*Tak*
The sound of the lamp being turned comes from the switch, and the room turns dim, the darkness kept at bay only by the little glows from the small soft lamp we have decorated the room with. I don't dispute the curfew time, and put the book I was reading down after updating the bookmark's position.
Liz moves the blanket to cover her legs but also mine, and I turn around to hug her, like usual, like I have become used to.
"Goodnight, sis."
I fall silent and close my eyes while expecting a response, after which I will wait for sleep to claim me, but after a while feeling Liz breathe and her heart beat, I hear words that make me pause.
"Max, I heard that something happened at school today?"
My heart skips a beat, and I panic for a moment, with my arms tightening around Liz.
She pats me slowly to placate me, and it is only then that my mind comes back online. I take a deep breath, think for a second, then furrow my brows, anger and dissatisfaction swirling in my chest. But before dealing with those, focus on Liz to feel any reaction coming from her.
"Sis, the principal called you, didn't he?"
"Yes, he did. I suppose you asked him not to, because he only called after dealing with everything."
I remain silent for a moment, then explain:
"I didn't want to bother you."
"Even though you want me to rest, you can't expect to keep me away from everything. You should have at least let me know, at least."
"I–"
"Even if you can take care of everything on your own."
I try to speak again, but in the end, close my mouth, and fall silent. I say nothing more, simply resting on her soft chest as she starts to stroke my head. I know that if I were in Liz's place, I would say the same thing. I would not want to be left ignorant of things concerning her, whether I can help or not, whether I can take the trouble for her or not. I just didn't want to worry her, much less make her take a trip to the school for a matter actually so asinine.
For a second, I regret having been too light with my kick this afternoon, then I put the matter behind me. Opening my mouth
"Today, someone said something I didn't like, and I retaliated a little violently. But I came to an agreement with the principal, so there will be no trouble. If something happens again next time, I will not hide from you."
Liz says nothing at first. She hugs me, and lowers her chin onto my head before speaking softly:
"I know, Max. I know that you just want to deal with what you can by yourself. Being strong is good, but just try not to be strong alone. It is not good to be alone. You still have me."
"Hm."
My soft reply is muffled by the softness of the fleshy pillow, and I keep my eyes closed to keep them from stinging.
As I tighten my hold on Liz, I feel her smile above me, and change the subject with a lighter tone:
"I heard about how you dealt with the matter today."
Before I can feel apprehensive at Liz's opinion on how I put my own future on the line, I hear her continue, her tone upbeat:
"I have to say, I am proud of you."
Before I can feel surprised, she continues:
"You had the capital and you put it on the line to make the balance tilt in your favor. However, though you have done well, and I don't have to worry about you being bullied and unable to protect yourself outside, I hope you will throw all your cards out as rarely as possible. Never bet too high, always leave a path for yourself, and always live while preparing for a good future. Can you promise me that?"
The embarrassment that had started creeping up with Liz's compliments recede, and I feel warm in my chest. Thinking about it, I had indeed been a little impulsive, and I had vented more than the anger of what happened today when I threw that kick. Fortunately, the negativity swirling in my chest has lightened considerably over time.
I let out a big smile Liz can feel through the contact of my cheek with her breasts, and nods:
"I promise, sis."
"Alright, now let's sleep. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, sis."
The next day, at school, the first thing I hear, or read, or receive… Whatever the case, the most attention-grabbing matter of the day is what happened yesterday, and it has become the talk of the whole school, making me famous again, this time, not for the accident that turned ma an orphan, not for a degenerate pervert of a teacher, not for my beauty or my legs either.
If any event is a bit similar, it would be what I did the first day or so of the school year. Thinking about that, a smile threatens to break on my calm face. I seem to not have seen in a long time the boyfriend I accepted last year to have a try at what everyone else my age was trying.
"Max! You are here!"
I meet Emmie at the corridor connected to the restroom, and feel the dampness of her hands when she runs over to latch onto my arms.
I smile, finally having something to focus my attention on apart from the glances I am receiving and the thoughts that are painting me into a bully, a witch, a pervert, and in some minds, a nutcracker.
"Emmie, you came early today."
Usually, she is the kind to take her time even though she can't really be called lazy. But for her to have stepped into the school grounds so early when there is still half an hour or so to the start of the classes, I smile, then feel warm inside.
"Max, you will never guess what happened!"
The loud whisper makes me turn over in amusement.
"So, what happened?"