The midday sun beamed down, casting a warm glow over the restaurant where Kian had an exclusive cabinet reserved for him. The table was decorated with an array of extravagant dishes, each one more inviting than the last. Despite the lavish spread, the atmosphere remained casual; only Alex and Mary seemed entirely at ease, celebrating in the idea that they were actually sharing a table with two of the school's most enigmatic figures, Harry and Kian.
As they took their seats, a feeling of disbelief washed over Alex and Mary. Could it really be true that they were all here together?
Once the hot dishes were served, Leo, ever enthusiastic about good food, raised his glass as if to toast. "Bon appetite!" he declared, before digging in. Harry, with his carefully measured enjoyment of the meal, took a moment to observe Alex, a glint of curiosity lighting his eyes. "Which family are you member of?" he asked, a playful edge to his tone.
Alex, caught slightly off guard, began to choke on his first bite—a rather discouraging beginning. After a few moments of sputtering, he cleared his throat and found his voice. "I'm the son of John Sand, the owner of Heaven Shopping Mall," he managed, a mix of pride and embarrassment coloring his cheeks.
Harry's face brightened. "I shop there often! Glad to meet you," he responded, turning his attention to Mary next. "And what about you?"
"My dad is the CEO of Moon Holding," Mary replied with confidence. "My name is Mary," she added.
"Nice to meet you, Mary," Harry replied, his smile genuine.
In that moment of discovery, Leo interrupted, laughing with his mouth full. "Why do students at school always describe themselves as someone's daughter or son?" he asked, his voice jovial yet candid. Kian shifted his gaze to Leo, a hint of curiosity on his face.
"Then how should they present it?" Kian queried with a hint of playfulness.
"Let me show you! Ask me who I am," Leo declared, his enthusiasm palpable.
Kian raised an eyebrow, gesturing for him to introduce himself. Leo took a moment to gather his thoughts, clearly aiming for a more profound revelation. "I'm Leo Atkins, I'm 18 years old, I love mathematics and I exercise in my spare time," he proclaimed, his posture straightening with pride.
The table erupted into laughter, and Leo, slightly embarrassed but also pleased, couldn't help but join in. "Look, it doesn't matter whose son you are," Leo continued, his conviction unwavering. "I'll spend my time with you, not with your parents."
Mary nodded energetically. "Exactly! It shouldn't be about wealth or status," she affirmed, her gaze firm yet kind as she glanced at Leo. "But not everyone has the courage to say this," she added, a teasing smile forming as she looked at him. "Except for you," she noted, laughter dancing in her eyes.
Flashing a embarrassed grin, Leo locked eyes with Kian for a brief moment, only to find Kian's expression stoic, a contrast that momentarily threw him off. Leo quickly composed himself, returning to his meal as he felt the unyielding gaze on him.
"Are you close with Leo?" Alex posed the question, his eyes shifting to Kian as whispers of curiosity lingered in the air. Kian turned his gaze to Alex, and as their eyes met, Alex felt a blush warm his face. There was an air of playful challenge in Kian's smile as he regarded Leo next.
"Maybe you should answer your friend's question. Are we close?" Kian asked, a teasing lilt in his voice.
Leo hesitated for a moment, planning the weight of Kian's words. "We are close," he finally replied, a spark of assurance burning within him at Kian's approving smile.
*
After the meal, the chatter faded, and the air inside the restaurant lightened, each person drifting to their own corner of the world. Kian turned to Leo, a question dangling from his lips, "Where are you going now?"
Leo raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Why do you ask?"
"I don't want to go to school because I have had an exam today, and feeling tired," Kian replied, his voice dropping slightly, as if sharing a secret.
"And what's your plan, then?" Leo pressed, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Spending time with you," Kian said, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
The words sparked a warm flicker of excitement within Leo, a feeling he didn't quite know how to tame. "Thank you for wanting to spend your precious time with me, Kian Elgard," he replied, letting sarcasm lace his tone.
Kian's smile broadened. "Can you play basketball?" Leo asked, scrunching his nose in playful skepticism.
"Can I play? The first time I lived in America, I almost got an invitation to the NBA," Kian joked, his laughter ringing out like a cheer.
"Let's see your words are real or not," Leo replied, shaking his head with a grin. "The school's basketball court will be full now," Leo continued, suddenly serious, "but I'll know a spot as close as necessary." He gestured for Kian to follow him outside.
*
The afternoon sun cast long shadows over the fenced basketball court, its net a silent witness to their playful competition. Leo and Kian lunged for the ball, its orange surface shining brightly in the fading light. In one swift motion, they stripped off their school uniforms and they were in their T-shirts. In that moment, they were two boys free of expectations and ready to make their own rules.
"What are we playing for?" Leo asked, his breath quickening with excitement and the thrill of competition.
"The winner gets a wish," Kian replied, a glint of mischief flashing through his deep eyes. They shook hands, palms meeting with a satisfying smack that echoed in the stillness of the approaching dusk.
The game exploded into a storm of laughter and sweat, the sound of sneakers squeaking on the asphalt punctuating the thickening air. Hours passed unnoticed as they chased the ball, the stakes rising higher with each point scored.
Sweat dripped from Leo's forehead as he dribbled the ball, mixing with the relentless beats of his racing heart. He caught Kian's gaze, feeling an unspoken connection between them. Kian smiled slightly, the corners of his lips curling up, appreciating the attention of Leo
Leo charged toward the basketball hoop with a playful outburst of ambition, intent on a perfect trick shot. But Kian was faster. He dove with quick accuracy and knocked the ball out of Leo's grasp. Time slowed as Leo fell, caught off guard by his sudden loss of control.
Just as he was about to fall, Kian's strong arms wrapped around his waist and held him steady. Their chests collided, their hearts beating in sync. The world around them faded, and the weight of the moment hung heavy in the air. Leo could feel Kian's warmth, a warmth that was both grounding and surprising.
For a heartbeat that stretched into eternity, Leo found himself lost in Kian's eyes; in that moment, they were not playful boys who had spent hours playing ball. They were two souls exploring unexplored territory, an intimacy that lay just beneath the surface. The depth of Kian's gaze unsettled him, as if they were exchanging silent words that only they could understand.
Leo's breath caught, and he was aware of Kian's hand pressing firmly against his back, drawing him into a dizzying whirlpool of feeling. This closeness ignited something deep inside Leo, something he had not yet dared to confront.
"Maybe you should just accept that I'm winner," Kian murmured, his voice low and soft, but the spark in his eyes told Leo that he was not yet ready to part.
"Deal," Leo replied, his heart pounding with uncertainty and excitement.
Kian slowly released his grip on Leo's waist, the warmth of the moment still lingering in the air. He turned to save the ball that had rolled away, deliberately composing himself, masking the smile that threatened to slip free. He caught a glimpse of uncertainty flickering in Leo's eyes, a subtle crack in his usual confident demeanor. Perfect, Kian thought, the sight was just what he had hoped for.
"That's enough for today. Let's go," Leo said, his voice steady but hurried as he glanced away, keen to distance himself from whatever had just passed between them. Without waiting for Kian's reply, he strode off the court, his back turned, deliberately avoiding any further conversation.
Kian sighed softly, tucking the ball snugly under his arm. He lifted it to eye level, assessing the ordinary piece of rubber as if it held the answers to unspoken questions. But then he let his gaze drift to Leo, now walking away, clutching his shirt with an awkward grip that spoke volumes. "Let's be satisfied with just one hand for today," he said, allowing a smirk to dance across his lips, a playful challenge laced in his words.
The car hummed softly as it glided through the quiet evening streets. Kian's hands rested on the steering wheel, his fingers tapping a rhythm that matched the low thrum of the engine. The day's exhaustion weighed heavily in the air, a palpable force that settled between him and Leo, who sat in the passenger seat, his gaze fixed outside. Kian stole glances at him, noticing the way the streetlights flickered across Leo's expressionless face. He understood the chaos hidden behind those tired eyes, the unspoken worries spinning like shadows in the twilight.
Leo's phone buzzed urgently against the dashboard, breaking the spell. The name on the screen flashed ominously: Nurse.
Leo stiffened, instinctively shifting his posture, as if strengthening himself against an unseen storm. "Hello?" he answered, his voice steady despite the anxiety that lingered beneath. Kian glanced at him; curiosity piqued as he listened to the quiet voice on the other end. "When? Today?" Leo's tone darkened, his brows knitting together in confusion.
After a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity, Leo ended the call, his expression frozen, caught between disbelief and dread. "What's going on?" Kian asked, his heart racing.
"My stepfather… he paid for the hospital to start my mother's new treatment," Leo replied, the words spilling out like a confession.
Kian's gaze shifted from the road to Leo's face, searching for clarity amid the confusion. "Then why do you look so worried?"
"He paid twenty thousand dollars in advance. Why?" Leo's voice trembled slightly; uncertainty etched on his features.
"Could it be because she's, his wife?" he offered tentatively, knowing well the tangle of emotions that often-accompanied financial assistance in families.
"Not very suspicious," Leo remarked, a hint of bitterness creeping into his words. He chewed on his lip, lost in thought.
"What do you think?" Kian pressed gently, eager to peel back the layers of Leo's concern.
"I'll go to the hospital tomorrow. I'll check there for the first time," Leo replied, the resolve in his voice as thin as the waning light of day. He turned his gaze back to the window, the world outside a blur of colors that matched his tumultuous thoughts.
Kian remained silent, the gravity of the moment settling heavily in the car.
Leo had retreated into the close reservation of his room the moment he'd returned home, the door closing behind him like a shield against the world. Time blurred as he sank into the silence, feeling less like himself with every passing hour. Kian, after showering and tidying up, couldn't shake off the worry that gnawed at him like a restless animal. He knocked softly on Leo's door; a tentative gesture laden with unspoken concern.
"Leo?" he called; his voice thick with the weight of unresolved feelings.
"Yeah…" came the muted reply from within.
Kian pushed the door open and stepped inside. The sight that greeted him settled somewhere between a worry and a relief. Leo sat on the floor, his back pressed against the bed, a laptop balanced awkwardly in his lap. His eyes were cast down, a world of thoughts swirling behind them.
"Are you okay?" Kian asked cautiously, stepping further into the room.
"I don't know what I'm feeling right now," Leo admitted, his voice barely rising above a whisper.
"Do you want to talk?" Kian offered, a hopeful lilt to his tone. "We can sit on the terrace. The weather is lovely."
With a silent nod, Leo closed his laptop and stood up, his movements slow and deliberate. They navigated the cramped spaces between furniture, grabbing a couple of drinks from the refrigerator before stepping out onto the terrace. The evening air wrapped around them like a comforting embrace as they settled beside each other on the worn sofa.
They took a few sips of their drinks, the coolness in contrast to the warmth spreading across the sky. Kian glanced at Leo, trying to bridge the silence.
"What was your plan if he didn't pay?" Kian asked, breaking the stillness.
Leo sighed, leaning back on the sofa as he considered his answer. "I planned that your family would pay my salary for the next week. At least it will enough for three or four treatment sessions?"
"What about your daily expenses?" Kian pressed gently; concern etched in the furrow of his brow.
"He pays a little from my mother's account, but I was planning to get a job if that wasn't enough," Leo replied, the weight of his situation thickening the air around them. "I found a couple of options, actually."
"Oh? What kind of job?" Kian asked, intrigued.
"One was modeling. An agency gave me their card on the way back home. The pay wasn't bad." Leo paused, gathering his thoughts. "Or I could do private tutoring. My mom's neighbor has a girl in her last year of school, and her mother offered good money for sessions."
Kian turned to study Leo's face, searching for cracks beneath the surface. "Why didn't you ask me for help?" he finally asked, unable to suppress the concern that crept into his voice.
"Lately, I feel like I'm a burden to you," Leo confessed, his gaze diverted to the horizon. "I stay at your house, use your car, eat your food… I feel like I owe you enough already."
"But you're paying for it," Kian insisted, reaching out to grasp Leo's arm.
Leo's eyes widened with surprise at that. "What do you mean?"
"Eating together, knowing someone is waiting for me at home, staying by my side when I have nightmares—you've made it worth everything I've done for you," Kian explained, his voice steady but vulnerable, as if he were pulling back the curtain to reveal a deeper truth.
"Anyone can do that for you," Leo replied, a dismissive edge creeping into his tone.
"But I don't want just anyone to do it," Kian countered, an intensity in his gaze that held Leo captive. "I want you to be part of my life, Leo. No burdens, no debts. Just… each other."
Kian's voice was steady, a calm anchor in the storm of their unspoken fears. "I want you not to hide your problems from me. I want you to trust me, either morally or financially." The weight of his words hung in the air like a promise, yet it was met with Leo's guarded gaze.
"Don't you think this is unfair?" Leo challenged, crossing his arms. The tension between them crackled like static before a storm. "I don't want to ask something from you. After all, everyone has expectations from you. Wouldn't it be unfair for you if I also would be like them?"
Kian's expression hardened, resolve etching deep lines across his forehead. "Don't compare yourself with others. I need your trust in me about everything, I don't care anyone else."
"Then what about you? Do you trust me?" Leo's question hung on the edge of vulnerability; a silent plea masked by bravado.
"Not yet," Kian admitted, the honesty slicing deeper than any blade.
An irritation flared in Leo's chest. "Do you really think I can hurt you?"
Kian met his gaze, unflinching. "I think one day you can cut me out of your life without saying a word." The raw truth in that statement silenced them both, the air thick with unacknowledged fears.
Leo was taken aback, the realization of abandonment clawing at him. "I can't vouch for that," he replied, a tremor creeping into his voice.
"I know," Kian said softly, his eyes searching Leo's face for understanding. "But I can promise." His words were a lifeline reaching across turbulent waters. "No matter what happens, I will not leave your life, and I will not let you leave either. I'm ready to push the odds for that."
Leo stood there, his heart racing as he absorbed Kian's fierce declaration. There was a depth in those words, a commitment that set the foundation of trust trembling beneath their feet. Silence enveloped them, heavy yet charged, as they locked eyes, the moment stretching, unyielding.
For the first time in a long time, Leo felt the shocks of something similar to hope.