Chapter Text
The sky was beginning to turn shades of orange and pink as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon. Becky and Namo were walking down a lightly traveled street, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence of the place. Streetlights flickered, dimly illuminating the worn asphalt. Becky felt a knot in her stomach that she couldn't ignore, her anxiety growing with each step they took.
-Namo, we'd better go home. We're going to get scolded again, Becky said, her voice shaky.
Namo rolled her eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh.
-You're a coward, Bec. For once in your life that you break the rules, nothing's going to happen to you, Namo replied defiantly.
-But Mom said we have to be home early today because they have to talk to us, Becky insisted, nervously adjusting the straps of her backpack, as if that could provide her with some kind of security.
Namo stopped and turned to her sister, with a mixture of impatience and frustration in her eyes.
-The talk can wait a few minutes. I told my friend we were going to meet, and if I let you go home alone, you're going to tell our parents everything as usual, she said, her tone almost an order. Becky looked down, feeling caught between the urge to obey her parents and the pressure from her sister.
She looked around, the abandoned buildings and graffiti covering the walls gave the place a grim and dangerous look. Her discomfort was palpable.
-What friend is that? We're in a dangerous area, Namo, Becky murmured, her voice barely a whisper. Namo glared at her with exasperation and mockery.
-Shh, stop yapping. She already texted me she's coming, Namo replied, her impatient gaze scanning the street. Becky watched her sister, noticing something different about her.
-Since when did you start showing off cleavage? -she asked, frowning. Namo shot her a murderous glare, but before she could answer, the roar of a motorcycle could be heard in the distance, rapidly approaching towards them. Becky felt her heart racing.
The motorcycle stopped right in front of them, and the person riding it turned off the engine before removing her helmet, revealing a young woman with dark hair and piercing eyes. Becky took a step back, instinctively grabbing Namo's arm, but Namo immediately let go, as if the contact burned her.
-Could you act cool for once in your life? -Namo growled, annoyed. The young woman on the bike smiled at the sight of Namo, and the tension in the air seemed to dissipate for a moment.
-Hi, baby. I thought you wouldn't be able to see me today, the woman said, her voice soft, almost melodic. Namo walked over to her, and Becky watched in amazement as her sister gave her a kiss on the cheek.
-Hi, I missed you so much. I couldn't get away earlier. You know my parents are very strict - answered Namo, her tone was completely different from the one she used with Becky, it was full of affection and tenderness. The woman smiled before wrapping her arms around Namo's waist and kissing her on the lips, a kiss that lasted several minutes. Becky froze, unable to process what she was seeing. She had never suspected that her sister had a partner, let alone that it was a woman.
-Do you want a ride home, baby? -asked the young woman, her tone playful.
-I'd love to, but I'm with my sister. I just wanted to see you for a bit, Namo replied, giving Becky an apologetic look. For the first time, the woman on the bike turned her attention to Becky, extending her hand with a friendly smile.
-It's nice to meet you. I'm Sarocha, but you can call me Freen, she said. Becky shook her hand hesitantly, trying to connect that name and face with some memory.
-Nice to meet you too. Why do I feel like I've heard your name and seen your face before? -Becky asked, frowning as she tried to remember. Namo gave her a light punch on the arm, as if to silence her.
-Shh! I'll tell you later, said Namo quickly. Becky, still confused, sat on the sidewalk while her sister continued to talk to Freen. The connection between the two was undeniable, and Becky felt like a stranger in her own sister's life.
-Call me when you get home, okay? -said Freen, winking at Namo before putting her helmet back on.
-It was nice meeting you, cutie, she added, turning to Becky with a smile. Becky nodded, not knowing how to respond. Freen started the bike and drove off, leaving behind a heavy silence.
Namo sighed happily, watching Freen's figure disappear into the distance. However, the moment of peace was interrupted by Becky's uneasiness.
-Now can you explain to me who the hell she is? You never told me you were seeing someone, Namo, Becky demanded, her voice heavy with concern. Namo rolled her eyes, visibly irritated.
-I didn't say we were dating. We're just getting to know each other better, Namo replied, reaching out a hand to help Becky up. The atmosphere between them had become tense. -We'd better go home, Sergeant Armstrong will probably call the police soon to find us, added Namo, trying to lighten the mood with a joke, but Becky couldn't help worrying.
-Who is she? I don't like her for you, Becky insisted, her concern spilling over into words.
-Rebecca, don't be such a buzz kill. I know who I can and can't be with. I like Freen and I don't need to ask you or anyone else for permission to be with her, Namo replied firmly. Becky felt a lump in her throat, but she wasn't going to give up so easily.
-Wait. Is she Freen Sarocha Chankimha, the troublemaker who was expelled from school last year? -Becky asked, her eyes widening as she finally connected the dots. Namo glared at her with a mixture of defiance and frustration.
-Don't judge without getting to know her first. She's different from what everyone thinks, Namo replied, her voice filled with a conviction Becky did not share.
-Different, my... -Becky took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. Namo, I'm your older sister.
-Only for like five minutes... -Namo muttered, but Becky didn't let herself be distracted.
-Please listen to me. Stay away from her. I've heard so many bad things, I don't think it's good for you to be associated with her, okay? -Becky insisted, trying to make her sister see the gravity of the situation. But Namo abruptly pulled away and started to run, her laughter echoing in the air.
-See you at home, nerd! -Namo shouted as she ran away, leaving Becky alone in the middle of the street. Becky tried to catch up to her but failed. She stood still, watching her sister disappear into the distance.