The next morning—
Ronnie didn't wake up because he wanted to.
He woke up because his phone refused to let him live in peace.
Buzz.
Buzz.
Buzz.
He groaned, dragging the blanket over his head.
"…I swear I'm going to block both of them."
His screen lit up again.
Sam: WAKE UP TRAITOR
Jacob: Good morning Ronnie 😊
Sam: DON'T LISTEN TO HIM WAKE UP RIGHT NOW
Ronnie stared at the ceiling, lifeless.
"Why did I give them my number…"
---
Flashback — Last Night
Jacob: hi this is jacob
Jacob: hey Ronnie 😁 this is—
—BRUM—
The one and only SAM
Aka your close friend
Jacob: aish, don't mind him, he keeps stealing my phone
Ronnie: why doesn't he have his own phone?
Jacob: I do have a phone, just not your number 😔
Jacob: jkshehdbejdj
Jacob: behhshehebejjgvhi I love you baby 😘
Ronnie: uhh 😬
Jacob: NO NO we were fighting, that was keyboard smash 😭
Ronnie: ok stop fighting guys
Jacob: but I wanna chat too, he's not giving me the phone 🥹
Ronnie: just take my number from him
Jacob: …can I really? You're giving me your number… Ronnie…
Jacob: OMG my dearest SECOND genius gave me his number
Ronnie paused, blinking.
"Second…?"
Before he could reply—
Sam: *dramatic entry *
😎 hey man, sup. This is Sam, sweet as jam 😉
Ronnie: lol hi, this is Ronnie
Sam: I'm not dumb, I know who I'm talking to 😤
You didn't give your number to me, but you gave it to Jacob 🥲
Sam: anyway, I'll forgive you… if you come to the arcade with us tomorrow
Ronnie: well he asked… I mean—
Another notification popped.
Jacob: sorry to bother you
Do you have plans this weekend?
If not, wanna come to the arcade? Sam's been bugging me to ask you
Ronnie: yeah… he just did
Jacob: so what do you say?
Not just him—I think it'd be nice if you come too
Sam: COME ON REPLY
Ronnie: how am I supposed to reply when both of you are texting at the same time
Sam: oh so he's your super bestie now?
Ronnie: what does that even mean 😑
Sam: …I'm offended
—Group Chat Created—
Jacob: I figured this is easier
Ronnie: yeah… this is better
Sam: wow my genius brain didn't think of this
Jacob: maybe your peanut brain finally reached its limit
Sam: EXCUSE ME??
Sam: digital kick + head punch
Ronnie: why digital when you're sitting next to each other
Sam: …you're right
Jacob: Ronnie you traitor
Sam: TRAITOR sounds cool actually
Jacob: don't think too hard, your brain might explode
Sam: shut up or I'll make you explode
Jacob: no thanks, I've had enough punches for today
Sam: anyway—Ronnie. What time are you coming?
If you don't come, I'm changing your name to TRAITOR permanently
Ronnie: …
Jacob: take your time, don't worry
Sam: WHAT DO YOU MEAN DON'T WORRY
Choose one: yes or yes
Ronnie: those are the same
Jacob: don't mind him, he's illiterate
Sam: HOW DARE YOU CALL MR. GENIUS ILLITERATE
Jacob: amen. Ronnie, you have no choice. Rest in peace
Sam: that joke is ancient
---
Present — Weekend Morning
Ronnie sighed, sitting up slowly.
There was a time…
When weekends meant freedom.
When he used to go out, laugh, stay out late with his old gang.
He was never home.
Never hiding.
But now?
Now he stayed inside like a vampire avoiding sunlight.
Quiet. Invisible.
Safe.
"…I could fake being sick."
He paused.
"No… they'll show up at my house."
A shiver ran down his spine.
"Yeah. Not worth it."
He threw the blanket aside.
"Let's just go."
---
After freshening up, Ronnie stood in front of his cupboard.
And instantly regretted everything.
"This is too flashy."
"This has no cap."
"No pockets?? Who made this?"
"Why does this have too many pockets?"
"Too loose."
"…not hiding enough."
Within minutes, his entire wardrobe was on the floor.
Ronnie sat in the middle of the chaos, staring blankly.
"I have no clothes."
A dramatic pause.
"I literally have nothing to wear."
After what felt like hours—
He finally stood up, defeated.
"I sacrifice my fashion… for survival."
Cruel time is proven guilty for not letting me find nice pair in enough time
He wore coffee-colored trousers, a tight white tank top, and threw on an oversized light blue shirt.
"…good enough."
Mask.
Sunglasses.
Perfect disguise.
---
In the cab—
Ronnie could feel the driver staring at him.
Not just looking.
Staring.
Like he was trying to dig into his soul.
"…why is he looking at me like that?"
He turned slightly, avoiding eye contact.
"Umm… sir?"
The driver didn't look away.
"You look familiar. Do I know you?"
Ronnie froze.
"Uh—no. I'm new here."
"New to this place?"
"…yeah. New to this colony."
The driver nodded slowly.
"I turned on the AC, sir. You can remove your mask and glasses."
"No thanks. I'm… sick."
Ronnie immediately leaned forward.
"cough cough"
A very dramatic cough.
The driver panicked.
"Ah—no no! Please keep them on! Hope you recover soon!"
Ronnie leaned back, satisfied.
"Mission successful."
---
The moment he stepped out—
"RONNIE!"
He flinched.
Sam came running toward him like an excited child.
"Omg, you took so long! I thought you ditched us, so I was planning to kidnap you!"
Ronnie blinked.
"…why would I—wait. Kidnap?"
"Don't mind him," Jacob said, walking up calmly.
Then he paused, observing Ronnie.
"…why do you look like that?"
Ronnie stiffened.
"What do you mean 'like that'? Don't mind my style."
Jacob raised both hands.
"No no, your style is awesome. 100%."
Ronnie's eyes softened slightly.
"…really?"
"Yeah. But I mean—" Jacob pointed at his face.
"You look like you just escaped after robbing a bank."
Ronnie froze.
"…oh."
A beat.
"…my face was on the news."
Silence.
"As the villain's son."
The air shifted.
"I didn't want anyone recognizing me," he added quietly.
"Not when I can finally… enjoy something. No negativity at all ."
Sam's expression darkened for a second.
"…speak of negativity."
Ronnie and Jacob followed his gaze.
And there—
Standing a few steps away—
Was William.
At the exact same moment—
William noticed them.
And smirked.
---
The shift Ronnie felt yesterday?
It wasn't over.
It had just begun.
---
Author's pov:
Ronnie is literally me when I wanna go somewhere
And Sam is sure funny
I want raj to come fast so I can enjoy two Crackheads duo
That would be so funny wht you think
They perfectly a laughing pill i bet
Gosh
I bet the dramatic cough in cab is one of sam trick 🤣
Gosh william
I wonder wht he gonna do
Is next chapter containing
Revenge
No spoilers 🤐
Stay tuned for next parts
Keep smiling enjoy my story
Your lovely author 😘
Signing off 🫡