Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism



"Jas, Jas?"

"Hmm?"

Zoren looked at him, puzzled. "Did you not hear what I just said?"

Jasper chuckled awkwardly, his eyes glued to his phone screen. "Oh, what did you say?"

Zoren sighed in exasperation and repeated, "I said my uncle's daughter, who's been away for years, is coming back. She'll be attending our school, and my mom wants me to help her get settled on the first day. But I already made plans with some people, so I'm too busy. Could you pick her up for me?"

Jasper grinned, patting Zoren's shoulder, then took a swig from the beer can on the table. "Some people? You mean the History Department beauty, Amelia?"

Zoren froze. "How did you know?"

Jasper flipped his phone around, showing Zoren his social media feed. A girl's profile picture was front and center, along with a selfie from the other night at the bar. Though it was just a selfie, Zoren could clearly be seen in the background, lounging on the couch.

With a teasing grin, Jasper said, "So, you're ditching your cousin to hang out with a girl, huh? Not exactly the best move."

Zoren grimaced. "Why bring that up? Geez.

"Anyway, I really can't make it. Can't you go for me, just this once?"

Jasper didn't hesitate to refuse. He leaned back in his chair and said, "No way, I'm busy too. Just because you're going out doesn't mean I don't have plans.

"Do I look like someone who shows up early to things?"

Zoren knew he had a point, leaving him stuck in a bind.

Violeta, his long-lost cousin, had just returned, but no one had seen her yet. Rumor had it that she wasn't exactly easy on the eyes, which was why she had stayed out of the spotlight for so long.

Of course, Zoren wouldn't turn her away just because she wasn't pretty. But as a guy in his prime, he wasn't thrilled about ditching his plans with other girls to go pick her up.

So, Zoren turned to Liam. "Liam?"

"I'm busy too."

Liam didn't even look up from his phone.

Zoren frowned. "Busy with what?"

Liam sighed. "My family's dealing with some stuff right now. I can't really get into it, but I'll tell you more later. My mom wants me to lie low for a bit. On the first day of school, I'm getting a ride from my family, so I won't have time to pick her up."

"Alright, fine."

Zoren threw his hands up in mock defeat. "Unbelievable! When I hit a little bump in the road, you guys all start making excuses. My heart is breaking here!"

Liam smirked. "Hade's probably free. Why don't you ask him?"

"Him? No way. If I can't get you guys to do it, how am I supposed to get him to help? Forget it."

Liam raised an eyebrow. "You won't know until you try."

Jasper chimed in, laughing. "Exactly. You might be surprised-Hade could say yes."This material belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

Zoren scratched his head. "Yeah, maybe I'll give him a call."

They were out for drinks that night, but Hayden hadn't come.

He wasn't one for bars or nightlife. Of the four of them, Hayden was the most straight-laced.

Zoren had always wondered if Hayden had any desires at all.

Zoren dialed Hayden's number. After about thirty seconds, Hayden's cool, steady voice came through the line.

"Hello?"

"Hade, I need a favor."

"No."

"Hey, don't just shut me down like that! I haven't even told you what it is yet. It's super simple, I promise. Hardly any trouble at all."

"Go on."

"On the first day of school, can you pick up my cousin for me?"

There was silence on the other end of the line.

"Hade? Are you still there? Hade? Hello?"

Zoren had been expecting Hayden to reject him outright, but to his surprise, Hayden responded in a way that made Zoren's expression shift to something between shock and confusion.

It turned out that Hayden was available on the first day of school.

l

He had been ready to refuse Zoren, but an idea to mess with him

crossed his mind. So, Hayden said, "I'll do it but only if you give me something in return."

"Something in return?" Zoren repeated. "Like what?" Zoren offered to buy Hayden a bottle of alcohol. Hayden wasn't interested.

With a smirk in his voice, Hayden said, "Call me 'Daddy,' and I'll do it."

Zoren's expression turned downright comical. After weighing his options for a few moments, he snuck off to a quiet corner and, with as much dignity as he could muster, muttered the word into the phone.

Hayden chuckled, clearly in a good mood, and agreed to help.