Days passed.
Eric's life only grew heavier.
Every time he came home with a low grade, his mother's temper worsened.
How could he not get low grades?
He barely ate.
He couldn't study at home because of the constant fear.
And he couldn't study at school because his body ached from the previous night's beatings.
But even through all of that, there was one part of his day that felt like sunlight—
Justin.
Justin treated him like he was someone important.
Someone worth holding, worth protecting.
Someone who mattered.
Today, Eric waited outside the classroom, eyes shining expectantly.
He scanned the corridor again and again.
"Justin… hurry…" 🥰
But instead of Justin, all three cousins arrived together.
Eric's smile faded slightly.
Yes, he liked Justin… but he could never forget his goal.
(A few more days… I'll make him take me to his home. Then… I'll finish what I have to do.)
Lussy, seeing Eric's dead-serious expression, clasped her hands dramatically.
Lussy: "Awww… cute!" 🥰
Eric blinked. Cute?? Me??
He still waited all through the class.
Every time footsteps echoed in the hallway, his heart jumped—
but Justin never came.
By evening, he couldn't control it anymore.
Eric: "Lussy, why didn't Justin come today?!" 😤
His voice cracked a little—more desperation than anger.
Lussy froze.
Lussy: "…Are you… talking to me?"
She clasped her cheeks.
"Oh my god—I'm in heaven." 🥰
Thomas: "…Lussy." 😐
Lussy: "Sorry, sorry." 😅
Emily stepped forward.
Emily: "Actually… he's not well. He won't be able to come until it gets better."
Eric: "What happened?" 🙂
His voice was steady, but inside he felt a strange twist of fear.
Emily sighed.
Emily: "There's this… black thing on his chest."
"When it spreads, the pain is horrible. Justin can't handle it. That's why…"
Eric's breath stopped.
For a moment, his heart felt like it was being crushed by an invisible hand.
A tight, burning ache spread inside him—
a feeling he had never felt for anyone.
💔 💔 💔
He whispered inside his mind:
"Justin… why does it hurt hearing this… why?"
---continue