The rooster from Mr. Burke's shed can be heard as it crows loudly to meet the sun who just risen up. Some kids immediately went out to play with the others or bike around their yard. Not James though. At a young age, he knew that no one would ever wanted to be near him or even breathe besides him. It was all because a few months ago, the once peaceful house was turned upside down for the neighbours had saw James, crying as he holds a knife and blood all over him. In front of James, there lie his father who is extremely bleeding from the head and besides him lay his 6 months pregnant wife with gun shots in her stomach. Both were not even barely breathing and was pronounced dead at the scene. Since then, James was taken care by his abusive uncle who do nothing but drink and drink all day long. Rumours spread that James might be the one who kills his parents but since there is no evidence, those accusations just remained as rumours.
James sat on the curb near his yard as he watches the children playing tag or riding a bike together happily. His hands fidgets slightly as he watch and you can see a lot of bruises around his body. Poor boy was kept away like a trash to be discharged for good. He had wished that his parents was still there or at least he have someone to play with so that he wouldn't be alone and be an outcast to the others.
If they all have a mother who would make their school lunch and yell at them to hurry up while their dad is throwing dad jokes on the table, James have an uncle who would kick him out of the way and sleep all day while he reeks cigarette smokes and alcohol. James wishes that he was the one who is gone. It may be cruel but that's how it is. By 9:00 am, children were now at the school bus. Chatting and flexing their stuffs. James sat besides the window while drawing in his notebook when suddenly, a boy his age stole it with a proud smirk, "Ew! You're drawing again, James? Ain't this just for girls only? Look at this, guys!" The children laugh and some even booing at them. "Give it back, you moron!" He protested as he tried to get the notebook back. "Why would I? Are you embarrassed that you're being a prissy? Prissy James!"
They all laughed again and began throwing papers at James. The schoolbus was in chaos before the bus driver told them to shut up. Everyday, school was a place like hell to James. Children would hit or make fun of him while the teachers would turn a blind eye even if he reported them. "It's your fault, Mr. Castillo. If you hadn't put up a fight, none of this would've happen." Is what they always says. They ignored James because he was different. He was born on Philippines and his appearance just says "outcast" to everyone.
Though, only one person cared about him. Mr. Dela Cruz, he was the owner of the restaurant on their town. After school, James ran to where Mr. Dela Cruz's restaurant is standing. From a far, you can see the green building with a big sign saying "Luntian" as the restaurant's name. James would go to the back of that restaurant and will always see Mr. Dela Cruz, waiting for him. "There you are, lad. I thought you would never show up." The old man says jokingly while he watch the boy panting from all the running that makes his cheeks pink and body sweating, "I will... Always show...!" He said while still catching his breath which makes the old man laugh. "Catch your breath before talking, boy. I can't almost understand you!" Mr. Dela Cruz and his wife was known for adopting five children for the cause that they couldn't bare one of his own. They took wanted to adopt James but since he still has a guardian to take care of him, that plan didn't happen. Instead, James would go to them whenever he's free which is during after school.
"When you grow up, go work in my restaurant, boy. You would be a big help." Mr. Dela Cruz said while they both sat on the stairs while treating James's fresh bruises from earlier. "Not really... I can't hold a lot." He said quietly while he watch the man do his work, "I'm good for nothing, sir." The man clicked his tounge at his words and shook his head, "Don't say that, stop believing on other people's negative remarks. It would just bring you down." He pat James's head before ruffling his hair. James lowered his head, refuses to meet the old man's parental gaze as he picked the old bandage he was wearing on his knees. People on this town despises the kid to the core. James always wished that he was gone, that he has disappeared from this world. A very unusual wish for a 9 year old boy. For sure, no one would notice it if he did disappear or his uncle would celebrate in joy to know that the little bother he was raising was gone.
Speaking of the devil, James realised that the sun was starting to set and remembered that if he didn't go home early, his uncle would beat him. He immediately stood up and grab his backpack then put it on his shoulders, "I have to go, sir. Thanks for treating my bruises..." The man watched as James hurriedly run then raised his hands to wave at the departing lad. "Take care of yourself, okay!" James ran as fast as he can, taking the usual shortcut where he would see the house owned by the infamous old couple whom took their four grandchildren under their care. At that lovely house, you can see that the window at the front is always closed with curtains blocking the view inside of it. It is said that it's the youngest grandson's room where he lays there sick and frail for years that even doctors are shock that he was still alive. James though, always thought that the boy was lucky because he didn't have to go outside and endure countless of mistreatment. Just laying there and sleeping all day long. As he ran passed the house, Alex, the boy from the bus earlier who stole his notebook, blocked the path among with his friends behind him as if they're the mighty guard of the young master.
"Prissy boys like you can't go pass here, James! Get lost!" His friends booed and laugh after he talks. "This land ain't yours, Alex! How about you go get lost before I kick your ass!?" James said as he clenched his fists on his sides but nevertheless, the others didn't seem to mind his warning. Even mocking and laughing at him as he frowned more. "Oh, but why would we listen to a prissy like you?" Alex said with that irritating mocking tone, "We don't want you here, James! Go back to where you came from!"
The sky was now orange and neither one of them backed down, Alex and the others throwing trash and covering their noses to mock him more. Finally, James pounced and they both landed to the ground with him on top. He then punched Alex's face but then got held back by the others and just use him again as a punching bag.
Alex then got up while wiping his nose, "You prick! You'll pay for that!" With that, he punched him on the cheek and James tried to let go and fight back, only managing to do some kicks and scratches before getting pinned down again. Poor lad was recieving new bruises again and the ones on his body didn't even get the chance to heal. Finally, one hand pulled him up by his hair which makes him face Alex who was still mad. The boy barely even glaced at the bruises on his face and body before scrunching his nose and raising his fist, "You dare to lay a hand one me, huh?! You'll pay for it—!" He screamed with all his might but it looks like James didn't seemed to hear it. In fact, his entire attention was on the front window of the lovely house where the old couple lived. He saw someone. A boy who looks shorter than him with golden locks and amber eyes behind those blonde eyelashes. He looked sad as he watch the sight in front of him happening while he can't do anything but watch. He was hiding behind those curtains but the way he grips those tightly makes what he feels too obvious.
"Oi! Stop what y'all doing, you brats!" Eventually, the old woman who lived there left the house and screamed at the kids who were teaming up to beat James. Alex, who were startled by the old woman, didn't get the chance to punch him before signaling the others to let go of the lad and then ran away leaving him on the ground. The old woman then walked towards him and checked his condition before gently lifting him up to his feet. "Are you okay, boy? Do you want to patch 'ya up?" Her voice holds genuine worry as she looks at the kid up and down, noticing the amount of bruises he had on his body. James was hesitant to answer but let's out a "yes'm" as he looks on the ground. "... I'm all okay, ma'am... Thanks for helping me..." The old woman, Mrs. Rosewood let out a sigh and stopped James from walking away, "Oh, stop that nonsense boy. Come inside my house before I drag you in." She looked his hands and started walking inside before the kid even let out a protest.
Inside, you can tell that the atmosphere was warm. The wallpaper holds a pastel colour and floral pattern and the furnitures compliments it. "Sit there, lad. Wait for me to patch you up." She points to the red couch nearby and left the room to go to get the first aid kit leaving James kinda dumbfounded. Hopelessly, he obeyed the old woman and sat on the couch. Moments later, she came back and sat besides him and began to put ointment on his fresh bruises, leaving James to wince which annoyed the woman. "Quit that drama, boy. It ain't going to burn you alive." As she patched up his wounds, James couldn't help but wonder. Who is that boy on the window? Is he the youngest grandson of the Rosewoods? His wonders were cut when he heard the door open along with a high voice, "We're homeee!" Said the girl who looks like the same age as him before frozing in shock as she saw the unexpected visitor.
Behind her, two teens, a boy and a girl, followed who were the Rosewood's own troublemaker. They also froze at the sight but the boy let out a comment, "Now that is what you call extreme." The old woman rubbed her forehead as his words, "If you got nothing to do, you might as well go back to your room, William. You too, Collen and Maurie." Colleen and William groaned "But we just got here, grandma, we wanna watch the TV..." They both said in sync. "Quit watching before your eyes go square you brats. Kids these days knows nothing but laze all day. Back in my day, we..." Her voice disappeared on the background as she left the room though you can still hear her complain. The boy throws himself besides James while rolling his eyes before looking at him. "So... A school fight?" He asked casually, James nodded but kinda unsure. William smirked at that, "I knew it was" he says before grabbing the remote and turned the TV on. "You didn't know him, Willy? He's the infamous troublemaker!" Colleen says while ruffling James's hair which is already messy. "Oh do I know about any troublemaker!?" William says playfully before they both laughed.
Finally, Maurie shyly sat besides him. "I'm Maurie." She says before turning silent again. The older two saw it and exchanged knowing looks before smirking and pretending to watch the TV. "...James..." He finally responded but quietly. A few minutes later, Maurie spiked again. "I have a twin bro!..." That caught James's attention, "But I don't see one the same age as we." William stretched his arms before laying again comfortably, "That's because he was sick. That window at the front? That's where he's staying, lad." Maurie nodded at hwr big brother's statement before Colleen butted in, "You can't see him though. At least not now. His condition got worse and we might even caught it." They were all awkwardly silent before James stood up, "...I should go now. Thanks for treating me. Tell ma'am that I got home..." They all nodded but Maurie looks like she wanted the boy to stay longer. Maybe next time, Maurie.
Outside, the sky was now blue and the wind is cold. James finally got home and luckily, his uncle was fast asleep on the couch with all the beer bottles around him. He silently goes to his room and took off his bag then changed his clothes. He was exhausted for the day and yet, he was also intrigued by the mysterious boy he had saw earlier. Before he even knows it, he fell asleep on his bed while thinking about why did the boy watched pitifully. Maybe it's the start of something new. Who knows?