Chapter 2: A World Without Him

I glanced at the couch where I had laid Aries to rest. My eyes grew watery yet again as I quickly peeled my eyes off of him and tucked away all my tools and gadgets.

"What use are these for... hic... I don't care about saving others or my dreams anymore... hic... what are they... hic... without him in it... hic..." I sniffled, rubbing my nose on the sleeve of my lab coat before noticing the long goo which extended from my nose.

I frowned before taking off the lab coat and rinsing off the snot before staring at the wide open closet where I had hung similar pairs of white coats within.

"I... don't need these anymore..." I muttered as I wiped away a loose tear with the back of my hand and shut the closet door with a slam.

I sat by the couch on the floor and looked at Aries' face. Even in d... I don't want to admit it... He looked as serene and at peace which was a far cry from how he departed.

At the thought, I held back a whimper before tucking a loose strand of hair behind his ear. I stare at his pale face as the tears continued to fall down my cheeks.

"Aries... I'm sorry... it... it should have been me... I should have listened to you..." I cried and wailed, holding onto his hand which had grown far too cold.

There was no way I could go back to the past. All my gadgets had failed. I was a failure. The others were right... I was a fool to have kept persevering...

"Aries...." I muttered out until I felt my exhaustion kick in and my eyelids growing heavier than it already was.

***

"You see that guy there? He always seems so gloomy. Disgusting. Why does he always keep his head down like that? Gross." a boy whispered to his friend, loud enough for the few people in the classroom to hear.

"Do you see how he is always looking at Sol? I pity Sol. Imagine having that freak boring holes into your back. Ack! Why is he looking this way?!" another boy whispered back as he glanced at the new boy before turning away, flustered at being caught.

"Hey. Watch your mouth. Do you like it if people bad mouth you when you are practically in the same breathing area?" I asked as I glared at the other boys who were talking badly about the new student.

"S-sorry Sol. But... aren't you bothered by it? It must be uncomfortable to be targeted by a fr--- Ah... I mean... I'll just uh... leave..." the male student said as he grabbed his knapsack in a rush and sprinted for the door with his friend.

"..."

"..."

"Do you have something to say? I won't get it unless you spit it out. Am I annoying you or something? Do you have a grudge on me?" I asked as I dragged the chair from the seat of the desk in front of the new boy, sitting with the back of said chair facing me as I leaned on it just to stare at his face hidden behind his jet black hair.

"N-no... It's not like that..." the new student replied in a soft voice. A voice soft enough that I had to strain myself to hear it.

"You speak so quietly. Also... why are you always looking down? Are you timid in nature or something?" I blurted out as I leaned against the desk, trying to take a peek at his face.

As soon as I managed to steal a glance of his face, I sat up straight and grabbed him by his chin. The surprise in his voice made whatever words he had said incoherent but... Oh my god... that face. What in tarnation... it's like I saw the male aphrodite. I can't remember what the male Greek God was called at the moment but WOW!

"What the f*ck?!" I exclaimed directly at his face as he stared at me wide eyed and confused.

"A... are you insulted...?" the new kid asked as he looked away, flustered.

However, I grabbed his face tighter to keep him in place as I inspected his face.

"Who.... WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD BE INSULTED BY ADONIS STARING AT THEM IN THE F*CKING FACE?!" I gasped as I caressed his face to my heart's content.

I mean, come on. How often do you get to see such a handsome person up close and personal in real life? Right? Righttt? Hey, I can't be the only one. Why are you laughing?

"I-is that a compliment...?" the new kid asked as I saw his eyes swirling with confusion to which I merely snickered.

"Duh. You're so handsome. The others are crazy for saying otherwise." I said as I grinned and stroked his cheek.

Holy mother of G... How is his skin so smooth?! Does he do facial everyday?! What?! No wonder... Handsome men and their perks.

"T-thank you... But... I think people like you are better." the kid said as he held onto my hand.

"O-oh... Sorry. Its definitely not cool of me to just touch you as I please. But wait a sec... you want to be like me?!" I said before my voice grew louder from the idea of him wanting to be like me.

"Yes... you're..."

"What? I'm average, dumb, pretty uncouth I'd say... spouts whatever comes to mind... that?" I asked as I cut into his sentence, leaning on my right hand to look at him with an incredulous expression while my left hand waggled a finger at his face.

"N-no... Sol is... a kind, energetic... vibrant person... you're... like the sun." the new kid said as he grasped my free hand earnestly.

I stared at him wide eyed and baffled. Like, a retake of the expression he had on earlier as he suddenly burst out into laughter.

Oh my god. I can rest early now. I've heard the voice of an angel. It was so clear and smooth. I feel rejuvenated... Ah wait. This isn't that kind of story. Don't get me wrong. We must always appreciate a handsome or beautiful person. Especially. If. They. Are. This. F*cking. Close!

"I... uh... um... Gee... That's... the first time I've heard that." I said as I rubbed the back of my neck with my right hand. My face felt warm and my heart felt like it was bursting from its seams. Who knew a compliment could make me feel this weird. I kind of like it.

"Really? But... I really mean it. Wow... it's... it's like... I'm your first." the new kid beamed at me as he spouted some amazing line which had other students who were walking past our class glance our way with a weird expression on their faces.

"W-wait! What's with that look?! It's a misunderstanding!" I exclaimed as I rushed for the door, yet the two girls who had overheard him saying that line were giggling amongst themselves as they hurried down the corridor and disappeared from view.

"It's not a misunderstanding... I... really... am so happy to be your first." the new kid said as he cornered me against the door, pinning me against the door frame.

"W-woah... you're tall as well, the full package... ah wait... that's not right. B-back off a little. This pose and that line you just said is bound to cause some form of misunde—" just as I was about to finish my sentence, a few of our male classmates who came to grab their bags stared at us with dead fish eyes before leaving the classroom with their bag in absolute silence.

"W-wait! It's a misunderstanding!!!" I called after them to which they ignored me.

***

"Grr... you bastard... The rest of my school love life was ruined after that..." I muttered as I clenched the thing I was holding in my hand.

Hmm? It's... warm... and... fluffy? What...

"..." I groaned as I got up, only remembering that Aries was no longer around when reality sank in.

I dared not open my eyes to a world he was no longer in. Truth be told. My days in school grew all the more brighter with him by my side. When everyone was against me, he shook his head denying their accusations of me and remained beside me.

"I'll always be with you. No matter the odds against us. We're best friends right?" Aries said as he flashed me his killer smile.

"... We're... Best fri....friends... hic..." I sobbed as I fell limply against the couch. The memory of his gentle smile and the excitement in his voice when he saw me... It would be a thing of the past.

I'm scared... I don't want... a world without Aries...

"S-Sol...?" a voice so familiar resounded right by my ear, sending a shiver down my spine as my heart began to race.

W-what...?! Am I hearing things now?! I... I want to open my eyes but... when reality sinks in... I... I don't want him to go! Not even if it's my imagination! So even if I never opened my eyes again... I'd never lose him again!