Everything is peaceful—until near three in the morning.
A sudden BANG! shakes the room, echoing like an earthquake approaching, shaking Skylar awake. The room is pitch dark, not a single ray of light. Her mind instantly transports her back to mornings when her father drags her out of bed, all in the name of his twisted whims.
Her whole body freezes, shivering in waves. Cold sweat pours down her hands and forehead like waterfalls. Slowly, she forces herself to calm down, reminding herself that she isn't at home anymore – no longer trapped under the same roof as those two demons.
After a few minutes, Skylar finally regains some composure. She reaches for her small phone, fumbling around. But after several tries, it's nowhere to be found. Carefully, she climbs down from the bed.
Her foot lands on something soft yet uneven. She pauses. What is this? It feels squishy in some spots, firm in others. Has something like this been in her room all along?
As she tries to figure it out, her foot continues pressing on it. Suddenly, a faint groan escapes.
"Uhm…"
Skylar jumps. She loses her balance and falls backward. Yet somehow… she doesn't hit the floor. It's as if she lands on something. And then it clicks.
It is—an arm!
Her mind lights up. But before she can react, another groan, louder this time and more pained, comes from the "thing" under her feet. Skylar scrambles back, banging her head against the wardrobe.
Thud!
She instinctively grabs the source of the sound, though she isn't sure why.
"What's all the commotion?" Julian's quiet voice comes from the darkness.
Skylar crawls over to him, patting him gently. "It's okay. Go back to sleep."
Gradually, Julian drifts off again under her hurried "lullaby." Skylar exhales in relief, slowly standing up to find the light switch.
She flicks it on—and freezes.
There, on the floor, is Julian. His legs sprawl in opposite directions, one on the bed, one dangling off. His arms stretch out like wings mid-flight. Even a droplet of saliva clings to the corner of his mouth. The bed and blanket are tossed around, leaving him in a perfectly imperfect state. The once immaculate image of the cold, handsome young man is completely destroyed.
Skylar's eyes gleam with mischief. She tiptoes over to her side of the bed, retrieving her phone from under her pillow. A wicked smile curves her lips. She switches to camera mode, adjusting angles to capture Julian at his worst—but also can't resist snapping a few "perfect" shots.
Click! Click! Click!
In moments, she has a collection of both embarrassing and stunning photos. She mutters to herself: Hmph… Even sleeping isn't as elegant as I imagined for a rich young master.
Mission accomplished, she tucks the "treasures" back and turns to Julian, still asleep on the floor. With a sigh, she grabs his hand and pulls him back onto the bed.
Ugh! He's so heavy! – Skylar thinks, struggling.
"Uhm…" another soft groan escapes. She flinches and lets go reflexively.
Thud!
Julian lands on the bed, his shirt shifting to reveal his toned muscles, fair skin gleaming in the morning light. Everything is perfect. Skylar can't resist taking a few more photos for "blackmail" purposes.
Perfect! Absolutely perfect!
After rearranging blankets and pillows…
"What time is it now?" Skylar mumbles to herself.
Outside, the eastern sky begins to glow. Glancing at the wall clock, she gasps. "Oh no! Almost four!"
Skylar turns to Julian, her expression a mix of mock anger and glee. She pinches his cheek, scolding, "You… ruin my sleep! I'm pinching you, I'm pinching you, I'm pinching you!!!"
Satisfied, she puts her phone away. Julian's left cheek is red from her excessive pinching. She even takes a few photos for later "leverage." Then she turns off the light, climbs into bed, and drifts off again…
Ring! Ring! Ring!
The alarm blares. Morning sunlight streams onto Skylar's face, enhancing her natural beauty. Long, curled lashes. Slightly open eyes. A small, delicate nose. Pale lips now gradually pinking. Her figure curves like soft fabric, completing a breathtaking picture.
Unnoticed, Julian stands there, staring, his eyes wide, lips moving slightly as if to speak. He quickly snaps a photo before slipping the phone back into his pocket.
"Sky Baby," Julian shakes her gently. "Time to wake up. It's six. You don't want to be late, right?"
Skylar stirs, frowning, sweat beading her forehead. "Mom… Dad… I know my mistake… Please don't—"
Julian leans closer, trying to hear her murmur. Seeing her clenching her fists in self-harm, he quickly frees her hands, covers her with a blanket, and coaxes her awake.
In her dream, she is dragged away by her parents, snatched from the "happiness" she has so desperately built.
"Mom! Dad! I know my mistake… Please don't take me away! Or… maybe… we could—"
Slap!
Her mother, dressed in a prison-like outfit, shrieks. "Ungrateful! What sin brings me a child like you! Why do you have happiness while we suffer in this prison?!"
Skylar struggles, her small wrists nearly crushed, but the pain of the dream can't compare to the despair of losing her precious "safe space."
Suddenly, a voice calls out.
"Skylar! Wake up! It's just a nightmare! Can't you fight it off?"
The voice comes from "outside"—low but filled with concern. Skylar summons her strength, breaking free and lunging toward it. Her parents chase but are blocked by an invisible wall, as if some force protects her, letting her escape while the two rage behind.
A white light tears through the darkness. Skylar's body is pulled upward, weightless, leaving the screams behind.
"Skylar! Wake up!"
Her chest jolts. She bolts upright, heart racing, sweat soaking her forehead. The morning sun shines through the window. Everything is just her familiar room. No hands gripping her, no horrifying screams.
She rubs her left wrist, still aching from the dream, and murmurs. "Just a dream… but why does it feel so real?"
"Up already? Feeling better? Here, drink this." Julian hands her a warm cup of water and tosses a towel.
Skylar pauses, then smiles. "Thanks… for not calling me a nuisance."
Julian looks away, grumbling: "Alright, hurry up. Wash up and change. I'm waiting."
After fifteen minutes of preparation…
"6:30 now… what should we eat? No time for breakfast." Skylar mutters.
Julian points to the convenience store below the dorm. "Go there."
They step out together, chatting as the morning sunlight warms them.
At the store, they find Nathan smoking. Spotting them, he quickly stubs out the cigarette. Skylar runs up to him cheerfully.
"Nathan! Feeling down? Don't worry, I'll give you a candy to cheer you up! When I was little, classmates said their parents give them candy when they are sad. I try it—it's really sweet!"
Nathan smiles faintly, touched by her innocence. "No need. I'm fine. You two here for breakfast?"
Julian nods. Nathan asks Skylar, "The phone I gave you—working okay?"
"Perfect!" she replies, grinning, then leans close to whisper, "I want to show you what I 'work on' last night. You'll be surprised!"
She winks at him and pulls Julian into the store.
The wind ruffles her hair; Julian helps untangle it while scolding, "Too long and messy!"
"I know, it's natural," she shrugs.
Inside, Skylar asks, "What do you want to eat, young master?"
"Sandwich and soy milk," Julian replies, still helping with her hair.
"Got it!"
But as Skylar takes a big step, Julian's hand tugs her hair, and she yelps loudly, "AAAAAHHH!!!", startling everyone. She points accusingly at Julian.
"Who told you to pull my hair!" she huffs.
Julian laughs, covering his mouth. "You didn't warn me. I'm helping untangle it."
Skylar gives up, walks to the counter, and tells him to wait outside.
After five minutes, she returns with the food.
"Here's yours!"
Julian accepts it. "Let's go."
"Wait!" she calls.
As they walk, Julian asks, "What's in there?"
Skylar pauses, clutching her food carefully. "Sandwich and oat milk, check."
"Good?"
"Delicious!" she replies. Julian smiles faintly, still with his usual calm edge.
"Oh… delicious," Julian relented, but his eyes still held a characteristic coldness.
At class, Sunny groans dramatically. "Haiz… only now in class, and there you are, Little angel."
Skylar grabs her books. "Sorry, I buy cherry mochi to make up for it."
Sunny's eyes light up. "Promise me we eat together!" She raises her pinky.
Skylar laughs. "Alright, you kid."
Sunny leans in and whispers seriously. "First biology test today! Study yet?"
Skylar freezes. "Relax… why so dramatic?"
Sunny puffs up, indignant. "It's serious!"
Skylar smirks, glances at Julian, and exchanges a subtle glance—plan in motion. Julian notices, smiles lightly, nodding. Sunny, curious, pulls out a magnifying glass.
"What's going on with you two?" she asks.
Skylar casually replies, "Wait a few days. You'll see."