After school had ended, Aira and the others had left together as they lived in the same neighborhood. They lived in the better part of town for the 'financially stable' folk. I took a different route home as my parents owned a supermarket close to school. It was a two floor building the ground floor being the supermarket and the upper two floors being our home.
My grandfather had built it and he passed it down to my father. I felt bad knowing I wasn't going to take after him, as I had things to take care of.
I hadn't seen my parents in years as they had relocated after the town was destroyed. I got into our familiar home and my mum smiled at me.
"Welcome home!" she beamed at me.
I smiled, "I'm back."
"You must be tired come I made food for you before you head to your evening class." my mum said.
Mother, I beg your finest pardon but what evening classes?
"What are you talking about?" I ask slowly
"Did you forget already? You usually head out after an hour to go for your evening classes" she said
Oh. I see now. My younger self had been fooling my innocent mother that I had classes when I probably went out to go play video games. I'll use this chance to go out and see Aira like I had planned.
"How could I forget I'll leave after I change and eat." I smile sweetly at my mother like I wasn't lying straight to her face.
After changing out of my stuffy uniform I immediately text Aira to meet me at the old library. I used to hang out there with her and Fabian and sometimes we'd smoke and drink too. I definitely wasn't doing it this time. I quit those habits long after I joined the military.
Our town was divided into two parts. The new and redeveloped part and the the ones that refused to the offer of rebuilding. That's where I lived and the rest lived on the other side.
There was an old library in the edge of town. It was shut down after the redevelopment was started and now we use it as a place to hang out.
It was not too far from my home so I reached there first. Aira came ten minutes later with Fabian. Why did she bring him? I needed her alone, but Fabian was my close friend so it didn't bother me as much.
"Ok Milo why did you call us out here? Did something happen?" asked Aira
"Maybe he got a girl pregnant." said Fabian jokingly.
"No I needed to ask Aira a few things." I said
They both looked at me. I had their full attention.
"Aira has anyone approached these past few weeks?" I ask calmly.
She shook her head. She didn't look like she was lying but I needed to know if the mastermind were to approach her.
"Let me know if anyone approaches you." I said
I guess it sounded suspicious as they look weirded out at what I had just said.
"Ok but that's weird why should I tell you, you're not my dad or something." said Aira
"Yeah, it's already weird enough that you called us here now you wanna know who's she's talking to?"
Correction Fabian I called Aira here not you. Don't piss me off.
"There have been weird people going around these days just asking you to be careful." I lie.
They don't seem to believe me and I start getting frustrated.
"Ok fine but this doesn't mean I believe you." said Aira and she takes out a pack of cigarettes. I reached out and grab it and she looks at me shocked.
"Let's not today, I quit so I feel uncomfortable around the smoke." I said
Fabian reached out and snatched the pack from my hands and I couldn't believe the audacity of this guy. Was he always this irritating?
"Chill out man, it's not a big deal let her have her smoke you're stressing her out." he says
I sigh and Aira takes the pack and shoves it in her pocket. At least she cared enough.
"Listen Milo you've been acting strange today and suddenly saying that you quit smoking is proving my point. You were literally blowing smoke rings here with us yesterday so what changed?" Aira said with her eyes staring straight into my soul.
If I could beat my younger self I would because this is just plain embarrassing.
"Well I'm reformed now so I won't be smoking anymore." I said
Fabian and Aira start laughing when they hear this. I guess it was a little cringe.
"You really said reformed. That's actually funny. You can't just stop smoking overnight. It takes time so shut up and smoke with us." Aira said
Fabian was still laughing at what I had just said. It wasn't that funny why was this rat still laughing.
I decide to leave as I had told Aira what I wanted to tell her but stopped midway.
"Did you eat yet?" I ask her
Before she could answer Fabian stepped in and answered for her.
"No but she's going with me and Michelle."
How did I consider this guy a close friend of mine? He was really shameless but I could be too.
"Well since she hasn't I'll join you guys." I said coolly
Clearly this wasn't the answer he was hoping for but he didn't show it.
"Great it's near Michelle's house and it's new but I heard it's good." he said
I didn't want to go all the way to the other side of town but I couldn't let Fabian have the last laugh.
"Sounds good." I said.
"Umm...Fabian? I don't feel like going." Aira spoke up suddenly.
Is it because I'm coming too? Well this is sad. I can't be that bad. I didn't realize she hated me even before she left town.
Fabian smirked when he heard that and looked straight at me before saying,
"Well we can go later after Milo leaves if he's the reason."
I'm right here can you at least spare me the embarrassment.
"It's not him I just don't feel like it. Also I wanted to tell Milo something so could you leave us. I'll go home alone." said Aira
Well how about that. Maybe you're the issue Fabian. I couldn't help but thank god for sparing me.
"Huh? Is it important? Do I have to leave?" said Fabian.
Dude get the hint. Now I'm getting second hand embarrassment. Aira's look tells him enough and he leaves us.
"Finally that motherfucker is gone, pissing me off, hate that damn leech." Aira said with a disgusted look on her face.
I definitely wasn't expecting that.