3 The Meeting (3)

"I told myself a lie thinking

That that person would come back

Even though that person never said that

But all I can do is wait"

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I woke up when the sunlight already brightens up my room. I was still muddle-headed in the morning so I just sat with my eyes half-closed.

"Woke up?" Suddenly I heard George voice. My sleepiness was gone that instant. I bulged my eyes out and saw George leisurely sat down on the chair beside my bed. He flashed a smile at me.

"When did you get in here? Why don't you wake me up?" I pouted my lips and thought, I didn't do anything embarrassing in my sleep, right?

"You slept like a log, I called you so many times already," he laughed and stood up.

"The weather is good today, I think you should start preparing. After that, lets eat breakfast together," he said with a slight smile on his face. Maybe it was just my imagination, but I can hear a hint of sadness from his voice. George walked out from my room and left me to start preparing. That's right, I almost forgot that I only stayed in his house because of the snow. Now I wished there was a blizzard so I can stay here longer.

I packed up my things, washed my face then brought my bag to the living room, put it on the table then walked to the dining room. George noticed that I was coming then smiled at me. We both ate our breakfast quietly. When we finished eating, we sat on the sofa silently for a good 30 minutes. The heavy silence almost suffocated me. Right before I can't stand the suffocating atmosphere anymore, George stood up.

"Let me accompany you to the bus stop," he said while taking my bag with him. I nodded and we walked to the bus stop at a slow pace. The bus stop was quite close, but now I hope it was a bit farther away.

The streets and the houses were covered in snow, it looked like it painted with the color of white. We walked side by side, it was cold and with each breath, more heat rose in puffs of white vapors. I glanced at George and saw his white cheeks and nose tinted with the color of red, he looked rather cute like this. I turned around and saw our foot prints in the snow and my mouth curled into a smile.

It was still early and no one wanted to walk outside in this cold weather. Besides, there's not even a shadow of a person around here. There are a few of old houses with a big yard around here, but no one lives in those houses at this time. Maybe George was the only person lived around here now.

When we arrived at the bus stop, George sat down to wait for the bus with me. He was silent all along, not quite like his usual cheerful self.

"It's so quiet around here, is there no one live at those houses?" I tried to break this awkward silence.

"Ah, actually, in this block there used to be some old couple live at those houses, but I think they moved to the city with their children, and some probably went on a vacation or something. This place has nothing and far from the city after all," he explained to me.

"You.. don't feel lonely here?" I asked, thinking that I would be really lonely if I were him.

George looked at me, then he smiled slightly, "Not really, I am used to it, it's been months already." A desolate look plastered on his face for a split second. I rubbed my eyes and I saw George grinned at me. Maybe I was just making things up.

I was about to speak when I saw from the corner of my eyes that the bus was coming. "George! Can I come again to your place?" I asked him, half pleading. George raised his eyebrow slightly. I fidgeted my hand, scared that he would say no. But I was just thinking too much, because a second later he smiled warmly and hugged me, "Come anytime you want! I had fun talking to you. I'll show you my drawing later."

My body froze and my mind was blank momentarily. This guy... really love skinship ah! I struggled out from his hug. "I.. I.. I was having so much fun too! You promised me okay!" I spoke loudly, almost shouting. George was dumbfounded by my reaction. Damn, it was too embarrassing, I wanted to hide in a hole! His dumbfounded expression only last for a few seconds before George burst out laughing. His laugh seemed to be contagious as I laugh along with him.

"Hey the bus is here! Go now!" He patted my shoulder lightly. I gave him a piece of paper with my phone number written on it. I remembered we haven't changed contact so I wrote it when I was done packing my things.

"Call me," I said while I got into the bus. The bus driver already made a long face, but I acted as if I didn't see it. I bet he cursed me in his heart because I took too long. I chose the seat near the window and waved my hand at George. George gave me a wide smile while waving his hand back at me.

I kept looking at him until I can no longer see his shadow. Strange, not even a minute passed and I missed him already. I searched around for my phone and stared at my phone unblinking. Even after I reached my aunt house, my phone didn't ring for once.

Dejected, I can only throw it to the back of my head and knocked on my aunt's door. The door opened and I saw a middle aged woman wearing an apron with a look of pleasant surprise on her face. I forced a smile at her, a smile that looks more like a cry.

"Kyle! Oh my, you are finally here! I thought you are not coming! Aunt miss you!" She hugged me tight and half-dragged me inside the house, then brought me to the room I always stayed at every time I visited her house. The room was neat and clean, aunt probably cleaned this room when I said I will come to visit her.

"You rest here first, put your coat and your bag. I'll call you when I'm done with cooking," aunt said cheerfully. I only nodded my head and put down my bag and coat.

When aunt closed the door, I checked my phone but there was not even one call or message. I felt sad and depressed, "Guess George doesn't miss me, it's only me that is in a one-sided love with him, after all."

I buried my head in the pillow and suddenly felt sleepy. I kept looking at my phone screen until I fell asleep.