can we talk?” Az asked.

Rose quickly stood up before wearing her pants.

“Let’s go to the store.” She said as she slipped into her shoes.

Az got some shoes as well before following Rose outside.

The two walked in complete silence before buying two bottles of water in the store.

They them sat just outside the store.

Az sigh loudly as he leaned backwards.

“I’m sorry.” Az said.

“Mmm?”

“I’m sorry for treating you the way I did. I just didn’t know how else to react. I couldn’t tell mom because I was afraid… I was just afraid. Of everything. That and all the pain from what happened at school. I just-“

“You don’t have to apologize. I just want my sweet nephew to look at me as he did before. Every time I saw you, your face… your eyes… you really hate me now, don’t you.”

Az breathed deeply before offering Rose his hand.

“I’m sorry.” Az said.

“Don’t be.” Rose said as she accepted his hand.

“Your father-“

“I know. You didn’t have anywhere else to go so you didn’t really have a choice.” Az said.

“Yeah. You’re so smart, you know.” Rose said as she ruffled Az’s hair.

“Although it was just that at first, Radhi changed. He’s angry. I don’t know why or at who, but something’s definitely wrong and I think it may be my fault.” Rose said.

“Mmm.” Az droned.

“Anyway, to make things right, I’ll get a job and move out.”

“Yeah.” Az said.

“Come on. Let’s head back, but lets buy something to avoid suspicion.” Rose said as she stood up.

Az stood up and well before joining Rose in the convenience store.

.

..

The two eventually returned home to find that Gloria and Radhi were still in their bedroom.

Az placed the snacks they’d gotten into the fridge before walking to his room, but Rose grabbed his hand and gently hugged him.

Nothing was said and Rose eventually let go.

“Aww. What a sweet sight to wake up to.” Gloria said with a yawn as she walked down the stairs.

“Good evening.” Az greeted.

“Hey, sis.”

“What’s with all the love in the air?” Gloria asked.

“I’m just thanking Az for being so nice.” Rose said as she sat by her sisters side at the kitchen table.

“Aww, you’re gonna make me cry.” Gloria said as Az made his way to his room.

He plopped onto his bed before pulling out his phone and texting a certain number.

He dropped his phone, not expecting a reply, but his phone vibrated almost immediately after.

Az picked it up and smiled when he saw the text.

[Hey, Az. It’s been a while. I was starting to think you had forgotten about lil ol’ me.]

[Although I barely remember our time together, I often find myself thinking you, so I won’t be forgetting you any time soon.]

[Aww… cute. Hey, wanna hang out? I don’t feel like studying and I could use some company.]

[Ok. Do you wanna come over or meet up somewhere?]

[Oof… I’m kinda strapped for cash… could you just come to my place?]

[Where is it?]

[It’s in Ix Chel.]

[Cool. I’ll take the train.]

Az texted as he hopped out of bed.

[Text me when you arrive and I’ll pick you up.]

[Cool.]

Az dropped his phone before dashing into the shower. He then got changed before dashing downstairs.

Gloria and Rose sat next to each other while watching something in the living room.

Az walked up to Gloria before tapping her shoulder.

“I’m going to Ix Chel for a while. Gonna hang out with a friend.” Az said, prompting both Gloria and Rose to look at him.

“Ooh… Ix Chel is pretty far. Is this friend of yours a girl by chance? Is it Zoey? I thought she lived here in Acan?” Gloria asked.

“N- no. Her name is Jade.” Az said softly.

Gloria’s eyed widened.

“Oh… so that’s how it is.” She said with a pout.

“What?”

“I’m just sayin’. Today was the perfect day to take your mother out, but no. You’d rather spend it with a different girl. I feel betrayed on behalf of Zoey and every other girl you’ve got dancin’ in the palm of your hand.” Gloria said.

“N- no. Zoey and I aren’t like that-“

“Not another word out of that deceitful mouth of yours. Go!” Gloria said while dramatically pointing at the door.

Az turned to Rose for answers, but she merely shrugged in response.

Az sighed before kissing Gloria on the forehead.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back before you even know it.” Az said as he raised his head, but for a moment, his eyes met with Rose’s and the two stared at each other in silence for a moment.

Rose lowered her head only got Az to kiss her forehead as well.

“Bye.” Az said before leaving.

He made his way to the station and boarded a train on a red coded platform, meaning it was capable of inter-district travel.

Az texted Jade and told her that he was on his way.

He then took a seat as the train sped across Acan.

About thirty minutes passed before he arrived in Ix Chel and like Unity’s other districts, it was extremely well developed.

The building were all sturdy and reinforced, the roads were future proofed as a counter for traffic jams and other such advancements.

Az shook off his nerdy thoughts as the train stopped.

He got off the train and made his way to the station's exit.

Once there, he pulled out his phone and called a certain number.

“Hey, I’m at the station. Where are you?”

[Behind you.]

Az turned around to find Jade walking towards him as she hung up.

She wore a cosy looking Hoodie and some sweatpants and had her hair tied in a messy bun.

“Hey, Az- my goodness. What happened to you?” Jade asked as she walked up to Az.

“Nothing much. Just happened to be in the wrong places in a lot of the wrong times.” Az said as he sheepishly scratched his head.

“You get nothing from acting tough, you know.” Jade said.

“Y- yeah. Sorry.”

“It’s fine. Anyway, come on. Why are you all dressed up? I said we were just gonna chill.” Jade asked.

“Mmm? Oh, this is just the way I dress.” Az said as Jade led him out of the station.

“Oh?” Jade said as they walked down fairly empty and quiet streets.

“You said you didn’t feel like studying. Is university life that boring?” Az asked.

“Yes. No. Maybe? I don’t know. I guess it’s just me. Lately I’ve been feeling way too unmotivated and tired. Sleeping at four AM might have something to do with that last part though.” Jade said.

“Oh.”

“What about you? Wanna talk about how you got all those scars? You were so cute when we met. You’re still cute, but it kinda hurts seeing you like that. Like when someone rips apart your favourite teddy bear.” Jade said as they arrived at a large apartment building.

“Some guy named Eric beat me up because he thinks Lucas killed his dad.”

“Knowing Lucas, it’s probably true, but what does that have to do with you?” Jade asked.

“He thought that if he hurt Zoey’s new friend, she would feel sad and that in turn would incite Lucas’s wrath or something. I don’t know.”

“Wait. Are you actually friends with Zoey?”

“Yes.” Az said straightforwardly.

“Oh… well, it would seem as though you lost as soon as she took interest in you. Ah well, the way you spoke earlier made it seem like you had been beaten up multiple times.”

“Yeah, but I’d rather not talk about the other time.”

“Was it that bad?” Jade asked.

“It always is.”