- 18 hours ago
Orc Love She Saved Him, But He Chose Someone Else
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Short filmTranscript
00:03Brian and Logan were twin wolf beast kin that my cousin Isabella and I rescued from the
00:08underground beast trade back then the two of us stood there staring at those filthy little wolf
00:13pups and without even needing to say much we each decided to adopt one I took Brian Isabella took
00:19Logan 13 years passed in the blink of an eye all that time I believe that even if Brian didn't
00:25like
00:25me he would at least feel grateful that I had saved his life that illusion shattered the day I
00:31accidentally overheard him talking to some other beast kin someone asked Emma's been really good
00:37to you why are you always so cold to her who asked her to be good to me you've got
00:44it good and don't
00:46even realize it good then I guess I should thank Emma properly if she hadn't taken me first me'd be
00:51the one with Isabella right now I mean makes sense compared to Isabella the head cheerleader Emma's
00:56just nothing special a dull ache spread through my chest every feeling I had held on to for Brian
01:02over the years quietly disappeared when I got home I sat on the living room couch until well past midnight
01:08again and again I picked up a mirror staring at the girl reflected in it I had always thought I
01:13looked
01:13average but now the longer I looked the worse it seemed with a surge of disgust I tossed the mirror
01:19aside all I could see in my mind was Isabella's radiant effortless smile I lowered my head and
01:24let the weight of my own insecurity swallow me home the sound of the front door opening broke the silence
01:29Brian walked in reeking of bourbon barely sparing me a glance before turning toward his bedroom
01:34I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and stood up for the first time I reached out
01:38trying to grab
01:39his tail my hand was immediately slapped away he stepped back his face full of irritation don't touch me
01:44it was exactly the same reaction as the first time I had tried to touch his wolf ears even after
01:50I had
01:50taken him in and cared for him with everything I had for 13 years a bitter laugh slipped out of
01:55me
01:56so if you're not pretty even your sincerity isn't worth anyone taking seriously I didn't even notice when
02:01my tears began to fall one by one onto the hardwood floor by the time I looked up again I
02:07was alone in
02:07the living room my thoughts drifted as they always did back to high school and the annual fall homecoming
02:12carnival I used to bring a big box of Texas's barbecue and find Brian in the backyard Brian
02:18will you come to the carnival with me this year he'd lift his head out of the pool water dripping
02:23from
02:23his hair no but a lot of people bring their bee skin with them no if you want someone to
02:29go with
02:30you go adopt another one from the shelter so every year I went alone I would stand off to the
02:36side
02:36watching Logan who had the exact same face as Brian yet always wore the gentlest smile
02:42he would ruffle Isabella's hair and ask Isabella do you want that teddy bear she'd nod with a bright
02:48smile rising onto her toes to reach for his wolf ears and Logan would always bend down for her
02:53patient and indulgent I watched him like a thief quietly craving the life Isabella had but one time
03:00Jason a few of his buddies shoved me onto the grass his voice was dripping with mockery
03:04well look who it is Emma Australian nerd where's your little bee skin didn't feel like coming out
03:10with you one of his friends snickered her bee skin and Isabella's are twin wolves right the older one
03:16ended up with the prom queen and the younger one got stuck with an ugly duckling I refused to back
03:21down
03:21gritting my teeth I pushed myself up and swung my fist straight at his friend's face he went down hard
03:27before he could even react Chase lunged at me trying to fight back but I slammed him to the ground
03:32and kept
03:32hitting him until someone finally pulled me off the end result was predictable all of us were called
03:37into the principal's office I thought my mom would be on my side instead right in front of the
03:41principal and Chase she sighed in annoyance honestly what were you thinking they weren't even wrong why
03:46would you hit someone over that I tugged lightly at the sleeve of her coat mom I said barely above
03:51a
03:51whisper she acted like she didn't hear me let's be real she went on you're not exactly pretty and now
03:56you've got this terrible temper too even the bee skin you raise doesn't care about you I don't know how
04:00I
04:00ended up with a daughter like you sometimes I wish Isabella were my child instead that night I
04:05cried my eyes out in Central Park when I finally went home my father greeted me with a sharp slap
04:09across the face he said I closed my eyes and fell into a heavy sleep my messed up schedule left
04:17my
04:17mind blank when I woke up again when I pushed the door open I realized it was already dusk Brian
04:22was out but
04:23his presence lingered everywhere in the apartment I grabbed a slice of pizza and forced myself to eat
04:27then started packing up everything that belonged to me there wasn't much really after I got into
04:31college at 18 I was afraid my parents would treat Brian badly so I took him with me at my
04:37poorest I
04:38could only afford a run-down studio apartment he slept on the bed and I took the couch Brian was
04:43well
04:43over six feet tall and he would bump his head every time he walked through the low doorway so I
04:47worked
04:48non-stop picking up every part-time job I could find until I finally saved enough for a down payment
04:53on a
04:53small two-bedroom townhouse love has a way of making you feel like you owe everything so I bought
04:58Brian more things than he could ever need I never once considered that he didn't want any of it this
05:02time I decided to give him what he actually wanted freedom after I finished packing I walked out of the
05:07home Brian and I had shared the next morning when the staff at the Bureau of Non-Human Affairs asked
05:12me
05:12for the third time if I was sure I wanted to terminate my bond with Brian I still nodded when
05:16a human
05:17dissolves a bond unilaterally financial compensation is required I left the townhouse to him at the office
05:22Emily handed me the bond termination certificate then hesitated before asking Miss Emma would you
05:27like to give this to Mr. Brian in person or should we mail it on your behalf I took out
05:31the letter I
05:31had rewritten over and over again the night before please mail it to him I said and include this there
05:36were only two sentences in the letter I am sorry Brian I took you away without your consent so this
05:42time I am giving your freedom back to you I walked out of City Hall got into my car and
05:46left Los Angeles
05:47behind my new life would begin in Florida somewhere by the ocean waiting for warmer days ahead
05:52since my new job was as a lecturer at a university in Miami I rented a small beach house with
05:57a yard
05:57the evening sea breeze carried a faint salty smell as I walked along the shore wearing a mask the orange
06:02glow of the sunset was just right soft and beautiful I took a photo then out of habit opened my
06:07iMessage
06:07chat with Brian scrolling up it was nothing but messages from me photos of little trinkets I found
06:12at vintage markets strange shaped clouds in the sky the slow growth of a sunflower he rarely replied
06:17most of the time all I ever got back was a short dismissive yeah the last message in our chat
06:23was
06:23from the day I heard the truth I had asked him where are you I can come pick you up
06:27he never replied
06:28by then he must have already received the bond termination certificate and still he could not
06:33even bring himself to say goodbye all that was left in my chest was a dull spreading ache after
06:38thinking it over I realized my new life should not be tied to the past so I changed my phone
06:42number
06:42deleted my old instagram and created a new account I packed my schedule as full as possible just to
06:47earn a few nights of uninterrupted sleep some of the more outgoing college girls like to chat with me
06:52between classes professor Emma why do you always wear a mask on campus because I'm not very pretty
06:57who said that oh my god I swear I will shut them up there is no such thing as an
07:02ugly girl she
07:03sounded completely sincere and the others around her nodded in agreement just as indignant I would laugh
07:08it off and smoothly change the subject soon enough they started talking about the bee skin they had
07:13at home then they asked me professor what kind of bee skin do you have I did not know how
07:17to explain
07:17everything that had happened with Brian so I gave them a simple answer he died they fell silent for
07:22a long moment until the bell rang and class began after that during my two weekly lectures students would
07:27often bring me little things a starbucks latte a blueberry muffin or a bar of hershey's chocolate I could
07:32never finish it all that was when I started thinking about the little fox bee skin on campus who survived
07:37by collecting recyclables bee skin were usually striking in appearance and fox bee skin were among the most
07:43beautiful of all but this one had deep crisscrossing scars covering both sides of his face he was afraid of
07:48scaring the students so he only came out late at night that evening when I left the lab and went
07:53looking for
07:53him it started pouring out of nowhere a figure darted toward me a fluffy foxtail swaying behind him I called
07:59out softly
08:00hey little fox huh the young bee skin turned around and noticed me immediately lowering his head
08:05he quickly covered his face with his hands I'm sorry ma'am I must have misheard please don't mind me
08:11the autumn rain carried a sharp chill he was soaked through water dripping steadily from his clothes I
08:16looked at him and said gently you don't have to hide your face I've seen you around I have hot
08:20water and
08:20a dryer in my office come upstairs and get warmed up he hesitated then slowly lowered his hands and nodded
08:26thank you ma'am once we got into my office under the bright lights I realized how young he was
08:30around
08:3118 or 19 about the same age as my freshman while he was showering I went next door to the
08:36lab to ask
08:37about him my colleague Arthur was always eager to talk and he filled me in without hesitation that
08:42little fox is named Finn I heard he used to be incredibly good looking his former handler tried to
08:47sell him to the red light district in the underground beast trade he refused and even bit someone before
08:52escaping during the escape his face got slashed up when the people from the black market saw he was
08:57disfigured they beat him badly and threw him into the ocean lucky for him the university rowing team
09:02pulled him out since then he's been scraping by on campus selecting recyclables I asked where does he
09:07live there's a rundown shed behind the hill on campus Arthur frowned slightly Emma I heard your
09:12bee skin passed away you're not thinking about adopting him are you I bit down on the straw of my
09:17hot latte
09:17and didn't answer Arto's voice suddenly sharpened he looks like that who would want to adopt him his
09:22words overlapped with the voices from my past she looks so plain who would ever like her but why we
09:27have hearts too we want to love and be loved just the same I looked at Arthur and said quietly
09:31he isn't
09:32ugly he's just been hurt and he's kind he's sweet I've seen him share the food he collects with homeless
09:38people nearby I've seen him donate his spare change to the beastkin protection agency so please don't say
09:43things like that about him again when I stepped out of Arthur's office I saw Finn standing in the
09:47hallway his blonde hair and tail were still damp his eyes were brimming with tears feeling a little
09:52awkward I changed the subject if it's hard to do it yourself I can help dry it I took the
09:56towel and
09:57gently dried his hair and tail then used a hair dryer to finish the job it was my first time
10:01drying a
10:02bee skin's tail and I was clumsy I accidentally hurt him more than once and kept apologizing Finn's face
10:07turned red it's okay I'm already very grateful to you when I finally finished I handed him a muffin
10:12and the latte he didn't take them after a long pause as if gathering all his courage he spoke
10:17again ma'am I don't eat much could you adopt me my hand froze mid-air Finn continued I know
10:24I'm not
10:24good-looking but I can cook wash dishes mow the lawn I can get massages and I know how to
10:29grow roses I
10:30smiled then took off my mask and met his eyes but I'm not good-looking either would you still choose
10:34me
10:34Finn gently reached out and touched my cheek his movements careful almost reverent you're very cute
10:40he said softly I want to go with you my eyes stung I blinked quickly holding back the tears and
10:47took
10:47his hand as we walked out of the lab building together the rain had stopped and just like that
10:51I chose a family for myself I completed the paperwork and adopted Finn just like he promised he did
10:57everything beautifully he kept the beach house spotless filled the yard with blooming hydrangeas and
11:01brought me hot home-cooked lunches at the lab running those spectral analyses today nearly killed
11:06me Arthur said as he wandered in from next door shamelessly helping himself he took a big spoonful
11:11of beef stew and let out a low whistle damn Finn can cook this is incredible meanwhile the one at
11:16my
11:17place does nothing but curl up on the couch and watch Netflix honestly Arthur should have been grateful
11:21Brianne could not cook at all then again maybe he just never bothered to do anything like that for me
11:26that night I had the nightmare again a memory buried deep in my mind I was 17 Isabella and Logan
11:34went
11:34with me and Brian to Universal Studios Orlando halfway through the day the park was hit by a sudden
11:39indiscriminate attack explosions erupted from every direction Logan shielded Isabella while I grabbed
11:45Brianne's hand and ran for the exit we were near the eastern side of the park but the flying debris
11:50still
11:51cut into everyone we were only steps away from the exit when it was blown apart right in front of
11:56us at the time I had been running ahead and never noticed what happened in that instant but in the
12:01dream I saw it clearly both Logan and Brian threw themselves toward Isabella without hesitation I was
12:06left alone collapsing into rubble and dust with no one caring whether I lived or died Logan and Brian
12:12were only relieved that Isabella was safe later I lay unconscious in the ICU for days my parents and
12:18Brian stayed by Isabella's side comforting her as she cried from the shock a voice echoed in my mind
12:23mocking me Emma C no one in this world loves you it came from everywhere repeating itself over and over
12:30surrounding me until I could not escape it in the dream my soul seemed to float above crouched down
12:36clutching my head as I tried to argue back that's not true that's not true then faintly someone grabbed
12:43my hand and pulled me forward a voice said Emma that's not true everyone deserves to be loved I
12:49woke with a start the first thing I saw was Finn sitting at my bedside wiping the cold sweat from
12:54my forehead his face tight with worry when he saw my eyes open he finally let out a breath tears
12:59slipped
13:00down my face before I could stop them Finn can you hold me he climbed onto the bed and pull
13:05me into his
13:05arms I clung to him like a child pouring out everything I had been holding inside Finn gently patted my
13:10back
13:11murmuring soft reassurances I did not have to worry about him snapping at me to leave him alone I did
13:16not have to worry about him brushing me off and disappearing into distractions and I definitely
13:20did not have to worry about him looking at me with cold indifference I want to hear a song I
13:24whispered
13:25Finn hummed softly you are my sunshine my only sunshine you make me happy when skies are gray with Finn
13:31taking care of me I started getting better little by little the sunlight was especially bright today Finn
13:37and I were in the backyard hanging sheets out to dry we ended up laughing and playing around on
13:42either side of the fabric the breeze lifting it between us then someone called my name from beyond
13:47the fence Emma I turned around Brian was standing there the hanger slipped from my hand and fell
13:52straight onto the grass Finn noticed the shift in my expression immediately and stepped in front of me
13:57without hesitation I tugged lightly on the hem of Finn's flannel shirt it's okay I know him go take care
14:03of
14:03the blue crabs in the kitchen I just need a minute to talk to him we walked over to a
14:07wooden bench by
14:07the shore the ocean breeze tangled my hair I forced a small awkward smile it's been a while Brian he
14:13stared at me his voice cold who is that fox my new fostered bee skin
14:30Brian and Logan were twin wolf beast kin that my cousin Isabella and I rescued from the underground
14:36beast trade back then the two of us stood there staring at those filthy little wolf pups
14:41and without even needing to say much we each decided to adopt one I took Brian Isabella took Logan
14:4713 years passed in the blink of an eye all that time I believe that even if Brian didn't like
14:53me
14:53he would at least feel grateful that I had saved his life that illusion shattered the day I accidentally
14:59overheard him talking to some other bee skin someone asked Emma's been really good to you
15:06why are you always so cold to her who asked her to be good to me you've got it good
15:12and don't even
15:14realize it good then I guess I should thank Emma properly if she hadn't taken me first me'd be the
15:19one with Isabella right now I mean makes sense compared to Isabella the head cheerleader Emma's just
15:24nothing special a dull ache spread through my chest every feeling I had held on to for Brian over the
15:30years quietly disappeared when I got home I sat on the living room couch until well past midnight
15:36again and again I picked up a mirror staring at the girl reflected in it I had always thought I
15:41looked average but now the longer I looked the worse it seemed with a surge of disgust I tossed
15:46the mirror aside all I could see in my mind was Isabella's radiant effortless smile I lowered my
15:52head and let the weight of my own insecurity swallow me home the sound of the front door opening broke
15:56the
15:56silence Brian walked in reeking of bourbon barely sparing me a glance before turning toward his bedroom
16:01I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and stood up for the first time I reached out
16:06trying to grab his tail my hand was immediately slapped away he stepped back his face full of
16:11irritation don't touch me it was exactly the same reaction as the first time I had tried to touch his
16:16wolf ears even after I had taken him in and cared for him with everything I had for 13 years
16:21a bitter laugh slipped out of me so if you're not pretty even your sincerity isn't worth anyone taking
16:27seriously I didn't even notice when my tears began to fall one by one onto the hardwood floor by the
16:33time I looked up again I was alone in the living room my thoughts drifted as they always did back
16:38to high school and the annual fall homecoming carnival I used to bring a big box of Texas's
16:43barbecue and find Brian in the backyard Brian will you come to the carnival with me this year
16:48he'd lift his head out of the pool water dripping from his hair no but a lot of people bring
16:54their
16:54bee skin with them no if you want someone to go with you go adopt another one from the shelter
17:00so every year I went alone I would stand off to the side watching Logan who had the exact same
17:06face
17:07as Brian yet always wore the gentlest smile he would ruffle Isabella's hair and ask Isabella do
17:13you want that teddy bear she'd nod with a bright smile rising onto her toes to reach for his wolf
17:19ears
17:19and Logan would always bend down for her patient and indulgent I watched him like a thief quietly
17:25craving the life Isabella had but one time Jason a few of his buddies shoved me onto the grass
17:30his voice was dripping with mockery well look who it is Emma Australian nerd where's your little
17:36bee skin didn't feel like coming out with you one of his friends snickered her bee skin and Isabella's
17:42are twin wolves right the older one ended up with the prom queen and the younger one got stuck with
17:47an
17:47ugly duckling I refused to back down gritting my teeth I pushed myself up and swung my fist straight at
17:53his friend's face he went down hard before he could even react Chase lunged at me trying to fight back
17:58but I slammed him to the ground and kept hitting him until someone finally pulled me off the end
18:03result was predictable all of us were called into the principal's office I thought my mom would be
18:07on my side instead right in front of the principal and Chase she sighed in annoyance honestly what were
18:12you thinking they weren't even wrong why would you hit someone over that I tugged lightly at the sleeve
18:16of her coat mom I said barely above a whisper she acted like she didn't hear me let's be real
18:21she went on you're not exactly pretty and now you've got this terrible temper too even the
18:25bee skin you raised doesn't care about you I don't know how I ended up with a daughter like you
18:29sometimes I wish Isabella were my child instead that night I cried my eyes out in Central Park when I
18:34finally went home my father greeted me with a sharp slap across the face he said I closed my eyes
18:42and fell
18:42into a heavy sleep my messed up schedule left my mind blank when I woke up again when I pushed
18:47the door
18:47open I realized it was already dusk Brian was out but his presence lingered everywhere in the apartment
18:52I grabbed a slice of pizza and forced myself to eat then started packing up everything that belonged
18:57to me there wasn't much really after I got into college at 18 I was afraid my parents would treat
19:02Brian badly so I took him with me at my poorest I could only afford a run-down studio apartment
19:08he slept on the bed and I took the couch Brian was well over six feet tall and he would
19:12bump his head
19:13every time he walked through the low doorway so I worked non-stop picking up every part-time job
19:18I could find until I finally saved enough for a down payment on a small two-bedroom townhouse
19:22love has a way of making you feel like you owe everything so I bought Brian more things than he
19:27could ever need I never once considered that he didn't want any of it this time I decided to give
19:31him what he actually wanted freedom after I finished packing I walked out of the home Brian and I had
19:36shared
19:36the next morning when the staff at the Bureau of Non-Human Affairs asked me for the third time if
19:41I was
19:41sure I wanted to terminate my bond with Brian I still nodded when a human dissolves a bond
19:45unilaterally financial compensation is required I left the townhouse to him at the office Emily
19:51handed me the bond termination certificate then hesitated before asking Miss Emma would you like
19:55to give this to Mr. Brian in person or should we mail it on your behalf I took out the
19:59letter I had
19:59rewritten over and over again the night before please mail it to him I said and include this there were
20:04only two sentences in the letter I am sorry Brian I took you away without your consent so this time
20:10I am giving your freedom back to you I walked out of City Hall got into my car and left
20:14Los Angeles
20:15behind my new life would begin in Florida somewhere by the ocean waiting for warmer days ahead since my
20:20new job was as a lecturer at a university in Miami I rented a small beach house with a yard
20:25the evening
20:26sea breeze carried a faint salty smell as I walked along the shore wearing a mask the orange glow of
20:30the sunset was just right soft and beautiful I took a photo then out of habit opened my iMessage chat
20:35with
20:36Brian scrolling up it was nothing but messages from me photos of little trinkets I found at vintage
20:40markets strange shaped clouds in the sky the slow growth of a sunflower he rarely replied most of
20:46the time all I ever got back was a short dismissive yeah the last message in our chat was from
20:51the day
20:51I heard the truth I had asked him where are you I can come pick you up he never replied
20:56by then he must
20:57have already received the bond termination certificate and still he could not even bring himself to say
21:02goodbye all that was left in my chest was a dull spreading ache after thinking it over I realized
21:07my new life should not be tied to the past so I changed my phone number deleted my old Instagram
21:11and created a new account I packed my schedule as full as possible just to earn a few nights of
21:16uninterrupted sleep some of the more outgoing college girls like to chat with me between classes
21:21professor Emma why do you always wear a mask on campus because I'm not very pretty who said that
21:26oh my god I swear I will shut them up there is no such thing as an ugly girl she
21:31sounded completely
21:32sincere and the others around her nodded in agreement just as indignant I would laugh it off
21:36and smoothly change the subject soon enough they started talking about the beeskin they had at home
21:41then they asked me professor what kind of beeskin do you have I did not know how to explain everything
21:46that had happened with Brian so I gave them a simple answer he died they fell silent for a long
21:50moment until the bell rang and class began after that during my two weekly lectures students would
21:55often bring me little things a Starbucks latte a blueberry muffin or a bar of Hershey's chocolate
22:00I could never finish it all that was when I started thinking about the little fox beeskin on campus who
22:05survived by collecting recyclables beeskin were usually striking in appearance and fox beeskin were
22:10among the most beautiful of all but this one had deep crisscrossing scars covering both sides of his
22:15face he was afraid of scaring the students so he only came out late at night that evening when I
22:20left the
22:20lab and went looking for him it started pouring out of nowhere a figure darted toward me a fluffy
22:25foxtail swaying behind him I called out softly hey little fox huh the young beastkin turned around
22:31and noticed me immediately lowering his head he quickly covered his face with his hands I'm sorry
22:36ma'am I must have misheard please don't mind me the autumn rain carried a sharp chill he was soaked
22:41through water dripping steadily from his clothes I looked at him and said gently you don't have to hide
22:46your face I've seen you around I have hot water and a dryer in my office come upstairs and get
22:51warmed up
22:51he hesitated then slowly lowered his hands and nodded thank you ma'am once we got into my office
22:55under the bright lights I realized how young he was around 18 or 19 about the same age as my
23:01freshman
23:01while he was showering I went next door to the lab to ask about him my colleague Arthur was always
23:07eager
23:07to talk and he filled me in without hesitation that little fox is named Finn I heard he used to
23:12be
23:12incredibly good looking his former handler tried to sell him to the red light district in the underground
23:17beast trade he refused and even bit someone before escaping during the escape his face got
23:22slashed up when the people from the black market saw he was disfigured they beat him badly and threw
23:27him into the ocean lucky for him the university rowing team pulled him out since then he's been
23:32scraping by on campus selecting recyclables I asked where does he live there's a rundown shed behind the
23:37hill on campus Arthur frowned slightly Emma I heard your beastkin passed away you're not thinking about
23:42adopting him are you I bit down on the straw of my hot latte and didn't answer Arto's voice suddenly
23:47sharpened he looks like that who would want to adopt him his words overlapped with the voices from my
23:51past she looks so plain who would ever like her but why we have hearts too we want to love
23:56and be loved
23:57just the same I looked at Arthur and said quietly he isn't ugly he's just been hurt and he's kind
24:02he's sweet I've seen him share the food he collects with homeless people nearby I've seen him donate his
24:07spare change to the beastkin protection agency so please don't say things like that about him again
24:12when I stepped out of Arthur's office I saw Finn standing in the hallway his blonde hair and tail
24:17were still damp his eyes were brimming with tears feeling a little awkward I changed the subject if
24:22it's hard to do it yourself I can help dry it I took the towel and gently dried his hair
24:26and tail
24:26then used a hairdryer to finish the job it was my first time drying a beastkin's tail and I was
24:31clumsy
24:31I accidentally hurt him more than once and kept apologizing Finn's face turned red it's okay I'm already
24:37very grateful to you when I finally finished I handed him a muffin and the latte he didn't take
24:42them after a long pause as if gathering all his courage he spoke again ma'am I don't eat much
24:47could you adopt me my hand froze mid-air Finn continued I know I'm not good looking but I can
24:53cook wash dishes mow the lawn I can get massages and I know how to grow roses I smiled then
24:58took off
24:58my mask and met his eyes but I'm not good looking either would you still choose me Finn gently reached
25:03out and touched my cheek his movements careful almost reverent you're very cute he said softly
25:09I want to go with you my eyes stung I blinked quickly holding back the tears and took his hand
25:15as we
25:15walked out of the lab building together the rain had stopped and just like that I chose a family for
25:20myself I completed the paperwork and adopted Finn just like he promised he did everything beautifully
25:25he kept the beach house spotless filled the yard with blooming hydrangeas and brought me hot home
25:30cooked lunches at the lab running those spectral analyses today nearly killed me Arthur said as
25:35he wandered in from next door shamelessly helping himself he took a big spoonful of beef stew and let
25:40out a low whistle damn Finn can cook this is incredible meanwhile the one at my place does nothing but
25:45curl
25:45up on the couch and watch Netflix honestly Arthur should have been grateful Brianne could not cook at all
25:51then again maybe he just never bothered to do anything like that for me that night I had the nightmare
25:56again a memory buried deep in my mind I was 17 Isabella and Logan went with me and Brian to
26:03Universal Studios Orlando halfway through the day the park was hit by a sudden indiscriminate attack
26:08explosions erupted from every direction Logan shielded Isabella while I grabbed Brianne's hand and ran for
26:14the exit we were near the eastern side of the park but the flying debris still cut into everyone we
26:20were only
26:20steps away from the exit when it was blown apart right in front of us at the time I had
26:25been running ahead
26:26and never noticed what happened in that instant but in the dream I saw it clearly both Logan and Brianne
26:31threw
26:32themselves toward Isabella without hesitation I was left alone collapsing into rubble and dust with no one
26:37caring whether I lived or died Logan and Brianne were only relieved that Isabella was safe later I lay unconscious
26:43in
26:44the ICU for days my parents and Brianne stayed by Isabella's side comforting her as she cried from
26:49the shock a voice echoed in my mind mocking me Emma see no one in this world loves you it
26:55came from
26:55everywhere repeating itself over and over surrounding me until I could not escape it in the dream my soul
27:01seemed to float above crouch down clutching my head as I tried to argue back that's not true that's not
27:07true
27:08then faintly someone grabbed my hand and pulled me forward a voice said Emma that's not true everyone
27:15deserves to be loved I woke with a start the first thing I saw was Finn sitting at my bedside
27:20wiping
27:21the cold sweat from my forehead his face tight with worry when he saw my eyes open he finally let
27:26out a
27:27breath tears slipped down my face before I could stop them Finn can you hold me he climbed onto the
27:32bed
27:32and pull me into his arms I clung to him like a child pouring out everything I had been holding
27:36inside
27:37Finn gently patted my back murmuring soft reassurances I did not have to worry about him snapping at me to
27:42leave him alone I did not have to worry about him brushing me off and disappearing into distractions
27:47and I definitely did not have to worry about him looking at me with cold indifference I want to hear
27:51a song I whispered Finn hummed softly you are my sunshine my only sunshine you make me happy when skies
27:58are gray with Finn taking care of me I started getting better little by little the sunlight was
28:03especially bright today Finn and I were in the backyard hanging sheets out to dry we ended up
28:08laughing and playing around on either side of the fabric the breeze lifting it between us then
28:13someone called my name from beyond the fence Emma I turned around Brian was standing there the hanger
28:18slipped from my hand and fell straight onto the grass Finn noticed the shift in my expression
28:23immediately and stepped in front of me without hesitation I tugged lightly on the hem of Finn's flannel shirt
28:28it's okay I know him go take care of the blue crabs in the kitchen I just need a minute
28:33to talk to him
28:33we walked over to a wooden bench by the shore the ocean breeze tangled my hair I forced a small
28:38awkward
28:39smile it's been a while Brian he stared at me his voice cold who's that fox my new fostered bee
28:45skin
28:58Brian and Logan were twin wolf beast kin that my cousin Isabella and I rescued from the underground beast trade
29:05back then the two of us stood there staring at those filthy little wolf pups
29:09and without even needing to say much we each decided to adopt one
29:12I took Brian Isabella took Logan 13 years passed in the blink of an eye
29:17all that time I believe that even if Brian didn't like me he would at least feel grateful that I
29:23had saved his life
29:24that illusion shattered the day I accidentally overheard him talking to some other bee skin
29:30someone asked Emma's been really good to you why are you always so cold to her
29:36who asked her to be good to me you've got it good and don't even realize it good then I
29:43guess I should
29:44thank Emma properly if she hadn't taken me first me'd be the one with Isabella right now I mean makes
29:48sense
29:49compared to Isabella the head cheerleader Emma's just nothing special a dull ache spread through my chest
29:55every feeling I had held on to for Brian over the years quietly disappeared
29:59when I got home I sat on the living room couch until well past midnight
30:03again and again I picked up a mirror staring at the girl reflected in it
30:07I had always thought I looked average but now the longer I looked the worse it seemed
30:12with a surge of disgust I tossed the mirror aside
30:15all I could see in my mind was Isabella's radiant effortless smile
30:18I lowered my head and let the weight of my own insecurity swallow me whole
30:22the sound of the front door opening broke the silence
30:24Brian walked in reeking of bourbon barely sparing me a glance before turning toward his bedroom
30:29I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and stood up for the first time I reached out
30:33trying to grab his tail my hand was immediately slapped away
30:37he stepped back his face full of irritation
30:39don't touch me
30:40it was exactly the same reaction as the first time I had tried to touch his wolf ears
30:44even after I had taken him in and cared for him with everything I had for 13 years
30:49a bitter laugh slipped out of me
30:51so if you're not pretty even your sincerity isn't worth anyone taking seriously
30:55I didn't even notice when my tears began to fall
30:58one by one onto the hardwood floor
31:00by the time I looked up again I was alone in the living room
31:03my thoughts drifted as they always did
31:06back to high school and the annual fall homecoming carnival
31:08I used to bring a big box of Texas's barbecue
31:11and find Brian in the backyard
31:13Brian, will you come to the carnival with me this year?
31:16he'd lift his head out of the pool
31:18water dripping from his hair
31:20no
31:20but a lot of people bring their bee skin with them
31:23no
31:24if you want someone to go with you
31:26go adopt another one from the shelter
31:28so every year I went alone
31:30I would stand off to the side
31:32watching Logan, who had the exact same face as Brian
31:35yet always wore the gentlest smile
31:37he would ruffle Isabella's hair and ask
31:40Isabella, do you want that teddy bear?
31:43she'd nod with a bright smile
31:44rising onto her toes to reach for his wolf ears
31:47and Logan would always bend down for her
31:49patient and indulgent
31:50I watched him like a thief
31:52quietly craving the life Isabella had
31:54but one time, Chase and a few of his buddies shoved me onto the grass
31:58his voice was dripping with mockery
32:00well, look who it is
32:02Emma, Australian nerd
32:03where's your little bee skin?
32:05didn't feel like coming out with you?
32:07one of his friends snickered
32:08her bee skin and Isabella's are twin wolves, right?
32:11the older one ended up with the prom queen
32:13and the younger one got stuck with an ugly duckling
32:15I refused to back down
32:17gritting my teeth
32:18I pushed myself up
32:19and swung my fist straight at his friend's face
32:22he went down hard
32:23before he could even react
32:24Chase lunged at me
32:25trying to fight back
32:26but I slammed him to the ground
32:27and kept hitting him
32:28until someone finally pulled me off
32:30the end result was predictable
32:31all of us were called into the principal's office
32:33I thought my mom would be on my side
32:35instead
32:36right in front of the principal and Chase
32:37she sighed in annoyance
32:39honestly?
32:40what were you thinking?
32:40they weren't even wrong
32:41why would you hit someone over that?
32:43I tugged lightly at the sleeve of her coat
32:44mom?
32:45I said
32:46barely above a whisper
32:47she acted like she didn't hear me
32:48let's be real
32:49she went on
32:50you're not exactly pretty
32:51and now you've got this terrible temper too
32:53even the bee skin you raised
32:54doesn't care about you
32:55I don't know how I ended up with a daughter like you
32:57sometimes I wish Isabella were my child instead
32:59that night
33:00I cried my eyes out in Central Park
33:02when I finally went home
33:03my father greeted me with a sharp slap across the face
33:07he said
33:08I closed my eyes and fell into a heavy sleep
33:11my messed up schedule left my mind blank when I woke up again
33:14when I pushed the door open
33:15I realized it was already dusk
33:17Brian was out
33:18but his presence lingered everywhere in the apartment
33:20I grabbed a slice of pizza and forced myself to eat
33:23then started packing up everything that belonged to me
33:25there wasn't much really
33:26after I got into college at 18
33:28I was afraid my parents would treat Brian badly
33:30so I took him with me
33:32at my poorest
33:33I could only afford a run-down studio apartment
33:35he slept on the bed
33:37and I took the couch
33:38Brian was well over 6 feet tall
33:40and he would bump his head
33:41every time he walked through the low doorway
33:42so I worked non-stop
33:44picking up every part-time job I could find
33:46until I finally saved enough for a down payment
33:48on a small 2-bedroom townhouse
33:50love has a way of making you feel like you owe everything
33:53so I bought Brian more things than he could ever need
33:55I never once considered that he didn't want any of it
33:58this time I decided to give him what he actually wanted
34:00freedom
34:01after I finished packing
34:02I walked out of the home Brian and I had shared
34:04the next morning
34:05when the staff at the Bureau of Non-Human Affairs
34:07asked me for the third time
34:08if I was sure I wanted to terminate my bond with Brian
34:11I still nodded
34:12when a human dissolves a bond unilaterally
34:14financial compensation is required
34:16I left the townhouse to him
34:17at the office Emily handed me the bond termination certificate
34:21then hesitated before asking
34:22Miss Emma
34:23would you like to give this to Mr. Brian in person
34:25or should we mail it on your behalf
34:26I took out the letter I had rewritten
34:28over and over again the night before
34:29please mail it to him
34:30I said
34:31and include this
34:32there were only two sentences in the letter
34:34I am sorry Brian
34:35I took you away without your consent
34:37so this time
34:38I am giving your freedom back to you
34:40I walked out of City Hall
34:41got into my car
34:42and left Los Angeles behind
34:43my new life would begin in Florida
34:45somewhere by the ocean
34:46waiting for warmer days ahead
34:48since my new job was as a lecturer
34:50at a university in Miami
34:51I rented a small beach house with a yard
34:53the evening sea breeze carried a faint salty smell
34:55as I walked along the shore wearing a mask
34:57the orange glow of the sunset was just right
34:59soft and beautiful
35:00I took a photo
35:01then out of habit
35:02opened my iMessage chat with Brian
35:04scrolling up
35:04it was nothing but messages from me
35:06photos of little trinkets I found at vintage markets
35:08strange shaped clouds in the sky
35:10the slow growth of a sunflower
35:12he rarely replied
35:13most of the time
35:14all I ever got back was a short dismissive
35:16yeah
35:17the last message in our chat was from the day I heard the truth
35:20I had asked him
35:21where are you
35:22I can come pick you up
35:23he never replied
35:24by then
35:24he must have already received the bond termination certificate
35:27and still
35:28he could not even bring himself to say goodbye
35:30all that was left in my chest was a dull spreading ache
35:33after thinking it over
35:34I realized my new life should not be tied to the past
35:36so I changed my phone number
35:38deleted my old Instagram
35:39and created a new account
35:41I packed my schedule as full as possible
35:42just to earn a few nights of uninterrupted sleep
35:45some of the more outgoing college girls like to chat with me between classes
35:49professor Emma
35:49why do you always wear a mask on campus
35:52because I'm not very pretty
35:53who said that
35:54oh my god
35:55I swear I will shut them up
35:56there is no such thing as an ugly girl
35:58she sounded completely sincere
36:00and the others around her nodded in agreement
36:02just as indignant
36:03I would laugh it off
36:04and smoothly change the subject
36:06soon enough
36:06they started talking about the bee skin they had at home
36:09then they asked me
36:10professor
36:10what kind of bee skin do you have
36:11I did not know how to explain everything that had happened with Brian
36:15so I gave them a simple answer
36:16he died
36:17they fell silent for a long moment
36:18until the bell rang
36:19and class began
36:20after that
36:21during my two weekly lectures
36:22students would often bring me little things
36:24a Starbucks latte
36:25a blueberry muffin
36:26or a bar of Hershey's chocolate
36:28I could never finish it all
36:29that was when I started thinking about the little fox
36:31bee skin on campus
36:32who survived by collecting recyclables
36:34bee skin were usually striking in appearance
36:36and fox bee skin were among the most beautiful of all
36:39but this one had deep crisscrossing scars covering both sides of his face
36:43he was afraid of scaring the students
36:44so he only came out late at night
36:46that evening
36:47when I left the lab and went looking for him
36:49it started pouring
36:50out of nowhere
36:51a figure darted toward me
36:52a fluffy foxtail swaying behind him
36:54I called out softly
36:55hey
36:56little fox
36:57huh
36:57the young bee skin turned around and noticed me
37:00immediately lowering his head
37:01he quickly covered his face with his hands
37:03I'm sorry ma'am
37:04I must have misheard
37:05please don't mind me
37:06the autumn rain carried a sharp chill
37:08he was soaked through
37:09water dripping steadily from his clothes
37:11I looked at him and said gently
37:12you don't have to hide your face
37:14I've seen you around
37:15I have hot water and a dryer in my office
37:17come upstairs and get warmed up
37:19he hesitated
37:19then slowly lowered his hands and nodded
37:21thank you ma'am
37:22once we got into my office
37:23under the bright lights
37:24I realized how young he was
37:26around 18 or 19
37:27about the same age as my freshman
37:29while he was showering
37:30I went next door to the lab
37:32to ask about him
37:33my colleague Arthur
37:34was always eager to talk
37:35and he filled me in without hesitation
37:37that little fox is named Finn
37:39I heard he used to be
37:40incredibly good looking
37:41his former handler tried to sell him
37:43to the red light district
37:44in the underground beast trade
37:45he refused and even bit someone
37:47before escaping
37:48during the escape
37:49his face got slashed up
37:50when the people from the black market
37:52saw he was disfigured
37:53they beat him badly
37:54and threw him into the ocean
37:55lucky for him
37:56the university rowing team
37:57pulled him out
37:58since then
37:59he's been scraping by on campus
38:01selecting recyclables
38:02I asked
38:02where does he live
38:03there's a run down shed
38:04behind the hill on campus
38:06Arthur frowned slightly
38:07Emma
38:07I heard your beast can pass away
38:09you're not thinking about
38:10adopting him are you
38:11I bit down on the straw
38:12of my hot latte
38:13and didn't answer
38:14Arto's voice suddenly sharpened
38:15he looks like that
38:16who would want to adopt him
38:17his words overlapped
38:18with the voices from my past
38:20she looks so plain
38:21who would ever like her
38:22but why
38:22we have hearts too
38:23we want to love
38:24and be loved
38:25just the same
38:25I looked at Arthur
38:26and said quietly
38:27he isn't ugly
38:28he's just been hurt
38:29and he's kind
38:30he's sweet
38:31I've seen him share the food
38:32he collects with homeless people nearby
38:34I've seen him donate his spare change
38:36to the beastkin protection agency
38:37so please
38:38don't say things like that about him again
38:40when I stepped out of Arthur's office
38:41I saw Finn standing in the hallway
38:43his blonde hair and tail were still damp
38:45his eyes were brimming with tears
38:47feeling a little awkward
38:48I changed the subject
38:49if it's hard to do it yourself
38:50I can help dry it
38:51I took the towel
38:52and gently dried his hair and tail
38:54then used a hair dryer to finish the job
38:56it was my first time drying a beeskin's tail
38:58and I was clumsy
38:59I accidentally hurt him more than once
39:01and kept apologizing
39:02Finn's face turned red
39:03it's okay
39:04I'm already very grateful to you
39:06when I finally finished
39:07I handed him a muffin
39:08and a latte
39:09he didn't take them
39:10after a long pause
39:11as if gathering all his courage
39:12he spoke again
39:13ma'am
39:14I don't eat much
39:15could you
39:16adopt me
39:16my hand froze mid-air
39:18Finn continued
39:19I know I'm not good looking
39:20but I can cook
39:21wash dishes
39:22mow the lawn
39:23I can get massages
39:24and I know how to grow roses
39:25I smiled
39:26then took off my mask
39:27and met his eyes
39:27but I'm not good looking either
39:29would you still choose me?
39:30Finn gently reached out
39:31and touched my cheek
39:32his movements careful
39:33almost reverent
39:34you're very cute
39:36he said softly
39:37I want to go with you
39:39my eyes stung
39:40I blinked quickly
39:41holding back the tears
39:42and took his hand
39:43as we walked out
39:44of the lab building together
39:45the rain had stopped
39:46and just like that
39:47I chose a family for myself
39:48I completed the paperwork
39:50and adopted Finn
39:51just like he promised
39:52he did everything beautifully
39:53he kept the beach house spotless
39:55filled the yard with blooming hydrangeas
39:57and brought me hot
39:57home-cooked lunches at the lab
39:59running those spectral analyses today
40:01nearly killed me
40:02Arthur said as he wandered in from next door
40:04shamelessly helping himself
40:05he took a big spoonful of beef stew
40:07and let out a low whistle
40:08damn
40:09Finn can cook
40:10this is incredible
40:11meanwhile
40:11the one at my place
40:12does nothing but curl up on the couch
40:14and watch Netflix
40:15honestly
40:15Arthur should have been grateful
40:17Brianne could not cook at all
40:18then again
40:19maybe he just never bothered
40:21to do anything like that for me
40:22that night
40:23I had the nightmare again
40:25a memory buried deep in my mind
40:27I was 17
40:28Isabella and Logan
40:29went with me and Brian
40:30to Universal Studios Orlando
40:32halfway through the day
40:33the park was hit
40:34by a sudden
40:35indiscriminate attack
40:36explosions erupted
40:37from every direction
40:38Logan shielded Isabella
40:40while I grabbed Brian's hand
40:41and ran for the exit
40:42we were near the eastern side
40:44of the park
40:45but the flying debris
40:46still cut into everyone
40:47we were only steps away
40:49from the exit
40:50when it was blown apart
40:51right in front of us
40:52at the time
40:52I had been running ahead
40:53and never noticed
40:54what happened in that instant
40:56but in the dream
40:57I saw it clearly
40:58both Logan and Brian
40:59threw themselves
41:00toward Isabella
41:01without hesitation
41:01I was left alone
41:03collapsing into rubble and dust
41:04with no one caring
41:06whether I lived or died
41:07Logan and Brian
41:08were only relieved
41:09that Isabella was safe
41:10later
41:10I lay unconscious
41:11in the ICU for days
41:13my parents and Brian
41:14stayed by Isabella's side
41:15comforting her
41:16as she cried
41:17from the shock
41:17a voice echoed
41:18in my mind
41:19mocking me
41:20Emma C
41:20no one in this world
41:22loves you
41:23it came from everywhere
41:24repeating itself
41:25over and over
41:26surrounding me
41:27until I could not
41:27escape it
41:28in the dream
41:29my soul seemed
41:29to float above
41:30crouched down
41:31clutching my head
41:32as I tried to argue back
41:33that's not true
41:34that's not true
41:35then
41:36faintly
41:37someone grabbed my hand
41:39and pulled me forward
41:40a voice said
41:41Emma
41:41that's not true
41:42everyone deserves
41:43to be loved
41:44I woke with a start
41:45the first thing I saw
41:46was Finn sitting at my bedside
41:48wiping the cold sweat
41:49from my forehead
41:50his face tight with worry
41:52when he saw my eyes open
41:53he finally let out a breath
41:55tears slipped down my face
41:56before I could stop them
41:57Finn
41:58can you hold me?
41:59he climbed onto the bed
42:00and pulled me into his arms
42:01I clung to him like a child
42:02pouring out everything
42:03I had been holding inside
42:05Finn gently patted my back
42:06murmuring soft reassurances
42:08I did not have to worry
42:09about him snapping at me
42:10to leave him alone
42:11I did not have to worry
42:12about him brushing me off
42:13and disappearing into distractions
42:14and I definitely did not
42:16have to worry about him
42:17looking at me
42:17with cold indifference
42:18I want to hear a song
42:19I whispered
42:20Finn hummed softly
42:21you are my sunshine
42:23my only sunshine
42:24you make me happy
42:25when skies are gray
42:26with Finn taking care of me
42:27I started getting better
42:29little by little
42:30the sunlight was
42:31especially bright today
42:32Finn and I were in the backyard
42:34hanging sheets out to dry
42:35we ended up laughing
42:36and playing around
42:37on either side of the fabric
42:39the breeze lifting it
42:40between us
42:41then someone called my name
42:42from beyond the fence
42:43Emma
42:43I turned around
42:44Brian was standing there
42:45the hanger slipped from my hand
42:47and fell straight onto the grass
42:48Finn noticed the shift
42:50in my expression
42:50immediately
42:51and stepped in front of me
42:53without hesitation
42:53I tugged lightly
42:54on the hem
42:55of Finn's flannel shirt
42:56it's okay
42:57I know him
42:58go take care of the blue crabs
42:59in the kitchen
43:00I just need a minute
43:01to talk to him
43:01we walked over
43:02to a wooden bench
43:03by the shore
43:03the ocean breeze
43:04tangled my hair
43:05I forced a small
43:06awkward smile
43:07it's been a while
43:08Brian
43:08he stared at me
43:09his voice called
43:10who's that fox
43:11my new fostered bee skin
43:13can't give you an end
43:15it's all
43:20You
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