21 Days

IV: Thorns and Roses

                2 weeks has passed by before their eyes and the situation hasn’t gotten any better. Everyone was getting weak due to hunger. They’ve been living the remaining days with drinking tap water which, luckily hasn’t been contaminated yet.

                Ethan has lost his cool. He’s been quiet for a while now and all he’s doing was polishing his arrows in a corner. He was giving off the aura that says Don’t come of I’ll kill you and because of that, no one has been approaching him. Jay on the other hand was impressed by the change in Ethan’s behavior. The other day, he’s the coolest person with the most confidence yet now, he’s the only person sulking.

                The atmosphere in that place wasn’t any better. Sunny had lost his bright smile in the middle of waiting and he would be heard sobbing and sniffling by himself when no one was paying attention. Jean had been exercising nonstop and practicing his taekwondo skills when he has the strength to do so and what emotion left on his face was that of anguish. Jake meanwhile never failed to write on his leather notebook about what’s happening on the daily basis. He thought this experience could help them in the future or in worst case scenario, what they experienced could be seen by people who would manage to survive the apocalypse.

                Jay was impatient but he only sat on the floor, leaning on the cold walls of the room. He only moves when he feels the thirst and hunger. He never conversed with anyone since the day they had a misunderstanding. Jay wanted to execute the plan he had with Jake before but Ethan refused. It has been three days that the whole room was filled with eerie silence.

                “No. I’m not risking my life out there. And these two.” He said pointing at Jean and Sunny. Ethan was their senior. Both Jean and Sunny were still sophomores.

                “Don’t treat us like we’re kids.” Jean insisted. He was one of the people that supports Jay idea of leaving that place but because of Ethan, they won’t be able to do it.

 “Sure we’re a year behind but that doesn’t mean that we’re not capable of doing anything.” Jean followed.

                It was Jean’s first time speaking up and Ethan watched in disbelief. For Jean, he’s done being treated like a kid by Ethan. It’s been like that since they got stuck with him and though he understands that it was just Ethan’s protective instinct, he just can’t forever rely on Ethan just because he’s older.

                “What are you saying? I’m doing this so I could give you a chance.” Ethan explained. “If only we wait for help—“

                “How are we supposed to get help in this situation? The lines are dead, the internet was broken and the whole damn of the universe is in chaos. How do you expect small peas like us to get help from them?” Jay said angrily. “All we have to do is try our luck outside and—“

                “And die?!” Ethan was also angry. He was staring at Jay’s eyes with rage and Jay was not backing out.

                Ethan heaved a sigh and with a sarcastic smile threw some harsh words on Jay’s end.

                “You see… If you think you’re strong enough or whatever your ego says so, just do it. If you’re confident enough then go alone. Do not involve us. Just remember this time no one will save your ass, not even your father could save you.” Ethan said with a half and mocking smile.

                Jay’s brow creased, his fist clenching tightly and Ethan saw it.

                “What? You’re going to deal this with fists? That’s what you’re good at after all—“

                Jake was busy with writing but he was listening with their conversation. He doesn’t really plan on getting involved with the other’s argument but he thought Ethan was out of line. Jake closed his notebook and walked on the direction where Ethan and Jay were having a heated argument. He stopped and came to face Ethan in Jay’s defense.

                “What is this?” Ethan said coldly.

                “No. You two need to calm down.” Jake said blankly.

                “Why are you making this your business? And why are you siding with that prick?” Ethan frowned.

                “Look.. Ethan… This argument is not really necessary. We could talk it out and—“ It was Sunny this time.

                “THAT’S WHAT I’M TRYING TO DO!” Ethan yelled. The sound of his voice echoing the room where they’re at. Sunny flinched when he heard him and seeing this pained Ethan.

                “Sorry.” He muttered and left the room, leaving only the four of them.

                Once Ethan was gone, Jay finally snapped. He threw hands in the air and kicked whatever was around him. He’s just that frustrated. It was his first time meeting someone who doesn’t want to obey him. What more, his pride has been tarnished. He’s used to deal problems with a fight but Jake—Jake just interrupted. Now, his eyes were looking for Jake. And he found Jake looking at him. Jake, of course knows where this is going.

                “Come with me for a while.” Jay said with clenched teeth and Jake followed.

                “Will you be alright?” Sunny asked and Jake nodded with a smile. 

--

                Jake followed Jay to the end of the hallway. His gaze was fiery and filled with rage. His fists were clenched and in usual school scenario, Jay would have beaten Jake to death for interrupting. Usually, Jake won’t do anything but since there were no more rules in this world, he has no fears.

                “What? You wanna fight?” Jake asked raising a brow.

                “You shit.” Jay cursed and threw a fist on Jake who managed to dodge it.  

                “I just don’t fight back so I don’t get suspended but this time is different. I’ve endured those years wanting to beat the s**t out of you.” Jake said angrily as he kicked Jay’s leg.

                Jay groaned in pain and the exchange of fist continued. Jay managed to punch Jake in the stomach and Jake threw his elbow on Jay’s face, hitting his lips causing it to bleed. This caused Jay to get angrier, he pushed Jake and they both fell on the ground. Jake was pushing Jay’s face away, scratching it while Jay did the same.  

                “You’re not bad but I won’t lose to you.” Jay smirked as he threw another punch on Jake’s face causing Jake’s nose to bleed. He groaned in pain and in anger, he kneeled Jay in the stomach causing Jay to fall on his knees and curl his body in pain.

                “You better know that I’m no wimp.” Jake said wiping the blood on his nose and he left Jay alone to suffer. Just as he arrived at the room where Jean and Sunny was, he fell with his face first on the floor. He heard both Jean and Sunny’s muffled voices before he disappeared from consciousness.  

                He only woke up when evening came and dinner was being prepared. Sunny has been taking good care of him and Jean was the one doing the cooking. Ethan was in the room, polishing his arrow and Jay was in one corner, leaning on the wall. That scenario remained for three days, except they weren’t able to eat anymore because they don’t have the supplies.

                When Jean and Sunny finally can’t tolerate the situation, they decided to stand up and try to reconcile the small group.  

                “Why are they so full of pride?” Sunny whispered.

                “We’re not going to die of being devoured; we’re going to die hungry instead.” Jean sounded frustrated.

                “Then… What are we going to do?” Sunny asked.

                “How about you talk to Ethan and I talk to Jake?” Jean asked.

                “How about Jay?” Sunny asked.

                “We can leave him later.” Jean scratched his head and they went and attempted to revive the group.

                Sunny walked to Ethan and despite the intimidating aura lingering around Ethan, just a pat from Sunny’s hand made Ethan’s concentration disappear. He stopped polishing his arrows and at first threw a dirty glare on Sunny but when he realized who it was, he softened up. He just loves his juniors that much.

                “Sunny!!!” Ethan whimpered and like a child grabbed onto Sunny and hugged him tightly. “I’m soryyyyyy”

                “Ah..haha Ethan. Look it is fine.” Sunny assured and Ethan pulled away, still not letting go and looking at Sunny’s face. Sunny thought it was funny and cute at the same time. Their cool leader was making a child-like face.

                “Really?” Ethan said and finally pulled his hands away from Sunny.

                Sunny sat next to him as Ethan continued wiping his bows. It was already sleek clean and shiny and Sunny was impressed.

                “They look dangerous.” Sunny pointed out.

                “You see, they can be a good weapon.” Ethan explained, still sniffling. “There’s still many left in this room, as spares for practices and maybe… just maybe we can use this to protect ourselves… outside.” Ethan said the last word like a whisper.

                Upon hearing this, Sunny’s face brighten up.

                “Really?” Sunny asked and he watches Ethan nod. “Then then… Can you teach me?”

                Ethan looked at him, his eyes hopeful. It was his first time meeting a person wanting to learn from him. Ever since he became a member of the archery club, everyone thinks he was sloppy and can’t handle his arrows straight. He was supposed to graduate last year with the batch that bullied him the most but he took many absences in the middle of semester and he failed the evaluation for graduation. He was repeating the year and since he was the only member left in the archery club, he became the captain. Since he became the captain, he was hopeful that there will be more people joining and he could make a change in the archery club.

                And Sunny was the first person who asked him to teach him about archery.

                It was also Sunny who brought Jean with him at the archery club the first day just to watch how cool Ethan’s form was when he’s aiming. And it was the reason they were stuck together.

                This brought positivity on Ethan’s side and when he thought he won’t be able to recover, Sunny stayed there and like the ball of sunshine he was, he gave light on Ethan’s darkened world. Ethan was touched and this caused him to release more tears. He’s been a crybaby and he just had to wear the confident face since he became the captain. Sunny rubbed Ethan’s back for comfort and with that, Ethan was fine to reconcile once again.

                Once done talking, Sunny invited Ethan to go to where Jake was. He was at the home economics room, which was on the other side and he too was done talking with Jean. When Ethan and Sunny arrived, Jake realized that Jay was being left behind alone in the archery club room and for a while, he was guilty.

                “How about Jay?” Jake asked and everyone was looking at him.

                “You’ve got beaten like that and you still look for him. You’re unbelievable.” Jean chuckled.

                “He’s got the most issue here. He’s a brat.” Ethan said rolling his eyes.

                “I’m sorry.”

                “I’m sorry” Ethan and Jake said in sync.

                Ethan’s face turned red and so were Jake’s and this left Sunny and Jean giggling to themselves.

                “No.. really. I’m sorry. Everyone. I have lost my patience that time, Maybe the noodles’ I’ve absorbed for a week is the one responsible. Sunny I’m really sorry for yelling at you.” Ethan said while chuckling.

                “It’s fine. All we have is each other.” He replied.

                “Just… Excuse me for a while.” Jake said and the three already understood.

                He was on his way to Jay. He too was ready to forgive.

                When he arrived at the dim room where Jay was, Jay’s eyes averted when he’d seen Jake walking near him. Jake sat a few inches next to where Jay sat. He was carrying a bottled water, he found it on one of the kitchen cabinets in the home economics room and kept it with him.

                The bruises on his face hasn’t disappeared, same with Jay whose lips was still busted but was in the process of healing. No one dared to come near Jay when he was in pain maybe because they were scared of Jay. Jake looked at Jay who was obviously not going to speak to him any time soon.

                “Sorry…” Jake said while Jay left him in silence. Knowing that Jay won’t talk any time soon, Jake started saying what was on his mind. He knows that Jay is listening and that he would understand.

                “We’re in a tight situation and not because you think it is a good idea, it will be a good idea. We’re not in the same world where people would save your ass when in danger. It’s just the five of us stuck in here.  It makes no sense risking each other’s life yet without knowing how to defend ourselves. What we need now is cooperation and as a group, we need you.” Jake explained.

                He waited for Jay to respond but he didn’t.

                “I’ll just leave it here for you. It will help with the hunger. Well, maybe” Jake shrugged and Jay watched him walk away from the room.

                Jay looked at whatever Jake left next to him. It was the bottled water, still unopened and the remaining of the mint Jake was keeping. There were like six pieces of it there and Jay went and grabbed it, looked at it and at the ceilings. He’s not weak with emotions but Jake was breaking it.

                It took Jay a few minutes to decide whether to reconcile or just shove it. He sat there quietly with his mind as he held the water bottle and the pack of mint on his hands. He’s not used to getting apologized to sincerely and he thought that it was both painful and relieving.

                So this was the feeling of forgiveness. He thought to himself. Finally he gathered his courage and pushed himself to stand and walk to where the others were. He was lowering his pride and it was a strange feeling.

                As he arrived at the room where everyone was gathered, he was welcomed with smiles and a lot of apologizing to which he’s not used to.

                It was his first time crying.

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