It was the summer when I was roughly 8 years old when I had met Len.
"Why are you crying?" I asked a frail looking boy who had himself curled into a ball.
The boy glanced up at me with teary eyes making my heart hammer against my chest. He had a cute face that made him look more like a girl. However, there were bruises and swollen indents on his face.
"I.... The beetle... flew away." the boy sobbed as he glanced at me.
"Eh?" I replied as I noticed the small bug cage slung against his frail body and the net on the ground beside him.
"Do... do you want me to come along and help you?" I asked as I wiped the tears off his cheeks.
The boy squeezed his eyes shut and flinched at my gesture. However, as my fingers touched his face, he slowly pried his eyes open and stared at me with his big grey eyes.
"Uh.... I... I'm Doyle." I blurted out as I felt my face growing hot. Was I under the sun for too long?
"I... I'm Lenford..." the boy replied timidly as he lowered his gaze.
"Len it is!" I said with a grin as I lowered my hands to hold his.
Len widened his eyes before breaking into a smile. The tears that streamed down his cheeks stopped and I found myself awestruck when I saw his smile.
He tugged at my hand as he stood up and before I knew it, we were running towards the lush forest. I kept a firm grip on his hand because I felt the need to protect him from whatever was in the forest.It was a more of a park to be honest, but I was still young back then.
We spent the whole day running around and chasing bugs that I forgot about the time. When we collapsed onto the ground and looked up at the orange clouds, I realised it was evening.
"Oh, no... it's gotten so late... Len? Do you want me to walk you home?" I asked as I squeezed his hand lightly.
Len glanced at me with an astonished face before shaking his head. He reciprocated my gesture and squeezed my hand as well before smiling.
"No... but I'll see you tomorrow."
I nodded and sat up, pulling Len up as well. We sat in silence for a long while. I didn't want to go home. Len probably felt the same way too.
I glanced at Len before I felt a light brush on my cheek. My face turned red. It wasn't due to the crimson colour of the setting sun. Len had kissed me on the cheek.
"A-ah..."
"I'll see you tomorrow." Len said as he giggled. He then released my hand and ran off into the distance.
I touched my cheek and felt my heart beginning to race. What was this feeling?
***
We met several times after that day and became close friends. The wounds on his face started to get better but he seemed to be suppressing something.
That day, we ran in a field of Sunflowers. The light beamed down on us. I felt a tingle of pride as well as it made us feel special.
We chased each other in a game of tag before Len tripped and fell. I hurried to his side to help him up when I noticed his shirt rode up till his chest.
I found myself flustered but I didn't know why. Then. I noticed it. A large bruise on his stomach that looked swollen. I instinctively ran my fingers over it lightly.
"L-Len.... this..."
"Aah...." Len shivered beneath my touch as tears rolled down his cheeks.
I quickly released my hand before sitting away from him. I don't believe I didn't know. It was obvious from the very start. Len had abusive parents.
"Doyle... do you hate me now?" Len asked as he tugged on my sleeve.
I glanced at him with mixed emotions. Hate him? No way!
I pulled Len into a tight embrace as I shook my head. "I could never hate you. You're precious to me."
Len didn't say anything but wrapped his arms around me as I felt my shirt getting soaked. The summer wind blew gently as the sunflowers rustled with the breeze.
Len's hair tickled my nose as I ran my hand across his back and stroked it gently. I don't know what expression I had on my face but I know it wasn't a good one.
How could Len constantly blame himself when he never did anything? Was he this timid because of his parents? I want to hide him away...
I squeezed onto Len even tighter at the thought as Len groaned in my grasp. I loosened my grip and quickly apologised. Len glanced up at me and smiled. He said that he didn't mind before snuggling closer to me.
My face flushed red and I ran my fingers through his hair as I patted his head. Len looked up at me and my heart clenched.
I leaned in and kissed his forehead. Len blinked in surprise before breaking out into a grin. He then kissed me on my cheek.
We continued kissing each other on our faces but never once on the lips. I didn't know why I found that unfair, but, I complied.
It was hard letting Len leave that day. I pestered him to sleep over for the night. Len looked happy but his smile turned to a frown as if he remembered something. He shook his head and whispered a goodbye before leaving.
My heart felt like it had been broken. I didn't want him to leave...