chapter 14: come with me

Aiden has been absent nowadays after our report card was given. At first I thought it was because he had bad results and had a fight with his parents but it has been five days, no way it was that serious so I'm expecting something else to happen.

"Harvey, can I ask you one thing?"

"Oh Han. Sorry it is very unusual of you talking to me, anyways what is it?"

"Do you know what happened to Aiden? He has been absent for five days straight"

"That's funny, because I am actually thinking to ask you about him today since you guys seem close nowadays. Sorry Han but I also don't know why he's absent. Try asking Saff, maybe he knows" I said thank you to Harvey before walking out of the class to look for Saff. After a few minutes walking I finally saw him standing right in front of Sarah's classroom. Seems like Sarah is also enjoying the moments with Saff.

They're laughing together and don't seem awkward even a little. I guess Saff is very close to winning her heart. I decided not to disturb their conversation and just wait until they finish. After long minutes they finally finish their conversation and wave bye towards each other. Saff saw me standing watching their interaction and quickly came running to me.

"You saw that?"

"I saw everything, Saff. How's it going? Looking good to me" I can see his cheeks turning red

"You know what? Yes, things are going well. She's starting to get comfortable with me, we joke a lot and she even dares to flirt with me back! Isn't that a sign?!"

"What do you mean 'a sign'? You still have not confessed yet?" Saff didn't reply to me. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked the other way before letting out a sigh.

"I don't know Han... I like her and it seems like she also likes me but I'm scared that it is actually just my stupid assumption. Sure she's comfortable with me, she likes to joke around with me but does that mean she likes me too? What if she looks at me as just a friend?" Saff let out his concerns. This boy is so deeply in love.

"Umm, how about this, I'll try to ask Sarah next time whether she likes you or not."

Saff concern face changes to a huge smile. He hugged me while repeatedly saying thank you.

"Really? You will do that? Oh god Han, thank you so much! You're one of the kindest friends ever! I love you!" I returned his hug as a welcome.

At first Saff is very annoying. Just from seeing his face, no, just from hearing his name, I felt like jumping off the second floor. Being blackmailed by him, he sucks for that, but as I get closer to Saff, he's very... He just has a childish personality and I adore him for embracing that side of him.

"By the way, why are you looking for me?" He asked

"Huh?"

"You don't usually come down here, and you just stood here staring at me so I guess you're looking for me. Just admit it, you're looking for me right? What do you wanna ask?"

"You're such a psychic, but yes I'm looking for you because I wanna ask something"

"What is hunny?"

"Don't flirt with me, you disgust me..."

"Everyone is dying to be called sweetly by me, you should be grateful for receiving it effortlessly" he smirked

"Dude stop it before rumors of us dating spread around. Enough with Aiden, two dating rumors are bad. I might need to change schools."

"I don't really mind if you're the one I was rumored with" he winks

"Wait until you realized it will reduce your chances winning over Sarah"

Saff's eyes widened in surprise and quickly shook his head.

"No no no! Yes we should stop! I have gone this far, I can't go back even for just a step! Shut your nasty mouth or you will ruin everything" he started to get nervous

"What is the question Han? You're doing too many actions and intro. Straight to the point please" I rolled in response before asking him my real intention.

"So... Aiden has been absent for five days straight, I was thinking maybe you know why he's absent?" I asked

"Hear this, me Aiden Harvey may be close. Yes we're in the same one circle. We joke together, we share secrets together, we talk shits about teachers together, but we never tell each other our own problems. We found it... Weird and stupid and, you know, 'not man', if you do that. I don't personally think it that way and I am also confident that Aiden and Harvey don't think it that way either. It's just, just because we're close doesn't mean we share everything with each other. You know, just like your circle, you don't share everything about yourself like your problems or your crush to Fadly, Kim or Samuel isn't it?" He explained. I just nodded because that means he also doesn't know why Aiden is absent.

"But don't worry he's fine. I'm sure he is. Now let's go to class."

It is not exactly a boring day because the only time when it's boring at school is when Fadly is absent, I can handle my crush being absent. At least that's what I thought. In fact, it is a boring day. So boring that I can't focus on what the teacher is teaching.I kept on finding myself staring at the window by the end of each period.

It's finally time to go home. When I opened the house door, my parents were already there sitting in the living room with their luggages.

"Something comes up again?" I asked, already knowing what's going to happen.

"Yeah, we're not going to be home until next week so is it okay if you stay by yourself? Or do you prefer your uncle to stay with you?" My mom asked

"On my own. I can cook, I can clean, I do my studies, I do have money so don't worry"

"Great then, just in case you don't have enough money, I have already left a few hundred on your table. Use them wisely." My dad said

"How about school?"

"Your uncle will drive you to school, and also pick you up from school." My mom explained. I just nodded as an answer. I gave them both kisses before they entered the taxi car and now, I am alone.

It's not something new to me. My parents have always been busy but not so busy that they don't have time to spend on me. Recently they have made a new partnership with a company so they're very busy. Although they already leave me alone at home for nights a lot of times, I can see that they silently feel sorry for me. If only they knew that I secretly enjoy it. As long as I have my wifi and money, I can continue this.

During the night, I suddenly have the desire to eat instant noodles. I went to the kitchen to cook some but there's none. I guess my parents are so busy that they forgot to buy groceries. I decided to go to the convenience store, it's not so far from my house so I just walked my way there.

"That's too spicy... I can't handle that... But I'm in the mood to eat something spicy..." I ended up buying it. Of course I'm not going to be able to handle the heat but who cares? After all, that is the 'future' me's problem, It's my money anyways.

When I left the convenience store, I saw a guy wearing my school 's uniform. The weird thing is that it's not from today's uniform. My school has three different uniforms that have to be worn on specific days of the week. Today's uniform is p.e but that guy is wearing the main school uniform. Because of my curiosity I approached him. I tapped his back and he froze for a sec before turning his head to me. When he saw my face, his eyes widened in surprise, his medium tan face slowly turning to pale as if he saw a ghost.

"Aiden? Why are you so surprised?"

"What are you doing here? You have never been here. Why are you here?"

"Aiden are you okay? You have been absent for three days. I'm worried about you and when I asked-" my words were cutted by the sudden hug he gave. I can hear him sniffing and heavy breath as if he's holding a tears. I returned his hug although if i'm being honest he does stink a little right now. Not the kind of masculine stink that got you heat up but stink as if he has not shower for days.

"Aiden... Let's take a seat first" we sat on the chairs that are provided by the store outside.

"Are you okay? Tell me what happened? Why were you absent for five days without any news?" I can see that he's currently trying to get himself together before answering my questions. He failed to answer me immediately because he had just finished crying.

"Things just didn't work out very well for me nowadays... My parents are mad at me because I failed miserably in my test." Such a little kid. Crying because his parents mad at him because of him neglecting his studies. Why is his parents so serious though about it?

"Just that happened?"

"I will tell you what really happened next time. For now I hope you can hide this from anyone. If they ask you why am I absent then just say you don't know... I will be absent until things are going well..."

"Sure..." I have so many questions to ask him but this is probably not the best time.

"Let's go back home okay? I'll walk you home" I suggested.

Aiden just stared at the ground not saying anything. I repeatedly call his name to get his attention until finally he looks off the ground and at me.

"Han... actually my parents kicked me out of the house... That's why I'm still in this uniform..." Really? This all happened over a report card? I was so surprised that I didn't even know how to respond to him. To have strict parents must have been so difficult...

Suddenly I have a crazy, stupid, unbelievable but fluttering idea.

"Aiden. How about you sleep with me? At my house?"

"What?! No Han, that will be a hustle to you and your parents!"

"My parents are currently not home... They will be gone till next week, and I honestly don't mind having you at my house..." My silly stupid mouth! You're making it obvious that you like him staying with you!

"Han... I don't know..." I come closer to him and give him a hug as comfort

"Hey... I don't mind it... Come on, let's sleep with me and tell me the rest of your problems" ALANKSNKSNKSNXVZJJWHEIDJSKJAKS WHAT THE FUCK?! WHAT THE FUCK! "come sleep with me" SINCE WHEN HAN? JUST SINCE WHEN?!

I can feel the blood rush to my cheeks coloring it in rose coloured pink. Aiden eventually returns my hug and whispers a thank you to me. With his husky deep voice, the cracky voice after a cry just awakened something in me. Unfortunately I have to hold it in until we reach home, I will do it in the toilet.