Do I Mind?

Arlo paused; his words echoed within the chamber. He let go of the hug and looked at me with a serious face. His brown hair was as pretty as a bear's.

"Do you mind if I kiss you?"

I was, of course, startled at his inquiry. He wanted to what? kiss me? My cheeks were red with embarrassment; I had never kissed anybody. Yet, he asked me so casually.

"Isn't it too soon for us to do that? Besides, umm... I don't know how I feel about you." I replied with honesty.

He shuffled his feet and looked away, avoiding my gaze. Arlo clenched his fists and bit his tongue. His whole face turned red after hearing my reply.

"I didn't mean it like that… I just want to see if I can heal you," he said awkwardly.

"What are you talking about?"

"Look, when you passed out, Iris mentioned the effects of eating a mariaban's fur. You know how it erases magic abilities temporarily. But there's also a cure that can make me use my healing power…" He paused before continuing.

Arlo reached into his pocket, pulling out a small vial of liquid. He held it up to the light, showing me the faint glow of the cure.

"This is it. The cure for the mariaban's fur. It's made from the blood of a rare creature called a phoenix. It can restore any magic power that was lost or suppressed by the fur. And since I have a healing power, it can make me use it again." He explained.

"At least, I think it can... I still don't know if it will work."

I stared at the vial, feeling a mix of curiosity and fear. A phoenix? A healing power? A cure? It all sounded too good to be true.

"Where did you get it?" I asked him.

"Oh, Iris fetched this item from somewhere around this temple."

I thought about it for a while. "Okay... So, what does it have to do with your previous question regarding whether or not I mind being kissed?"

He cleared his throat and while avoiding my eyes, "Well, my magic ability won't be instantly restored. The antidote is only able to retrieve my ability bit by bit. But, I think there's a big chance I can heal you."

He fidgeted his fingers, "The only possible way I can heal you at this moment is by transferring my magic to you through physical contact. And the most effective way to do that is by kissing you." He said.

He looked at me with a pleading expression, his eyes begging for my trust.

"But, yeah... It's just a possibility. Maybe it won't work at all, who knows? What I know for sure is that it is worth giving a shot."

I felt a jolt of shock and disbelief. Kissing me? That was his uncomfortable method? How could that possibly work?

"That's ridiculous. How can kissing me heal me?" I asked.

He sighed and ran his hand through his hair, looking frustrated.

"Whatever, just stay injured." He shrugged.

He turned around and walked away, leaving me alone in the chamber. I felt a pang of guilt and regret. Had I hurt his feelings? Had I rejected his offer of help? Had I missed a chance to be healed?

I was torn between two choices: to trust him or to distrust him. To kiss him or to avoid him.

"Arlo?" 

"Yeah?" He looked back, walked to me, and answered.

"I know that this is a matter of life and death situation. A situation where I could be easily killed even with my healthy body. But, I have never kissed anyone before. And I want my first kiss to be special." I looked at him, making sure that he understood what I meant.

"It doesn't matter, anymore. I don't want to kiss you either."

His tone wavered; he looked upset when he said it. I touched his hand, "Hey, are you upset?"

"No, I'm not. Don't think of anything weird."

"Ah, right. I'm sorry."

He stayed silent for a little while before then sighing, "Yeah, I must admit that I'm upset. Even if Iris had said that your injuries are nothing life-threatening, you're severely injured. Yet all I can offer is a disgusting method to heal you. Of course, I am upset."

His tan skin was cold; he let go of my hand on his. For a moment I had forgotten how this boy was crying for me.

"Alright, heal me then. Do it."

He stared at me, his eyes wide and incredulous.

"Are you serious? You want me to heal you? After you said you don't want to kiss me?" He asked.

I nodded, feeling a surge of courage and desperation.

"Yes, I'm serious. I want you to heal me. I need you to heal me. Just do it." I said.

He shook his head, looking confused and conflicted.

"But why? Why did you change your mind so quickly?" He asked.

"Because you're right. I'm severely injured."

Arlo opened his mouth, about to say something in return. But, the sword-wielder girl entered the chamber hastily.

"We're doomed, we're doomed. You both have no idea how doomed we all are..." She said to us with a shaky voice. We turned to look at her, feeling a surge of fear and curiosity.

I could see her tall figure shaking and her beautiful eyes hinting at the horrors she was about to unfold.