When They Beg, I Rise!

Lemira was gently lifted from the debris-strewn area and placed carefully on the couch.

Orion leaned over her with a sigh, "Next time when I say 'don't move,' I mean it. If you can't keep your head straight, at least try not to wander off!" There it was, Lemira got scolded.

She hung her head low, mumbled, "I didn't mean to knock over that vase!"

The warmth on Lemira's face rose significantly, grateful for the darkness veiling their surroundings, sparing her the embarrassment of her red-flushed face being seen. Why was she even flustered? Orion was her mentor, and her friend.

She shouldn't be having such scattered thoughts.

Orion pulled out his cell phone and dialed with a tone as cold as the night, "Check why we've lost power."

Lemira glanced around the dim room, her eyes finally resting on Orion, the only source of light emanating from his phone.

"Where's Thaddeus? Didn't he come back with you?"

"He's out at the bar, won't be back tonight."

"Why didn't you go?"

She knew adults loved their bar nights, especially the rich kids, hitting bars was their norm for unwinding.

The Langston boys did the same, mostly for socializing.

through her

Lemira

Orion always favored tranquility.

better of her, "I'm kinda curious, how did someone as quiet as you end up buddies

was stark; it's

"My grandma used to say I was too quiet, told me to find a friend who could talk enough for the both of us, so I wouldn't turn into a mute." Lemira

ask, "So, you've known Thaddeus

too much, Orion paused,

you have

carried a

view as he asked, "Didn't

after my parents died

car crash and I fell

everything about

emotionally. My old friends drifted

the rest Evelina made

a whisper, "All these years, you never remembered

sighed, "If not for that

wouldn't be in my life,

there are no what-ifs in