Uncharted: Crossing The Lines

Chapter 2 – No way in hell

“Explain this to me, RIGHT NOW! Why three subjects? If you are delayed in graduation, you will have trouble looking for a job!”

“Mom—”

“This is what I’m talking about! I told you to focus on your studies! I knew it, I shouldn’t have given you too much freedom!”

I just sighed. My mom won’t stop lecturing me. I’m doomed.

“I hope you know what this will result into,” she said, looking at me.

“Yes…a curfew?”

“Just finish your studies and come home on time. I won’t tie you to a curfew knowing the weight of your degree, but no more clubbing or parties.”

Great. Just great.

“There’s food on the table, just reheat it. I will go to sleep now. Good night,” She kissed me on my forehead.

I am 22, but I can’t move out because of how fully-loaded my degree is. It stops me from having the time or energy for any part-time jobs. I’m sorry, mom.

While sitting down in the dining room, eating alone, I saw something in this once-full-of-joy area of ours. The table is a rectangle with six chairs. I sit beside my brother, and on his right is our dad, while our mom is in front of him.

Everyone is laughing and exchanging stories. That was four years ago too. I don’t know what exactly happened between him and our mom, but he just…left. Nobody knows. My mom doesn’t tell us, even if we pressed her for answers.

After I become a successful surgeon, will I be able to meet him again? No. I should be. That’s the only way…I think.

I looked over my grades again. This sucks...I need to take summer classes next week…I also have to do an internship.

THIS AIN’T SUMMER AT ALL!

“Ha…it’s been a long day.”

I WAS WOKEN UP by my mom nagging me. It’s 5:30 in the morning. Start of our summer vacation.

“Ugh…I told you mom. I don’t have school today…until August.” I rolled onto my bed and buried myself in my blanket.

“All the more reason for you to get your ass up and make yourself useful. Clean the house, someone’s coming over later. You better be good,” she just walked away, leaving me.

Whatever…I’m tired.

“What’s that smell?” I opened my eyes and sat up on my bed. s**t! It’s already 11 a.m.! But why is there a sweet smell?

Oh my God.

I quickly ran down the stairs.

My feet became so frozen that I had to hold tightly onto the railings after seeing the sight before me.

By the door, there are several bags. Two suitcases and one duffle bag.

What is all this?

It can’t be mom’s…she just went out to work.

“Don’t run around, Noelle. Come,” a voice from the kitchen…

“AH! What the hell are you doing here?” Despite his warning, I ran over to him. Only the island countertop separates us.

“I told you not to run. Here, I can’t believe you haven’t eaten anything for the past few hours. Mom said she woke you up early.” He put a newly cooked pancake on a plate in front of me. I sat down on one of the stools facing the countertop.

“I told YOU to stop ordering me around.”

He didn’t mind me too much and continued to stand on the kitchen counter, whisking some batter until it became perfectly smooth. While the pancake was sizzling in the pan, its sweet aroma filled the room.

Aki, wearing mom’s pink apron on top of his gray button-up shirt, sleeves-rolled up shows a stark contrast.

He faced me again and smiled as he gracefully flipped another pancake onto the plate. I am speechless as the whole scenario unfolds in front of me. He continued to drizzle the pancakes with honey after adding the butter.

“There you go, just like how you always wanted it.”

“Why are you doing this and why are you here?” I managed to blurt out after being dazed, as the same scenario used to be something normal between us before.

He was about to sit down on a stool beside me when I stopped him with my hands, motioning for him to get back.

“Sit there on the dining chair.”

He just did it anyway and looked at me.

“Noelle. I don’t mind it if you act like this, but since we will be together now, I don’t think you should continue like this,” He took a bite of his pancake after saying that.

WAIT WHAT.

“Excuse me??”

“I would appreciate it if you would act normally around our mom, just like whenever I’m here on occasion. That way, she won’t suspect a thing.”

Huh? And why would I need to do that…

“I see. Mom hasn’t told you yet? She asked for my help to supervise your study sessions—”

“NO. No, no, no. I don’t need your help! And why do you make it sound like what happened was not a big deal? For me to just act like nothing happened while you’re here?” I exhaled sharply.

“Calm down, Noelle. It's a big deal for me, of course. I’m your brother. All I want is to help you too.”

He walked to the sink to put our dishes away. Now he’s walking towards me. Again.

“W-what…”

“I know you hate me, and I don’t blame you at all, but please remember, we’re both victims. We need to help each other out. I want to help you.” His eyes softened, showing a genuine sense of concern. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his lips formed a gentle, reassuring smile.

Is he doing this to relieve himself of guilt? Because he’s older, the responsibility is his?

“Whatever. I’m not going to let you ‘supervise’ me or anything.” I stood up from the stool and walked upstairs. I need to prepare for my summer classes next week. I have to apply now.

“Noelle!”

I ignored him and locked the door to my room.

I can’t trust him. I can’t trust myself either.

“Ah…shit.” I jumped on my bed.

I can’t and won’t ever live with him again. I don’t know how I can convince mom but this is really unnecessary. I thought we were good last night…now I am being required to be under my brother’s watch?

He’s even worse!

For sure, he would limit me to a lot of things. That’s just the way he is. He is overly protective for no reason too.

“Is your brother here?”

I smiled at him.

“Don’t worry, he’s out with his ‘girlfriends’ haha”

“Good. I am kinda scared of him. He acts like he is your father.”

“He’s just jealous because he can’t choose from his girls,” I said to reassure him. Theo, the unexpected suitor in my life.

A knock from outside my door erupted.

“I’m just letting you know that mom is coming home earlier, she texted.”

“…”

“Uh…if you’re listening, you know that we should act normally in front of mom, alright?”

I pulled out my pillow and threw it at the door.

“I DON’T NEED YOU TELLING ME HOW TO DO THINGS!”

He didn’t answer, and I heard footsteps walking away.

“Argh!” I shouted as I punched my pillows.

There’s no way in hell that I can live with him again. Things are different now…

I answered my phone after hearing it ring.

“Hey girlll, you wanna hang out?” a man’s voice? Who might this be?

“Who are you…?”

“It’s Jason, from my 5th-year Architecture major. I saw you in one of the school labs and you gave me your number, right? Did I call at the wrong time?”

Ah…when I was doing my med tech laboratory subjects…

I saw my failed grades flashing before my eyes.

No…I can’t even play around now…

I opened my door quietly and looked around in search of Aki. It’s silent…well he was wearing his outside clothes a while ago so he probably went to work.

I think I can squeeze out one last time of fun before mom comes home…I need this to have the energy for later’s argument!

I quickly changed my clothes and now I’m wearing a white mini dress with a V-neckline. I grabbed my small, rectangular silver purse. Of course, can’t miss the money!

“God…I forgot it’s summer now so I only have enough money to last me…I can’t ask mom now.”

I stashed my remaining money in my purse and proceeded to walk out of my room. As I walk on our wooden floors, the click of my beige, low-wedge shoes on the floors is echoing throughout our house. Four years ago, whenever we were going out, everyone rushed out to the car, so the house is filled with different rants, lectures, and excitement.

“Ha…” I looked in the mirror one last time. My black, wavy hair is curled to the side. Now I’m ready to go. To be honest, I don’t know what I’m going to do with this Jason guy, I just wanna have fun before burying myself with studies.

As I closed the main door and walked to our garden, I looked around again. Good. I think he really went out to work. His stuff is probably in his old room now.

Anyway, I prepared to text Jason to pick me up when, all of a sudden, my phone was snatched from my hand?!

“HEY WHAT THE?”

I turned around only to see Aki holding my phone up.

“Where are you going with that outfit? It’s midday, Noelle! I mean, you look great—but!” He massaged his temple while the other hand is holding my phone.

“Why do you care? Give me back my phone!” I tried to get it from him but he’s so tall!

“No one’s going out. Go back inside. Mom told me you’re not allowed to go out and party.”

WHAT. HE CAN’T DO THIS TO ME!

“I didn’t agree to be under your supervision! Give me back my stuff,” I tried to reach for my phone but he’s not budging.

“Mom said you’re not allowed to go out.” He turned his head to the side, not meeting my eyes.

“NO! I don’t care, just don’t snitch on me!” I’m still trying to reach for my phone, even tiptoeing on my wedged heels. While Aki is just standing there. My height only reaches his shoulders after all…

WHY DIDN’T I GET THAT GENES OF HIS?

“Stop it, Noelle. I’ll give you your phone back if you will go upstairs and change your clothes.” He started to walk away from me.

“Hey! Why are you here anyway? You should be out to work, right?!” I shouted as I followed him to the living room.

He sat down on the sofa and put my phone into his pocket, then grabbed a piece of paper from a folder on the coffee table. WHAT THE HELL…

I walked up to him.

“Stop acting like a child and give me my phone. You’re wasting my time!”

“Good, that means I’m doing my job,” he just looks at the bulk of the paper he’s now reading.

I leaned down to level my face with his, “Alright, alright. You win. I’ll stay, just give me my phone, Aki—” he suddenly pushed the paper into my chest!

“What…”

“Noelle…you should be conscious of how you’re acting according to your clothes…be mindful please.” He turned his face to the side.

HUH? What is his problem now…

I looked at my dress. s**t. I forgot I’m wearing a V-neckline.

An awkward silence enveloped the living area. Nobody even bothered to move. I’m just standing there in front of him, while he sits on the sofa, his head facing the windows on the side.

I looked at the paper he gave me.

HOLD ON WAIT A MINUTE…

“Is…is this my school?” I asked, not removing my eyes from the paper. It is an application form for professors. APPLICATION FORM FOR MY UNIVERSITY.

“Yes. That’s why I’m not outside, I’m planning to work at your university. OUR university,” he said, still not looking at me.

“No…you did not.”

I sat down on the sofa, still maintaining a distance from him.

“Aki, what the hell is this—"

“Hello everyone! Oh, what happened? Welcome home, Aki!” it’s my mom!

I stood up and quickly walked up to her.

“Why is he here, mom?!”

“Well, you needed help, that’s why. Also, don’t you miss your brother? He won’t only be coming over the holidays!”

I DON’T LIKE THIS MOM!

“Noelle…” Aki mumbled as he walked towards us and is now at my back.

I looked at him and rolled my eyes.

“I-I do…but! Wouldn’t it be a hassle if he needed to change his workplace just to help me? I wouldn’t want to trouble my brother too much…” I sarcastically said as I looked at Aki.

Heh, take that s**t.

“No, it’s fine. Actually, it’s beneficial for me too, since the university is my alma mater, right mom?” he smiled at our mom.

WHAT THE HELL?

“Right...Then that solves things! You’re going to be with your brother here, Noelle. Be good. I will be busy at work most of the time so you two will be left here alone. I’ll run you the instructions, Aki.” Mom then spoke with Aki about all the rules at home. It’s not like he didn’t use to live here…

Shit! My phone—oh.

Without looking away from my mother, Aki waved my phone, signaling me to get it.

I still don’t like how this is going.