We Are

Chapter 5

Kevin! You can’t shout. This is a library, you know!" Diana scolded, annoyed by her former middle school friend’s sudden loud voice. They were now in different classes. Diana wasn’t actually close to Kevin, but he always seemed to approach her—or at least, that’s what she thought.

It wasn’t that she was unaware of Kevin’s feelings for her. She just happened to like someone else and still did to this day.

"What are you reading?" Kevin asked, completely unbothered.

Diana sighed. "Can’t you see? I’m reading a book."

Kevin pouted. "I know you’re reading a book. I meant, what book are you reading?" he pressed on, refusing to back down despite Diana’s cold tone.

"Here, read it yourself!" Diana showed him the book cover. She hadn’t meant to be harsh, but she was still annoyed by how he had startled her earlier. It had put her in a bad mood.

If Kevin had approached her more calmly, Diana would have treated him as she normally did.

Across the table, Revan observed their interaction. Kevin was his classmate. He also knew that Kevin was the one who always looked at him with discontent in class. Kevin was the only one who did.

"Diana, why is he sitting with you?" Kevin asked, pointing at Revan.

"Is this your table? Everyone has the right to sit here," Diana replied, growing even more irritated by his questions.

"Can you stop asking so many questions? You’re so annoying," Diana snapped.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. I’m annoying," Kevin finally shut his mouth but continued to glare at Revan.

A sudden clearing of the throat interrupted them, drawing Kevin’s attention to a girl standing at the side of the table. Diana and Revan also turned to look. The girl had successfully captured their attention.

"Excuse me, may I sit here?" the girl asked with a smile.

"Lily? Do you really want to sit here, or is it because someone you like is sitting here?" Kevin teased. Lily was a classmate of both Revan and Kevin. He knew her true intentions very well.

So did Revan and Diana, though they hadn’t expected Kevin to say it out loud. Diana sighed. This is just how Kevin is, she thought, recalling his blunt nature.

Lily smiled awkwardly, clearly embarrassed and annoyed by Kevin’s words. Diana decided to answer instead, inviting Lily to join them.

That didn’t sit well with either Kevin or Revan.

"What?" Diana snapped at them.

She noticed their disapproving stares and was not pleased. Kevin, you’re just like her! she thought, realizing that Kevin was here for the same reason as Lily—because he liked someone at the table.

Both of them hesitated to respond.

"At least Lily had the courtesy to ask before sitting down, unlike you two," Diana remarked pointedly.

That shut them up. Meanwhile, Diana smiled at Lily.

Diana didn’t want to make an enemy out of Lily. She had noticed how Lily and the other fan girls had looked at her when Revan sat down beside her.

I’d rather stay out of unnecessary trouble, Diana thought. She was perceptive of her surroundings.

The four of them spent the rest of the break together, with Lily trying to make conversation with Revan—only to receive short and indifferent responses.

Meanwhile, Kevin wouldn’t stop talking to Diana.

After several minutes of failing to focus on her book due to Kevin’s chatter, Diana finally silenced him with a sharp glare.

*****

"I’m home!" Kevin called out as he opened the door.

"Welcome back, big bro!" a nine-year-old boy greeted him.

"Edward, where is everyone?" Kevin asked the boy.

"Some are doing homework in their rooms, some are taking a bath, and some are cleaning up. I happened to be cleaning when you arrived," Edward explained.

Kevin nodded. "Alright, carry on. I’m heading out again after changing clothes."

"Are you going to work again?" Edward asked.

"Hmm. And I’ll be eating dinner outside, so let Jessie know not to make extra food," Kevin said as he patted Edward’s head. The boy nodded.

"Don’t come home too late," Edward reminded him.

"I know, I won’t."

Kevin understood what Edward meant. They had to wake up early every morning to bake bread before selling it.

*****

"You’re so slow," Revan said, taking a seat in the passenger seat after getting into the car and shutting the door.

"Sorry. You must’ve waited long," the driver replied as he started the car. His name was Valen.

Revan only grunted in response and turned to look out the window.

By chance, his eyes landed on Kevin, who was riding a motorcycle while wearing a pizza delivery uniform.

Is that him? Revan wondered, feeling uncertain.

"Revan, there’s something I need to tell you," Valen suddenly spoke. He kept his focus on the road ahead.

Revan grunted again, his usual response.

Valen sighed.

"Dad’s back home," he said.

Silence.

Revan didn’t respond. Not even a grunt.

*****

Diana helped clean up the restaurant where she worked after closing time. Meanwhile, her coworkers were getting ready to leave.

She went to see the manager to return the front door key, then changed out of her work uniform and back into her school uniform before leaving through the back door. The manager would lock up after her.

Diana always rode her bicycle home.

On the way, she spotted two familiar figures.

What are they doing? she wondered, squinting her eyes as she approached, closing the distance between them.

Suddenly, her eyes widened.

She murmured, "Oh no, are they about to fight?"

*****

Revan sat alone at the bus stop, staring blankly at the road.

Since leaving home after school, he had spent his time wandering around—from visiting a bookstore to stopping by a café for dinner and then strolling along the sidewalks lined with shops.

It was now eleven at night. Time to head home.

So far, he had been the only one at the bus stop.

Until someone arrived.

"You?! What are you doing here?" the person exclaimed.

Lost in thought, Revan immediately felt annoyed. He had no choice but to look at the speaker—because he knew there was no one else there.

"This is a public place. I doubt you’re stupid enough to ask something so pointless," Revan said, irritation growing.

"What?! You’re so arrogant!"

"Mind your own business!"

His already troubled mind felt even more chaotic now.

*****