To Want You

36

Elka' POV

Precisely five months after I managed to adapt well with my new school, a familiar face had showed up out of the blue. The day Daron was announced as the new transfer student, something in me had bubbled with happiness at the sight of finally seeing someone I know.

A year's already passed and we've become closer like how we used to be when we were kids. It's nice having a familiar face around.

"I feel like crap."

Today had been hectic for the both of us since graduation day's literally a month away from becoming a reality. Practice after practice. There's really no rest.

"Ms Cherry sure does like picking on you." Daron comments the second we're out of the school's gate.

I grimace. Ms Cherry. Although her name sounds sweet like sugar or whipped cream on top of a delicious cupcake, she's actually anything but that. To me, and to the whole school In general, she's a bitter lemon trying to put us students down. I've no idea why they picked her as the coordinator.

I click my tongue in annoyance just by thinking about that. Normally, we'd have left for home an hour ago. But thanks to Ms Cherry, we were all cooped up longer than what's absolutely necessary.

It takes about thirty minutes to reach my place from school. Mom and dad's probably still at work. Nathan and Clever should be home by now.

Once we've reached my place, Daron follows me inside the hall leading to the living room.I toss my backpack aside and plop on the couch face first.

"Exhausted?"

That's an understatement. My throat feels sore after doing all those vocal excercises and not to mention the amount of times we had to go up and down of that stage.

"I wanna quit school."

Daron let's out a laugh as he settles on the carpet with his back pressed on the couch I'm occupying. " Just hang in there."

"I wanna sleep."

"Do that after eating something. You skipped breakfast this morning."

"That's cause I didn't feel like it."

The peaceful ambiance was good while it lasted. Because It was at that moment a little figure suddenly jumps up from behind the couch with a loud 'boo'.

The surprise throws me off the couch only to land harshly on the ground, accidentally hitting Daron's back in the process. However, I feel as though I was the only one shocked by it.

Clever. My inner conscious automatically groans before I can even comprehend the situation. This boy's gonna be the death of me I swear.

Daron let's out a chuckle before ushering Clever into his arms. The little boy skips to him with a giggle, wrapping his arms around his neck and leaning into him.

"I scared noona." It's a failed attempt of a whisper.

"You sure did. Good job."

"I'm right here you know."

Clever's currently six years old and has been acting way more mischievous than Nathan did when he was his age.

There's been times when I find myself just wanting to lash out at him only to be reminded that he's thirteen years younger than me.

It's that rational thinking that's kept me grounded from ever doing so. Then again, It'd look weird if we ended up fighting for no reason. A nineteen year old arguing with a six year old?

Even I know I'd look stupid.

And he's still a baby after all.

Shaking my head at their childish exchange of words, I help myself up. Clever curles into my lap the next second, staring me in a way that makes me raise an eyebrow expectantly. Whenever he looks into my eyes and tightens his lips, it's a sign that he wants something.

"What is it?" I ask. His request can sometimes range from ridiculous to obscured.

"Did Hyung show you?"

I tap his nose. "Which hyung?"

"Nathan hyung. I want one. No. Four. I want four." Clever stares at his hands before shoving three fingers into my face.

"If it's Nathan's then you should ask him instead."

He shakes his head, much to my entertainment. "Hyung said it's yours."

It's mine?

This time, curiosity floods my veins. I brush Clever's bangs away from his forehead and ask. "Tell Noona what it is."

"Worms."

Worms.

I hear a stifled laugh coming from beside me as my face drops into a black expression. Nathan has worms for me. Isn't that charming. He knows how much I hate them yet he's thoughtful enough to think of gifting me some.

"You can have them all." I gently pat Clever's before handing him over to Daron.

"Where are you going?"

Without sparing them a glance, I start making my way out of the living room. "I'm going to sleep."

-

Loona's POV

"Are you still not going home?"

It's already past midnight and I'm still here cooped inside a library, surrounded with piles of books. I don't even bother sparing June a glance, flickering through a book that could possibly to hold the answers I seek.

Ever since Abel and his parents lost all memories of Elka, I vowed to find the reason behind it and fix it. Sadly, I still have a long way to go.

When I don't show any sign of moving out from my position, June exhales a sigh and drags himself to take the seat across me like he has no choice but to keep me company.

It's quiet for the time being, the flickering of pages as the only sound engulfing us. So far, I've come across spells and curses as the stem of what could be happening. But unfortunately, they're not enough for me to make a conclusion.

It's already been a year since Elka's left and the Parker's have been moving on with life like they didn't just lose their son's mate. I gave up trying to remind them and resolved to doing things on my own.

Time's ticking by and with every passing second, tension fills the room. I feel like I'm closer to finding my answers but at the same time, those answers drift further away.

I'm exhausted, worried and mad. This mixed emotions can bring me downhill if I'm not careful. I dig my fingers into my hair and tug tightly.

It's not in this book.

Im probably looking at the wrong place.

After a few minutes of silence, June eventually exhales loudly and speaks up.

"I was planning to keep it in until she returns but you leave me no choice."

The air around me suddenly goes stiff. I look up at him, confused. "What?"

He shows hesitancy by bringing the bottom of his lips between his teeth. Now that I think about it, amongst all of us, June's the only one who appeared unaffected by what's happening. Even Jace and the rest of Abel's friends showed some type of concern when I brought it up.

"It's more common than you think." He hesitates once more.

I stare at him in utter disbelief. I think I know where this is going. The times I've been struggling to figure out what's wrong, June knew all along. Yet he chose to turn a blind eye.

I'm losing my patience. "You better stop beating behind the bush and tell me everything you know or I swear to god you'll leave this place with a broken bone."