Hang out

Sept. 10th (Friday)

The school day was passing by quickly and I found myself anticipating the end of it even more than usual.

"Does everyone understand?" I look up at my teacher, she looks at us with a smile, and only then I realize I'm in my last class.

"Yes." The class responds.

Just then, the bell rings and students pile into the hallway.

"Soul!" Outside, I hear my name being yelled; I turn in the direction of the caller.

"Hey Aseo." I say, smiling.

"Hey! So, what do you want to do today? Go to the movies? Go shopping? Maybe we can have dinner together." He says.

"I don't really know. How about we do it all?" I respond, knowing Aseo would love that decision.

I was correct; Aseo jumps up in joy, a bright smile on his face.

With that, we make our way to the mall, looking at movie choices while we walk.

"Where to first?" I ask, already forgetting all of my worries.

"There!" Aseo points towards a shoe store and grabs my arm, pulling us both there.

We spend our time in the mall, having tons of fun. Aseo and I bought a handful of things: candy, shoes, clothes, hair dye, and more.

The both of us chose to watch a movie, eat dinner, and have a sleepover at his house. Nothing sounded better than that.

During the movie, Aseo kept stealing my popcorn.

I knew he wanted more every time he leaned on me, so, I began to feed him some. It was a rather soft moment; It made me feel at peace.

After the movie, we chose to eat at a well known restaurant. The food wasn't too expensive, but it wasn't too overly greasy and cheap.

With all of our plans over with, we headed towards Aseo's house.

"Are your parents ok with me spending the night?" I ask, a little worried.

"Yeah, they love you" Aseo blurts out. He quickly realizes what he said and begins to mix up his words.

"I mean, they know you and really like you! Not that they don't love you, we all do! Wait, no, I mean- I don't love love you, but I love you. Ugh, this all sounds so messed up." Aseo groans and gives up.

I laugh and tell him I understand what he means.

"I just didn't know your parents really knew me." I say.

Aseo stops walking, turning around with a frown on his face.

"Why wouldn't they know you?" He asks.

"Well, you and I? We aren't really as good friends as you and my brother. We are friends but we are more like acquaintances, right?" I question towards the end and move my gaze down.

"What? Is that what you think, or feel?" He questions, eyes burning into my head intensely.

"Think." I whisper.

"Good, because that's not what I feel, it's also not what I think. You are my friend, Soul. We've been friends for three years," he smiles at me warmly, "You were just a little fourteen year old boy when we first met, me being a year older, and now you're a strong seventeen year old. Wow, time flies."

I smile at him.

"I'm sorry for making you think that. I know we haven't hung out in a long, long time, but that doesn't mean we aren't friends, ok?" Aseo says.

"Ok." I respond with a content smile on my face.

We made it to his house and immediately go to his room. It was quite late when we checked the time, 10pm.

"You can sleep on the bed, I'll sleep on the sofa" I say, wanting to go to sleep already.

We get ready for the night and I quickly shut my eyes.

Sept. 11th (Saturday)

"Hold on. What!? You hung out with Aseo yesterday?" My friend, Yune, asks.

After waking up, Aseo and I had breakfast. I then said it was time I go home and left. Now, my friend came over to spend the day with me. I decided to tell him what happened; I feel its best I tell someone, and what better person than my friend who already knows about my love?

"Yup." I respond.

"Oof, let me start from the beginning and refresh my brain." Yune says.

"Ok, so, when you were six you went to live with your grandmother because your parents weren't financially stable. They couldn't afford to give you a good life, but they didn't want to leave you, so they gave you to her. When you were fourteen, your grandma said it was time to go back to your parents because they had jobs and a home. You left your grandma, still keep in touch though, and moved in with your parents and brother. They were complete strangers to you, except you still remembered your brother a little. However, he completely changed from when you last saw him and doesn't treat you well. Ezial does treat others a little better than you, but if you ask me, he's an asshole. Anyways, you met Aseo and fell in love, but you believe he loves Ezial and Ezial loves no one; it's been three years since then. Oh! And you became friends with Aseo three years ago, but for the past year you guys haven't really been talking; there's no reason behind that though. Anyways, yesterday you hung out with Aseo because he wanted to cheer you up since you seemed sad. Wow. That's a lot." Yune finally finished and it looks as though his mind has been blown.

I laugh while nodding my head,

"Yup, it's crazy." I sigh and begin to play with a rubiks cube.

"Did you say thank you?" Yune asks, out of the blue.

"Umm what?" I question, looking up at him.

"Well? Did you thank Aseo for cheering you up?" He asks, again.

"No?" I answer, slightly confused.

"Thank him! Send him a text or something." Yune quickly gets up and brings me my phone. Suddenly, the idea makes sense and I waste no time in sending Aseo a message.

Hey! Just wanted to say thanks for trying to cheer me up yesterday :) I really appreciate it

The two friends wait for a couple of seconds, then see Aseo typing.

Hey! You're welcome. I had lots of fun! But just know that I did it because I wanted to, ok? You can come to me for anything.

I sent a smiley face then turn off my phone.

"See, that went well" My friend smiles and I nod my head.

The day goes on and I feel like I've accomplished something great. Aust Aseo and I are friends.

It hasn't felt like that for awhile, but I'm grateful that we are now. It kind of feels like a new beginning, if I'm being honest, and I can't wait to see what the future brings.