I guess... I'm not actually "shy" to talk to most people but awkward and afraid.
Ashton: I'm not.
The Girl: Really? Then you must must of those kids who don't speak a lot. I think they're called autis-
Ashton: That's different!
Does she seriously think that I'm autistic?! I wouldn't even utter a single word if I was like that. But, it's not like I can say that there's absolutely nothing wrong with my psychological condition.
I once overhead my mother talking to my psychiatrist that I... No, it's nothing much. So what if I'm very sensitive and easily prone to trauma? It's not like there have been any major symptoms.
The Girl: Huh, that doesn't sound very convincing coming from a boy who speaks only two words at a time.
Ashton:..!
Her voice snaps me back to reality. Hahh, here's no use thinking about that. Wait, what did she just say?! That's not true!
Ashton: I don't.
The Girl: Hmm....
Ashton:...
... Ugh, I completely contradicted myself there, didn't I? She narrows her eyes at me suspiciously and I look away. She must be thinking of me as a-
The Girl: Regardless, I have to say, you're quite brave.
Ashton:... Huh? Wh-What do you mean?
B-Brave? Me? How can that be possible?
The Girl: If I'm not wrong, you've been going through this for a long time, haven't you?
Ashton: I..!
How did she catch that? On second thought... I stare down at my limbs. There're bruises everywhere, new and old. And just just my limbs, but my entire body suffers from them. She must have judged from the ones on my hands.
Although I'm not looking at her, I can still sense her smiling gently at me, not with pity but with admiration.
The Girl: This the first time I'm meeting you, but I can still tell; you didn't shed a single tear and endured everything silently, right? I wouldn't be able to do that if I was in your stead.
Shedding tears, you say?
Ashton: What's the use of crying? How is that going to help me? It's only going to let the opponent know that I'm weak, that I'm submissive. I don't want to be submissive.
I start speaking out the turmoil in heart and instead of objecting, she quietly lends me a ear and lets me vent out all that I had been keeping to myself.
The Girl:....
Ashton: I don't want to submit to him however, fighting back isn't an option for me. My mother has always told me that I must endure. She keeps convincing me that one day, all this will stop, but why... Why didn't it? I held back for her sake for so long and today I finally....
I finally ran away. My voice breaks and I stop short. What would Mom be thinking right now? Perhaps, everyone must be out, searching for me. If my father gets a wind of what I have done, wh-what would he do?
I start trembling with fear. I don't even want to imagine it.
The Girl: Well, I'm sure that everything will be fine one day.
She props up her chin on her palms and idly observes the children run about the park. Is she trying to console me?
The Girl: I never really understood this, but my mother once told me that life isn't always as you want it to be, sometimes there will be darkness, but someday, you'll find someone who'll light your world for you. Maybe she was referring to my father or perhaps a guardian angel.
A guardian angel... I don't think that those exist. Could it be a particular person that will appear in my life one day? I guess, I'll still need to wait and see. Suddenly, the girl extends her right hand towards me and ruffles my hair playfully.
The Girl: Heh, I thought that you were really bashful, look at you open up to me. Do you realise how adorable you are, Little Boy?
Ashton:!!!
Adorable? This not the first time that somebody has called me that, but it really feels special coming from her. My pulse starts quickening instantly. It's been so long since I've felt this kind of... warmth.
And I didn't even realise when I started talking my heart out to her so freely. I'm almost absorbed in the moment when I realise something. Did she just refer to me as "Little Boy" again?!
Ashton: Who's a "Little Boy"?! We're of the same age!
The Girl: Whaaat? How can that be possible? Aren't you six years old? I turned eight last week so, I'm much older than you, alright?
She's just older by a couple of months, so what? That makes me a "Little Boy"?!
Ashton: So what?! I'll be eight in a few months too!
The Girl: Pff, as if I'd believe you. If we both are of the same age, then why are you so much shorter than me?
Ashton: Th-That...
Well, that's a good point. I AM the short... Drake and Louis turned eight this year too and they're both taller than me! It really hurts to be shorter than a girl of the same age! Just then, the girl smirks suggestively at me.
The Girl: Ooh, I think I know what it is.... You're a DWARF!
Ashton:....
... WHAT?! I don't even what to say, I'm at a loss for words.
The Girl: Haha! The look on your face! Did I get it right just now?
Ashton: NO!! What nonsense are you spouting?! I-I'm just growing up slowly, okay?! You're the one who's a dwarf! I'll be much taller when I grow up! Even taller than you! Just wait and see!
The Girl: Haha, we'll see, Shorty.
She chuckles softly at my response. Shorty?! What's with girl and making nicknames for people?!
Ashton: Don't call me that! I have a name!
Ah, that's right, we don't know each other's names yet.
The Girl: Right, we haven't introduced ourselves, have we? So, what's your name, Cutie?
Ashton:....
... YET another nickname?! How many is she going to come up with?! And why are they all so embarrassing?! Especially this one, it's like she's talking to a little child!
The Girl:???
Ashton: My name is Ashton Beckett.
Her eyes widen when she hears my name. Huh? Why is she so surprised? Does she know me?
The Girl: Beckett? You are-
???: Young Master!
Both:..!
Before she can finish her question, someone from afar interrupts her. That's Christian's voice! We both turn to face the source of the voice. Indeed, there he is, standing outside the park, beside the black Limousine, worry written all over his face....