average human’s Reviews > Flourishing Heart > Status Update

“You haven’t seen crazy yet!” Apollo shouted as he stepped towards Carson like he wanted another round. I stood in his path, not wanting them to go at it again. Their violence made the atmosphere rattle with electricity that made me tremble at the pressure.
I was probably the last person Apollo wanted to try to hold him back. He could go after me after the threat he had said before, but I stood there raising my head towards his chest, stopping him. He wasn’t looking at me, maybe didn’t even see me. His eyes were entirely on Carson with the intent to attack again. But as soon as he walked into me, my breath escaped my lungs.
My right index finger brushed against Apollo’s neck.
Apollo was burning, and his touch was pulling me in. Making me come plundering down like a burning meteorite. I was falling, burning up like I was going into the sun. The air shifted to a thick humidity breaking me out in a sticky sweat as I scorched alongside Apollo.
The pressure of my chest hurled as it grew with a new gravity. A connection sparked between us. A flame had ignited inside me and with each breath, it unleashed a spicy burn with each draw of my lungs. Apollo, his soul was scorching, exploding a part of me. I could feel him, his soul connecting to its missing piece inside me.
I could sense and feel him, and I knew he could feel me too. Both of us were pushing and pulling towards each other, like an uncontrollable fire vortex, raging.
My head spun, making the world tilt as I tried to right myself. I was submerged, but it was only Apollo that I could cling to. My fingers dug deep into his bare skin, the heat of him consuming. I felt if I didn’t have Apollo as my anchor I would burn to a crisp.
He was part of my circle.
Apollo held part of my soul!
I look up at Apollo. He was looking down at me, his ocean blue eyes were wide as he took in a couple of deep breaths. The image knocked me in gear to breathe as my mind lightened with the lack of oxygen. We both were panting as one.
“Grace,” He sounded breathless, shocked.
I ran.
Quickly running down the halls. I didn’t even know where I was going; I just knew I had to run away.
The thought of Apollo being one of my four was a slight horror. The stories of my mother’s clients came rushing back, and I couldn’t help but see some signs of destruction already. The secrets and wildness he had wouldn’t work. I wasn’t like him. I was wrong for someone like Apollo.
My body felt out of control as my mind ran its own course. My body felt hot as Apollo’s phantom touch still remained, and I held a sense that it would forever.
I ended up in the sports hall on the opposite side of the school. Furthest away from Apollo, I could be at this time. I went into the woman’s changing rooms and headed towards the showers that had locks.
I needed more between us. Locking the cubical shower door, I slid down the wall trying to catch my breath back. My chest hurt as I tried not to mourn the unfairness of it all. Even though I knew it would never be like the stories, a part of me yearned for my circle to be different. But that wasn’t the reality of things.
I had Apollo. Apollo a dark toxic multi-layered baggage that was filled with drugs and sexual partners. I had saved myself out of fear while he had not. He didn’t even think about his actions. He was someone while I was another.
Why? I thought to fate. Why him? I would be boring compared to him. A nun, he called me. We just didn’t fit. The only thing we had in common was us not wanting to find our circle. The sharpness hit me suddenly. It left me breathless as I felt the need to fold in on myself from the pain and thought.
Apollo didn’t want me, I thought as tears leaked.
“Grace,” Apollo’s voice came from behind the door, making me flinch, not expecting him to find me so quickly. His shoes came on show from under the gap of the door as I shuffled backwards till my back hit the white brick wall.
I could feel him, the pull that was beckoning to me. The bond was instinctual. I simply knew it wanted to be heard. I could reach out and feel him if I wanted. He was right there, within reach. It was like Apollo was currently underwater, all his emotions and feelings just waiting for me to reach out and grab them.
“Open the door.” He spoke, his tone sounded emotionless, but I refused to use our bond to spy on what he was truly feeling. I tried to pull away and block him completely out as much as I could. I knew he must have felt it as his fist struck against the door, making it vibrate.
“Open this door now!” He growled as he hit the stall door again, only to meet my silence. I didn’t want to open the door only for him to tell me what I already knew. I couldn’t handle it right now. I wanted to be alone.
Apollo cursed under his breath as his shoes disappeared, making me sigh in relief at him leaving. Then, all of a sudden, the door shuddered as Apollo grunts came from the top of the door as he swung his body over the top.
Quickly standing up, I couldn’t help but hiss at him, “What are you doing!”
He landed in front of me with a great smugness that was now back. The anger he once had for me seemed to have vanished.
“You didn’t open the door,” he said simply, like that was a great excuse to climb over the stall door. Being so close together, I could feel his heat, that fire he supplied.
We both stared at each other for what felt like hours as our own breathing became like pants. We said nothing, but I knew we were uncontrollably feeling each other out through the bond. I felt him tugging and pulling, wanting to explore each other without physical touch.
“You ran from me.” He finally said, his voice rumbled sounding deep as his blue eyes were filling with a dark hunger. I rubbed my arms and shuffled my feet. I needed to get away from him otherwise the urge to touch him would overtake me.
“You’re angry at me.” I refused to look at him once I mentioned his anger from before. I did not think I could handle seeing it brewing up again, seeing that hatred.
Apollo huffed as he scratched the back of his head. “You’re really trying to change the subject from that we are part of a circle?”
“Like what you are doing now with your hatred towards me?”
Apollo recoiled, “I never hated you, Grace. You enticed me!” He grabbed my arms, making me feel that burning need. It consumed me, and I tried not to moan out loud. “I wanted you the first moment I saw you.”
“You want everyone,” I gibed. I couldn’t believe his words. Everyone at this school knew what Apollo was like. I even caught a bit of it in the cleaning closet.
It was already happening, the start of our downfall. The bond was confusing my feelings, making me feel angry and hurt at what he has already done. It was already ruining and turning sour. Apollo opened and closed his mouth, unable to think of the right thing to say, but there was no right thing he could say to make everything better. For once, he was the Guppy.
“I get it. You don’t want this, and I’m not ready yet.” I said, the pain already forming in my chest where a part of him lingered. It hurt to know he was going to back away, but it was for the best.
“You think I don’t want this?” His face was harsh, and his eyes were narrow. He cursed as his hands dug deeper into my arms, pinching skin slightly. “Don’t you feel me?” He asked as he loomed over me.
I couldn’t and wouldn’t allow my soul to feel his. I didn’t know how I could control this, but I refused to look, refused to feel what he was feeling. I couldn’t handle that rejection.
Apollo’s face softened as he whispered, “Don’t be scared. Just feel me, Grace. Feel how much I want this between us. Let me in.” His breath was hot on my face as he inched closer to me. His pierced hoop ring on his lip grazed on my neck. I couldn’t help but shiver at his closeness.
“Let me in. I need to feel you.” He cooed, his hot breath blowing down my neckline. A soft wet touch of his tongue caressed my skin making me quiver. Apollo’s hands softly stroked up and down my bare arms, leaving the scorch of heat.
His emotions were right within reach. He was pulling me, entwining me, begging me. Apollo was boiling me from within as he pressed closer to my body, making me feel his hard outline. It felt all too much but yet not enough. His presence filled my space, making me overwhelmed as the hold in me crumbled.
I allowed him in.
We both gasped as the tidal wave of emotion washed through us. His flooding me, not allowing me to shy away again. In our bond, our connection, Apollo was loud and proud.
Apollo was ecstatic to be joined with me. His excitement and satisfaction shone brightly like the sun itself. He wouldn’t allow me not to see now. But with such a blazing light, shadows form, a dark black on in the corner of his mind lingered, he tried to hide but a shadow that big you would be bound to notice.
Apollo didn’t feel worthy of me.
His lack of self-worth brought tears to my eyes at the anguish he felt the need to cover. He was always hiding his true self. I could see that now.
“It’s okay, I’m here,” he said, his forehead on mine with his eyes closed as he relished the feeling of me. He could see me now. Who I am as a person. I could feel him, feeling everything, needing to see every inch of who I was. I was his craving as he was mine.
Was this normal?
My parents never spoke of their bond. It was personal and extremely private. The only talks were from Da, and he was extremely vague.
“Everyone feels the bond differently. But it’s a true blessing to hold such a connection,′ Da said, and he left it when I tried to get him to say more.
“I knew you thought too much,” Apollo spoke, bringing me out of the memory.
“You can hear my thoughts!” I shrieked, causing a bellow of a laugh to come out of Apollo’s mouth.
“No, your emotions are like whiplash. And you always have this look on your face when you think.” Apollo’s emotions have calmed down now that I wasn’t blocking him out. The open bond between us allowed everything to settle, but I had to concentrate on how he was feeling.
A bolt of desire went down between my legs, causing me to gasp. Apollo groaned as his lips crashed against mine, taken over with such possession. His lips shifted, urging me to move my own, and when I did, he moaned at my attempt in praise. His hands roamed my body, trying to bring me closer to him as much as was possible.
My first kiss.

Apollo jerked back, allowing both of us to breathe now, but I doubted I would ever recover.
“You need to be careful when you read my emotions, Guppy. You might get burnt on what you will end up feeling.” Apollo’s voice was a husk, his hands still on me, fanning the flame.
I just had my first kiss in a shower cubicle…
I wondered who took Apollo’s…
Apollo’s mouth went back on mine again. His soft lips were more urgent as he pressed into me before stepping back before I lost my breath again. My head was spinning as I gulped deep breaths.
“You had that look again, and that was the only thing I could think of to make you stop” He looked a little sheepish before he went into my space again, “Grace-”
It was my time to initiate the kiss, I needed him close, and he groaned with approval. Why was kissing so addicting? Who would have thought I would be okay with this when I hated touch?
“We need to stop,” He mumbled into my lips, but we continued. My own scorch made me lift my legs up and around him, needing to feel him even more. Apollo groaned his emotional approval before he hoisted me up as my back hit the tile wall. His groin felt thick pressed against my center.
I couldn’t handle touching people, and here I was having my first make-out session with Apollo of all people.
Cold water hit me, making me gasp from the shock of the sharp coldness. It pelted against us, making us pull apart as we cringe away from the stinging cold.
“Sorry, but we needed to cool down a notch.” Apollo chuckled over the pouring of water. His hand on the tap handle that made his loose clothing now stick to him. Doing the complete opposite of cooling me down.
But the cold water did knock some sense into my system.
What on earth was I doing?
My mind was in a haze. A dream like state. Was I in shock?
I couldn’t come to terms with what was happening.
Apollo looked down at me with an expression I’d never had anyone look at me with before. His smile warm, his hand up like they wanted to touch me.
“Whoever is in there needs to leave. Classes have already started!” A loud man’s voice broke us apart.
I scrambled away as far as the small space would allow. My feet went back on the ground as I frantically smoothed my skirt as Apollo’s amusement hit the roof.
“Sorry, Coach Jordan, I’m a bit busy here at the moment!” Apollo yelled as he stepped towards me, his lips on my neck. Mortification washed over me at Apollo announcing he was in the girl’s shower room. He gave a soft chuckle and gave a peck on my reddened cheek. He was amused at my discomfort.
“Apollo, this is a girl’s shower room!” Coach Jordan’s voice stuttered in a rage.
“Busy!” Apollo sang back. He only had eyes on me as they trailed down my chest making me realize my top was sticking to me like new skin. Stomps and curses left the shower room.
“We should go,” I said, but I was uncertain about where we should go.
Did we need to tell people we were part of a circle?
That was when it hit me.
Apollo was my circle member. I thought to myself, I think I was going into shock.
Chuckling, Apollo lightly grabbed my chin as he pulled me closer to him. His lips were soft as he gave me a small, tender kiss on my lips. “We are going to be okay” He sounded so sure, so certain of the future.
The jangling of keys erupted as the cubicle door slammed open. Coach Jordan stood there fuming as a red vessel throbbed at the side of his neck.
“Principal’s office, now!”

62%

The other also had the same style as the older version of Apollo. But instead of the blonde, he had brown hair and lighter skin than the tanned look. Both older men wore polo shirts and khaki pants, and neat hair parting. They were completely opposite to their son’s rebellious style.
I tried not to look into or glance over at them as my concern bubbled, but the bond between Apollo and I hummed with a twisted pinch. Apollo was rooted on his spot, withdrawn and stiff as his dads continued to speak.
“Apollo, this has got to stop.” His lookalike muttered dejectedly. His look of grief caused Apollo’s other dad to stroke him on the shoulder in comfort.
Apollo said nothing, but there, hidden deep down, was a simmering anger. A wave came over him, shifting his posture lazily to lean back against the wall. The corner of his lip curled into a smirk while raising a perfect arch brow towards his dads like it was all a joke.
All that front…
The door swung open, and Da came in, his pace rushing towards me. “What in the world?” He uttered as he took me in, but he quickly came over, rubbing my towel against me, trying to warm me. Apollo and his dads took in Da as they listened to him rambling out his confusion on why i was wet.
“We didn’t know what to do.” He babbled. “It’s the first time being called here, so we decided to go good dad bad dad” He gave a wide smile. He seemed to be savoring my new ′rebellious′ ways. It would be a shame to burst his bubble when he finds out.
“Who is the bad dad?” I asked as my body shook as a cold dread formed inside me. I knew deep down who, but I still hoped it would be one of the other somewhat less perfect fits.
“I am.” Fathers voice was sharp as he entered, arms crossed, while wearing his work suit. He looked the part and was the one that had came to mind. I was just surprised he even left work early to deal with me.
His strides long and determined met where I now stood. My legs trembled at his stern unamused gaze. It was a struggle to look in his eyes.
“So,” He spoke clearly as he looked down at me with a raised eyebrow, “What happened?” He demanded, but with Apollo and his dads attention towards us, I couldn’t just point and yell, ’he did it!′
“I didn’t do anything.” I spoke honestly but my voice trembled.
Father’s eyes were unrelenting. His mouth thinned causing me to swallow. Sweat was building on my brow, and it wasn’t from the summer heat. I’ve never gotten in trouble before. This was a completely different situation I didn’t know how to handle.
Was my family disappointed in me? If they found out about me and Apollo in the locker room…
My cheeks heated at the memory of the shower, and my eyes couldn’t help but look at Apollo who was openly smirking my way. He knew exactly what I was feeling.
Next to me I felt Father stiffen, his eyes had followed my own and were narrowing on Apollo. I could hear the grind of Father’s teeth as he charted out his own story in his mind.
“Them calling us because you disrupted and walked out of class states otherwise.” Father spoke, his gaze finally back towards me.
“Something about you fighting? Are you okay, kiddo?” Da questioned, his hand still rubbing the cold away.
“No, I didn’t fight,” I said genuinely as Father was close to bringing me to point at Apollo.
I was thankful the school hadn’t mentioned mine and Apollo’s new bonding experience. I bet the whole class knew what happened as I ran. This was the time to tell them before it was revealed in the meeting, yet my voice got stuck in my throat, and only a stutter came out.
To say it out loud was giving it a reality I wasn’t ready for.
Coward.
“Graham?” The older Apollo spoke with a confused frown.
“Shit, Theo. I should have known this one is yours.” Da smiled and gestured at a scowling Apollo as both men shook hands. I didn’t realize how shadowed Apollo’s dads face looked before now. His face kindled with recognition. Mother had said she and Da went to school here before.
“When did you move back?” Theo asked
“Just the beginning of this month.”
“I don’t think right now is a good chance for a catch-up. Our kids need us.” Father growled.
“Tobias.” Da’s voice was between a sigh and a warning. Da gave Theo an apologetic look. Father opened his mouth to snap back but the principal’s door opened.
“Ah, good. You’re all here,” Mrs. Mason spoke as she opened her office door, leaving it wide “Please come inside.”
Grudgingly, we all shuffled inside her office. The curtains from her massive window drew shut, like she didn’t want the outside to witness what was about to happen.
Apollo and I were in between our two dads, sitting on the soft leather seats as Mrs. Mason sat in her chair from behind her huge desk. Her mouth tutted when me and Apollo sat down, mumbling about ruining her seats while rearranging the papers on her desk.
“Now, can either one of you explain why I brought your parents in today?” Mrs. Mason asked between us, and a bolt of panic went through me that even made Apollo jolt in his seat.
This was it.
This was the moment she would tell our parents what we were. Would they be happy? Would they think I was actively looking for my circle all this time? Disappointed? Because I doubted they thought someone like Apollo could hold a part of my soul.
“Miss Millington?” Mrs. Mason obviously knew I was the weaker target and her beady eyes locked on mine, causing my throat to constrict.
“Grace doesn’t do well with conflict.” Da spoke for me, offering me aid. I winced. If he saw me these couple of weeks, he would think differently. Even Apollo seemed to eye me in question. He just brought the worst out of me. He did the opposite of what one of my circle members should do.
“Well, nevertheless, it seems she likes a heated engagement of another kind.” There it was. The start of the reveal.
Say something! My mind screamed.
“Our coach found these two in a shower stall. Miss Millington, we do not encourage fornication in school, especially those who do outside of their circle.”
What?
They didn’t know we were a match…The horror of our parents finding out through the principal flew out of the window. The principal didn’t know. Apollo’s reputation followed him. I was just another one of the many. My mouth soured as Apollo blanched like he could tell what I was thinking, his scandal like heavy smoke.
“What?” Father’s voice turned into a deadly calm. His head snapped to me. His face glowered with full disappointment. I couldn’t help but flinch away from that look. The pit in my stomach twisted so tightly it made it a struggle to breathe.
“Tobias,” Da leaned forward in his chair, blocking Father’s furious gaze with his body. I only saw Da large back as his voice was calm as he spoke softly. “Calm down.”
“How can I be calm?” Father snapped. He shifted his head, looking over Da’s shoulder, straight at me. “We raised you right. Never would I think you would do something like this! We always told you to think about your circle. What would they think? Did you not listen?” Father was displaying so much passion and disappointment towards me.
“Tobias.” Da tried again but Father wasn’t listening.
“We told you about our family, and this is how you act?” He choked the last words out, making Da flinch. Father’s pain brimmed eyes focused on Da, “This will come back to haunt them. We tried Graham.”
“Tobias, enough. This isn’t you talking.” Da muttered with a snapping urgency. From the back I could see Da shifting his head to the side towards Mrs. Mason. Who was watching with an eager expression which I hated instantly.
Father was silent for a moment, his throat bobbed as he swallowed down his words that were already in his mouth. His eyes still held a glint of pain, but they were slightly wider than normal. A type of hidden fear I’ve never noticed before. Was this Father’s own anger towards Da? Hidden pain that he now was unleashing?
Inside I felt a simmering rage. I could feel an anger bubbling, like a pot holding boiling water that was about to unleash over the edge. It hadn’t been only mother holding me down with her fear. It had also been Father. Usually emotionless as a front but now, I could see it in a new light.
Mother had come to see what she was doing was holding me back, but Father was still holding on to me tightly. He wasn’t as extreme as Mother, and he did it differently, but it still felt the same. His words hurt and they were an attempt to push me back down, but my anger now refused to let this continue. It was Father who told me to form boundaries with the rest of my parents, but how quickly that changed once your child made them for you.
I couldn’t be quiet any longer. I decided I wasn’t going to be shackled anymore. I couldn’t. They melted off as the blistering heat within made my chest bloom. A freeing feeling growing.

Apollo, I thought when I realized it was him. He was that fiery passion blooming me from within. His soul inside me was the new fire that fueled my veins. He was giving me the freedom of expression I had been missing for so long. Apollo was feeding my inner fire as all the frustration that had built for so long, an outlet.
“Didn’t listen?” I scoffed. “Of course, I did! Don't you wonder why I’m like the way I am? Because of those stories!” It felt liberating as everything in my mind spewed out, hitting them with my sorrow I never realized I held so strongly.
I felt the anger, the pain of what was expected of me. The teachings that left me perplexed and the questions that were never answered. My parents expected me to be independent but to also think for my circle. The balance of that was hazy and often confusing.
My opinions were scrambled as my parent’s teachings sometimes conflicted with my friends’ way of thinking. How open my friends were with experimenting but also wanting to find their circle. Was it wrong if someone did sleep outside the circle if they haven’t found them yet? But was it unfair if you waited while your circle didn’t?
It was all very confusing. I didn’t know what was right or wrong, and the frustration of it all left my mouth in an outpour of words and tears.
“You say to strive for independence, and yet I should think about my circle. You say, don’t go looking for them, but also have them in mind on every choice I make. Mother’s clients, all of those stories of circles breaking and falling apart and your expectations of me. They left me trapped. I’ve been so scared of meeting my four. Yet, you believe I'd do something like that, and even if I did do it, shouldn’t you be happy that I’m living my life, experiencing stuff like a normal teenager?”
I knew I was throwing it all back in their faces. But I was making a stand. I was holding a fire in my gut that wasn’t there before. I knew every word was all of Da’s fears he had felt for my strict upbringing. But I needed them to see, to hear my mind. Father had to see the hypocrisy of it all. How confusing it was for me. I had to find my own way of thinking of rights and wrongs.
Frustration cracked through my anger as hot tears formed in my eyes. Humiliation was quick to follow when I remembered the others were also here. It was out in the open, dirty, for all eyes to see, judging. Apollo’s eyes burned into my face. I could feel his soul tugging mine. He wanted permission to tell them, but the question went unanswered by me.
I knew if I revealed that Apollo was part of my circle, they would think and act differently. I hated the feeling of their hypocrisy, and I couldn’t form guilt from the truth that Apollo helped with.
I had nothing to be sorry for, I realized.
“Grace,” Da whispered as he looked at me with distress. He watched as my tears fell. “Kiddo…” He seemed at a loss of words as he looked at Father, who had gone white in his face.
Apollo struggled against his fathers, who seemed to knock my Father back into his anger, but he was now aiming at Apollo. He was about to get the full force of my Father. If he couldn’t go after me, he would find someone else to criticize.
“You,” He spat, standing up towering over Apollo. “You have a name around town, and I’m not surprised.”
“Hey!” The one who looked like an older Apollo, Theo, barked, “That’s my son you’re talking about.”
“Your son? I wouldn’t know he had parents with the way he goes about in town.”
Both Apollo’s fathers flushed, they both going red with an ashamed look. They both stumbled and stuttered over themselves as Apollo had a wild look in his eyes as he watched Father with distaste.
“Everyone knows what he is like. I would have thought boundaries were part of the job of parenting.”
“Tobias, enough.” Da scolded, trying to halt Father’s rampage.
“They need a few home truths. Their son is pulling our daughter down, and I won’t allow it.”
“The only thing I pull down, old man. Is my fucking zipper when I fuck” Apollo hissed. His fury at everything, now being unjust.
I mentally groaned at his comment. He wasn’t helping things with my Father, I could see the way father’s brow twitched along with the dark anger I could feel was pulsing out of him. But somehow, I knew Apollo was acting up, not even trying to deny what people thought of him.
Apollo altered as his cocky attitude flared. It was a strange sensation as the feeling of a masquerade clung to him, that front he pushed forward full of anger and humor. But the rumble of that storm could be heard. I could hear it over the crackling fire of fury.
Father grunted at the disrespect, but his dads did nothing. Instead, they looked at their son like he was a lost cause, hopelessness. A strange thing to witness a parent suffering from disintegration. But Apollo stood his ground facing Father. He wouldn’t back down.
Another electric current snapped through Apollo, causing his rage to extinguish, leaving me to feel its aftereffect. I was scared to touch anything in case the lingering electricity would shock me.
Da shot Father a look, silent communication between them, a warning look as Father stepped forward, meeting Apollo halfway. “Just because you’re acting up doesn’t give you the right to involve Grace in your issues.”
“Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear what she said? I’m giving her something she has been longing- no, needed, for a very long time.” Apollo stood with his arms crossed still holding Father’s glare. He was a little shorter than Father, but he didn’t let that affect him.
“And what is that?” Father chuffed. It sounded mocking.
“Life,” His emotions were so sure of what I needed. He was utterly certain even if he felt undeserving of our bond, but he was full of determination.
Father inhaled sharply. His body tensed along with Da as silence thickened around the room. Da clenched his jaw and looked away towards the closed curtains, looking at nothing. Father was a statue, his back to me, but I guessed he wasn’t happy with Apollo’s answer.
“That isn’t yours to give,” Father spoke softly, it sounded almost apologetic, but before Apollo opened his mouth, the office door barged open.
Mother came inside the room like a hurricane. Her neat hair that was tied up in a perfect bun was done and classy. She held her own type of fire as she took in the room. I couldn’t help but gulp as they settled on me. My dads shuffled with unease. I guess they forgot Mother was on the list to call too.
“Well, it seems you all got started without me. I’m sorry to say that you must catch me up.” She moved as Father jumped out of her way and offered his seat. Then, sitting tall, she looked straight at Mrs. Mason, who gave a slight cough as she also straightened her back, her face turned toward Apollo and his family.
Before Mrs. Mason could grab hold of the meeting again, Mother brightened. “Theo, it’s nice to see you again even under these circumstances.” she greeted, her charm working wonders on the two dads, who looked lost before.
“A flash from the past.” Theo looked sad, even with his smiling greeting.
“What is going on?” Mother asked Mrs. Mason to explain.
Finally, we were getting back on track.
“Your daughter has been fighting and been doing some indecent acts.” Mrs. Mason spoke. I could see a new glint that wasn’t there before. It then hit me that she heard my worries, my concerns of my family. She looked pretty smug, in fact.
Mother turned to me, her sharp eyes cut into me as her words spoke firmly, “Did you get into a fight?”
“No.”
“Did you act indecently?” She asked, making me wince. I felt my cheeks get hot as I looked away. How could she ask me that? How could I answer with Apollo and his dads just next to me?
“She didn’t fight”, Mother stated as she turned back to Mrs. Mason. She didn’t look upset, but my mother could hold her emotions in when she was in front of strangers, unlike me.
“Mrs. Millington,” Mrs. Mason gave a slight chuckle, patronizing, “You cannot state your daughter didn’t fight.”
“My daughter isn’t a liar.” Mother said swiftly, and I couldn’t help but do a mental cheer with her on my side.
“Teenagers lie.” Mrs. Mason gave a smile that I didn’t like. It seemed taunting, like an adult to a naïve child. “Grace here is your first child. It’s easy to get swept up in their stories.”
“I know my daughter. She didn’t.”
“She wasn’t.” Apollo said, “I started it. Grace was trying to stop me. She stood in the way and...” No one blinked an eye at Apollo’s hesitation from his story.
“We cannot accept that, Mr. Moore. Your involvement with Miss Millington makes your statement partial and therefore invalid. Your affection could be covering up the truth of the matter.” Mrs. Mason shrugged. “But we will come to the fight later when I get all the statements from your class. I called you here with your act of misconduct of a pleasurable sense.”
Apollo leaned back in his chair, “I would say beating Carson gave me some type of pleasure,” he said with a shrug and smirk. Both of his dads shook their heads with a sigh.
“Fornication is not allowed!” Mrs. Mason hissed.
“We didn’t have sex.” Apollo sighed. He leaned his head over the edge of his chair, staring at the ceiling. He was done with it all now.
“Experimenting isn’t allowed.”
“I don’t see why this is a problem,” Mother said. “Your whole object is to find people who match,” Mother shrugged. “I don’t see why it is a crime to find themselves in this manner.”
“Brenda!” Father hissed in shock at Mother’s words. Even I was in shock. I thought she was against it completely, but as I tried to think back on her thoughts of experimenting outside of your circle. I couldn’t remember any of her opinions on the matter.
Mother ignored Father as she stared down Mrs. Mason, who was stuttering.
“This school holds no tolerance of that regard!” Mrs. Mason hissed, her nose up in the air, making Apollo laugh.
“Guess she needs some loving. Grumpy hag.” Apollo muttered under his breath, but everyone still heard him. His dads groaned and begged him to shut his mouth, which caused a smirk to form on his lips.
He loved the reaction.
“You are on thin ice!” Mrs. Mason shouted, “You are this close to getting expelled!” She showed her finger and thumb close together. Apollo didn’t say anything, but his eye roll was dramatic.
“What I’m sure Lucas is trying to say is that it’s good to experiment. To grow and develop before meeting their circle.” Mother explained coolly.
“Yeah, that.” Apollo grunted, not sounding like he meant that at all. I was still recovering from the quick ignited spark that had come from him. It had hit my chest hard, leaving me breathless.

65%

“Grace is showing clear signs that her household doesn’t have the balance that a child needs. To also stop her from finding her circle is also highly concerning.” Mrs. Mason spoke sharply, bringing me out to take notice when she spoke my name.
I rolled my eyes when the room became heated once again. Both mine and Apollo’s parents all speaking at once while Mrs. Mason tried to keep her wits about her. So much unnecessary noise.
Apollo’s eyes were on me, the concern on his face as his true outrage at those around us. They were fighting because I was too cowardly to tell them.
“Maybe if you had more children, then maybe you wouldn’t be blind to your child’s needs. Unfortunately, single children in households tend to act out, and your daughter is crying for help.” Mrs. Mason quipped and brought me back to attention again.
I couldn’t help but let my jaw drop as the room around me became tense. Apollo and his dads seemed to go wide-eyed in shock while my Da’s fist clenched, and Father’s jaw muscle seemed to spasm. Mother didn’t react, even though we all knew what Mrs. Mason meant. Her comment was offensive and held judgment of my family’s way.
“You have no right.” Father sneered his eyes, blackened pits that burned with venom. He looked powerful as his glare and teeth were bare for all to see. His tidal wave of emotions today was a sight I’d never witnessed, and Mother looked upon him with worship.
Mother and Father were the head force of the family. They bore the brunt of everything the circle faced and were connected in a way I doubt I would ever understand. Father expected growth and ambitiousness, it was who he was, and mother provided it. While Mother expected security and drive, and Father gave it to her without hesitation.
They were part of a team, a circle.
That’s when I saw what a circle could become. A new light way of thinking flickering in my mind.
“How dare you-”
Again, they grew in loudness. I tried to block them out again, to only hear the buzzing of voices, but they grew louder and louder.
I knew what I had to do.
I hated to reveal it in such a way. Why couldn’t I have my own time to process such a thing? It wasn’t every day you found your circle member. I just wanted a moment to myself, but I knew, and so did Apollo, they wouldn’t stop. They would never shut up.
“We are part of a circle.” I murmured, not wanting everyone to hear but my mother. She stopped her rant abruptly and looked over to me with widened blue eyes at my statement.
However, she still asked me again, needing that confirmation, “What was that?”
“Grace and I are part of a circle.” Apollo spoke loud and clear. He could shout from the rooftops if he wanted to. That caused everyone to quieten down.
“By the words that I have heard in this office! Never have I had children lie like this to get out of punishment!” Mrs. Mason yelled.
Mother held her hand up. Her annoyance for the principal was obvious. Even Apollo’s dads huffed at her as they wanted more confirmation from Apollo.
“Tell me how it felt,” Mother asked, her eyes solely on me like we were the only two here.
“It was like falling, I was sucked into him, and I can… feel...” My stomach coiled as I tried to force the words out. But unease grabbed at me when I tried to say what I was currently feeling.
Please say this was normal, and I wasn’t a freak. But Apollo’s emotion was one of comfort and excitement for us.
“Congrats, kiddo!” Da shouted as I was lifted out of my chair, his arms wrapped around me as he gave me a squeeze and a twirl. He was the only one in my family who truly wanted me to find someone, anyone who could love me for me.
I couldn’t help but look at Apollo. I wasn’t sure if he could be what my Da wanted for me.
“Why didn’t you say sooner?” Mrs. Mason still had suspicion.
“I didn’t want my family to find out like this.” I mumbled, looking down.
From the corner of my eye, Mrs. Mason looked baffled. She was clearly confused at my lack of excitement. I bet she expected me to be jumping for joy, but I wasn’t.
“I guess this means everything is fine now.” Mother spat. She knew they would do nothing to us now on the grounds of our activities in the showers. We all knew it. The school would wrap this up with a bow at how it was their doing that we found each other. Another one for their collection of success. The thought made me feel sick. Kristina was going to have a field day after this.
“Well, this is an interesting development. The school board will be thrilled to know we have done it again” Mrs. Mason giggled like she didn’t offend my family a few minutes ago. “I knew you had someone here, Miss. Millington. I would encourage you to find the rest. This is only the beginning.”
“Get the fuck on with my punishment.” Apollo snarled, his distaste for our principle increased.
Mrs. Mason gave a cough as we all waited for her. “I have no choice but to place you under suspension till next week.” Mrs. Mason spoke only towards Apollo, who looked at her with indifference. His emotions were a full fury towards the old woman, but he said nothing as she continued.
“I would advise you both to rest for the next few days. Finding a circle member causes exhaustion. Miss Millington, you will have a registered absence while Mr. Moore will be reported absent from suspension. Both of your classes will change to accommodate each other-”
“No.” Apollo snapped
“I beg your pardon?”
“We are not changing classes. We are happy where we are.”
Mother looked elated at Apollo. Father was suspiciously quiet, not looking at anything. No doubt I believed the guilt he was currently feeling on how he had acted. He degraded Apollo only to find out his daughter’s soul was inside him.
“Fine, but you both will now hold extra classes on circle management and growth.” Mrs. Mason snapped as Mother scoffed.
“Great,” Apollo said, jumping up from his seat, “See you next week.” With that, he came over to me and dragged me up and pulled me out of her office door. His hand held mine tightly, his heat spreading up my arm.
“Well, that was one of the most intense meetings we ever had with you.” Theo spoke as all of our parents came out, holding looks of exhaustion. But Apollo didn’t acknowledge him. He didn’t acknowledge anyone. Instead, his eyes were locked on our intertwined hands, the fiery pulse between us growing.
“Would it be okay if I dropped him home?” Mother asked, which Apollo looked up at. His confusion and uncertainty at being in the small space with my mother was comical.
“We have to go back to the shop anyway, so that would be a great help.” Theo spoke, his smile never reaching his dull blue eyes.
“We will go,” Da spoke, holding an excitement that Father lacked.
Father was lingering close to the door like he wanted to escape. I had a suspicion that Mother wanted us three alone as she herded us out towards the car park. Thankfully classes were still in session as we walked.
“How are you two feeling?” Mother asked once we were seated and belted up in her silver car. The question sent a tidal wave of exhaustion, and I couldn’t stop the yawn that escaped. “You both will be tired for a few days”, Mother explained as the soft sound of the car pulled my eyes close.
“Nothing a shot of heroin won’t fix.” Apollo said. I didn’t know if he was joking or not.
“You won’t get a reaction out of me, Lucas, no matter what you say.”
That bolt of emotion hit me again. The ache in my chest hurt as I opened my eyes to turn towards Apollo. But he was smirking at Mother as his own pierced eyebrow rose in a challenging stare. His wet hair was now dried, curling on the ends.
An odd sensation overcame me. Apollo was mine.
“Why did you fight this boy?” Mother asked. I think Apollo and I saw her therapy side kicking in.
“You’re not getting inside my head Mrs. Millington.” He shook his forefinger at her as he leaned more in the car seat. Mother hummed as she watched him in the rear mirror. I couldn’t help but yawn again as Apollo followed with his own.
“Once your suspension is over, you should come for dinner.” Mother continued to say, but it wasn’t long till we got pulled into a heavy wave of sleep.

66%

A laugh trickled out of my mouth, causing Da to chuckle at my reaction. We were currently at the breakfast bar while he was tinkering with a part from the recently broken lawnmower. He wasn’t allowed to take stuff apart when they were working. Da was bursting with excitement when the lawnmower broke yesterday but was adamant that he didn’t break it on purpose.
Now, small metal parts littered the countertop covered with brown oil slicks as Da turned a screw with his mini screwdriver. Another wave of hot giddiness overwhelmed me, forcing a giggle up my throat.
“Damn him.” I hissed when the sensation passed, thumping my head on the table, my food left untouched.
Da smiled as his eyes continued to watch what he was doing, “He’s persistent.”
I groaned as another wave ran down my body as Apollo’s amusement shimmered in my chest. Even with the distance between us, I could still feel him. He was burning my body inside out, sending emotions to me just for his sheer entertainment throughout the day. But when night hit, he sent me another type of burning that made me tremble for a different reason.
I was on the fence if I was grateful for having a few days off from school. I had felt emotionally drained. I slept the last few days away, and when I was awake, Apollo was right there under my skin.
I hadn’t seen him since the meeting, which was a few days ago, but I knew Apollo was having a hell of a good time sending his emotions my way. His excitement and happiness forced giggles from me randomly.
I was coming to terms that the burning wouldn’t ever calm down. It was a strange sensation. To know part of Apollo’s soul was a part of me. It burned me as it called for him constantly.
Apollo and I were always going to be a part of each other’s life. We could never leave each other. Forever attached. Chained together by fate that didn’t give us a say.
That was a scary thought.
It was suffocating yet thrilling.
“Are you looking forward to going back to school tomorrow?” Da asked, cleaning his hands on the oiled stained rag.
“I think so.” I said, poking at my fruit salad that Daddy had made me. Apollo was making my stomach turn with enthusiasm.
My phone had been constantly buzzing from the girls. They messaged me about the rumors about me being expelled from school. I didn’t have the heart to tell them otherwise, only that I needed rest. I think a part of me was still in denial and wanted everything to be the same. Everything would change once I told them.
“It will be okay,” Da said as Daddy came into the kitchen. His eyes recoiled at the dirt that was on the breakfast table and sent me an alarmed look.
“Why are you doing that here?” Daddy asked Da breathlessly, “You have a garage that was specifically for you to do this type of thing.” He waved his hand over the bolts and screws on the countertop.
“I wanted to hang out with our daughter.” Da gave a cheeky smile with a smudge of grease on his cheek.
I’ve had many chats with my parents about my new development. To be honest, they were primarily vague. They made it clear that they didn’t want to get involved in my circle’s business but would offer advice when needed. They were all onboard with me learning and growing as we went.
What I really wanted was to control the bond between Apollo and me. It would be nice to turn it off for a while, allowing me a break from Apollo’s endless poking and me trying to hold my own emotions that I didn’t want him to feel. But, of course, Apollo was annoyingly good at it. When I tried to retaliate against him by sending my annoyance down the bond, he quickly blocked me out, only for him to send over his amusement at me.
He was taunting me.
Literally, playing with my emotions.
“How are you feeling mentally?” Daddy asked, bringing me out of my head.
“Tired still,” I said honestly, the need to yawn still lingering in my mouth. Having Apollo’s emotions connected to mine was tiring. My emotions were giving me whiplash and the only time I felt calm was when I slept. Mother had explained it was expected, but I wasn’t too sure.
“It will settle,” Daddy said firmly as he pushed the bowl of fruit towards me “Eat.”
I sighed as another wave crashed into me. The hot inferno made my skin feel like I’ve been out in the sun all day. But before I could send my annoyance to Apollo, he blocked me out, numbing his emotions in return.
“Please help me block him out.” I whined to Daddy, knowing he was normally the one to be first to crack.
“You got to learn about these things yourself, Kiddo.” Da muttered, pinching a single grape from my bowl before going back to twirling a small screwdriver.
“It’s good being exposed to each other. Otherwise, you will continue to be sensitive and overwhelmed.” Daddy gave my head a kiss before he went off with an empty laundry basket.
Da chuckled, causing me to look at him questioningly. “He was very sensitive when he joined our circle. He had only gotten used to us, but then we found Papa.” He shook his head with a smile in memory.
With everything going on, this was the only time I have sat down with Da, alone. I noticed he had recently developed a tic of filling in the silence between us. Before, we easily had relaxed moments of quiet between us, but now he filled it with odd remarks and jokes.
Another thing on my list was Father.
Father had been sneaky by getting my forgiveness when I was too exhausted. I had been in bed after the school meeting when he came to me to apologize when I was in a vulnerable state of sleep. With the new bond taking its toll on me I couldn’t think clearly.
I couldn’t get enough energy to do anything. I just wanted to forget about that awful meeting and the words that had been so carelessly thrown around. It felt like years ago at this point, and it felt like months since we had our talk when I first woke up at home.
Even with my acceptance of his apology, Father had been oddly quiet the last few days. Father had thrown himself into his work, only to be around me when my other parents were. Mother and Papa told me of his guilt and said to give it a few days till he worked himself out of the hole he was currently in.
I think my outburst in the office had pushed my family to let me follow my own path. Mother and Father had made it clear that my own life was still mine, no matter what. Mother had changed her tune of me not finding my circle to now taking time for us two to grow. She was adamant for me to know that I didn’t have to follow Apollo, and that I could still follow my own dreams.
Sighing, I forced my food down before I got up to wash the empty bowl and put it in the sink. “I think I’m going to have another nap.” I said, making my way to my bedroom.
“It will get better, Kiddo. I promise you!” Da shouted as I made my way up the stairs, exhaustion biting at my heels.

67%

I was thanking my lucky stars that it was Friday.
It gave me one day at school to unleash the bombshell that Apollo was part of my circle. And then, go radio silent for the weekend in hopes the gossip would blow over quickly.
I was left feeling shaky and sick to my stomach after I texted the girls to meet me by my car outside the school building.
What would they say? They knew my views about finding my circle, yet fate had thrown one in my face.
Would Hannah get jealous or even angry?
She was the one I was most worried about. Hannah looked high and low for her circle to the point she got a list of every name from the school just to mark them off if she touched them or not. Not to mention her weekly psychic meetings in town.
“Are you still sick?” Julia asked from beside me, making me jump.
I’m going to throw up, I thought as bile erupted in my mouth, sweat was building on my forehead.
A low flame of warmth grew in my chest. Apollo was sending calming emotions my way, he was worried about me. My anxiousness was eating at him, but he was continuous with the calming emotion making it easier for me to breathe.
“You okay?” Kristina asked as Hannah looked at me in alarm when they both approached me.
Stop being a coward, I thought, taking a deep breath.
“I have news to tell you.” Even my voice shook as all three girls watched me as I struggled to form the words out of my mouth.
This was it. I was going to admit it.
“I found one of my circle members.”
Julia screamed as she threw herself onto me. Her arms took a vice-like hold around my neck causing me to stutter out a laugh as she jumped up and down.
“Congratulations!” Julia shouted as she burst out a loud laugh. I was sure people around the parking lot turned their heads our way.
“What! Really? Who?” Kristina spoke with a widening smile. I quickly looked at Hannah, she was smiling a little too tightly.
“My psychic did say one of my friends would find their circle members.” Hannah addressed as Kristina snorted at her comment.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Julia asked with a pout. Her purple lips puckered while she still held onto me.
“She didn’t say who.” Hannah explained, finding the end of the parking lot interesting.
“Of course, she didn’t.” Kristina muttered under her breath before pushing Julia aside to give me a quick hug. “Congratulations, Grace.”
“Who is it? Is it someone from our school?” Julia bounced beside me with excitement. Her brown eyes looked wild with excitement.
“It’s Apollo.” I said breathlessly.
“What!” Julia’s eyes widened, and Kristina and Hannah shared a look.
A moment of pause happened, and their reaction caused worry to brew, but Julia snapped out of it as she raised her arms in the air.
“You and Apollo! I knew you guys had a connection! I thought it was sexual tension,” Julia muttered the last bit in thought, making me flush red and stammer. “Same thing anyway!” Julia jumped to embrace me again, squeezing the air out of me.
“You got your hands full with having Apollo for the rest of your life.” Hannah joked as her hands went on her hips.
“Are you okay, though? You look tired.” Kristina asked, still looking worried.
Julia snorted before I could answer. “Of course, she is. She and Apollo have been going downtown on each other.”
“Julia!” I hissed with humiliation. My eyes went around the parking lot, hoping no one heard her. “I haven’t seen him since Tuesday, and I’m exhausted because of the new bond forming. It takes a lot out of you.”
“What is it like?” Hannah whispered as Julia gawked at me, waiting while Kristina scowled at the personal question. But her eyes quickly went back to me as I saw a curious glint in her eyes also.
“Overwhelming to the point I cannot describe it.” A part of me couldn’t explain mine and Apollo’s bond. There weren’t any words to describe it. It was a bond, a connection between us that was natural, pure and ours.
It was too personal to express out loud.
“Just take it easy.” Kristina gave a soft order that made me smile. Kristina was always looking out and caring for us three.
“I’m allowed to go to the nurse’s office to nap.” I said with a yawn. I was determined to make it through school without sleeping. I was sick of slumbering the day away at this point.
“Some people are going to flip when they hear the news,” Julia said rapidly. Then she practically ran down the hall, most likely telling people as she went.
I was about to head to my first class, but Kristina pulled me back slightly, allowing both girls to rush ahead. Kristina pushed me to the side for privacy.
“I just want to warn you.” She looked uncertain for a moment as she brushed her perfectly straight red hair off her face. “You and Apollo… It’s not going to be easy, okay?′ She spoke gently. Still, her eyes carried desperation of a hidden message that she was reluctant to say out loud.
“I know it won’t.”
“I don’t mean….” She huffed as her eyes scanned the hall before coming back to me. “Apollo has history, a shit ton. Some people here are angry at him, embarrassed even, from their actions.” Kristina’s hand on my arm squeezed as I suddenly realized what she meant.
I knew Apollo had slept with people, but why did it mean they were angry at him?
“There are a few people, who he had been with. Nearly all of the ones that had found a part of their circle had been called out. They have been made to feel ashamed.”
“That’s horrible.” I uttered feeling bad but before I could comment Kristina continued.
“With each person who found a circle member, they had been ridiculed. All the while Apollo goes around like he doesn’t care. But people are going to assume that he will care now. So now it’s Apollo’s turn to bare his shame for his circle member to see.” She gave me a pointed look as I looked around the hall. People were gawking, and I suddenly felt like I was placed on a pedestal for all to see.
“People are going to be gunning for him, Grace.” Kristina warned.
I shook my head as Apollo’s words came back to me from the party. “Apollo isn’t ashamed of what he’s done, Kristina. He believes he has a right to explore, and that’s okay.” My words tasted bitter as the bond coiled and tightened.
He lived life while I was scared and isolated…
It was all in the past now, I reminded myself as I forced myself to swallow my acidity.
“And that’s his right. All of us here have done stuff outside of their circle, but some believe his attitude is wrong.” Kristina muttered, but it looked like she wanted to say more but held herself, “Just be careful, Grace.”