Alex dragged himself out of the classroom, feeling as though the weight of the entire world was pressing down on his back. The chatter of his classmates buzzed around him, but he couldn't bring himself to register their words.
It had been two weeks since he'd had a proper meal—his last being leftover rice meant for his aunt's dog, a meal that had almost cost him his life. The lack of food had drained his energy, and it was catching up to him now.
I should go to the restaurant again. If they'll let me wash dishes and run errands in exchange for the scraps left in the pot, I might survive till tomorrow, he thought.
Usually, Alex could stretch himself for two weeks before getting a decent meal. But after spending the past few days doing repairs around the house, the labor had left him weak with hunger.
The school bell had just rung, and Alex tried to slip away quietly. Just as he neared the hallway, a hand grabbed his collar, nearly choking him mid-step.
"Yo, Alex. You're not planning to run away, are you? The class is meeting at a restaurant to celebrate our freedom," Zayn called out, his voice unnecessarily loud, drawing attention from everyone nearby.
"Zayn, leave Alex alone. He already said he had somewhere to be," a familiar voice snapped.
Alex wasn't surprised to hear Esmeray's voice as she stormed out of the classroom, a glare shadowing her usually charming face.
Taking advantage of Zayn's distraction, Alex pulled free from his grip. His cheeks flushed pink with anger and humiliation.
Esmeray—one of the so-called "Three Goddesses" of the school—was beautiful in a way that made heads turn. With delicate features, a graceful figure, sharp intelligence, and a friendly demeanor, she was the kind of girl people couldn't help but admire. Unlike the cold, untouchable goddesses from novels, Esmeray was warm, approachable, and real.
Their first interaction had been six years ago, when they both started high school. For a time, they had grown close—until rumors and whispers turned into isolation, and Alex found himself shunned. He had no choice but to distance himself. Still, whenever someone dared pick on him, Esmeray always came to his defense. Though Alex appreciated it, he couldn't help but think he wasn't worth the trouble.
He was just an orphan, abused by his aunt's family, without a single dollar to his name. The thought made him scoff bitterly.
"Esmeray, I was just reminding Alex about the class gathering. It'd be a shame if we couldn't share a meal before parting ways," Zayn said with a sheepish smile.
Alex rolled his eyes. Everyone knew Zayn had been chasing after Esmeray ever since he transferred two years ago, and he wasn't exactly subtle about it.
Unfazed, Esmeray turned to Alex, and the hallway quieted in anticipation. A crowd had formed, eager for a show. Clenching her fists, Esmeray's expression turned strangely determined.
"You… Three years. Give us three years, and we'll definitely come find you!" she declared, her voice loud and firm.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the hallway. Wasn't this basically a proposal? Was the goddess waiting for Alex to become someone better, someone worthy of her?
Alex didn't understand what she meant—who "we" were, or what she was expecting. But he didn't stay to find out. He gave a final nod in appreciation, then walked away through the crowd without looking back.
Esmeray and he came from different worlds. After today, their paths would never cross again.
The house was unusually quiet when Alex returned. Normally, his aunt would be in the kitchen, singing to loud music while cooking, and her youngest would be playing with toys or watching cartoons.
He hoped maybe his aunt had forgotten to lock the door again and gone out.
But as he stepped into the living room, his heart sank. The whole family was gathered, sitting stiffly as though waiting for him. A small, familiar bag lay on the ground—his bag, the one where he kept all his clothes.
"What's going on?" Alex asked, looking between his aunt and uncle.
His aunt looked at him, eyes full of disdain. "Since you've finally finished high school, of course, it's time for you to leave. Did you think my husband and I would keep feeding a grown man forever?"
Alex stared at her, stunned. As badly as she had treated him, he never imagined she'd throw him out the moment he graduated. Where was he supposed to go? He had no relatives left who would take him in.
"Uncle…" he said, turning toward the only person who'd ever shown him an ounce of kindness.
But his uncle turned his face away, silent.
Alex understood immediately—he was on his own. His uncle had no spine when it came to his wife, especially since her clothing store was the main source of income for the household.
For a long moment, no one said a word.
Alex slowly picked up his bag, his fingers trembling as they clenched around the strap. "Then from today on… let's have nothing to do with each other again," he said, his voice tight with restrained fury.
"It's good that you understand," his aunt replied coldly.
Alex stepped out into the blinding afternoon sun with no money, no destination, and nowhere to turn. As he walked, something warm trickled down his cheek.
This… this was where his life truly began.