Lucas stared at the football field through the window. It was almost sunset and wind has been gushing lightly, leaving a slightly tingly feeling inside. The class has ended and he remained seated, like he used to until he decided to go home.
His thoughts got interrupted by a quiet beep on his phone. He stared at it although he already knew what was written on it.
'Where are you? Let' s go home together!'
He puts back the phone on his pocket as he lay his head on the desk.
'I don' t want to go home.'
-
They've been at the coffeeshop for quite some time with none of them initiating to speak. Gray observe the lady in front of her. He could see Lucas feature on her, especially her eyes. It looks sad too. Just like Lucas.
'Could it be...'
"Lucas has been deeply traumatized by what happened two years ago." The lady suddenly speaks up. "And up until now, I feel that he still blames himself at what happened with Charles."
"W-what happened two years ago? And why... Do you want to talk to me?"
"I'm sorry. You must have been surprised. It's just that... I'm really glad that Lucas finally opened himself with someone. I actually saw you with him yesterday. Lucas... Lucas never really talked with anyone... Even to me. So..." Her clasped hands trembled, unable to continue without tearing up. Gray remained quiet, giving her a time to recollect herself and speak again.
"Lucas saw someone died right in front of his eyes and he's not same ever since."
"Huh?"
"And it was my fault." Her lips quivered and once again, she find it hard to speak. It's as if a big lump's on her throat and she's unable to get it out.
Gray was suddenly reminded of something.
'The rumors of me killing someone. What if it' s true?'
'I-is that what he means?'
"Please... Help me..." The lady spoke again, his voice clearly in distraught. "Help me save my son."
-
A silhouette of a man can be seen walking through a semi-lit and empty hallway. He halts in front of a classroom and sees a figure of a man sleeping peacefully on a desk.
"You're still here." He whispers as he walks towards him and sit in front.
"Why are you still here?" Lucas' voice echoes the quiet classroom as he sit up straight, meeting Gray's eyes. Gray stares back and this time, he's sure that Lucas' eyes shows an emotion. Was it pain? Was it sorrow? He don't know. He just couldn't understand the what the slight glimmer on his eyes means.
"I should be the one asking you that. The class was dismissed two hours ago."
"Is that why you came back?"
"I... Just feel that you would still be here."
Lucas will stare at him for a minute before he stands up and leaves. He hesitantly follows him as they wall in silence.
"Lucas... D-do you consider me as your friend?"
"What does friendship mean to you?"
Taken aback by the sudden question, he answers hesitantly. "Someone you could rely on? The one who would stay by your side no matter what happen?"
Lucas will remain silent until they reached the school gate.
"You said that... Can I really rely on you?"
"Of course!" Gray jumps up in front of him, his eyes full of vigor and eagerness. "You can rely on me anytime-"
A pair of cold and wet lips silenced Gray from talking.
"I wonder how far can I go and rely on you. Hmmm?"
Gray could only watch Lucas walking away, his heart beating rapid than normal.
-
Gray was welcomed with darkness when he entered his room. He didn't bother opening the lights and went straight to bed. What happened earlier was too much for him to process. But despite that, he feels like he understands Lucas' actions.
He mindlessly touches his lips. It's as if he could still feel Lucas' lips pressing against him.
'He just did that out of nowhere. I wonder what goes on in his mind. But... I didn' t hate it.'
He stares at nothingness for a while, still thinking of the events that happened earlier.
'It may not be his fault but he still feels like he played a big part at what happened. Should I just asked who Charles is? Instead of answers, All I got is questions.' He sighed.
'I don' t need to know who Charles is. But... Can I really help him? Will he let me? I'm pretty sure he'll avoid me again if I tried it.'
He lays down on the bed still deep in his thoughts.
His mom' s words keeps echoing on his mind.
"Please help me... Help me save my son..."
As if on cue, Lucas' face suddenly pops up on his mind, staring at him with his dead eyes.
"Can I really help you... Lucas?"
-