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NOAH'S POV
The scent of pancakes and eggs filled the air as I sat at the dining table, absently pushing my fork through my food. Gavin was already stuffing his face like a starving wolf, while Lucas, as usual, sat stiffly, barely eating.
Breakfast at our house was usually loud, filled with Gavin's teasing and Lucas' occasional grumbling. But today, the air was heavy.
Lucas finally cleared his throat, setting his fork down. "Noah," he said firmly.
I paused, glancing up. "Yeah?"
He exhaled slowly, his fingers tightening around his mug. "From today onward, you'll be dressing as a guy."
I blinked. For a moment, I thought I'd misheard him.
"What?"
Lucas met my gaze for half a second before looking away. "It's for your safety."
My stomach twisted. "My safety?" I scoffed. "How exactly does pretending to be a guy keep me safe?"
Neither of them answered immediately. Lucas simply cut into his pancake with calculated calmness, avoiding my eyes.
A cold, bitter feeling settled in my chest. "You're not serious. Are you?."
"We are." Lucas said without hesitation.
Anger bubbled up inside me. "I've done everything you asked. I've hidden, I've followed every stupid rule you set, and now you want me to erase my identity too?" My voice rose. "Why? What are you not telling me?"
Lucas' jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
That silence was worse than any lie.
My hands curled into fists. "Of course. As usual, you won't say anything" I shoved my chair back and stormed upstairs, ignoring the way Gavin sighed.
~~~
I sat on my bed, staring at the wall, my chest heaving with anger. This wasn't fair.
What were they protecting me from?
I had spent my whole life in hiding, like a damn cage. Never allowed to go out unless they were with me. Always moving from town to town, never staying in one place long enough to make friends. I thought coming to Siege University would finally give me some freedom, but now, my brothers are shoving me into this ridiculous disguise.
Like I was some kind of criminal on the run.
Or worse..,like someone was hunting me.
I never even saw my father. He died before I was born. And my mother...
She only got to hold me just once.
She died giving birth to me, according to the story my brothers told me.
Gavin and Lucas never blamed me, but I always saw it in their eyes, the sadness, the pain. And now, instead of telling me the truth about why they were so desperate to keep me hidden, they were making me do this.
I pressed my fingers against my temples, trying to push away the frustration.
A soft knock echoed through my room.
I knew who it was before he even spoke.
"Pookie," Gavin called from the other side. "Can I come in?"
I didn't answer. He took that as a yes and walked in anyway, closing the door behind him.
"Look, I know you're pissed," he said, leaning against my dresser. "But you know we wouldn't do this if it wasn't for the best."
I turned away. "Then tell me why."
Gavin hesitated. "I... I can't."
I laughed bitterly. "Of course you can't."
He sighed, ruffling his already messy hair. "Listen, I get it. You feel like we're taking away your choices, and maybe we are. But it's because we love you and we're only looking out for your safety, Pookie."
I stiffened.
"We'll protect you with our lives," he continued, his voice softer now. "Lucas may not know how to say it, but we're scared. You mean everything to us."
My throat tightened.
I hated this. I hated feeling like a burden. I hated being deprived of freedom
I swallowed hard. "You swear it's for my safety?"
"On my life," he said without hesitation.
I closed my eyes, my chest aching. Then, finally, I let out a slow breath.
"Fine."
A grin spread across his face. "Knew you'd come around. Come here" he said, opening his arms
I rolled my eyes, hugging him but deep down, the uneasy feeling wouldn't leave me.
~~~
Staring at my reflection, I barely recognized myself.
Sharp jawline. Flattened chest. Loose hoodie. My thick black hair tied into a low ponytail beneath my cap.
I swallowed.
I looked... nothing like me.
A bitter smile curled my lips.
The disguise was perfect.
I turned just as Gavin strolled into my room, his cocky grin in place. "Hey, dude."
I shot him a glare.
He chuckled. "Relax, Pookie. Just act like me, and everything will go smoothly."
My stomach twisted. I didn't want to 'act like him.' But I had no choice.
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