ice cream shop

"How was your first day of school?" Rex asks while occasionally glancing at me before returning his attention to the road ahead.

"Not too bad," I reply, still in my comfortable position, leaning back in the car seat with my head against the headrest.

"Did something bad happen?" Rex questions. Ah, he's my best cousin, always able to tell when my mood is either good or bad.

"If I said yes, could you take care of transferring me to another school?" I ask hopefully, even though I know Rex's answer will likely be no.

"Is something bothering you?" he asks again, this time with a serious expression. Yeah, something is bothering me, and unfortunately, I've felt his gaze on me, especially in the school parking lot earlier. He looked at me like a piece of meat ready to be devoured at any moment.

"No, it's just that the school is too big. Even on my first day, I got lost three times," I respond nonchalantly, making Rex chuckle before ruffling my hair.

"If something's bothering you, just say it."