11 Their Battles

____First Person____

It was morning when Julie woke up and noticed that she was in Jayden's room. She almost freaked out but she just remembered locking her room last night. She just assumed that Jayden cannot alarmed anyone and brought her in his room instead.

"Good morning!" Simon greeted her warmly when they both opened their doors at the same time. After helping Simon go downstairs, she finds Eula in the kitchen and she enjoys cooking while wearing the red apron. Her favorite color.

"Good morning." they were all embraced by the good vibes Eula was giving. Julie glanced at the other maids and they all looked at Eula with the same amusement as hers.

"I thought I should cook to express my gratitude for letting me stay here."Eula put the finishing touch of the dishes she was preparing until she invited everyone to eat. Simon praised her cooking before she could say Jayden’s name.

"Hmm, smells good. You can make a perfect cook."

In the middle of their meal, Julie stood up holding one tray again.

"I think I should eat in my room."without getting any response, she left the kitchen carrying a tray with only two plates and glasses. Simon did not stop her because he knew what she wanted to do. Eula noticed this so she couldn't help but ask Simon.

"Is there something wrong with Jayden? He doesn't eat with us. And is there something between him and Julie?" Simon's eyes immediately widened and he turned to his maids when he realized that they were all busy with their food and that no one paid attention.

"Ahhm, Jayden only wants to eat with Julie."Simon whispered. Eula's mouth dropped open and laughed. "Looks like Julie will have a boyfriend."Simon coughed at what Eula had said.

"Julie doesn't have a boyfriend before?" Simon asked in shock. He had to admit that Julie is such a beautiful woman so it is impossible for the woman not to have a boyfriend yet.

"Once but it didn't last long. She lost her father when she was nineteen and since then, she has been the one who supports her family and has no time for crazy romance stuffs. If you know what I mean." they all prevailed within the silence.

Meanwhile, Jayden still can't believe Julie always remembers to bring food with him. He left it earlier to get some air outside and now he seems to be intoxicated.

"Why are you keep on bringing me food? What if the others noticed you?" The lady just crossed her eyes at him and served the food.

"You told me before that you can't starve to death but the smell of food can kill you. Eula is a great cook and her food literally makes me drool so stop acting like that."Julie winked at him and put the tray down. Jayden looked at the woman and remembered what he had seen last night.

I still can't get over her scar. It must have been painful if I were her.

The woman just watched him quietly as he ate. He knew Julie could not leave yet because the others could hear the crackling of the cutlery he was using and it will be suspicious if no one is supposed to be inside here.

"I didn't say anything last night, did I?" Julie asked him out of blue. Jayden wiped his mouth first before dropping the cutlery on the tray and sighed softly.

"You have a low tolerance to alcohol but your control is impressive. You fell asleep right away."he saw how Julie’s face turned red and he couldn’t help but smile when the lady meant to look away to hide her shame. It was only then that he realized that the woman had the ability to lighten his heart even though he did not fully know it. He finished the meal with a light feeling. Happy that someone brings him food every morning and is willing to spend time with him.

"You won't leave yet?" Jayden asked Julie because she was still not leaving and she was just looking at him. "Hello?" He tried to catch her attention but Julie remained stunned.Jayden tried to call out her name but it is as if Julie malfunctioned her brain system. Julie is looking at him for two goddamn minutes now.

Jayden had no choice but to slap her cheek. "WHAT THE--- WHAT IS THAT FOR?!"

"I've been calling your name, woman! Am I that breathtaking to you?" her eyebrows pressed together and made a face in front of him. "What are you blabbering on? Simon is even more handsome than you!" Julie sighed before taking tray and take her leave out of Jayden’s room.

"We all know who’s the most handsome here, psh. Not all people can see my face though." He said and at the same time the door shut

_______________

"You are the only one left for the family! How can you be so irresponsible ?!" Eula heard a loud shout and she knew it was coming from her mother's voice.

"I-I'm sorry. I just did what I have to do."

For the second time, another bad dream ruined Eula's night. She went straight to the bathroom and washed. There, she saw the reflection of herself.

She knew that it was her mom shouting. But why does she have this feeling that it's herself scolding her?

Before she leaves Simon's house, she handed the journal to Julie and she doesn't know if it is connected to her dream. Eula has never been so superstitious but she also never had such bad nightmares as this.

Her grandmother used to say that misery would approach her because when she was young she had a strong feeling about things and this was what led her to something terrible.

"Please, God. Don't let any of this turn bad." She clasped her palm and thought of all the things she wanted to protect."Please, make Julie safe." she just hoped that her words can be heard from above.

_______________

"H-Hey! You can't just barge in without telling me!" Jayden can't count how many times he shouted at Julie. But knows what's the reason for all of this: he wanted Julie to stay away from him before he could fully develop care for this lady.

"You haven't answered me before, people here might wonder why I'm knocking on an 'empty' guest room." Jayden just shook his head. "Don't you have anything to worry about? So you don't bother me anymore?" Jayden annoyingly said but Julie just shrugged her shoulders.

"That's why I'm here, I can't talk to anyone." Jayden suddenly felt sad for Julie. It is difficult for a person to keep everything in mind. She needed someone to listen to her because not everybody can be brave on their own.

"You wish I will listen to you. It's up to you if you leave or talk. I will not listen to your blabberings, lady."Jayden tucked under the blanket.

Of course, he doesn't want to push this lady away. He knew badly how Julie wanted someone to talk to. But he is avoiding caring for someone he knows that will leave him someday.

And what he did is just reverse psychology. Julie will still talk to him.

Julie took a moment of silence then sighed.

“You know what, I sometimes saw myself in my dreams. I am trying to run away from myself because I fear that if I go back to my old self, I will not be able to go back to reality. My mother needs me, my brother too. And I don't have someone to help me stand. I just stand on my own."

Yeah, unlike his... no one leans on him and he doesn't have to lean on. He is alone and he's just by himself only.

"And the best part is? I don't know where or when all of this will end. I don't know if my life will be the first to end or theirs."Jayden promised to not let himself get involved but he had enough of her words so he stood up and faced Julie. And there, he saw that her eyes were already welling up with tears.

"I can't blame you for feeling like this, Julie. I don't know the full story yet but all I want to say is that you're brave enough to get this far and this is where you'll stop?" he isn't much of a talker but he can't stand this anymore.

"Soldiers don't leave in the middle of the battle unless they earned victory. But when you concede defeat, it only means you accepted your weakness."Jayden nodded and decided to continue what he was going to say. "When you die in the beginning of the battle, it means you didn't fight enough. Think about that." Jayden waited for Julie's reaction but she just stared at him. And tears started to flow through her cheeks.

"See? You just need to let that out. Cry but don't let yourself down." Jayden's body moved spontaneously and approached Julie to give her a tight hug. He stroked her back and let Julie cry on his shoulder. "You know this is weird." He uttered, making her laugh. "People are in their own battles. At least, we both know that we are on the same one."



"Yeah, thanks for being dramatic, Jayden."