บท 2: Chapter 2

'BRIM BRIM BRIM..." the train sounded to announce that it had arrived at it's destination.

Waiting for people to fly out before me and Zaden followed we stood outside the train station. Looking for a taxi I saw a white 1999 BMW 3 series car stopping where I was standing with Zaden.

"Want a lift" Zaden turned to me as a buff man who looked to be about 190cm tall with a clean shaven beard and martial arts uniform made his way to Zaden as he engraved him in a hug which Zaden tried to avoid but with fail.

Pulling away the man turned his face to me "So is this the friend you made. Nice to meet you young man you can call me Arlo the father of Zaden" he finished before offering his hand to me which I returned.

"Nice to meet you too Mr Arlo and you can call me. Cardan and thank you for the lift" I smiled at him.

"No problem Cardan" he said as he picked up my bags and put them in the trunk.

"Thanks to you too Zaden" I said to Zaden who shrugged after Mr Arlo went to put our bags in the trunk.

Looking at me he paused before opening his mouth "...You said we were brothers...so there's no need to thank me" before I could say anything he worked away quickly and entered the front seat. I froze for a moment before snickering a bit at his shyness as I entered the back seat.

Mr Arlo entered the front seat and began driving. By seating on the brown seats I could tell that this car was well taken care of.

"So Cardan where you from" Mr Arlo asked.

"I'm from XXX" was all I said and seeing as I wasn't continuing they must of thought it was a private matter I couldn't speak about.

"I see I see," I looked through the window and it was all forest we had already left the buzzing city. But I already knew this road because father had taken me here to show me the house I would be staying in/renting so I wouldn't get lost.

"Are you going to Jiēdì qì High School?" I turned to Zaden.

"Mmmmmh... you going too" sending him a nod I looked out the window once more. Looks like my stay here wouldn't be that bad.

After entering a grovel road I began seeing houses again and a few flats as well.

"Here!" I exclaimed as I stared at the decaying paint of the flat.

Stopping the car Mr Arlo looked at the flat for too long which caused me to blush in embarrassment.

"Not bad not bad..." he murmured as he helped take out my bags. I got out of the car and Zaden followed along. Taking my suit case he waited for me to follow along with my bag pack.

"Follow me" I said as I led him through the flight of stairs. The building was six stories high with five rooms in each row. I was on the fourth story flat and third row.

"Huff puff Huff puff..." although I was exaggerating how tired I was I really didn't like climbing stairs father even had an elevator installed at home because of this. Turning to Zaden he looked the same as when he began to climb the stairs. Surprisingly this pushed me to walk faster as to not delay him.

As soon as we arrived at my door 12 I opened it with the keys from my bag pack. I pushed the door open with struggle but at least I was able to enter. The door needed fixing though.

The room was as I had remembered smaller than my own bathroom but beggars can't be choosers and at the moment I sadly was the begger.The room was large enough to fill in a single bed although there wasn't one there was only a pile of folded blankets on the ground. Which left enough space for two people to eat. Looking at the blankets I could already tell that they were filled with dust 'looks like I'll have some washing as well.'

"Where should I put your stuff" looking at Zaden I looked at where he could put it.

"Just put it on the wall beside the make shift bed."Fortunately there was a small window that would allow some sunlight in. Making my way to the small bathroom I noticed there was only a shower head and a single toilet. Checking to see if there was any water.

There wasn't any at least for now. Based on what I had learnt last time I was here water comes out at certain times so I'd need to start storing some water. A sigh of tiredness left my lips.

'Was it too early to give up' I couldn't help but inwardly think.

"Cardan you want to join us for dinner" Zaden said his words sounded forced which also prompted me to remember that Zaden was still here I turned to him and remembering what he said I immediately began nodding at him before remembering my manners.

"I don't want to intrude but since you asked so nicely I didn't see a need to refuse." I replied with a smile and immediately pulled him out of my room not before locking it with much struggle.

By the look he was giving me I could tell that he was hoping that I would refuse.

Mr Arlo was waiting for us and as soon as we entered he began driving.

"Any siblings Zaden?" I asked wanting to prepare myself for the people I would meet.

"I have a twin sister that's all her name is Noa other than that it's just me, dad and mom" was his answer.

"And you don't need to worry they are nice people" he said trying to calm me down. He didn't need too although I appreciated it, I was far from nervous.

"Home sweet home" Mr Arlo said as we stopped in front of a navy blue dojo like house which was surrounded by fence and a few broken down cars outside.

Living the car Zaden led me inside the gate as Mr Arlo prepared to park his car properly. As Zaden opened the small gate I noticed the beautiful green grass that looked well taken care of, well in most parts. As he stopped by the door he began taking off his shoes which I followed.

We were both left in our socks as we entered the dojo-like house. Through the entrance I could see the hall and the shining brown floor. On the walls were pictures of Zaden, Mr Arlo and a woman and one girl.

Turning to his left there was another room, it was filled with black leather sofas with a square shaped table in the middle of the 3 seater and one seater sofa. To the far right another open area which appeared to be a kitchen.

This room was the definition of an open space room especially with the sliding see through door that led to the backyard.

I think I saw a basketball hoop there. His family is rather living comfortably.

"Oh you're back" a loud deep feminine voice said from the kitchen turning my face there I saw a girl the height of me and Zaden.

She had a buzz-cut and sharp large eyes that were upturned at the ends. Thin full lips and a skinny tan figure. She was wearing a blue bagy shirt and if I hadn't noticed her black shorts picking out I would have thought that she was only wearing the shirt.

All in all in she looked cute especially with that aloof aura around her and apparently aloof Noa was my type. She ticked every box without even trying.

Her eyes turned to me I could feel my face redden, is this what they call love at first sight. If it wasn't then please explain the fast 'thumping' of my heart .

Sending me a small smile her eyes turned back to Zaden in question but that didn't matter because that smile alone sent me to heaven and back. I may as well have broken a Chang record for how fast I found my wife.

"His name is Cardan and he'll be going to school with us in two weeks... he's also my friend" Zaden murmured the last bit uncomfortably thinking I didn't hear him.

"Zaden you have it wrong" Zaden widened his eyes but quickly lowered them as if mocking himself as Noa narrowed her eyes at me in a threatening manner.

Swoon

"We are brothers after all did you forget and soon to be your brother-law." the air became calmer as Zaden rolled his eyes as if remembering something and Nao gave a crooked smile.

"Then that makes me your sister" she said again in her deep yet feminine voice. It was unique and it made me fall harder but her words almost made me cry.

"No it makes you my wife" I booted out as her left cheek turned red while Zaden rolled his eyes probably thinking I was joking... I wasn't.