Chapter Four

Bryan

Just as I was about to punch his face, the school bell suddenly rang. "We'll meet again, Andre, but the next time I see you, I won't show any mercy. You'll be dead," I warned him. We immediately left the toilet before someone could find us there.

"What the fuck! Are you blind?" I snapped when someone bumped into me in the corridor. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. I didn't want to cause trouble there because many students were passing by.

It was a girl. Her things fell to the floor. I helped her gather her things. Our hands touched, and as we looked into each other's eyes, there was a surge of energy that hit me, something I couldn't understand. She looked gorgeous and familiar with her curly auburn hair and amber eyes that hid so much sadness. I think I have seen her before.

"Kacy! Come on, what are you still doing there? We're late already!" Another girl called her, and she immediately gathered her things and left.

"Jonas, can you tell me who she is?" I asked, standing up.

"She's Kacy Thompson, from the College of Arts and Sciences Department," Jonas replied.

Wait, what? Thompson? Is she the daughter of Carl and Brenda Thompson? Is this what my father meant? Am I supposed to kill her?

"Bryan, are you okay?" Jonas asked.

"Um, yeah, I guess so," I replied, grasping the strap of my backpack. Maybe that girl just has the same last name as my target, but still, I couldn't ignore her. I have to get close to her. "I think we should hurry to our next class."

After class, we had a drink at Eden Bar. Denver's father is a bartender there. We drowned ourselves in alcohol. I was so wasted when I arrived at my house. Jonas drove me home. I wondered why he was avoiding alcohol. He was so different than the rest of us. I was lucky that my father wasn't there when we arrived, or else I would have been scolded again.

"I have to go now, Bryan. Have a good sleep," Jonas said, laying me on the couch. He went out, continued to his car, and drove away.

I took off my clothes and stepped into the shower. The cold water was so refreshing. After taking a bath, I crawled on my bed to relax. I'm only wearing my boxer briefs. My phone vibrated. I opened it and saw Cathryne's message. She wanted us to meet at 6:00AM tomorrow.

I asked her why it has to be too early, but she just ignored my message. Did I do something wrong? Perhaps she missed me and realized I was more handsome and strong than that guy named Andre. I'm dying to hear her apologies for cheating on me. I might forgive her if she'd want to have sex with me.

The next day...

"Where are you going?" my father asked. He was sitting on the couch cross-legged, wearing an open-front shirt and denim jeans, smoking, while watching a news report about the death of a wealthy couple named Carl and Brenda Thompson.

"School dad," I replied.

"It's too early. Are you sure you're going to school or dating someone?" he asked as if he had read through me.

"I'm really going to school, Dad," I insisted. Then I found a brilliant alibi. "I'll be helping my classmates on our group report."

"Good that you're doing good at school. I don't want you to be suspended again. You've transferred schools many times already. I hope this will be the last," he said.

"I got it, Dad," I replied.

"You may go now. Oh, wait, I forgot to remind you of something: you should finish your task," he said.

"My task?" I asked, confused.

"Your task is to kill the whole Thompson family. Did you forget already that you left someone behind? You should finish it," he said.

I looked at my wristwatch. It's 5:30 AM. Cathryne wants to see me at 6:00 AM, so I better hurry up, or she'll be mad.

"Hey! Are you listening?" he asked.

"Don't worry, Dad. I'll finish it soon," I replied, and he finally let me to go.

Cathryne was already there when I arrived at the park near Springfield University. She looked so pretty even in her casual uniform. She had long, curly black hair, violet eyes and fair, flawless skin. I walked towards her, trying to act cool, but it was ruined when she suddenly slapped my face.

"What's that for, Cathryne?" I asked, confused. "Is that how you greet me good morning now?"

"That's not enough for what you've done to my brother, Bryan," Cathryne replied.

"Your brother?" I became more confused.

"Stop acting dumb, Bryan. Andre told me that you've beat him in the toilet. Now, my parents are mad at you. You should be prepared because they are going to tell the principal about this," Cathryne said.

"Ahh... that annoying Andre. So, you meet me this early just to defend him? Can't you see it, Cathryne? I love you, but still, you're choosing that weak, pathetic guy over me. What did he feed you to do this, Cathryne?" I asked, trying to touch her, but she slapped my hand away.

"You don't understand it, Bryan. Andre... Andre isn't my boyfriend!" she exclaimed.

"Why are you shouting at me? If he's not your boyfriend, then why are you always together? You're dating secretly, aren't you? You already have me, but you're still hooking up with another guy? What kind of whore are you, Cathryne?" I haven't controlled my tongue.

Cathryne was about to slap me again, but this time I caught her hand. I won't fall in the same trap twice. She shook my hands off and insisted, "I told you, he's not my boyfriend!"

"Then why are you two dating?" I asked, frustrated.

"Andre's my brother, Bryan. My brother," Cathryne said.

Brother? The word echoed several times in my head. So, that Andre was Cathryne's brother and not her lover? Did I judge them too early? Am I wrong for hating Cathryne and hurting her brother? I realized what I had done. Perhaps Dad was right. How could I really understand anything with this tiny brain of mine?

"I... I'm sorry, Cathryne, I didn't mean it. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings and your brother," I apologized, realizing my mistake. "Please forgive me."

Cathryne sighed deeply before saying, "It's too late, Bryan. My parents didn't want me to get near you again. They want me to break up with you."

Break up? Did I hear it right? "No, please, Cathryne, don't do that. I swear I won't hurt your brother again. Just don't break up with me! We've been together for almost half a year already. You can't just ruin our relationship like that," I begged her.

"I'm not the one who ruined it, Bryan. It's you, if only you didn't hurt my brother..." Cathryne said.

"Please, Cathryne, tell me what I should do to make amends. I want to save our relationship. It shouldn't have to be this way. I love you." I fell on my knees.

Cathryne slapped her forehead and said, "What are you doing, Bryan? Stand up. You're making it look like I'm bullying you when you were the one who made a mistake."

"No, please, I won't stand up in here until you allow me to make amends," I said.

"I got it!" Cathryne said. "If you really want to save our relationship, why won't you go to my house and apologize to my parents? Perhaps they can forgive you."

I guess Cathryne was right. If I wanted to save our relationship, I'd have to be serious, so I agreed with her. We'll go to her house after class. It's finally time to get to know her family.

Cathryne left me in the park. She acted so mad, and I couldn't blame her either. It was my fault for hurting her brother and saying things that would only worsen the situation. If only I knew it early, perhaps it wouldn't have turned into this.

I was so foolish for making conclusions without even thinking. Now Cathryne don't want to talk to me again until I solve this. I chased after her. I even bumped into someone's shoulder, but I didn't look back.

"Cathryne, please, let's talk about this," I said, but she just ignored me.

"You better not bother her, Bryan," Jonas advised, his hand on my shoulder. "She'll just become more angry with you if you keep pestering her."