Chereads / The Ballad of the Star and Moon / Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: “Mine”

Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: “Mine”

[Lance POV]

Getting used to something is very difficult. I fear losing people in my life. My greatest fear is letting go and saying goodbye. I think it started after my grandmother passed away when I was in elementary. That was the time I knew how painful death was. These days I was always with Chris. I'm kind of getting used to it. I wonder when it will last.

My last class is swimming lessons.

We had swimming exams next week. Oh God, I did all my very best just not to fail this class. I can't swim but I have no choice. We basically need to swim from one end of the pool to another. For someone who has never swum in his entire life, I struggle to even float let alone move in the pool. I know I needed help. When Chris learned about it, he was happy to teach me.

We went to the pool after classes. We both changed to our swimming trunks.

Chris has a nice body. His abs are well-defined, and his skin tone is glowing bronze. God! He looks like a Greek god. He looks like my favorite god Apollo. I think that I'm blushing.

We showered together and I realized that we're both getting shy. Chris looked at me and just smiled. He then left out a small laugh afterward he hugged me from the back as the cool air hits us. It is starting to get dark and there are almost no people left in school.

In the pool, he taught me to swim. He first demonstrated it to me and held me on my stomach just to make me float.

He showed me the proper form and swam across the pool. He's a really good swimmer. How perfect is this guy? He even looks so handsome while his hair is wet.

He continued to teach me how to swim. Every now and then he will laugh when I make a mistake and we will suddenly throw water at each other. I tried to tackle him in the pool, but it will only end with him getting a hold of me. I would sometimes lose my balance and he will catch me whenever I will fall.

I continued to practice. Thankfully, I am a fast learner. After learning how to float. Chris did his best to correct my form. The thing is, I was doing it all wrong. Thankfully I have a great teacher with me who is both very patient and capable. After just a few minutes I can finally do it I can decently swim across the pool.

After some time, Chris's phone, which he left near our side of the pool, suddenly rang.

"I just need to answer this, should we go now?" He asked.

"Oh, it's alright, answer it first, I will just do two more laps and then get out of the pool," I replied.

He went out of the pool like a summer model and answered the phone.

Chris looked uncertain when he was answering the phone. His expressions changed every now and then. I think he's talking to his dad.

I continued to practice my swimming. I can do it well now. I still struggle with my breathing, but I can surely swim now, life achievement unlocked.

The thing with these kinds of pools is that it changes the depth progressively. Every once in a while, I will stop swimming and then try to catch my breath and check up on Chris.

Suddenly I heard a shout.

"Dad!" It was from Chris.

I tried to stop swimming to stand in the pool without realizing that I'm in the part of the pool that I cannot reach. I struggled to keep myself afloat and return to the swimming position.

I fought with the water. Chris was facing the other side. I tried to keep myself afloat but I was failing.

I swallowed a lot of water.

Oh, God! I'm drowning, I'm dying.

At that time, I just thought of my friends, Mom, and Dad. I wondered if I'll ever see them again. I can't die like this, I'm too young. Why did I even take this class?

Suddenly I thought of Chris. With all the energy left in me, I shouted.

"Chris!" I succeeded.

I started to lose consciousness as I was struggling. I am seeing just the blue water and the walls of the pool. When they said that you start seeing your life in the moment of death, it might be true. I started to have flashbacks of my life as I drown.

I saw the stars falling from the sky and all my memories back in high school. I saw a face. I cannot recognize it. It was calling my name. It was a familiar voice. A voice I knew from a long time ago. It was the voice that saved me once before.

I started to close my eyes.

~~~

[Chris POV]

Lance asked me to teach him how to swim. We went to the pool together and Good Lord, he looks so cute. I know you're getting tired of me saying how cute he is. But today, I saw him shirtless. He was just wearing these cute swimming trunks. His skin is milky white and as soft as a baby's. He has a very small waist that I've always felt whenever I would hug him from the back.

I was too shy to look at him. I must not look at him.

We started swimming and we would hug a few times whenever he struggles. Just let me live in my fantasy.

My phone rang, it was Dad.

I knew why he called; I know it would not end well. I shouldn't have answered at all.

Suddenly, I heard a shout.

My soul left my entire body. I froze, I can't see Lance in the pool.

Then, I saw him on the far end. Oh, God! He's in the water. I shouldn't have left him alone. What am I thinking? I don't know what I can do if something happens to him.

I went to the pool and swam to him. I pulled him up and carried him.

He was unconscious.

I know what to do. Instead of letting my nerves get me. I need to save him. Every health class has trained me for this moment.

I didn't know I have to perform it on Lance.

"I'm sorry Lance, but I really need to do this," I murmured to him.

I started to do the chest compressions and lightly opened his mouth to blow air.

"Please wake up… please" I cried.

~~~

[Lance POV]

I woke up and saw Chris kissing me. I suddenly let out some water from my mouth.

Chris gasped and hugged me tightly. He is almost crying. He rested his face on my chest.

I know what happened.

"I'm sorry," I said.

Chris was crying.

"No, I'm sorry," he sobbed. "I shouldn't have left you there."

"No, it's all my fault, and thank you, I owe my life to you," I said.

Chris continued to cry.

"What if you died," he wept. "Now, you even took my first kiss." He lifted his head."What first kiss?" I said. "That doesn't count at all".

We both started to laugh.

"I didn't know you haven't kissed anyone?" I asked.

"Why? Don't tell me you have?" He questioned.

"Of course not!" I shouted.

We both laughed again.

I thanked him again.

I saw how vulnerable he was moments ago. I did not know how much I meant to him. And I also did not know how much he meant to me.

~~~

After the life-threatening scenario, we decided to eat out. I almost lost my life back there. Thank God Chris is with me.

I recovered quickly; Chris wants me to go to the hospital to get checked but I felt quite fine. I must've just swallowed a little bit of water. I also do not want my mom and dad to know what happened. They will surely put some guards on me again.

We went to a nearby pizza house and started to order. Chris looked sad. I wondered if it is still because of my swimming mishap but I think there is something more that worries him. I never saw him like this. He was always cheerful. I hope he's alright.

[Chris POV]

Lance looked really hungry. I still feel bad that I left him in the pool. I also worry about what my father said.

He kept on munching on the pizza we ordered. He is eating like his life depends on it.

"I deserve this, I almost died," he said which immediately made me laugh. I think he recognized what I felt and does everything to make me feel better.

I took out my phone and captured him eating while he was not looking. I posted a story of him eating that pizza.

We didn't even talk much. I just kept on looking at him eating. At times, we'll catch each other's eyes and look away, then it'll be followed by a small laugh knowing that we looked like a couple on a date. I hope we would actually be one.

I need to enjoy these days before it's all over. It's almost a month before graduation and I don't know what will happen after that. I'm thinking about how I can tell him what I really feel. Will he accept me for who I am? I wonder what the pressure will be for him. Will he go with me?

No matter what, I love this one guy who made me realize good things in life and how beautiful life can be. I saved him today, but he already saved me before. He doesn't need to love me back, I'll always let him go but he'll always stay in my heart forever.

~~~

[Lance POV]

Why does Chris keep staring at me?

It feels weird. I have no choice but to just keep on eating my pizza. Chris walked me home to my apartment.

We talked about random things about how he wanted to go on a trip with me.

"Let's go somewhere," he said.

"Where?" I asked.

"I always wanted to go to Taal," he said.

"It's too far," I said.

"That's my wish, let's go there," he said with enthusiasm.

"Alright, you saved me, I at least owe you a trip to Taal."

"Hey, Lance!" He shouted out of nowhere.

I almost jumped.

"Why are you so surprised?"

"You just surprised me."

"It's my game tomorrow. Forget Taal. That's the reward I want. Please be there?" He asked.

"You didn't tell me; I shouldn't have asked you to swim with me." Replied.

He poked me in the forehead.

"If you didn't ask me to swim with you. You could've died in that pool."

I wanted to watch his game, but I am supposed to go home for the weekend.

"Uhm, Chris, my dad, he asked me to go home tomorrow," I said to him, regretfully.

"Oh... It's okay." He smiled at me.

I felt his disappointment. He looked sad. Really. And I feel guilty. I really wish I could be with him.

As I walked inside my apartment, he waved at me with a smile, a different one. He's smiling but he's not as cheerful as always. Is he sad? Is it because of his game? Now I really feel guilty! Maybe, I should just surprise him. I haven't watched him in a game ever since we became close, and he's really been kind to me. He even saved me.

I went to my room and sat on my study table to read for a bit. I opened my IG account and a message from Chris was sent. What did he say?

Oh, God! He tagged me in his story. I almost had a heart attack. I was there. Eating pizza like my life depends on it. I looked bad! Oh my God! But that's not the worst thing. Written across it was one word.

"Mine"