"KIERAN, WE ARE THERE," Makk announced, severing Kieran's memory.

The truck had stopped in front of a seemingly old building sandwiched between two gigantic structures.

The building was a gray colored terraced house with two flats and dozens of windows.

"Where's this place?" Kieran finally asked.

"Madris," Makk replied.

"Countryside?"

"Not really, it has undergone renovation. So, I won't call it countryside,"

Hearing that, Kieran glanced at the terraced house with furrowed brows.

"I know what you are thinking, this house in particular is not that old. It's just the paint. If it were to be repainted, it would be as new as others," Makk said, as he noticed Kieran's glance.

"Alright, quit dawdling. Let's go inside already,"

The interior of the house was quite in contrast to the outside. The furniture was orderly and neatly placed, suitably.

There was a mantelpiece with a fireplace in the not small, not large living room.

A flat screen TV was plastered on the wall, and next to it was a shelf filled with books of different varieties.

Various house plants were placed on almost every corner of the living room.

A rectangle shaped rug with a circular pattern beautifully covered the center of the marbled floor.

And at the opposite side of the room was a sofa and a recliner placed side by side.

There was a coffee table in the center of the room with a bouquet of pink flowers and a remote control.

Adding to the soft fragrance of the room was the halo of very bright green paint that makes the walls glitter.

"How is it?" asked Makk, staring expectantly at Kieran.

"It seems....."kind of homely' Kieran wanted to say.

"It's very nice," he said instead.

"I am glad. The first room down the hallway is yours. Pack your things in there. I will call for delivery. What do you want to eat?"

"Anything is okay,"

Several minutes later, Kieran was seen lying on his bed, a headphone lying carelessly beside him. His chin propelled up by his slender hands as his eyes roamed lazily on a book.

There was a knock. "Are you busy?" Makk asked.

"Not really,"

The door was pushed open and Makk entered with a fairly large leather bag. He placed the bag on a vacant side of the bed, bringing out a set of school uniform, and other school accessories.

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"What's that?" Kieran asked, his eyes not leaving the book.

"Materials for schooling,"

"Schooling?" Kieran tilted his head to him. "What do you mean by schooling?" He asked, frowning.

"What I mean is that, You will start going to school," Makk emphasized.

"And why should I suddenly start going to school?" Kieran asked in disbelief.

"Kieran, listen, your mom will want you to live a normal life. Going to school, meeting new people, making friends and all that. Don't you want to?"

Of course, Kieran had wanted to, but he long thought of them as luxuries, he would only get to imagine and not experience.

Right now, a normal life was far-fetched to him.

"Normal life," he mumbled. "Aren't you afraid of__"

"I know what you're worried about, Kieran. Nothing will happen, if you are not provoked. Of course, it is kind of inevitable, considering teens and all that. But, don't worry about that for now. And also, I have a more portable earpiece for you." Makk reassured him

Kieran was still worried. That incident still nagged at him. Clearly, it has been years since he went to school and also homeschooled, all together.

After his mother's departure, Makk had tried hiring tutors which had ended up annoying him as they wouldn't resist asking him entirely unconcerned rude questions, instead of focusing on what they are being hired for. So, it didn't really work out.

However, his knowledge could be compared to that of a high school senior. He was a fast learner, he knew that quite well.

Although Kieran had always listened and adhered to Makk's instructions, he wouldn't deny attempting several times to probe into Makk's mind out of frustration, which always turned out futile for he would encounter a strong block obstructing him. On a rare occasion, Makk had promised him that he will, one day, reveal everything to him with a big emphasis on when the time is right. Kieran, himself had ceased asking and attempting to probe into his mind but not actually because of Makk's assurance.

He was aware that moving into that house wasn't in any way permanent or anything close, so he didn't plan on indulging himself and having whatsoever emotional attachment to it, no matter how homely it was.

But about the issue of going to school, he was totally weirded out about the whole thing. Sure, he will meet new people; good and bad, altogether. However, the incident about Mark was still vividly embedded in his mind, leaving him totally closed up. He doubted whether he would be able to make friends, not that he was enthusiastic about it.

Having resented himself, all these years, he had with a painful realization that knew that nothing would ever rewind that incident, it was done. And he has also come to accept that he was totally different from others.

**

Kieran was on his way to class when Todd "accidentally" bumped into him, thereby, squarely hitting him on his shoulder. "You snob," Todd barked at him.

Kieran vaguely recognized him as one of the presumed baddest boys of Coast Hill high school, who thought bullying and intimidating weaker students were characteristics of a big boy.

It has been a week since Kieran started attending the school. He had absurdly tried not to attract attention by behaving like a ghost; coming early in the morning and slipping out after dismissal when no one was aware. Also, he rarely goes to the cafeteria and when he does, he would sit at the extreme desolate end.

Nevertheless, it was basically impossible for Kieran not to attract attention, as a result of his conspicuous facial features and unique appearance.

On the other hand, there are still people who enjoy being the center of attention. The gray eyed boy with spiked hair was one of them.

Initially, he had tried to recruit Kieran into his infamous group while behaving like he was offering him a favor. And of course, Kieran purposely ignored those silly hints with nonchalance. So, Todd decided to use the other way round and make him know his place, since he clearly didn't succeed in his aim. Knowing fully well that Kieran came to school quite early, he too decided to take his chance.

"Are you blind or something?! Can't you see?" Todd yelled at him, attracting the warranted attention of the few students nearby.

Kieran calmly gazed at him and Todd couldn't help but shivered slightly as he met with the cold penetrating lavender eyes.

"What are you looking at? Don't you know how to apologize?" The boy demanded.

"In your home, is it done that a victim should be the one apologizing to the culprit?" Kieran expressionlessly asked.

To Todd, it seemed like a punch to his gut.

"What?! Culprit," he echoed incredulously.

At that time, the number of students nearby had increased significantly, news had been diffused.

Todd, noticing the astonished stares of the students, resorted to violence inorder to redeem himself. He suddenly rushed to grip Kieran's arm, which he dodged reflexively with a frown.

"Surely, you don't need to touch me for an apology right?" Kieran definitely was not a fan of physical contact.

"You!" Todd fumed.

"It is okay. There is absolutely no need to be angry. People make varieties of mistakes and there are people who find it difficult to accept their mistakes, perhaps you too. Actually, I don't really need your apology, let's just call it even and also learn to keep your eyes wide open while walking to avoid making another mistake. Then, I will take my leave," Kieran said blankly and left, leaving no room for Todd to react or retort.

He stood motionlessly, hands clenching and unclenching by his side with uneven breathing.

Meanwhile, some of the girls present giggled while the boys stared pitifully at him. He could also see hints of amusement on the girls, amazement on the boys.

There were also subtle signs of satisfaction and delight at him being humiliated while they stared after Kieran as if he was their new idol.

It was quite predictable that Todd had never experienced that kind of embarrassment.

In addition; one of the reasons why Todd had decided to mess with Kieran at that junction was to retain his authority and attention he had gained from the girls. Kieran, with his out of the world beauty had attracted him unwanted attention and affections from the students.

Todd had noticed that and made a mental note, to tell him that he has always been the lord of the school and no way would a newcomer come and take away his entitled attention. However, he never expected the situation to turn out this way.

Todd turned and stomped away but not without glaring at the student, leaving the very weak ones shrunk back in fear.