Chapter 5

This kid is really weird

He keeps mumbling to himself he must be thinking hard how to explain himself

But then his expression got dark his pupils have gotten shaky

I keep calling him but he won't listen I shouted and shouted but he still won't look at me

I snapped my fingers and kept calling him

He flinched and finally he looked at me

His expression went to how it was

Then there was silence

I scolded him many times about how he's still not talking

I turned around and started to walk away from him

But then he shouted

"No!"

He said no

Hoo! I'm so glad he stopped me

I was waiting for him to stop me

If he hadn't I would too be embarrassed to go back and talk to him

I quickly fixed my nervous expression then turned around to look at him

He looked scared

He's afraid that I would really stop being he's friend

Sorry lil kid but this big sister had to do this

So I nodded my head and sat down the grass

I signalled him to sit beside me and so he sat down

"So why did you do those things?"

He looked at me nervously

"Um- that's because recently you acted strange you won't talk nor play with me anymore and whenever I got the chance to go and meet you secretly you..."

He stopped

"You?"

C'mon kid just say it!

"You looked at me but your face became grim, dark, soulless, and blank it's not the Athy I know of"

He continued

But that still did not answer the question why you bullied me!

I spoke in my head I don't wanna come of rude so I asked gently(?)

"I see, but kid-"

"Claude"

He interrupted me

"Claude Ceyon de Leon that's my name not kid... You have really forgotten about me, you're so mean"

"Oh, my apologies I kept on calling you kid without realizing it"

I suddenly spoke formally it made me feel awkward because of the atmosphere

I feel bad but I'm not the real Athy

"Um, ok Claude why did you do it?

I asked

He hesitated but still answered with an uncomfortable tone

".... I bullied you because I got angry at the fact that you are not talking to me and the way you look at me reminded me of my mother"

He hesitated again but I wanna hear more

"Keep going"

He looked at me once again and gulped his saliva down

"And I did those things because I figured that if I kept on bullying you, you would be angry and show me signs that you were doing ok...."

"(And I want you to keep looking only at me)"

He stopped there

I think he wants to say more but I don't really want to hear it

Because I have concluded that he bullied Athy for petty reasons that's what I know

"And when you were walking alone I thought that ones I injure you a little you would come back to your senses and cry... So I tripped you and you hit your head I panicked I didn't know what to do! So I tried carrying you back to your home and called for auntie"

Is that so, Athy must be heavy and a weak looking child like him carried her he must not be as weak as he looks

"I explained everything to auntie and she got angry and asked me to never show my face again, I know that but when I heard that you have awoken I could not keep my excitement"

He showed up here yesterday and today he must have sneaked in

"Hey claude you mentioned that the blank, soulless, face I have reminded you of your mother why is that?"

This question feels like i'm digging something that might hurt

I want to take my words back

"Hey-"

He interrupted me again and said

"It hurts Athy that you can't remember me or even how we met, but even though you lost your memories I still want to talk to you about my story because your Athy"

He smiled gently this is the first time I have seen this child smiling so happily

He must really like Athy huh?

"But Claude if it it's to much for you, you can always not tell me you know"

I said that worried he may have some kind of trauma

But he looked at me and still smiled gently

"Athy, I told you I'll tell you because your Athy"

He smiled again

How many times is this kid gonna throb my poor old heart?!

He is so sweet but if he knows that i'm not the real Athy

He's poor little heart would be

crushed

I smiled back at him and nodded to signal that I am ready to hear his story

"My mother married my father it was an arranged marriage, but neither do my mother or father want it, they had me because they have to for the heir.... Father was to busy to spend time with me and mother... Mother hated me she blamed me for everything, mother told me that it's because of my red hair and pink eyes just like father's"

What?!

What a stupid reason to hate on your child

"Hey Claude if you're thinking that it's your fault because of your red hair and pink eyes no! you are not at fault it's the adults fault!"

I answered angrily clenched my hands and bit my lips to show him that I am really angry

He looked at me and chuckled then he smiled beautifully

What's he laughing at?

I'm serious

"But then my father died, that's when mother started abusing me physically she would hit my hand my knee or even slap me whenever I did something that makes her angry, and so whenever I got hit I hide in the garden where there's that pretty flower"

His mother is really... Grrrr!

It's making me angry

"And did you know Athy? That's where we first met"

He smiled at me

I blushed slightly

c'mon heart this is a kid don't be a pedophile!

I pinched myself hiding it from Claude

"Where the camelias at?"

I asked to make me forget the smile he showed earlier

"Yes there!"

He shouted excitedly

"And did you see that bush over there?"

He was pointing at the big bush that's arched with big plants around it

"There is where you and I used to play"

I looked at him with a melancholy look

This expression i'm having right now it's not from, me but is it Athy's?

This body must've remembered the times where he and her used to play

It' making me a little sad

"So Athy I hope that you won't ever forget this day and this time where we started all over again... I'd be really sad if you have forgotten"

He smiled sadly yet happily

"Yes of course!"

I answered unconsciously

"But if I ever did forget never EVER! bully me again you got that?"

I looked at him and pointed my fingers at him

That habit of his is not good!

He looked at me nervously and shook his head roughly

"Of course I promise! I won't bully you ever again!"

I smiled satisfied of his answer

"Don't worry Claude i'll make sure to not forget of this moment"

The both of us looked at each other and smiled

Both me and Claude chatted till sun down

And went to bed after that

To be continued~