Bonding (1)

While getting the wood , Kim striked a conversation " Why do you have to smile through the pain,why not let it out then? I halted,this guy is damn straight forward " Let it out huh ,How?

"Scream,yell,cry to someone " he replied.

I forced a smile" I am not weak okay " his next word shocked me.

'Weak you say, when strong people cry, it's not because they are weak, rather because they have been strong for too long. Life gives two options, the chance of a life and the choice to make it the best. Why succumb to fate when you can take control.' . He stifled a smile..

I kept mute 'What if you have no shoulder to cry on ? He replied my question with a question ' did you ever ask? Did you ever let anyone close to you? Did you ever open up? No! No!!No !!!

I was taken aback . How moved to closer, ' open those eyes, people care for you. You are too lost in your world to notice it. Let me be your shoulder then '.

I moved back and quickened my pace, my heart racing wildly. Kim closed his eyes.

"Damn damn ! Why ?I could have just stayed back. After a while,he packed his woods and left.

When I got back, I dropped the woods and ran to my room. My heart thumping like crazy,but why? His eyes, they looked so convincing. Hell no. I stayed convincing myself and didn't even realize the passing of time.

The others already set up the fire and everything. It was six thirty pm . Axel kept looking at the door " she hasn't come out, Kim get your friend". Kim stood to leave then stopped. " I think Montez should go"." Why should I? Kim kept mute. Axel insisted so he to go.

For the first time, Kim Neon the youngest playboy in the city seemed nervous to approach a girl. He almost fell without tripping on anything. Wearingly, he knocked on my door . Dressed in a light jacket,knee short, neatly combed hair and faintly applied lip gloss , I opened the door to Kim who seemed distracted. His gaze lingered on me for a while.

" Uhm, Axel asks you come down for dinner,it's gonna get cold". I was taken aback with the way he spoke to me. So formally like we were never friends. It made me tear up a bit. I bit my lip nervously. " Kim , I thought about you said and... " It's my fault, I shouldn't have interfered, my apologies. His apology left me shocked. What is with the attitude,why acting like this huh.

Kim rested for a while, his brain in chaos, she was so close,those eyes,her breath ,he was so close. It almost made him crazy. What is happening and why?

Axel turned to see Kim coming "where's she" . He replied mildly . Mason noticed the change in his attitude and questioned it

" Hey, what's up".

Kim seemed distracted which was off " hey Kim" he patted him which jolted him back to reality.

"Yeah " his tone was off.

"What's wrong with you huh, anything wrong between you and Tricia ".

He sighed " Nothing Mason, just nothing ". Nothing he didn't want to be disturbed,he didn't drag to the matter further. Montez looked impatient. He kept tapping the watch and seeing Tricia appear,he stood and drag me to sit down. The only available place was next to Kim and I sat. Kim continued avoiding my gaze and it bothers me.

Montez served the food with utmost joy and a plastered smile.

" We're gonna eat your food,so wipe that scary smile off okay. Frowning fits you darling" I almost choked hearing Kiel's words. Mason was trying hard to control his laughter. Montez stared daggers at Kiel who replied with another cheeky sentence " Sweetheart,this look fit you" then he winked seductively. Mason let his laughter lose and I joined in . Kiel then turned to Axel," c'mon Axel darling, let.... " Don't even dare " Axel shut him up before he could start and that was comedy gold.

After successfully eating dinner without choking due to Kiel, Mason struck a conversation" Who's going first ". I nodded. Gulping down an entire cup of water,I began narrating my story from where it all started. Along the line, my voice cracked, tears stung my eyes but Montez and Mason kept me going . I noticed a glint in Kiel's eyes but disappeared as though it was never there. His look became hardened. When I stopped,I realized how quiet everywhere became until Kiel broke the silence.

" So that's why we didn't recognize you" . How long has this been going on " Montez added. Mason eyes glinted" that's why you had a bandage on the last time huh"

I sighed in response and glanced at Kim who has this expressionless grim looking face which made me wonder if he didn't care and more importantly, Why do I care?