05: Twisted Day

Ezra’s Point Of View.

I THOUGHT of compensating the seven because of their efforts that flattered me, so I got up early today to prepare them breakfast.

After a little while, they woke up one by one and even with one eye closed, they went straight to the kitchen to smell what I was cooking.

“Yes! I can eat a lot again now!” Jeremy whistled in joy and even scrambled for a seat with Clarence.

“I missed your cooking, Ezra,” Axle said and sat down immediately in front of the table. “The dishes you made are my favorites. I would definitely eat everything you give me.”

I rolled my eyes. “Stop it, Axle. I’m not one of the girls you can flatter by showering me flowery words. I’ll appreciate it more if you just thank me instead.”

He just chuckled then shrugged. I put the food on the table and they started to taste it. They were still not satisfied and asked for more. They even said that I served less food even though it was already a lot for them.

As I cleaned the table after they ate, I smiled when I saw their plate had no rice left. They really finished everything I cooked.

AFTER I washed all the plates, I jumped up to sit on the sofa and relaxed with the seven who were watching the television. We were bored constantly and just stared blankly at the wall while our minds were wandering at nowhere. Remarkably, they were fed up with their game.

“Do you want to go to the mall?” Hyde suddenly suggested while looking straight at me.

“It’s just near here, Ezra, so you have nothing to worry about,” Iñigo added convincingly. I nodded immediately.

“I’ll just change clothes. I’ll be quick.”

I stood up and entered the guest room upstairs. Maybe Mom won’t be able to find me here because this city is hidden, so somehow I feel comfortable to move around. Another thing is the seven of them would invite me only once in a blue moon and take me on their walk.

I just wore a sweatshirt and skinny fit jeans before I went downstairs. I didn’t tie my hair anymore and I just let it down.

“So, let’s go?” I called them and was the first one to get inside their car.

I sat in the passenger’s seat next to Hyde, the driver, and the six others were sitting at the back seat. We just did a soundtrip while on the way and pestered each other. Axle and Jeremy were never silent.

When we arrived at the mall, we first decided to eat at the food court. They wanted to treat me to a fancy restaurant because I cook for them, then Axle suggested the food court because he knew more women would be passing through that area. I just shook my head because I no longer know what to do with him. His goal is to play around. He’s a living red flag. Beware of him.

After we ate snacks and Axle satisfied himself by acting cool in front of the women walking by, we headed to the games zone. The seven played and even created a bet that whoever would lose to them would walk home. They are undeniably competitive. I just made my own world inside the karaoke room across from their spot.

I spent almost an hour there singing and grooving and when I got tired, I went out. Jeremy was down when I came back, while the six of them were laughing and teasing him. I knew right away who would walk home alone later.

“Jeremy is worn out. He looks like he carries the whole world.” Axle laughed.

“Today is your unlucky day, dude. Do you have a curse or something?” Iñigo teased him, the reason why he and Jeremy fought.

I beamed while looking at them quarreling. I don’t buy it when they say they are bad boys because they are too childish to be called one. I feel like I’m a guardian of seven naughty children.

“Did you enjoy singing, Ezra?” Clarence asked me. “What a surprise! We didn’t know you’re good at singing.”

Jeremy agreed with Clarence’s statement and applauded while giving me an amused look. My forehead furrowed in bewilderment.

“I was blown away, too! How come God created a flawless woman and turns out to be you?”

“What do you mean?”

“We could hear your voice from here,” Joaquin simply answered.

Axle grinned playfully and nodded. “Clearly.”

My jaw dropped and my cheeks instantly blushed in embarrassment. Did they hear me? No way! I thought the karaoke room was soundproof?

I covered my face with my hands and turned around. I’m in need of help. They complimented me yet I feel like their praises are sarcastic.

Anybody get me out of humiliation, please!

“Let’s go. The moon is setting. Darkness may overtake us along the way,” said Xavier.

I was about to grab my bag inside the karaoke room when I saw the man and his people whom the seven fought with not a while ago.

“Hyde…” I uttered Hyde’s name out of nowhere and slowly backed away.

The man’s face was bruised and his arm was bandaged due to Hyde’s twist. I clung so tightly to the bag I was holding.

“Let’s go, Ezra–”

Hyde’s words were cut short when he noticed me panicking. The seven turned in Rox’s direction.

“When I count up to three, run for your lives,” Joaquin commanded us in a whispering voice.

“Chase them!” Rox ordered his men and signaled them to move.

“Three!”

“Run!”

Hyde quickly held my hand and dragged me. We ran fast to the elevator. The two of us were also separated from the six. I don’t know which way they went, but I hope they are safe.

I was thankful we reached the elevator before it closed. I panted as I held onto both my knees. I thought we came here to hang out, but I didn’t know I would get to experience the beginning of an extreme adventure.

Why does misfortune come in my way every time?

I feel like I’m harming the people around me. I feel like I’m the danger they should avoid. Although I wanted to protect them myself, self-doubt always dominates my system.

“Are you okay?” Hyde asked me and gently patted my back. I just raised my hand while catching my breath and nodded at him in response.

I thought no one would chase us to the parking lot anymore, but I guess I was wrong. Twice as many men as before are waiting for us now. Double its original count from earlier. I see Hyde and I are the only main targets of Rox’s people.

“Stay behind me,” Hyde whispered to me and hid me behind him.

A shiver in my chest led me when the innumerable men in front of us simultaneously pulled out a knife and rushed at attacking us.

Hyde bent down to avoid their knives and blew them a strong, powerful punch. I was stunned when he amazingly jumped into the car beside him and then kicked one man in the face.

“Watch out!” I shouted when someone was about to rush at him from behind. I threw the bag I was holding at that man and beat him.

I was stiffed when someone suddenly fired on me and was about to stab me with a sharp knife when Hyde blocked it just to protect me from getting my skin grazed. He tried to take the knife that was thrown at him. He succeeded but his shoulder was badly wounded.

I just realized that the next thing that happened was that he beat the man mercilessly. I panicked as I hurried picking up my cell phone and turned up the volume to its maximum. I played the police siren to scare them.

“Shit! There are police! Let’s go!” one of Rox’s men declared and they ran one by one.

Hyde released the man he was attacking and drove him away. He adjusted his shirt a little and shot me a threatening glare.

“You’re putting yourself in danger!” He growled, scolding me. “I told you to just stay behind me! Why didn’t you listen?!”

I ignored his lecture and checked his bleeding shoulder instead. This is not the perfect time to argue. He was shot and I can’t just stand there doing nothing.

“You’re bleeding,” I said and searched for a cloth or bandage in my bag to stop the leaking.

“This is nothing.”

“Tsk!” I glared at him, then looked around. “Where are those six? You may even lose blood and die in no time. Does it sting?”

I examined his wound and blew because he might be in pain. I was stunned when he touched my face and lifted it so we could level the eyes of each other.

“These wounds won’t kill me. It’s you who always makes me worry.”

He took a step forward as he held my hand tightly and pinned me to the wall. The look in his eyes was unpredictable. He’s really pretty hard to read.

“Let me be the one to protect you, Ezra. I want you to put your trust in me…”