"What are we gonna watch?" I asked him. We're now at the cinema choosing what to watch. The choices are All The Bright Places, Ride your Wave, End Game and Rebecca.
"..Aaron?" I asked again when he didn't answer. He's focus on choosing.
"End Game?..Do you like Marvels?" hesitating.
"Yes, I do" his eyes shined when he hears my answer. "I've watched all the movies" I added.
"Really?! It was so frustrating when Star-Lord fought with Thanos! If only he didn't then Thanos would have died!!" he groaned. I chuckled, "Well, I kinda get him though. I'd also be angry if the person I love was killed and the person who killed him was in front of me" we both laughed.
I bought drinks and popcorn for us while Aaron bought our tickets. As we go inside the cinema, it was crowded. Many people was waiting for this movie too. We sat at the back row with Aaron on my left, next to the stairs while I'm on his right.
The movie started and the whole crowd has gone silent. Fixing their eyes on the show. I look to my left to see Aaron, not even blinking. Like he's savoring every moment. I grinned and focused on the movie as well, eating my popcorn.
"I can't believe what happened! It was going so great but of course.." sighing with disappointment, "someone has to die.." in a lower voice. I was taken back a little, he was talking about himself, wasn't he? I was about to pat his shoulders when he suddenly walked faster, leaving me behind.
"Let's get some ice cream" he smiles, with his energy back. My brows furrowed, "You're still hungry? You ate a large popcorn, all by yourself..With coca cola"
"What? You think eating popcorn can make you full?" he sarcastically asked, "Weak" groaning and bought ice cream on a stall near the cinema. He left me shock, can't believe he's still hungry from all that.
After watching the movie we went on our way home. "Is it okay if we walk?" he blurted out of a sudden. We're waiting for a bus and now he wants us to walk. I glared at him, thinking how tired I am and how much time it will cost me but I can't really say no to him. He has helped me with my lessons lately. I sighed, finally giving up. "Sure, okay"
As we walk along the side walk of the streets, with the city full of lights. He began; "Everyday has been fun with you. If I'm going to die.."
he stops walking. "..Aaron" uneasy of what he said. "Let me finish..If I'm going to die..I want to be the person I'm meant to be and have that be enough" then he smiles. Genuinely. It aches my heart to hear him say things about him dying, It really does. But he doesn't want to be pitied.
"Don't look at me like that, Louella" he shook his head lightly when he noticed me, looking at him with sorrow. "It's my experience that people are a lot more sympathetic if they can see you hurting, and for the millionth time in my life I wish for measles or smallpox or some other easily understood disease just to make it easier on me and also on them"
It made me sad even more. He had been hiding his illness from everybody to avoid sympathy. Or was it really that?
"Hey, don't say that"
"It's fine, really.." he smiles "I'm okay"
"Stop telling me you're okay when you're not" I softly pat his back.
He was quiet for a while.
"Let's go home. It's already past 9. Won't your mom be angry?" changing the subject.
"..Yeah..Yeah, sure" we continued to walk home.
We reached for my home and I waved at him "Thanks for today. Bye"
"See you tomorrow, Louella" he bids farewell as he smiles, walking away from me. He looks back, "Goodnight, Louella Hart" waving at me. I chuckled, "Goodnight..Aaron Elias" I turned my back and got inside the door to see my mom in front of me.
I coughed, "Mom.." she glared at me
"Where were you?"
"O-oh..I was uh..At the movies" I gulped, explaining. My palms began sweating, she wasn't like this before.
"You were at the movies?? Goodness sake, El. Imagine how many pieces you could've master if you didn't go to the movies!?" she yelled, obviously not happy about me going out.
"Mom..I practiced earlier, before I went to the movies"
"I told you before didn't I?! Practice all the time! Practice for 42 hours, I don't care! Just practice!!" shrieking. I couldn't look at her, she was getting scary.
"I am practicing, Mom. I am. Everyday. Every minute! I've been practicing my whole life! Just because I went out to see a movie doesn't mean I don't practice, Mom.."
She shook her head. "A fucking disappointment" sighing. "I've never even got to see movies or hang out with friends when I was a kid, I travel to perform piano. And you?! You do these things with..with that boy!?"
"Wh-what?" I stuttered, getting frustrated. I'm different from her, I can do whatever I want. I want to be free.
"If you ever do these things again. I swear you will never step out of this house. Ever again." she ordered as she gritted her teeth, pointing at my face.
As soon as she walks out, I feel into my knees, waterfalls of tears streaming down my face. I was shaking as I pondered about what she said. It was the first argument I ever had with my mother, she never freaked out like this before. it's inevitable that we are going to have a few serious arguments during my adult life. They're painful and tough to get through, but my Mom, although she can be possessive, she's kind in her own way.
The next day came, and I'm going to apologize to her for going somewhere and didn't tell her. But when I got downstairs, there weren't even a shadow of her. I went to her room, no one. She must be hating me even more right now. I breathe deeply, to excess my worries and focus more on music.
"A bit late, aren't you, Louella?" Aaron began as I go inside the room.
"I'm not. Blythe's not here yet?"
"You can't see her, can you?" he chuckled.
I rolled my eyes, putting down my folder filled with pieces and sat on the piano bench.
"Hi~hooo" Blythe enters the room, holding a coffee. I smiled at her to greet her, "Good Morning, Ella" as she sips her coffee, waving at me. I can smell the strong and distinct smell of freshly brewed coffee as she gets close to me. The rich smell of coffee has always been and still remains a favorite scent of mine.
"Good morning" i smiled at her. She then greets Aaron to which he greeted back. We began preparing our instruments. Well, Aaron began preparing his instruments for our instruments are already prepared. I stare at the piano, pondering about last night. I still can't get over it, kept repeating on my mind.
"You okay?" making me stop from thinking about it. I turned to Aaron and he look concerned. "Yes...yes, I'm fine. Kinda lost myself for a while there" forcing a smile. He took a deep sigh, not believing what I said but believed anyways.
"Tell me when something's wrong, okay?"
I nodded.
He then went to his seat to practice his piece.
I practice instead, making me forget what happened. Letting the music flow through me as I continue to play. I drown myself in music instead of worrying about what might happens next.
I've been feeling this happiness for quietly sometime and I wonder what will be the cost of it.