*Charlie's POV*

"Joe- what now?!"

"Joe Yeltsin," I retort, "she's Mia's aunt."

Leo gapes, to my confusion. Then, a strange haze makes him scratch his eyelid.

"What is it?" I ask as he proceeds to the next eyelid.

"Nothing."

"No. Talk to me."

"Do you ..." he sighs, "Do you only know this Joe as your friend's aunt?"

"No. Joe came to me after I called the police on your dad."

"For what?"

"Maria."

Instantly, he freezes. "So she knows my dad killed her?"

"I don't know." I neither asked nor told her anything.

His chest relaxes. Observing this, I add, "Sorry I did not tell you earlier."

"It's ok. I just -"

A knock intrudes. We flinch.

"Mom?" Leo heads for the door instantly. He unlocks it, only to be crashed in triple embraces. I double back, laughing as Leo struggles to free himself.

"Aw-"

"Yo, dude!" Roon turns to me. Then they free Leo and jump on me, too.

"Charlie!!!" Nat hugs me. I squirm as soon as Marvin joins in last, sinking everyone onto the bed.

"Ok, ok, ok. Get off," Leo rasps.

"It's been a while, though, man," Marv quirks at me, "where have you been?"

"Here."

That's when Nat gets up and almost trips on my bathroom slippers. He gasps, "Hey, you guys are living together?!"

"Told ya," says Roon.

Marv makes a tsk-tsk sound. "No wonder the room is so neat."

"Why are you guys here?"

They start yelling different reasons while Leo tries not to stare at me. I wink when he fails the third time, and he hides his face.

"... and Coach wants you to come for practice -"

"Ok, enough, Nat. In fact, all of you." He uncovers a listless mien.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. Let the acting begin.

"Is everything alright, though," Roon questions me.

I blink. "Ur. Just home issues."

"Aww." Noah throws a hand over my shoulder. "Good thing we're here to cheer you up."

On that note, they manage to convince me and Leo to go out with them. We fill Marvin's ride and journey to a children's park. Relaxing in the sun, we eat cotton candy and spring random chinwags about anything and everything. I sneak glances at Leo occasionally, and he acts like them - like the biggest problem in his life is how to win their next game. After some hours of joking and taking pictures, we hit the road again. I request that they drop me off at Sydney's since they are going to their school.

"I'll buy you a burner," Leo sneakily whispers when we reach my destination. I don't know what that is, but I say thanks before bidding all of them goodbye. As they drive away, I feel a shrill emptiness.

Sydney's car is here, so she must be home. I knock softly. She opens her door with a grin that immediately falls upon seeing it's me.

"You," she sighs. I stare at her. Six seconds pass.

"You are here for?"

"Good afternoon."

"I know what the time of the day is, Charlie, and it's not good. What are you doing here?"

I wince. "Please, ju-just...is-s-"

"Don't touch my door."

"Sorry." I oblige.

She leans on its frame. "What is wrong with you?"

Take a deep breath, Charlie. Ok, go. "I need you to go watch over Sil. Can you go to the UK soon?"

"Wow," is her response. My gaze drops to my feet.

"Also, her lawyer would like to see you in person."

"Pardon me?" Syd and I say in unison.

Leo appears as we turn around.

"The lawyer has spoken to your ex-husband already," he adds, furthering our confusion. "But, since Silver was in your care at the time of her arrest, he'd like to speak to you too, ma'am."

I give Leo my 'what in the world' face, but he continues, "Your daughter has a lawyer, Willem Cho. Has your ex not told you, ma'am?"

"No." Sydney steps forward. I forget myself and hold her shoulder. Leo smiles at us. "Well, he's always been a very ... busy Lieutenant, right?"

"Leo, how do you know my dad?"

"Harry." He quirks.

I facepalm. Sydney scoffs.

"So, will you go, ma'am?"

There's a long pause.

"Sure," Sydney snarks. I rub her shoulder, but she jerks, entering the house just like that.

When the door snaps behind her, I rub my temples.

"I did something, didn't I?"

"What else did Harry tell you?"

"Urr..." Leo stalls. "Ok, he mentioned that your dad got deployed before what happened with your sister and -"

"So, everything?"

"... Yes."

It's ok. Sil, you'll be ok. You'll be ok without me. I'm so sorry I can't be there.

I step out of the porch and take Leo's hand.

"Are you angry?"

"Just surprised."

"Mmm." His nails trace my bandaged palm. "If you want, we can talk about it."

"No. My priority is you -"

"Woah-" He sways a little. "Ok, ok, don't say anything. The others are waiting."

As if on cue, we hear a honk. Running to the car, I puff as soon as we enter. "Thanks, guys!"

"No prob." Marv revs us away. I turn back to check if Sydney will come out. She doesn't. I understand her wrath, but she should leave.

Please be our mother. If not for Sil, at least try for me. Protect her and yourself.

Hopefully, she will. My family will be safe no matter what. No cartel or jury or gang or whatever will hurt them. They'll be fine.

"You ok?"

"Pard- yes." I snap back to Earth. Roon doesn't seem convinced, but he turns to Nat nonetheless.

"Yo, did we tell them what happened at the concert?"

"Sheeeeesh!"

"Nat, shut up." Marv bends a curve.
On instinct, I wear my earmuffs, whereas Leo chortles, "Is it the 'Taylor Swift blew me a kiss' lie?"

"It's not a lie!"

"Nat, who are you kidding?"

"It's true! She did it before Mat ate a figurine!" He screams at Roon. It sounds lower to me, but I can hear enough to ask, " Marv ate a... figurine?"

"I know, right." Roon chuckles.

Leo frowns. "How?"

"It's not my fault. It was actually sweet, and everywhere was dark, so Nat was like, "Where's my dragon?!" and then I realised it was in my mouth."

"You're lucky nothing happened to your system." Roon rolls his eyes.

"Dragons," Leo whispers. Catching his mouth's movement, I take off my earmuffs. "Pardon me?"

"Dragons."

I frown until it dawns on me.

*

Immediately their basketball training ends, Leo waves at his friends, grabs my arm, and once we are home, he yells, "Are you thinking what I am thinking?!"

"Mhmm."

"What do you think it is, though?"

"Ur, since nothing happened after he ate it, I guess... ur... Dunno."

"Should I ask Mr. Yelstin?"

"No, no. That man will realise you read his letter."

"I can... be subtle."

"Charlie, no."

"Why?"

"Because I am not letting you risk your life."

"Leo -"

"Oh my goodness! Will you stop?!" he scolds.

I stand akimbo, glaring at him as he decides, "Ok, fine. No- actually, let's go to the lakehouse and check. No one has been there since our trip, and Uncle Willem left the place in my care. Dad didn't want me to mess the place -" He freezes.

"Please, what?"

His eyes dilate. I gesture for him to talk, and he grimaces. "That was what he was looking for!"

"Your ... dad?"

"Yes." Leo starts snapping his fingers. "Oh my... we have to go there! Maybe Friday after school?"

"Saturday." I have to go to Igor's birthday party.

"Then, we will have to go very early so we don't miss school. Mom will be suspicious." Leo worries.

I sigh. "Ok."

*Mia's P.O.V *

Granny is still throwing the party. The mansion is in chaos. Servants move left, right and centre, decorating tables and spewing champagne bottles.

"It's like a display of what's going on in Pom's head," Anton chortles.

I attempt a chuckle.

"Honestly, this just benefits Igor more. If people think he's working on his birthday, they'll start to respect him."

"I thought you said he's overambitious."

"Yes, but people outside the family don't see him that way."

"Hmm," I hum. "

"Are you ok?"

"Hm?" I croak. "Ya... ya."

"Doesn't seem so."

"Just nervous."

"About?"

"All this." I gesture to the colourful canopies, although I am actually sad about Aunt Lisa.

Anton sighs, "Yeah, this new life thing is just... awkward for you, huh?"

"Mhm."

"Well. Soon, you'll start school, and before you know it, you'll be accustomed to everything."

Dude, school? I grimace at him. He shrugs. "You have school next week. Didn't Joe tell you before leaving?"

My head shakes. He scratches his brow. "Ya, well. I thought it might cheer you up a bit."

"Dude, I don't even understand the language," I lament, "and I've probably forgotten stuff from my old school."

"There are apps and shit. Learn."

I snark, "Really, dude?"

"Really," is his closing remark. I huff as he walks away, leaving me alone on the balcony. I am still processing Aunt Lisa's death and all this newness, and yet, I am supposed to attend school? Give me a break.

I don't even have the drive to study. I sulk on and on until Monday comes, and Charlie calls.

"I know," I say the very instant I pick up.

He says, "Oh, ok. Well, I'm here if you need anything. Urm, even if you want to talk, we can talk. "

"Thanks."

"Welcome. Um."

Dead air.

"Urm. And about the purse -"

"Ya, you didn't tell me how-" I freeze. Something strikes me. No, things. Memories. How he helped me get to my audition, how he taught me.

"Mia?"

Looking at everything that has happened till today, I try to picture him stealing. I try to see him in a mask, chasing me in the darkness. All I see is ... sunlight. They say never judge a book by its cover, but - wait, what is even the point? What if he dies out of nowhere? Where will my anger go then? Should I even be angry?

I don't care."

"Pardon me?"

"I don't care," I puff, sitting on my bed."Let's forget about that."

Another pause.

"Ok." He sounds like he's smiling.

That's good, right? "You ok?"

"Yes. You?"

"Kinda."

"I'm sorry about your foster mom."

"Ya... honestly, I don't know what to feel about it."

Silence sets in.

"I'm listening."

"Oh?" I flounder, "Oh sorry, I thought- you- ur never mind. "

"Mia, talk."

"I just... I don't know. Aunt Lisa, like, said something about wanting to have kids of her own, and I told her she'd be a bad mother. But, like, she never even got to be a mom, and sh-she's just dead. It's weird."

"Mhm."

"Ya. It's urr-" A tear drops.

Don't, Mia. Don't you dare cry-

My lips quiver, and like that, everything floods. I fall. Grip the phone as my heart pours out in freaking wails. I can't control it. I can't think. Just cry and cry and cry and - screw this.

"Charlie, I think you should hang up."

"No."

"Please-"

"No. I'm here."

"Fu -" I cough and sniff and cough- "W-why does everyone close to me die?... It's not fair."

"Noah is still here, and your band, your instructors, even the chemistry teacher, a-and- you'll be happy. Mia, you're going to be happy. Death can't steal your happiness. You'll be happy no matter what."

"How do you know?"

"I'll make sure of it."

"Huh?"

"Get up."

"Ok-" But my little toe stings when I try. I wince.

"No, actually, stay seated," Charlie orders as if he can see me. "What do you have to do tomorrow?"

"Urr... learn a language."

"Ok, we'll do that, then. Goodwill, right?"

*

When he said 'we', I thought he meant I'd study from him. Though his grasp of the language is better than mine, he's also learning.

"Dude, why is Google pronouncing it like that?"

"Why? Is that not how they pronounce it?"

"It's like... meh," I tell him.

He chuckles through the line. "Pronounce it then."

"Na, I have embarrassed myself enough times," I deadpan. "By the way, can we make this a video call?"

"Urr... can I use my friend's laptop then?"

"Oh, me too-" I rush to Anton's room for his laptop. About twenty minutes later, we connect on Zoom.

"Woah," he gasps when his face comes into view. "Where are you?"

"My room."

"It looks massive."

"Ya."

"Oh-" He grabs someone's hand and pushes them towards the screen. "This is my new friend, Leo."

What the hell? I gawk at the Anderson star player. He emits the most based tone known to man.

"Urr?"

"Hi to you, too."

"Leo wanted to say he really liked your performance, right?" Charlie goofily turns to the guy, who seems confused. His Asian eyes slit, and then, in sudden amusement, he, too, chirps, "Ya, and Charlie says he likes your hair."

"I didn't say that, but I like your hair, Mia. Thanks, Leo."

"Don't look at me. Jeez."

Their facial expressions crack me up ... until Charlie smiles and like- what the hell?

What kind of human being are you? Why? Do you want the whole world to fall for you, or what? Stop smiling like that!

*

The next time Charlie calls, his friend is not in sight. We watch a tutoring video for about two hours when his phone rings.

"Sorry," he says before picking it up. I am about to tell him that he can mute his microphone, but then he starts stuttering, "Oh urm ... yes ... urm, I'm so sorry, Halima ... I totally understand if you can't help me ... oh-ur-urm wait- what modelling agency? ... Urm, though I actually- Urm, yes... yes, but I want to quit ... Hello?... I said -"

Suddenly, my chair breaks. I fall flat on my butt and wince. "Aw! What the hell?! Desi, did you remove my chair's screws again?!"

"Mia, are you alright?"

"DESI!" I crawl to my bed and look under-my little cousin giggles.

"You little menace, I'm gonna-" I grab her. She squeals in delight just as the maid who usually takes care of her yells, "Desi baby? Where are you?!"

I throw her over my shoulder and bang open the door, only for her to start screaming.

"If you don't stop screaming." I put her down and glower. Suddenly, she beams innocently. I crouch to her level. "Ok, here's our deal. You can enter my room only when I allow you, and don't remove my screws. Also, I'll give you candy if you pronounce some words for me."

Understanding only the word 'candy', she stretches her palm.

I deadpan, "Get your tiny behind inside before I change my mind," and then shut the door after she sits on the bed.

Returning to the call, I gasp, "Oh shit, I forgot to turn off my mic- Charlie are you there?"

"Yes." His face reappears. "Mind your language."

"Dude."

"Anyway, what happened?"

"I fell."

"Oh, sorry. Wait, who is that beauty over there?"

"The culprit." I glare at my little cousin. She shuffles to the desk, and I carry her. As soon she and Charlie lock eyes, she starts her tantrum.

"Na, Desi, you've got to go." I put her down.

"Oh no, let her stay!"

"Charlie, no. Desi- Desi!" The little girl starts jumping at the laptop as if she wants to enter the screen. I have to tickle her before she backs away. I sit her on my bed and say, "Shush, Candy. No shush; no candy."

That quietens her. I carry the laptop and sit by her so Charlie can gush, "Aww. She's so cute."

"Stop smiling," I whine, "I beg you."

He stops. "Ok... ur, hi, Desi."

Desi waves back like a good girl. I roll my eyes. "Where were we?"

"Oh, we were watching-"

"Also, sorry I interrupted your call."

"Oh, that's fine," he says, "I should even have that conversation in person."

"Why? What's it about?"

"Aahh, just some modelling thing. I'll be quitting anyway."

I frown. "Why?"

"I just need to." Charlie sighs.

"Ok. But why?"

"Because I need to." He is being too vague.

"Why do you need to?"

"Mia-"

"Mmm, I don't think you should." I say.

"Ok, thanks for your opinion, but -"

"You always tell me not to quit."

He nods in admittance. "But my situation is very different."

"Is it a life and death issue?" I wonder.

He looks down. " Mia-"

"Dude, you are beautiful. You are smart. You can do whatever you want. Fuck the situation."

He looks up. "Um... well, aside from the colourful word, I appreciate your compliments and will take them into consideration in my next thinking process."

"Dude, what?"

"In the meantime, though, HI DESI!"

SHIT.

"I said don't smile- DESI, HEY!-"

*

The laptop is broken. Anton guffaws when I explain how it happened. The troublemaker goes scot-free, but I don't let her in my room again. Granny gets me a laptop, so I keep Desi around only when I need her language skills. Unfortunately, Anton is too busy schooling or sexting to teach me.

By Saturday, my dear older cousin is still on his phone. I assist some servants - it's been a while since I've done a chore. I help them carry some flower vases and cutlery around several tables. The weather is good for the party.

"Mia!"

"Huh?" I look up.

Anton frowns from his window. "What are you doing?!"

"я ем траву!"

"Are you trying to say you are eating grass?!"

"Yes!"

"Very funny!" Anton claps.

I flip him the bird. Seconds later, he comes outside and bypasses me.

"What is it-"

"Fuck!"

That's when an approaching Benz catches my eye. Anton runs to it, and the driver hands him a briefcase. Servants come to help, but he shakes his head at them. Running back inside, he spares me a look that scares the shit out of me.

I join him instantly.

"What is happening -"

"It's the usual delivery. "

Usual? "Dude, then why are you tense?"

"I'm not tense," he huffs upon reaching the stairs' top. Unconvinced, I follow him to Granny's door.

Instead of knocking, though, he grabs one random maid to do so. The lady knocks, enters and comes out with a loud exhale.

She tells him something so fast that I get confused. Then, turning to me, she runs a hand through my hair suddenly.

"Dude, what the fu-"

"Relax." Anton addresses me and the maid. "Thank you. Can you get her earrings?"

"Na. Don't do that," I tell her. The maid looks at us perplexed, then mutters something about having to bake a cake. We let her go.

"Mia?" Granny beckons, sending a shiver up my spine.

I turn to Anton, and he flails his arms. "You just- go."

"Dude, what is going -"

"Go!"

"Jeez, ok!"

Slowly, I open the door. Granny is seated behind her laptop.

"Oh, hi, dear." She grins majestically. I gulp at her sharp, well-tailored red tuxedo.

First bodycon, now this. Bruh, I hope I'll look like her when I get to her age.

"Dear, come say hello to Uncle Igor," she requests. I stride over to her side and see a ripped man looking dishevelled. He utters something that causes Granny to laugh.

"Yes, she does look very much like your older sister."

I say something which hopefully means 'nice to meet you,' and Igor gives me a friendly smile.

"Looks like you are smart, eh? Picking the language already?"

"Yes, sir."

"Oh, no need for formalities. We're family, right?"

"Yes, s- Uncle Igor."

"Ah," he laughs, "she even sounds like Valda."

"You should be here to introduce yourself," Granny chimes properly, "and to celebrate. But instead, you are there doing what-"

"I am celebrating," he replies and sways sideways a little. I see a bed; someone's bare back, their hand chained to the bed and luscious hair.

Like Charlie's.