Kat - Australia 2

Kat looked at Alvo who was now sitting also a distance beside her. For some reason just looking at those eyes, Kat suddenly had so much to say. One of the strengths of the Xanders, of course, is to make all humans believe just by looking at their eyes.

"Life is hard sometimes, right?" ask Alvo to open the conversation.

"Yeah. Actually this is my third school in the last two years. My parents are diplomats and they move too often due to work. I have two younger brothers to look after. Every time we move to a new place, my parents want me to help the younger siblings. I went through it all even though I wasn't feeling well myself. Just entered a new place, I had to adjust to the environment again not to mention the people. And apparently my school is a little more troublesome because it turns out that I'm a little different," said Kat finally.

"Then what about being different?" Alvo asked again.

"Then you will become an easy target for bullies. They make fun of the color of my skin and sometimes even grab my hair. Once they threw some flour at me so I could be like them. Yes all this time I just kept quiet hoping everything would end by itself but it turned out to be wrong, things only got worse," Kat's story again.

"You can believe it or not but I've felt it. Can you see what I look like? At first I was like this too, hiding. But I talked to my mother and she gave me a piece of advice that I should be brave enough to talk to myself," Alvo said at that time.

"Talk to your self?" Kat asked.

"Yeah, my mom more or less said it like this. We have to learn to love ourselves, and you have to start talking to yourself. I'm going to ask you. What's your name? What made you get up and flutter? Tell me that story! Hear your voice and opinion. It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, what color your skin is, what gender you are, just talk to yourself. Find your name, find your voice and speak for yourself."

"Wow. Your mother is cool," she said then.

"You are also very cool and I believe your parents are cool too. It must be hard to move repeatedly but this is also hard for them. And I believe you and your family will find a comfortable place that you can live together someday. The place that's what you call home. You really should be grateful that you have your family. Maybe your bullies out there aren't as lucky as you," Alvo said in the end.

Kat just looked down, still trying to digest it all. Of course it's true, however she is happy at home because she is surrounded by a family who loves her very much and is willing to give her everything. But school is also an important part of her life that will affect her entire life later.

"You're beautiful, Kat. I'll tell you a little secret. You can see I'm a guy here too. We guys don't really look at the physical even though it's important. But we guys will definitely be much more attracted to a confident woman who have a good personality. We prefer women who are smart but know how to position themselves in front of men. And you? I'm sure you actually have all that plus beauty. Perfect." Alvo said with a smile that made Kat uncomfortable too.

"Thank you very much," Kat said with a wider smile than before.

"Look. You're much prettier when you smile," Alvo said at the same time Juno appeared.

"Have you?" Juno asked slightly smiling at Kat.

"Finished it?" Alvo asked probing.

"Ah this is for you. I saw you from a distance earlier and made a perfunctory sketch," Juno said humbly and handed her the paper.

"Ah, this is my brother, his name is Juno. He is really good at drawing and painting," Alvo said introducing.

"Is that so? Fine I'll take it," Kat said almost flipping the paper that looked blank.

"Eits please don't open it now. Hm hehe, later when I'm gone from here, okay?" said Juno.

"Owh. Yeah okay then," Kat said briefly.

"You're feeling better now aren't you?" ask Alvo to make sure.

"Yes, thank you. You helped me a lot today. Of course this picture is also from you which I don't know yet," Kat said showing a smile.

Kat had to start school again. Only Juno and Alvo were left on the roof of the school. Gazing at the view of Australia in the distance, which this afternoon was quite sunny and cloudless.

"You're still too hesitant to show your painting," Alvo said.

"Hahaha. I was too scared to see her reaction," Juno said that afternoon.

"How will you learn if you don't let people react in front of you?"

"I don't know. Just don't want to know for now."

They both come down trying to return to Malghavan. Coming to school after so long made them feel a little nostalgic.

"Times have changed a lot. The school now makes me jealous. Everything looks luxurious and modern. It's a lot different from our old school, isn't it?" Alvo asked again.

"I don't remember much. I've always hated school," Juno said casually.

"You hate it? But weren't your grades always good back then?" Alvo asked curiously.

"Yeah that's true. I've always excelled not only in studies but also in sports. I was talented there from the start," Juno is proud of himself.

"I've always liked school since the beginning," Alvo said briefly.

"And I'm not surprised."

"You must have been very popular at school, right?"

"Yeah right. I had to grow my hair beyond my eyes because I was so uncomfortable all my teachers and friends always praised how my eyes were so big and adorable," said Juno who was greeted by Alvo's laughter.

"Hahaha. And that's why you're trying to cover up all that cuteness with tattoos and piercings?" investigate Alvo.

"Tch, this has been all I wanted since I was in school. Not just because I want to look cool."

"Is that true? Seriously I ask. Then what's all this for? The fact that you will always be the youngest among Xanders and will always receive a lot of love from all of us. Nor will anyone be able to change the way we all look at you if you are cute," Alvo teased holding back his laughter.

"For self-actualization?" Juno himself did not understand.

"Self-actualization? Hahaha. Sorry you made me laugh, Juno. Your eyes will never change no matter how much tattoos and piercings you have on your body," Alvo said he didn't want to lose.

"Damn it!"

Alvo looked at Juno proudly even though the man always showed his tough side but he knew it was all just a cover for his gentle heart.