Chapter 2: The kid

Roger pushes the button of his alarming clock. He stood up and walk downstairs.

"Morning, little kid." called out the man who was around in his early 30's. Roger replied with a nod at Tristan making him smile helplessly. "Silent even in the morning huh," Tristan said, smiling with care in his eyes at Roger, but rather than answering, Roger went directly to the bathroom and open the showerhead, energizing by the cold water.

Roger became an orphan at the age of 8, and Tristan had taken pity on him. He was the childhood friend of his father, according to him. And for that reason, he didn't trust Tristan that much.

He didn't like his father a bit. To be exact, he got no good memories of him at all, that's why when he died, he felt nothing. He was actually glad that his father died. It might be sound heartless, but what he experienced when his father is alive is worst than hell. It made his blood boil every time he remembered it.

After he cleaned and put his uniform on, he walked out. And picked up his bag.

"Eat your breakfast first," Tristan stopped him.

Roger's eyes darted on the egg and rice and sat on the chair as he ate quietly.

"I heard you got a scholarship in Science and Technology high school. Will you take the offer?" Tristan inquired.

"Not sure..." Roger answered, eating his food as fast as he could. "I'm done." he then stood up, not caring if he was polite or not.

"Just leave your dishes on the sink."

"Mmm." Roger went toward the door.

"It is okay even if you try to play with your friends. It's okay to stay late." Tristan spoke with the voice of pampering.

"Mmm," Roger replied and left.

Tristan sighed at leaving Roger. He has been with him for 4 years, but Roger was still so far from him. His heart was so closed, as of not allowing anyone with him.

His childhood friend, the father of Roger, had no relative, nor a good friend. But when they were young he told Roger's father that he will marry him, thinking during that time that he was a girl, and planning to build a family with him.

Unfortunately, he was a guy, and dead. But he already made a word before to took care of his children, and Roger was his son, so he would treat him as his own son, but by the looks of it, it will surely take time before he could be a father material for him.

.

Roger, on the other hand, went on his way to class. He looked around and saw a cat on the side, being kicked by a bunch of kids, laughing. The cat was already on the verge of dying, but rather pitying it, Roger just ignored them. It was none of his business anyway.

Unfortunately, the kid that looked like the leader of the troupe saw Roger, stopping him in his track. "Hey, kid! Where do you think you are going?" he then stood in front of Roger with a cheeky smile on his face, while the bullied kitten was already dead.

Roger looked toward the bully's eyes.

"What are you looking at, huh?" he pushed Roger to his shoulder.

Roger stares down. "Pathetic." He mumbled.

"Why you?!" the head bully punched him, but Roger just stopped with his hand and then kick his ankle and flip him over. "Ugh."

"Why you pipsqueak!" Then the two other children plan to strike him. Roger just simply made them stumbled by moving back and his feet near their footing, making them fall on their feet, face first.

After that, he walked away, as if nothing happened.

When the bullies looked toward the predator, he was already gone, bringing shivers to their spine.

.

"Roger! Roger! Wanna come with us after class?" Asked Jerome, his face was full of excitement.

Roger just got to his class. He peered at Jerome while putting down his school bag. When Jerome still didn't continue, he stared at him.

"We plan to checked if what the old man said was true." Zest spoke up for Jerome.

"And also befriend him! It would be amazing if we can have a powerful friend!" Jerome stated, daydreaming.

"Wu-Wouldn't that be dangerous?" Nico.

"Tsk, you are just being a scaredy-cat!" Jerome.

"I am not!" Nico rebuked.

"Really?" Jerome

"Yeah..." Nico answered in a soft voice.

"Then come with us!" Jerome.

"No, no, no, mama will get mad if he didn't find me at home during the night," Nico said while shaking his head.

"You are just scared," Jerome.

"I am not!"

"Then come with us tonight, also you Roger come with us. You are not allowed to say no." Jerome.

"Mmm." Roger agreed, half-heartedly. It didn't really matter much to him.

He sat down when the teacher entered the room and jot down for the lesson. The end class bell.

"Let's go." Excitedly said, Jerome.

"I---"

"Stop chickening out," Jerome told Nico before he could speak.

Nico gulped and nodded.

"You are also not allowed to back down, Roger." Jerome pointed at Roger.

Roger just stared at him, boredom can be seen in his eyes.

"Let just go, Jerome." Zest said while putting his arms around Roger's shoulder. While his backpack was hook behind him. "Let's go." Then he pulled Roger who hooked up his bag on his shoulder, allowing Zest to tagged him along.

Zest took off his arm on Roger's shoulder, but he was by his side. "Roger." Whispered Zest.

Roger looked by his side.

"Jerome was just scared, that's why he acted in such a way." Zest

"Why are you telling it to me?"

"Well, I just thought I should tell you." Zest smiled. "Let's just treat it as our last get-together. Will you go to the city?"

"..... Not sure yet..." Roger

"I will be going to America, my father wanted me to study there."

Roger peered at Zest, whose face still always smiling, but then bowed his head, with his brow furrowed.

'People face are really look alike...' Roger thought...