Scratching fresh wounds.

"Have you talked to him? Will he be coming home soon?" Erineil or Rinei was thrilled to know that Lucas had the chance to talk to her twin brother Erin. Ever since the latter left their house, it hadn't been in contact quite often than it used to.

And that made her parents and her included quite worried.

Lucas gently shook its head.

"He said he wanted to stay."

"But you said that he wasn't admitted to the university?"

"That's the reason I'm worried about him as well." it let out a deep sigh. "He said he's staying with a friend. And I don't think he will be staying there longer."

"I'm not letting him suffer there alone anymore," Rinei began to stand up. But Lucas already got a hold of her wrist.

"You know how stubborn he could be. And you're not in good shape right now. You're most likely to faint before you could even convince him to come home."

Rinei sat back defeated. If she hadn't been sick lately, he won't let her brother away from her for too long.

Lucas took her hand that rested on her lap at the moment. And gently squeezed it.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure that he doesn't get hurt in any way," Lucas uttered with a reassuring smile.

He went to hug his fiance.

"Thank you."

***

Back at the university.

Erin was getting ready for swim class. He was at the locker with the other students. When he heard a group of varsity swimmers talking.

"Is Tennis ever coming to practice again?" one of the athletes asked the other members. Who were busy changing to their swimwear.

"After that stunt a few days ago with a freshman? He's probably still hung-up with his step-brother's death."

"So, is it true that he's in love with his step-brother?" another guy asked.

"I thought his best friend was the one in a relationship with Lowen?" asked another.

Lowen? it's that name again. Could it be that the Tennis that they were all talking about is actually the Tennesey that he knew the other day? And if he's right, the best friend is supposed to be Marc.

Could Lowen be the reason for the fall out of the two boys? But what could be the reason for its death then?

All guys instantly kept quiet the moment Tennesey went inside the locker.

He tried hiding his face. Thinking that it might harass him again. But it went straight to the pool instead.

It sat there looking at them. Or so he thought he did. It was more likely to be staring at the non-existing world in front of it. From where any of them doesn't exist either.

***

Even after the class ended, Tennesey remained sitting there looking at the pool. When he realized that no one was actually around. He stood to take a closer look at the water.

His heart started to beat rapidly, as he was only a few steps away from the side of the pool.

The water was once his greatest love. But now, It became his greatest enemy, his worst fear.

As he blinked, he saw a clear image of someone lying under the pool. It was his step-brother, Lowen. Its eyes were shut like that time he found it on the tub unconsciously and basically lifeless. It wasn't moving and looked as though it just drowned.

He threw himself into the pool and got it out of the water quickly.

"Come on, don't give up on me." he was going to do CPR when someone shoved him aside.

It was Marc.

"What are you doing here?" he asked angrily.

"I should be asking you the same thing. What are you trying to do with him?"

That's when he realized that it wasn't Lowen that he pulled out of the pool. But Erin.

"How did you even know he's here? Were you stalking him?" a knowing grin played at the corner of its lips.

Marc was already pumping Erin's chess at the time. And it didn't even take a second thought putting its lips to the latter To breathe air into its lungs.

Later on, he heard Erin begin to cough frantically.

He saw how fear gripped Marc as it held Erin tightly. It wasn't the same reaction it had when Lowen was found dead soaked in the bathtub. After taking a large number of sleeping pills.

"Have you ever regretted breaking up with Lowen?"

That question obviously hit a nerve on Marc. It paused for a while.

"My only regret is that he died."

"And it's all because of you. Aren't you the least bit bothered by how you killed someone. Just because of a stupid encounter with a kid you hardly knew?"

Marc ignored him and carried Erin to its arms.

"So, you really do like that guy."

"I don't have to answer any of your questions," Marc said leaving him more pissed than he already is.

"I'll make sure you have a taste of what you've put Lowen through." his words never reached Marc's ear. As it was already near the exit.