Hidden Strains

The next day at school, I could tell something was up with Jake, but he wasn't saying anything, so I guess I'll just give him space. I have classes to get to, so maybe after class or during lunch, I'll try to talk to him.

Finally, classes were over. Today felt unusually slow. Spotting Jake in the hallway, I caught up to him.

"Are you heading to the cafeteria?" I asked.

"Oh hi, Kira, didn't see you coming," Jake said.

"Yeah, you seem to have a lot on your mind. Care to share?" I asked, concerned.

"Never mind, it's nothing. Are you also heading to the cafeteria?" Jake deflected.

"Nahh, I found a really cool and peaceful spot, so I'm having lunch there," I replied.

"Would you like some company?" Jake asked.

"Sure," I agreed.

On the rooftop, it was obvious that Jake was lost in thought yet again, but I didn't want to come off as nosy. Should I mind my own business or maybe if...

"I know you're probably wondering what's bothering me," Jake said, breaking the silence.

"Yeah? It'd be a lie if I said I'm not curious," I replied.

"Well, I'm just trying to understand how my brother thinks," Jake explained.

"..."

"My dad is basically offering him his company, but he's choosing to sing. How far can music take him? He's going to end up on the streets. My parents are trying to protect him from that to give him a better future, but he's just being totally unreasonable," Jake finished.

"Oh...k," I murmured, unsure of how to respond.

"So basically, no one is supporting his dream, no encouragement whatsoever. What I got from all this is that everyone around him, the ones who are supposed to encourage him, are not only forcing responsibilities down his throat, but they are also looking down on his..." I began, feeling annoyed.

"What you..." Jake interrupted.

"I'm not done. You look down on his dream. Now that's just unfair," I finished.

"Is that what you're going to say? My parents are looking out for..."

I couldn't let him say any more.

"I think we're done here. I'm out. Hearing you support your parents sickens me," I declared, feeling upset. With that, I stormed off, my appetite gone with the wind.

"Kira, Kira, Kira, hold on," Jake called after me.

What in God's name is wrong with that guy? How can he see the good in what his parents are doing to his own brother? My heart goes out to Lucian; that is so not fair.

Kira sat through the rest of classes for the day with one thing on her mind: How could Jake not support his brother, and how much pain that must be causing Lucian?

... .... .... .... ... ... ... NEXT DAY ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 

I headed to the rooftop again to have lunch and just some alone time, but something stopped me in my tracks. There was someone here, and I thought no one else came here as everyone would be at the cafeteria by now. Looking closer... isn't that? Right at that moment, sensing my presence, he turned his head toward my direction. It felt like he was staring right into my soul. Looking into his eyes, I saw raw emotions, and before I could decipher what they meant, they were gone, leaving cold eyes void of emotions staring right back at me. Right then, I felt like an intruder. I could tell this was his spot.

As Kira stood there, feeling like an intruder on Lucian's private moment, she hesitated. Should she leave and respect his space, or should she approach him and try to understand what he was going through?

Lucian's demeanor seemed guarded, as if he was hiding something beneath the surface. Kira couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye, and she was determined to uncover the truth.

Taking a deep breath, Kira decided to approach Lucian. She walked over to where he was standing, careful not to startle him. "Hi," she said softly, trying to break the tension.

Lucian's gaze softened slightly as he looked at her. "Hey," he replied, his voice tinged with surprise. "I didn't expect to see anyone else up here."

"Yeah, I come here sometimes to clear my head," Kira explained, gesturing to the rooftop. "It's peaceful up here, away from all the noise."

Lucian nodded in agreement, and for a moment, they stood in comfortable silence, taking in the view of the city below. But Kira couldn't shake the feeling that there was something weighing heavily on Lucian's mind.

"So, what brings you up here?" Kira asked, breaking the silence.

Lucian hesitated for a moment before responding. "Just needed some space," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kira nodded understandingly. "I get that," she replied sympathetically. "Sometimes, it helps to be alone with your thoughts."

They lapsed into silence again, but this time, it was different. There was an unspoken understanding between them, a shared moment of vulnerability.

As they watched the sun set on the horizon, Kira couldn't help but feel a sense of connection to Lucian. She knew that there was more to him than met the eye, and she was determined to uncover the truth, whatever it may be.