Chapter 6. Clayton's Habit....

That very image hasn't changed at all... Although quite some time has passed since then, Clayton and Ethan are still the same troublemakers, they still find 'unfunny' things 'funny' when together. 

||||| Then how can such a blind fool resemble me? Why can't I see through you... |||||

At that moment Evelyn felt a sensation of being observed by someone. Huh?

She turned around slowly and began to observe her surroundings as casually as possible. However, there were nothing 'suspicious'. Some students were gathered in tight circles, chatting and breaking into bursts of laughter. Others sat quietly, flipping through their textbooks in silent revision.

Through the open classroom door— in the hallway— students leaning against the walls, whispering about something or someone. Further down, teachers ran after unruly students, scolding them for running indoors.

And right across from Evelyn's class stood another classroom.

Through their open-door, a student could be seen sitting haughtily on the teacher's seat. Beyond the half-open window, the town stretched into the distance, bathed in warm daylight.

Evelyn exhaled slowly. Was I hallucinating? Anyways, just two more period and I can go home!

.....

Clayton dazzled by the gaze of Evelyn, his heart pounding, he began sprinting towards the two whilst realizing that he had slept for quite a while. There were only two more period left until school's over. 

Life doesn't always go as you please. There are moments when you fall into despair, the abyss of loneliness. But, within that darkness, what becomes your sole light is your reason to continue. As long as you don't give up and keep finding reasons to step forward. You'll eventually reach your conclusion. 

Those were the words my father told me once. But look at him now.... Was his conclusion giving blind advices?

Clayton usually is never surprised by something, because through his countless reading session of manhwas and web novels, he reflected on himself, he experienced even things life's not capable of offering. He even experienced romance within the stories he consumed. 

After realizing the harsh truth about reality— the truth about human nature, he longer feels the need to be in a romantic relationship with anyone. After realizing the true 'worth' of women, he longer feels the need to lust after them. Even so, the relationships and bonds portrayed within the context of the story feels so genuine. I was life was like the manhwas....

Because Clayton hates 'superficiality' more than anything.

...

"Ugh, I should've known that milk was expired!" Ethan groaned, leaning forward as he held his growling stomach.

However, Clayton didn't seem to have heard Ethan's sobbing. Instead, he was resting his head on his right palm while staring blankly at the clock. 

More and more time passed while Clayton slept with his eyes open— seemingly fantasizing a different life, a fantasy world or maybe even a romance story!

|||| An alternative universe where everything's different. |||||

Clayton imagined himself sitting alone on a subway. Raindrops trickled down the window, distorting the world outside. Through the window, a vast green forest and towering mountains stretched into the distance, their colors dulled beneath a sky of heavy gray clouds, as a loud rumbling resounded through the wilderness.

Clayton with headphones sighed deeply, after having lost everything. Not being able to get a decent job, living paycheck to paycheck, sad and single. 

That's how we imagined his own future....

Clayton's dreams were rarely ever happy ones. Probably because of his over consumption of gut- wrenching, heart-breaking content. Even his weird dreams could be influenced by his consumption of fiction.

Then—that sound— the sound he resents and cherishes the most, resounded through the hallway, breaking through his intrusive thoughts. 

Finally!

As soon as the bell rang, Clayton put his headphones on and shoved his things inside his bag, leaving without a word. Meanwhile, Ethan who had been holding it in for a while ran as fast as he can to the toilet. 

"Ugh, this is the worst!" Ethan mumbled under his breath as he sat quietly on the toilet, gripping the toilet paper like his life depended on it.

If there was one thing Ethan truly hated, it was stomach pain. ...But then again, was there anyone who didn't hate pain?

Clayton who had left the school in an instant took the opposite turn, instead of heading home. Then, after walking for a while— still dreaming about a world different that the one he's in. Eventually, the sight that Clayton was initially familiar with greeted him. 

A long, straight pathway stretched ahead, illuminated by the bright lights of apartment buildings and storefronts. In the distance, a tall bridge connected both sides of the city. Clayton descended the stairs leading to the lower level, where a wide grass field lay beneath the stone path.

There, in front of him, was the river.The golden hues of the setting sun reflected off the water, making it look almost cinematic.It sure has been a while...

Clayton who had been lying down, admired the river and the sky before reaching for his smartphone, headphones. 

Soon the sun began to set slowly but surely, as Clayton laid motionless, scrolling with his thumb every once in a while. 

Clayton had a habit he grasped ever since his junior year. After every day, when school ends, he would come to this spot and read while admiring the view. This spot was Clayton's favorite place, because no one was here to disturb him. It was only him and the cinematic view here.

Clayton deliberately avoided returning home early because of his father. That place didn't feel like home to him anymore. It was just a shelter— a place to sleep for him. In other words, he was technically homeless. 

Clayton is an independent person. He has his own unique worldview, his perception of the world and he rarely ever gets influenced by others. Even so, it is completely a different story when it comes to 'fiction'. As those who have managed to move Clayton's heart end up changing his perception, his entire self, inflicting a deep mark that can never be erased on him. 

Those Clayton had related to, ended up being his favorites. Those that broke down Clayton ended up being his favorites— No home, Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint, Clannad, Oreigaru, Erased.

A Korean/Japan webnovels/manhwas/animes.

There were other great fictions that Clayton genuinely enjoyed such as— Lord of the mysteries, Reverend Insanity, Charlotte, and so on. But those five were the ones that cut deep within him, deeper than any other. The one's who found himself relating to it.

Because Clayton was a reader just like the protagonist of ORV, he technically had no such place as 'home' just like the protagonists of No home. His future, his current situation and his desire to rewind time were all displayed within those. Even if he's unable to take appropriate action, he can at least see the characters he cherished deep within his heart, soul take action and continue forward.

After scrolling for a while, Clayton turned off his phone and shoved it into his right pocket. It was an old habit— one he had since grade school— keeping a pen in his pocket at all times. Eventually, his smartphone had become part of that habit.

Clayton slowly got up and began walking home instead of taking the bus or the subway. Clayton particularly doesn't have anything against public transportation. But he also likes walking as well, and this time just so happened to be it. 

Clayton likes to walk because he can once again reflect on his past and fantasize about a different world— either about himself, or his favorite characters taking a different route than the original. 

As he moved through the dimly lit streets, he unexpectedly crossed paths with someone from school, Evelyn.

She's returning home this late? 

However, Evelyn didn't seem to notice Clayton, as her gaze stretched beyond, with her headphones plugged in. 

Clayton definitely had a faint interest in her. But he didn't feel like approaching her and striking a conversation. Because in truth, he's no longer confident in speaking to others except Ethan. 

When the two walked passed each other, Evelyn suddenly came to a halt while Clayton, however, moved forward without turning back. Then, Evelyn's yelled without turning back, her voice cutting through the noise of the bustling city. "Don't forget to bring the materials for the experiment! Biology if you forgot"

Clayton blinked, stopping in his tracks as he turned around only to be met with nothing.