After Ethan had gone into the room, Riley pulled out his worn-out phone . It was already 1 a.m . There were missed calls and messages from his brother and mother, piled up in notification.He usually informed them whenever he was late, But in today's commotion, the thought hadn't even crossed his mind.
He hesitated, thumb hovering over the keypad, then put the phone away. They'll be asleep by now, he reasoned. If I reply now, the ping might just wake them up and cause more worry.
" What class are you in?" Liam asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
" I'll be starting my 3rd semester when high school opens next week. " Riley replied, leaning back against the hard plastic chair.
" No way! That's mean we're the same age." Liam said, his eyes lighting up with genuine enthusiasm. "I'm starting my third semester too. It's fate, honestly. I go to Nexus. What about you?"
The name Nexus hung in the air like a heavy weight. It was the top school in the country_a place where the tuition for a single semester could buy Riley's entire neighborhood. Only the filthy rich went there. Hearing the name again reminded Riley of the difference between them.
"Aurum Academy." Riley mumbled. It was ranked in top 20. He had only gotten in because of his grade and a scholarship.
"That's a good school. "
" Yeah!"
" Let's add each other on wechat." Liam held out his phone.
They quickly scanned each others QR codes.phone and added as friends. Liam's ID was MidnightStar.
It was quite poetic.
Riley's own ID was quite plain_just his name: Riley. After swapping contact info, Liam tucked his phone away. "Let's stay in contact. I mean it."
"Let's go, Liam." Ethan had emerged from the room, his expression as unreadable as ever.
" Okay, brother." Liam stood up then turned back to Riley . " How are you going to get home?"
The buses had stopped running an hour ago. A taxi was out of the question—he'd just lost his job and hadn't been paid for his shift. Every cent mattered now. He just had to walk home.
" I will call a taxi." He lied.
"Taxi will take time." Liam said." It's already late we will drop you off."
" No, it's fine . I can go myself. " Riley refused politely.
" Come on. It's on the way." Liam insisted." Look, my brother is waiting. Let's go. "
On the way? Riley hadn't even told him his address.
Reluctantly, he nodded and followed Liam outside.
The cool night breeze of summer hit his face, easing the tension in his chest. The money, the job—he would deal with it tomorrow. Right now, he just wanted to go home and lie down on his bed.
" Brother, we are dropping Riley off." Liam called to Ethan who was walking ahead.
Ethan didn't say a word, which Riley took as a silent 'Yes'.
"Let's go." Liam grabbed Riley's hand and led him to the car.
Liam and Riley stopped in front of black Rolls Royce.Riley had seen cars like this in magazines, but standing next to one was different. The paint looked like liquid silk.
Riley and Liam took the back seat while Ethan sat in the driver's seat and started the engine.
As Riley settled into the plush leather, the faint scent of expensive cologne surrounded him. Through the tinted windows, the city blurred into streaks of light.
"Address," Ethan said.
The voice snapped Riley out of his daze.
"Huh?"
"Your address?" Ethan repeated, meeting his eyes through the rearview mirror.
"Oh—sorry," Riley stammered, his face flushing. He recited his address, feeling even more self-conscious as Ethan entered it into the GPS without another word.
" Brother, does anyone at home knows? " Liam asked.
" Know what?" Ethan replied coldly. "That you went to a bar , beat someone up , threatened people and ended up at a police station? Or all of it?"
"Ugh! " Liam sighed. " All of it ."
" No, they don't."
"Phewww. Thank God ."
" They will know tomorrow. " Ethan said, effectively pouring cold water on Liam's relief.
" Brotherrr, plzzzz." Liam pleaded, suddenly acting cute. " They will put me under house arrest for month. Just let it go this once . I will behave , I promise."
" Plzz."
Ethan was silent for a long moment." I'll think about it."
"You're the best! Truly, the greatest brother in history," Liam cheered, nearly bouncing off the leather seats.
"Sit down."
" Okay."
Riley watched silently. This was nothing like the Liam he had seen at the bar or the police station.
That Liam had been cold, sharp, and calculating.
This one was bright, loud, and carefree—like any normal seventeen-year-old.
Which one was real?
Riley was confused seeing Liam acting like this , he was so different from the boy. E had seen at the bar and the police station.
Liam was like someone cold and calculating before. Now he was like sunny and cheery like most of boys at 17. Riley was confused who is the real him . The one from before or now.
" You are confused."
" How did you know?" Riley asked.
"I was acting earlier. How was it?" Liam said proudly." Did it look real?"
"It was good. I didn't realize you were acting. "
" Right. I am good." Liam grinned at his brother . "See? Brother Riley says my acting is good."
Ethan didn't respond.
"I am going to pursue acting after high school." Liam continued turning back to Riley. " I have always wanted to be an actor. It's my dream. My family has basically banned me from acting until university. Only one year left . I can't wait."
" We have arrived." Ethan said cutting, him off.
The contrast was jarring. The Rolls Royce sat idling in a dilapidated neighborhood. The road was a patchwork of cracks, and the buildings were stacked haphazardly against one another. A single, flickering streetlamp cast long, jagged shadows across the narrow alleys.
Usually, a few neighborhood thugs would be loitering nearby, but the street was eerily empty. Riley felt a wave of relief.
Liam stepped out with him, looking around.
" Where's your house?" Liam asked." I will walk you. "
" No, it's fine. It's close, I can go by myself. You should go." Riley said quickly.
He didn't wanted to show his house to Liam yet.
" Okay, then I will go." Liam didn't insist much and got into the car. He rolled down the window. " You should go , I will watch until you disaplear ."
Riley nodded and started walking towards the Alley.
" Riley!" Liam shouted.
Riley stopped in his track and turned back.
"Good night. Don't forget to stay in contact. We'll meet again." Liam waved from the car.
Riley felt a small, genuine smile tug at his lips. He lifted a hand in a slight wave. "Goodnight."