So, what do you say?

!WARNING! MENTION OF HARMFUL DRUGS

Dec. 9th (Wed.)

Aseo and I walk home from school together. We share a pair of wireless earbuds and bop our heads along with the music. My favorite song had just ended so my mind began to wander away from the melody of the next one.

My mind, slowly, began to think of upcoming events and assignemnts, along with other things. I wasn't paying much attention to the real world, but when I saw Aseo standing in from of me, I stopped in my tracks.

He stood right in front of me, about three feet away, and I know my eyes went wide.

Aseo smiled and suddenly ran to a nearby park; we passed this park everyday, however, we never thought of stopping at it. A small smile danced on my lips as I watched the, slightly, older boy dance around the slides. He wasn't the best dancer, but he wasn't so bad either.

Aseo made jazz hands and ran around the playground, only stopping to look back and make sure I was watching. He climbed onto picnic tables, then jumped off. Aseo ran around a pole, slid down the slide, climbed on top of the monkey bars, and even jumped off the swing!

As his little performance came to an end, I burst out into laughter and clapped my hands together. He walked towards me, chest rising and falling quite noticeably, with a proud smile on his face.

I knew the reason he did this was because his favorite song had been playing and maybe because he saw me lost in my thoughts, something I tend to do a lot.

Upon finally arriving home, Aseo and I walked straight to my room. I asked if he could set everything up while I made us food; he agreed.

I made us a simple dish, then walked up to my room. I stood outside my door and heard Aseo huffing while cursing under his breath. I sucked in a deep breath and walked in with our plates of food.

I put our plates down, in front of the boy, but Aseo didn't give me any type of reaction. Though, his body language scared me: scrunched together eyebrows, narrowed eyes, lips closed together, and a tight grip on his phone.

I waved my hand in front of his face.

"Hellooooo?" I questioned.

Aseo groaned and put his phone down, then replied.

"Sorry, I'm good. Promise."

"Are you sure? You can always talk to me." I gave him a small, warm smile and pushed his plate towards him.

His annoyed facial expression quickly turned into awe as he stared at my cooking. I smiled with pride.

We began eating but halfway through our meal, Aseo spoke quietly.

"Ezial and I got into another fight."

I frowned and put my utensils down. Sighing, I decided to try to be a little more blunt.

"You and Ezial…are you two still talking? Are you two still friends?"

"ummm yes? I think so." Aseo answers.

"Look, my brother is not who most people think he is, but what exactly have these fights been about?"

"Well, there's something about him that just isn't clicking. I have many of my own reasons as to why my view on him has changed, but, Ezial has also…gotten worse. I guess what I'm saying is that I have my own reasons, but I wouldn't be surprised if other people's relationships with him have also changed."

I take a while to think and remember how worried my parents were, they most likely still are.

"Why do you say that?" I ask, wanting him to elaborate.

Aseo sighs and stabs his food with a fork.

"No one knows exactly what has been going on, but recently, your brother has changed, and not in a good way. Yes, he used to skip a class or two to go smoke, but now? Now he skips a whole day just to lay around in bed and get high. Now, he talks in a rude way, as if he has no respect. I think he's fallen into drugs, into real drugs, Soul. Not just something you smoke, but something you inject. I know you've never liked him, Ezial and I haven't been getting along either, but I'm actually worried. I would be worried regardless who it was. Now, it just so happens to be Ezial, but I'm still worried." Aseo confesses as he looks down.

We sit in silence for a while as I register what I just heard. I can't help but feel worried for the people around Ezial, maybe even for him aswell.

I turn to my side and, without thinking, pull Aseo into a hug.

"Thankyou for telling me." I whisper.

Aseo hugs back while nodding his head a little.

The gloomy atmosphere stays for a while, then I get a grand idea.

"Aseo?" I question.

Aseo turns to look at me, silently telling me to continue.

"Would you like to visit gran with me? Maybe it'll help clear your mind, after all the countryside can be beautiful." I give a small smile.

Aseo thinks for a minute then smiles.

"I'd love to, just let me make a call." I nod my head and wait patiently.

"Hey mom?" Aseo speaks into his phone, most likely talking to his parents.

"Oh, I'm good. I'm at Soul's house…no I'm with Soul, not Ezial." Both Aseo and I chuckle, knowing his mother is probably relived.

"Well, I was wondering if I could visit Soul's grandma with him…just us two..mom! Ok, ok I will. Thanks, love you!" Aseo sighs and ends the call. I burst out into laughter as the boy on the other side of the room turns a little red.

"What?" He asks, obviously embarrassed or shy.

"Nothing" I reply with a smile.

And just like that we spent the rest of the night planning our stay. I couldn't wait to see how this impulsive decision will play out, though I know gran will be thrilled to see Aseo.