Chapter 11

Mako: How the hell do you still have problems with making a coherent paragraph!? I just don't fucking get it! You're actually trolling me right? Everything in it has just too many jumbled ideas!

Mera: I'm sorry! I just thought more words in one sentence would make it sound smarter.

Mako: Dumbass, it doesn't matter how long your sentence is if you can't make a fucking coherent idea. One sentence out of line will only just make the whole paragraph die and ruin the reader's experience. It becomes too fucking abrupt!

Mera: I don't really understand, Mako. A couple sessions ago, you said to make it lengthy. Now you're telling me to make it short?

Mako: No! That's not what I meant! Argh! You're making me lose my shit I swear!

Mera: I'm really trying here…

Mako: And that's what makes it worse! I know you're trying but why are you still fucking this up! Argh!

Mera: Explain it one more time, Please~

Mako: Don't try to act cute. I'll try to make this as simple as possible again, alright? When you're constructing a paragraph or rather a passage for creative writing like stories. Sometimes there are times when you'd rather want to make it simple than descriptive. A big example for these instances would be when you're making a scene, you'd want to be a bit descriptive for when you want to make it significant but when you're not then make it simple. However, that's just on a writer's discretion on how you want to complete the scene or paragraph.

Mera: That's still confusing~

Mako: Just think of it this way. Ask yourself if this is something that contributes to the story or not? If it is, then it's okay to be descriptive and play around with sentence extenders. If not, then keep it simple and coherent. An advanced way of this sometimes would be splicing a long sentence into two sentences instead. That way you can generate the same idea while having a stronger sentence structure. In return, create a better flow to the paragraph rather than having multiple extending sentences for one idea. It avoids being monotone in your writing.

Mera: I think… That makes sense… I think…

Mako: Guess you won't be able to absorb it in one sitting. We'll take this up next week. Be sure to write often in your virtual diary then send it to my email. That way I can help fix your paragraphs better.

I jumped back on top of Mera's bed exhausted from today. Looking at the window, the sun was beginning to set which was the indication to start packing up. She must've noticed it too because Mera began to close her laptop. She sighed again, this time for different reasons.

Mera: Mako… Am I allowed to get closer to you?

Mako: I don't think so. Slaves aren't supposed to know what their masters do.

I didn't like where this conversation was going. My stomach was beginning to send signals to leave. However, all I seemed to do was just roll on my stomach and plant my face on her pillows. Maybe I'm just tired.

Mera: Sorry, if I'm overstepping my bounds especially with earlier. I just wanted to make you happy. You're my only friend…

Mako: You're not my friend, you're my slave.

Mera: Right…

Mako: I should be leaving soon. I'll see you in school or something.

As I started to pack my things, I left Mera in that big room all alone. Without another glance behind me, I closed the door. There was no way that I was going to be friends with her.

The walk going back at this hour would be the perfect time to bring out my pack but tonight felt different. Something just told me to hold off smoking just for one bit. As I walked out of the building, a familiar face was outside as well. It was Mera's dad. He seemed to be talking on the phone. He was still in his fancy business formal get up too, It seemed like he didn't even make it to his house and he's already working.

Ojisan: I think that's about it. I'll send you the details in an email when I arrive home… Another shitty amount of- Oh! Mako-kun. Didn't see you there. Kaeru des ga?

Mako: Yeah, it's been a long day after all.

Ojisan: Thanks again for coming by. We always appreciate your hard work. Though I think it doesn't even end tonight for you huh.

Mako: You seem to know a workaholic when you see one, Ojisan.

Ojisan: Well it was more of a guess really. But you know, you could always take a rest. Tomorrow is a Sunday. A rest day for everyone even people like us.

Mako: I don't have time for that, y'know that.

Ojisan: I'm just saying that because I'm a parent after all. I have to make sure people like you enjoy their youth one way or another.

Mako: Then what about Mera?

Ojisan: What about her?

Mako: She seems a bit down lately. It's clearly affecting her tutorial sessions.

Ojisan: Mera… Just like her mother to keep it bottled in like that. I'll be sure to talk to her about it. Thanks for bringing it up, Mako-kun.

Mako: It's not like she's hiding it though. I think she just needs someone to talk to.

Ojisan stopped in his tracks. He looked at me with a bit of a nervous look. I wasn't sure what was on his mind but I could tell something was different. Though if I were entirely honest too, I had things that I wanted to say. We just looked at each other in silence, the sounds of the busy streets filling in the gaps.

Ojisan: But isn't that why you're there?

Mako: What do you mean?

Ojisan: Whenever I talk to my daughter, all she does is talk about you. About how amazing, Mako-kun is. Or that you're always doing your best to follow your way of doing things.

Mako: I could only imagine that because she doesn't have an amount of company.

Ojisan: Actually, let's talk for a bit. My car is right around the corner. I'll take you home tonight. Just like before.

This wasn't the first time that Mera's dad drove me home. I think it was during his lowest moments that he did too. Despite what he said, the drive was quiet. I don't think I had the ability to speak. The atmosphere in this car was far too heavy even if I didn't know what we were going to talk about.

There was no sounds made. We simply stayed inside that car, waiting for us to arrive at our destination. The silence ate us up but that was our fault. No one had a mouth tonight.

As he pulled up on the front of my apartment building, he gripped the steering wheel hard. It must be eating away at him much more than I thought.

Ojisan: I'm sorry, I couldn't bring myself to talk about it…

Mako: It's alright, Ojisan. I understand.

Ojisan: Even adults have a hard time trying to speak. Not just teenagers. I already feel terrible because adults are supposed to set a good example. Yet, I'm also running away. Thanks for being here anyway. I appreciate it.

Mako: No problem, Ojisan…

All he could do was give me a pained smile. As I reached for the car door, I didn't know what came over me but I gave him a hug. He was caught a bit surprised too by my actions. I could tell my ears were crimson red at this point, yet my body knew that this was the right thing to do as I held onto his suit. He was far bigger than me so all I could do was put my head on a side of his chest. All he did in return was pat my head.

Mako: It'll be alright, Ojisan.

I didn't even want to see the expression on his face. Was it surprising? Did I do something disgusting? Or something out of place? Maybe I just didn't want to know. I reached out for the rest of my things quickly then jumped out of the car. Without even a single glance, I made my way back to the building then into my apartment.

That abrupt stint in the car was awkward. Yet, it meant something. The small moments...

Everyone had already left for their weekend trip and they wouldn't be arriving till sunday. This was usually the time I would sit down to write or do my other works. Though today, I felt drained. Something inside of me just didn't want to write. However, that's what I've been saying for the past few weekends already.

From forty thousand words to one thousand words… I've really dropped my quality just so that I could get some attention from some communities. But that didn't do anything in the end. Sitting down by my desk, I could feel myself slipping from what I want to do. I need inspiration, or rather that's something I keep telling myself too. Even if I am the protagonist, this stuff still gets up my head

Even if I want to punch that hack of a writer, Brendan is still successful in his own right as with Morris. Just imagining their courage to publicly show their soul just gives me goosebumps. But more than just goosebumps, I can't help but feel jealous too. Maybe someday...

Just as I was about to sink into my bed doing nothing, another ringing came from my phone. The screen flashed a message from Zeke and Brendan. Latter was the pdf for his new novel while Zeke seemed to need some assistance. As much as I want to shut down my phone, I owe a lot to Zeke. Time to grit my teeth and go.

As I responded to the address, another message popped up. Curious, I tapped on it to reveal it was from Jake.

Jake: [ We need to talk. Got some time? ]

At least I can kill two birds with one stone...