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Cairo was worried about the recent events and partially because of its outcomes. Cairo was last in the group to know about the drama that happened in the class that day. It took him a lot of time to handle Tee only, at first his shock then anger, crying, suspicion, fear of losing, sadness and remorse which arrived just in the same order but never departed. Brooks was always at the back of his mind but yesterday Tee was the one not to be left alone. Finally after a day he got to meet Brooks at the coffee house which was dear place to everyone in the group.
Brooks came in five minutes late then they were supposed to meet. He was wearing a disney tee shirt which made him look the more adorable than he already was. He sat down in front of Cairo. " Ahh! What are we eating. I am starving to death Cairo. Might eat someone alive if I could."
" Ohk. I already ordered your usual. I hope you don't mind"
" I might give you my property-share right now."
Cairo chuckled at Brooks' eagerness to eat. Then He stiffened to be a bit more serious. " Brooks I am-"
" Please Cairo not you. I've got that a lot at Uni. Suddenly every third person wants to be friends with me. And I am tired of making people dislike me. So not now, not when I am hungry."
Cairo fell silent after that. The food arrived five minutes later and Brooks ate it like a early human. The whole time making jokes about how royally Cairo was eating and telling him he the right, dirty ways to eat. Brooks finished smiling like a maniac with a big Burp.
" So now I think you are fed enough to talk. Right?"
" I might scooch in some more but I am good to go."
" Are you alright Brooks with all this happening. You can talk to me, you know that."
" Yeah I know. It's okay. Not great not the worse. People will forget that soon enough, I guess."
" Promise me you wouldn't do anything I wouldn't. Don't get in any trouble. Firdaus told me about your encounter in the canteen. Don't do that again. You wouldn't want to get your scholarship canceled." "And I think you should talk to Tee too. He didn't go to college because of it today. He thinks that Hero and you will be together now and eventually become boyfriends then get married and have kids while he'll always be alone."
Brooks sighed " Sometimes I wish I could just have feelings for Tee. He likes me so much that it hurts to see him like this. But I can't hurt myself either. I am my first priority as it should be. And as to your advice, I will send him a voice message."
"Do it right now."
" Later."
"Now."
"Later, please."
" Now Brooks. Do it. Its the right thing to do."
"Why do straight people like you always want to do the 'right thing'." He sighed again "Okay fine grandpa, I am doing it."
Brooks took out his phone which was reasonably an expensive one. Cairo never understood why Brooks spent money on useless things and that too when he was not rich and had no family. Brooks never told Cairo about his past and he knew this much only. Cairo hasn't ever seen Brooks' home which he told him was not even a house instead a trailer. But Cairo knew that Brooks worked at some big bar in the other side of the town and his fees was fully paid through scholarship, so he had money to spend.
" Hello. Are you with me Cairo Schwimmer."
" Yes. Yes. Sorry I snapped out"
" Okay, here we go." Brooks said while clicking on the voice recording shortcut. "Hey Tee. I hope you're fine. Cairo and I talked and I want you to know that nothing's going to happen between me and Hero fucking hawkins. But that doesn't mean I am doing it for you and your love or something. Hey, cheer up okay. Meet you tomorrow. And one thing more, you don't know this but you were the first guy I kissed too, even if at a cheek. Forget I said anything and please don't bring a promise ring tomorrow."
Brooks exhaled the breath he was holding and sent the message. He did a thumbs up to Cairo.
" Do you want to come over for dinner today. It's getting late and mom would want to meet her favourite son."
" Why not."
Brooks and Cairo drove towards the place they called home in Cairo's SUV. On reaching there Brooks went running inside to meet the parents and Cairo knew it was going to be a great time as loved watching his parents giving all their affection to Brooks. He needed it much more than anyone else.
Cairo's parents were smiling and laughing from starting till the end of the time Brooks was there. They made jokes, had dinner and played board games. Everyone in the house was so happy as it always was the scenario whenever Brooks stopped by. When it was time for Brooks to leave, Cairo insisted him to stay for the night as did his parents but Brooks said he had to go.
Cairo's father made sure to remind Brooks that he had a family ,one with whom he had dinner and is always invited to stay for as long as he wishes to. His mother gave him a kiss on the cheek and a tear fell down her eye.
" Brooks, my child. Life has been very cruel to you. With your parents death and everything after. Ah! I wish I could change everything. But always remember son, god always tests good people and the only ones who can bear the pain. You should know we're there for and our bond is ineffable."
Brooks tried to hold back a tear, nodded and smiled towards the women who was closest to a mother to him.
" I'll get the car, will leave you home and you can invite me in if you want." Cairo asked.
" No. No. I can take the bus. I don't want you to be seen there. Its not the right side of town for you to be. Please don't. I'll be fine."
" But call me when you get home. Okay?"
Brooks nodded and was off to go home. He got out of the house, into the driveway. A car flashed bright lights on him. He could feel his eyes burning at the moment but the sensation eventually cooled down with the dimming of the light.
A drunken figure came out of the car and was getting closer and closer. When Brooks got hold of his sight he looked at a hot tall guy. Hero Vulpecular Hawkins. He was smiling, his smile touching his ears. He came closer and hugged Brooks.
" Oo, Brooksie . I found you." Brooks tried to push him away but was unsuccessful. " How do you even know I was here?"
"I have contacts, you know. When will we go out or start talking ? Huh?" he answered in a drunken way.
" It's not happening Hero.Not now and not anytime soon."
" Please, please give me a chance. I am very alone. I need you more than you need me. Please" Hero started sobbing on his shoulder. The words pierced Brooks' heart like they meant something more than just words. He thought Hero really needed someone right now. Someone like him.
" Okay. Don't cry. We can talk like civilised human beings. But I've a condition, you quit drinking or smoking or whatever you do to get high for at least one week. Agreed?"
" Yes. Yes. Yes." He gave Brooks a kiss on the cheek who felt all the smell of alcohol on him.
" Hey you! I hope you are not drunk. So take him to his house safely and help him get off me." Brooks told the guy who was with Hero, sitting in the driver seat of the car.
The guy as it seemed to be was not drunk. He helped Brooks with Hero who was half asleep by the time he sat in the car. The other guy drove off thr car in the opposite direction
Sighing because of the ending to the perfect dinner Brooks walked once again. A very peculiar thing happened at that time— instead of going straight towards the bus stop, he turned left.
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