Dylan recalled what happened to him a month ago, at a hotel located in a shopping district not far from Dylan's school.
"Nng," "Huh,"
Dylan woke up. He found himself in a hotel room. He sat up on the bed and scratched his head.
"How did I end up sleeping here?"
He wondered how he got to the hotel. He tried to remember what happened last night. He recalled going to a cafe alone to unwind after working at the restaurant as a waiter. He remembered only ordering a cup of coffee and definitely didn't drink any alcohol because he just wanted to relax.
Feeling uncomfortable in the hotel, he immediately pulled off the blanket and got up. He then glanced at the other side of the bed. There were no traces of anyone having slept next to him. He became even more confused. Then he saw his uniform neatly folded on the desk and his bag slung over the chair. He got out of bed and quickly put on his uniform.
He then quickly left the room and returned the key to the receptionist. He was even more confused because the hotel bill had already been paid.
Dylan stepped out of the lobby, deep in thought. He walked on the sidewalk toward his school because today was the final exam, or graduation exam.
"I don't know what happened. Oh well, the important thing is to get to school and take the exam first. Oh, I need to call Aaron," he thought.
He tried to assure himself that nothing bad would happen to him and ran toward his campus because he was already a bit late. Then he called his younger brother to tell him he wouldn't be coming home and would go straight to school.
"Hello, Aaron, today, please take Fiona and Iris to school on your way. I didn't come home and am going straight to school," Dylan said.
"Haaah... big brother overslept at work again, huh? Well, it's okay, I'll take them," Aaron replied.
"Sorry, Aaron, I overslept again (in a strange place and don't remember anything)," Dylan said.
"I understand, big brother. Please don't work too hard. I know you're working for all of us, but what will we do if something happens to you, Fiona, and Iris?" Aaron said.
"Okay, I get it. Today is the last time I oversleep at work. Please take care of things," Dylan replied.
"Yeah, when I graduate from junior high and start high school, I'll help you by working part-time," Aaron said.
"You don't need to worry about that. I'm about to graduate, and I can work full-time at the construction project and freelance, so you just focus on your school, okay?" Dylan said.
"Yeah... thanks, big brother. Please come home tonight. Iris cried all night because you weren't here," Aaron said.
"Yeah, I promise. Now I have to go," Dylan said.
"Okay, be careful on the way," Aaron replied.
The call ended. Dylan immediately quickened his pace, looking at the time on his smartphone screen because he was almost late.
****
Well, that's what happened to me a month ago. To be honest, I don't remember what happened or why I woke up in that hotel room the morning before the exam. Before the story continues, let's look at my background and why today's events are making my head spin. First of all, I'm 18 years old, in 12th grade high school.
We were just relieved yesterday because the exam results came out. I live with my younger brother, Aaron, who is only 13 years old and just started junior high, and my two twin younger sisters, Fiona and Iris, who are still little, only 8 years old and still in elementary school.
When I was 16, my parents died in a traffic accident when they were on their way to the stadium where I was competing in martial arts and became a national champion. Since then, the only thing on my mind has been survival.
My parents didn't leave much money. I have to work to meet our daily needs, school fees, and my siblings' necessities. Every day after school, I don't have time to mess around and go straight to my part-time jobs. My weekly schedule looks roughly like this:
Monday, I work part-time at a bookstore until night because I take two shifts. Tuesday, I work at a construction project until the afternoon, and in the evening, I freelance at an internet cafe. Wednesday, I work at a restaurant as a waiter until night because I take two shifts. Thursday, I go back to work at the bookstore until the afternoon, then continue at the restaurant until night. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, I work at the construction project and freelance on the internet.
With my packed work schedule, plus my brain being in survival mode, I haven't thought at all about having a girlfriend. I even avoid making friends as much as possible because I don't want to be distracted. I don't know what will happen to me after today, but I have to fight because it's clear my responsibilities have grown. But how could they be pregnant with my children if I wasn't close to them? Though I have crossed paths with all four of them.
We definitely never talked at school, but I do know who they are. I know Maya because her older brother was my opponent in the final at a competition. I know Ellie because she came to my parents' funeral with her parents. I don't know what her parents' relationship was with my late parents.
I know Lena because I once helped her in the park when she was walking her dog and being harassed by some sketchy guys. And finally, Amy, she often comes to the bookstore where I work to buy light novels and asks me to keep it a secret.
Even so, I am not close to them at all. I always thought they must have forgotten about me because I'm not noticeable at school due to my survival mode, plus my looks are mediocre—worlds apart compared to the four of them. Logically, they shouldn't even spare me a glance.
And, of course, everything makes no sense if they are suddenly pregnant with my children, even though I can't deny it since they provided strong proof. Today, the day I should have been relaxing and waiting for graduation, has become a very unforgettable day because my head feels like it's going to explode, and I want to jump off the school roof and die.
But no matter what happens, I can't abandon my three siblings, and as a man, I can't abandon the girls who are now carrying my children. I really need help right now because my head is completely blank and I can't think of anything.