Birds in The Sky

Warm. It's been a long time since I felt this kind of warmth and comfort. This scent, it smells like olive and lavender. I gently opened my eyes and as soon as I realized what I was leaning on, a gasp escaped my lips. Sh*t, I'm on someone's back, piggybacking me. I tried to move but it just earned a tight grip on my legs that made me lean backward and I almost fell. Thankfully I got a hold of his neck and nearly strangled the stranger... wait what??

"Oh hey you're up." He whispered raspily as he tilted his head to the side. I'm so embarrassed that I tried to get out of his hold but once again, failed. "Easy now, you're in no condition to walk. Let me carry you, yeah?" He said and I just nodded, lost of words.

l remember this path, I think we're almost back to the camp. An awkward silence enveloped the air. I cleared my throat, "W-what's your name, by the way?" I said in a small voice, not wanting the two other ahead of us to hear.

"I'm Aiden, that girl is Iva and the not-so-funny guy right there is Klay." he said pointing the two strangers, not knowing our little chit-chat.

"Oh, okay." I don't know what to say next so I just stayed quiet.

I can feel his soft breathing and the way his muscles flex when he walks. His scent...it's intoxicating. Like walking in the middle of a garden filled with flowers, when I was a kid, a distant memory yet very familiar.

My line of thought stopped when he cleared his throat, "Uhm uh, can I ask you a question, if it's okay tho?" I was caught of guard with his forwardness.

"Sure, err, Aiden." I should really be getting used to talking with people, especially when I'm stuck in this camp for two weeks with a bunch of strangers.

"Why did you ran away earlier?" he hesitated, I'm glad he left out the part when I cried without any reason.

I don't really know why either, it was just his eyes. There's something about his eyes that's so similar with his.

"It's okay, you don't have to answer." I can feel him smile.

"How did you know my name?" I finally gathered the courage to ask him that since I didn't really interacted with a lot of people yesterday and today was only my day two of being in the camp. So it wonders me how he knew my name. He must've gotten it from the registration? I don't know.

"I knew you were going to ask that." He stopped walking. "I, uh, we were on the same class, two years ago, I don't know if you remember, but we talked once...before everything happened." my breathing became abnormal and I started panicking.

B-But h-how... H-How? "Leue? Are you okay?" He gently put me down by the tall tree nearby at sat down in front of me, crouching. "Leue, it's okay, look at me Leue" I saw concern and sincerity written across his face and the way his eyes look at me made me feel safe for some reason... like how I used to feel around him.

"...it was not your fault. You've been very strong Leue but you don't have to act tough anymore." He pulled me into a warm and comfortable hug. "Hush now Leue, everything will be okay, yeah? Just breathe." He said while I cried in his arms.

I've never felt this kind of comfort and assurance before, and it feels nice. I sobbed as he pat my hair. I don't remember him but he knows me and my past, yet he doesn't blame me for what happened. Maybe I can get out of the dark. Maybe I'm not all alone after all... I hope so.

Moments later, I finally calmed down. He let me go and sat by my side. "T-Thank you, Aiden... I don't really know what to say or do when I'm with people, I'm sorry for running away earlier and for putting you in this situation. You must be going thru something right now too and I didn't want to cause you this problem but still, you comforted me and stayed with me and I'm very grateful for that." I said honestly.

Silence filled my ears and when he didn't say anything I looked up and met the intensity of his gaze. He was staring at me like I just said something amusing to him. Please say something.

"W-What?" I asked. "Did I say something wrong?" he laughed and I feel my cheeks burn. Was I too honest? Sh*t. This is why I don't talk to people anymore, my communication skill is as bad as my Math grade.

"You know? You're cute when you're being honest." He smiled as he looked up the sky. I was flustered with what he said. Me? Cute? Is he okay?

"Wha--" I was about to ask him what he meant when he cut me off and pointed the trees as he closed his eyes. I looked up and followed him.

I feel the wind caressing my cheeks, the air smells like having a coffee in the morning. But the thing that made my heart smile was the sound of the birds chirping. Cheerful, happy and reassuring.

I opened my eyes and glanced at my side, he's eyes are still closed and his lips are curved up. The way he hummed with the birds made me smile. Perhaps, this camp won't be as lonely as I thought I would be.

"Are you ready?" I jumped when he opened his eyes, he caught me staring at him. "U-Uh y-yeah of c-course." I averted my eyes to the path we walked on earlier.

He chuckled. "Iva and Klay went on ahead, they must've informed the group that we found you by now." He offered me a hand and I took it. His hands were warm and rough, but it felt nice and sent a tingling feeling against my skin.

When I got up, I tripped on the rocks and fell but once again, Aiden caught me. He lost his balance and we both fell to the grassy ground, me on top of him and his arms wrapped around my waist.

I stared at him wide-eyed. We're too close. I can feel his breathing and neither one of us moved until...

"Oh there you are. We looked everywhere for--Whoa... This is awkward." Klay and Iva appeared out of nowhere, catching us in a very unexpected position... Oh God, I hate my life.