Behold! My Difficult Roommate

10 |My Rites

A/N: This chapter is awesome! Don't forget to vote!

Kai

I lay in bed, contemplating my life choices.

It's been 3 days since I received that ominous message and I can say that my anxiety is still through the roof. The fact that there's a practice for the graduation rites this morning doesn't help either.

My alarm rang once again, reminding me of my human obligation to live. It's tiring, sure. But I don't really have a choice. I rolled out my bed as I heard my second alarm go off.

"Kai! You're late! This is the last time I'm going to say this. Don't make me come up there!"

My mother sure does have a lousy snooze button.

I stood in front of my bathroom mirror. The bags under my eyes are becoming more plump as the days go by. My disheveled hair also gave it all away. I look tired.

The comfort of a bath released my tensed muscles. I wish I could stay here longer.

I don't know what's worse. The unknown world of France or the danger I'm facing here. Is this what adult life's all about? Having difficult choices between life and death? I closed my eyes, sighing.

"I'll be the one driving you to school this time. Wait for me, alright?" Alicia's message appeared in my head as I felt a smile forming on my lips. Even if that police agent stopped protecting me, I'm glad I still have Al by my side.

"Kai! Get down here already! You have a guest!" My mother screamed. I still can't believe that her voice could reach this far.

There's no time to waste now. Alicia's already here.

I hastily got ready and headed downstairs. But what I expected was far off. My heart leaped, overwhelming me with joy. The man wearing a fedora opened his arms wide as his eyes and lips smiled.

"Uncle!" I can only shout in glee, embracing him tightly.

"I've missed you, champ!" Uncle pats my back.

It's been so long alright, I could hardly remember his rib-shattering hugs and pats.

"Easy now, baby brother or you'll break my son's fragile body!" My mother pouts, pulling Uncle's ear.

My uncle winced in pain. "Alright, alright! Jeez." His expression changed when he looked at me. "Oh what do we have here?"

His fingers danced, reaching for something in my ear.

He pulled out a coin. "Voila!"

I can't help but laugh at his usual tricks but my laughter was quickly changed with awe as the coin suddenly became a small round locket with just a sleight of hand.

"I practiced that just for you, nephew." My uncle opened the locket and I found a picture of me when I was a child holding a string I plucked from his favorite guitar.

My uncle sighs. "I loved that guitar, I would even trade your mother for it."

My mother teasingly raised her eyebrow at him.

He chuckles before continuing. "And yet, I still couldn't bring myself to be angry with you back then because I loved you more." My uncle placed the locket on my hand. "Whenever you found someone dear to you. A friend. A lover. Feel free to change the picture inside so you can always be happy, knowing they'll always be there for you."

"Well, I could place your picture here now, uncle." I grinned, pushing back possible tears.

"You could... But we both know your mother's a jealous type." He whispers.