365 DAYS WITH THE LANCASTER BOYS

PEARL'S POV Dear diary, Today is Mum's death anniversary. I wished she were here to see me win a scholarship for senior year into Lancaster Academy. I hope she is happy and safe up there. Anyways, I should start packing. Lancaster Academy here I comeeeee! ************* "Always be a good girl.Okay?" I couldn't bring myself to look into Fibi's eyes as the words slipped out of my mouth. " Come on, don't act like a grandma." she replied, skipping across the room, before sinking onto the bed. I let the half folded cloth slip from my hand and walked over. Gently, I pulled Fibi onto my lap. " Don't miss me too much." I whispered, gently running my fingers through her silky long hair. She only gave a small nod and turned her face away. I knew that look better than anyone. Fibi had just clocked seven and I was terrified of how she'd cope without me. Dad had already remarried, still caught up in his honeymoon phase. He already reassured me but my heart still wouldn't settle. I cupped her chin and turned her face toward mine. Her eyes were red, tears brimming at its edge. I forced a smile and pressed a kiss to her forehead. She didn't budge, and only kept staring at me. The silence stretched for a few minutes until she finally spoke. " Get me lots of candies when coming back." Her little request stole a hearty laugh from me " Only if you promise to be a good girl." I replied,titling my head playfully. Fibi raised her brows and poked out her tongue. I squinted my eyes, " You little brat." Without warning, I tickled her until her soft laughter filled the room. For a moment, with that sound in my ears, I could almost hear Mum again. I took a final look at Fibi. Her little eyes, small lips, and even her whole face were the exact replica of Mum. If only I could turn back time, I'd have begged God to grant her more years to live. I held her close, memorizing the warmth in her small body in my arms. Because once I stepped into Lancaster academy, everything would change. For me. For her. For us. ***** LANCASTER'S VILLA Ryker's Pov The early morning breeze seeped into my bones, raising goosebumps across my skin. I gently sipped my tea, watching as Bingo ran through the garden. "Come on Bingo."The guard waved his hands trying to call him back.Bingo was just a dog, yet he listens better than most humans. A familiar buzz from my phone dragged me out of my thoughts. I opened it and my face lit up with irritation.Today was resumption and I had completely forgotten about the holiday's project. "Err." I gritted my teeth. " Hey, man!" Collin's jogging toward me, sweat dripping down his forehead. " Are you ready?" He moved in for a friendly pat, but I dodged, eyeing the sweat. Collin's brows furrowed but soon returned to normal. " It's just sweat, not a plague." With a dramatic flair, he brushed his damp hair back. I rolled my eyes.Collins was the most handsome of us cousins and the most unreasonable. " That's Lame." I said, still battling with silent thoughts of the project. " By the way, are you done with your holiday project?" It was a stupid question to ask especially to him but I still hoped for a positive response. Collin looked at me, arms crossed across his chest. He twisted his lips into a smug smile and I almost bit my tongue. " Don't tell me," he dragged the words, You haven't— "Yes or No." I cut him off. I wasn't in the mood for his games. Collin was the youngest of us all. His ways around words irritates me but I still needed to keep my calm. "Yeah it's done. It's one of numerous privileges when you have girls by your side." He said, puffing out his chest. " I guess they are stupid." I scoffed. "Girls aren't stupid." "Yes, they are." "You can't judge them like that." " Apparently, I can." " Girls love with all their heart, you are just jealous because you don't have one." I sighed, " Chill bro, it's not a debate." Collin jabbed a finger on my chest. "One day you fall so hard for a girl that you won't be able to breathe without her" " People who fall in love are stupid." "Is stupidity your favourite word now?" "Well, it suits lovers." I was getting tired of this back and forth with Collins. He just wouldn't succumb to the fact that unconditional love doesn't exist. He was obsessed with love, thanks to his parents being the so-called ideal couples. I couldn't care less. I adjusted my face cap and rolled down my sleeves. My gaze fell on Bingo who was curled up, fast asleep. " See, I nudged my chin toward him. "Even dogs know when to rest." Collin opened his mouth but no words came out.He scoffed and bit his lower lip. I smiled in victory. " I should get going. Wouldn't want to get scolded by teacher Simpson." " Love is everything!" Collin shouted after me. I raised my middle finger without looking back. But as I walked into the house, a dread crawled down my spine. Dad was returning home tomorrow. I couldn't let this project spark another argument on who was the better parent. Lancaster Academy was our family's legacy and we four cousin brothers were responsible for its reputation. Each one of us had flaws, but I was best at hiding mine. This was only because of Dad's condition. " Either become the perfect Lancaster or...he had paused, " You know the consequences." His words still haunted me even in my sleep. I glanced across the villa, jealousy prickling my chest, as I thought of my cousin's perfect family. They worried less and lived their dream life. My phone buzzed again–the driver signalling that it was time to go. I inhaled sharply, mentally drafting a miracle plan to finish a one month's project in three days.