Chapter 12

The cool breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the whispers of secrets and the weight of unspoken burdens. Benji sat on the weathered bench, his gaze fixed on the ground as if searching for answers in the patterns of the pavement. The tranquility of the park was shattered as his friend Jake approached, his footsteps echoing against the silence.

"What happened to your ankle, Benji?" Jake's voice sliced through the air, breaking the stillness that had settled around them. Benji hesitated for a moment, his mind racing to conjure a plausible explanation. "I, uh... I fell off my bike," he stammered, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

Jake furrowed his brow, skepticism etched into his features. "Who do you live with, then?" he pressed, his curiosity piqued by Benji's vague response. Before Benji could muster a reply, Eric materialized beside him, his presence a silent reassurance.

"Hey, Jake," Eric interjected smoothly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Benji's with me. I'm taking care of him." Jake's expression softened with relief, a weight lifting from his shoulders at Eric's words. "Oh, thank goodness," he breathed, a genuine smile tugging at his lips. "I was worried. Benji's dad is... well, you know."

Eric's brow furrowed in confusion, a flicker of concern passing through his eyes. "What do you mean?" he inquired, leading Jake aside to speak privately. Jake's gaze darted around nervously before he spoke, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Benji's dad is a complete asshole," he confessed, his words heavy with resentment. "He never cared about him. Always too busy with his... 'entertainment,' if you catch my drift."

Understanding dawned on Eric's features as he absorbed Jake's revelation. Benji's strained relationship with his father suddenly made sense, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. Gratitude swelled within him as he turned back to Jake, a solemn expression on his face.

"Thanks for telling me, Jake," Eric said sincerely, a sense of camaraderie passing between them. With a nod of farewell, Jake departed, leaving Eric alone with his thoughts. His mind buzzed with newfound understanding, his heart heavy with the weight of Benji's pain.

Returning to Benji's side, Eric offered him a comforting smile, his eyes filled with empathy. "Here," he said softly, handing Benji a glass of alcohol. "Drink up. You can share anything with me, you know." Benji accepted the glass with a grateful nod, his fingers curling around it tightly.

As they sat together in companionable silence, the weight of unspoken words hung heavy in the air. Benji studied Eric's face, the lines of weariness etched into his features softened by a flicker of humanity. Despite the darkness that lurked within him, Benji sensed a glimmer of goodness, a spark of compassion that refused to be extinguished.

"Eric," Benji began tentatively, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know you've done... terrible things. But I also know there's a part of you that's still human. Still capable of kindness and love." Eric's gaze softened, a flicker of vulnerability shining through his stoic facade.

"I want to believe that," Eric admitted quietly, his voice tinged with regret. "I want to be better. For you." Benji reached out, his hand finding Eric's, a silent gesture of solidarity. "You don't have to do it alone," he said gently, his voice filled with quiet determination.

As they sat together, their bond strengthened by shared understanding and unspoken promises, Benji felt a glimmer of hope stir within him. Despite the darkness that threatened to consume them, he knew that as long as they faced it together, they could find their way back to the light.

Benji and Eric walking to the car as a hot Gril named Lily wearing a red dress approached Eric. As Lily and her friends approached, Benji's heart began to race with a mixture of anxiety and fear. He could feel the tension building in the air, a knot tightening in his stomach as he watched Eric's interaction with Lily. When Benji stammered out his excuse to leave, said. ''E-Eric....I-I'm going to J-Jack'' Eric's gaze flickered with concern, but he said nothing as Benji hurried away.

Left alone with Lily and her friends, Eric tried to maintain his composure, offering them a polite smile as they greeted him. "Hey, Eric," Lily said, her voice laced with a hint of flirtation. "What have you been up to lately?"

Eric shrugged casually, trying to keep his answers brief and nonchalant. "Oh, you know, just keeping busy with my business," he replied, his smile strained but polite.

As the conversation continued, Andre chimed in with a question, his curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar face he had seen with Eric earlier. "So, who was that guy with you, Eric?" he asked, his tone casual but probing.

Eric hesitated for a moment, his mind racing for a plausible explanation. "Oh, him? He's working on a song with me," he replied smoothly, hoping to deflect any further inquiries. Lily's eyes widened in surprise at the revelation, her interest piqued by the mention of music.

"Wow, really?" she exclaimed, a hint of excitement in her voice. "That's so cool! You never mentioned you had a cousin who was into music."

Eric nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, he's pretty talented," he replied, glossing over the details. "Anyway, I should probably go. He's waiting for me."

Rose, one of Lily's friends, piped up, gesturing towards her phone. "You can call him from here, you know," she pointed out, a teasing smile on her lips.

Eric chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Nah, I promised I'd take him back," he said, pushing himself up from the chair. "And besides, I'm leaving now. See you guys later."

As Eric walked away, Lily's frustration boiled over, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Yeah, yeah, whatever," she muttered under her breath, her disappointment evident in her tone.

But as Eric glanced back over his shoulder as he said. '' what's the matter Cuphead'', he caught sight of Lily's expression, her cheeks tinged with pink and her eyes downcast. In that moment, he felt a pang of sympathy for her, a flicker of understanding for the unrequited feelings she harbored.

Stopping in his tracks, Eric turned back towards Lily, a gentle smile on his lips. "Hey, it's okay," he said softly, reaching out to pat her on the head. "No hard feelings. Take care, okay?"

With a nod of farewell, Eric continued on his way, his heart heavy with the weight of unspoken emotions. Meanwhile, Benji sat in the car, his silence a barrier between them as they drove away from the park. As they navigated through the quiet streets, Eric couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air, a silent reminder of the complexities of human connection.