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Right
Brooks never liked the word right. What ever was or is or will be right? Something which is right today may not be the right tomorrow. Or something which is right for one is not right for the other. It is just a matter of perception and the values one had set to differentiate right and not right. Brooks believed in that. Like for e.g., What Hero did was not right for Brooks but it was the right and the only thing Hero wanted to do. It was not right from Tee, Firdaus' and Cairo's point of view but was right from that of Hero's friends.
With all these deep thoughts in mind and old country music playing in his ears Brooks turned right, into the lane where Tee lived. He saw him coming out of the huge mansion in his expensive car. Brooks called out for him but he didn't seem to hear or see him. 'Yeah, thats the only possible explanation? Right' he thought.
He wasn't so sure because Tee seemed distant these days. He didn't change completely but there was a change, for sure. Now he didn't try to flirt with Brooks. There was no more discussion of the ten year plan. But he did talk to him like friends. Made funny jokes with Firdaus and silly fights with Cairo. And a one more change, He was always on his phone. He was always waiting for a reply or typing or scrolling through something. Just anything related with a phone.
And what was the reason? Was he trying to avoid Brooks? Hero Vulpecular Hawkins? No one knew but Tee.
Brooks walked all the way back to the university. He was feeling kind of restless at reaching there because of the extra walking to and from Tee's house. He was on his way to class when he saw one of the reasons Tee not talking to him, mr. Hero running towards him.
"Sorry for being MIA. I was on an expedition. But hey, im back. Its all the matters." Hero said breathlessly.
" Hi! Calm down. No need to explain yourself. I wasn't missing or waiting for you or something like that. "
" Yeah, like sure."
"What? Im being serious. And to remind you we are not talking until you stop drinking alcohol or whatever for a week. It's been just three days."
" Why are u smiling Hero? I didn't say anything funny. What is it?"
" Nothing."
" Just say it."
" You remember."
" Remember what?"
" That its been three days. And you say it surely that means you definitely thought about it. Which means you thought about me. Think about me. "
Brooks was dumbfounded at that. It's literally what he was at that moment.
"Wanna get out of here or you just study?"Hero asked.
" No. No. Why would i go with you? Who knows what you have in mind?"
Hero came as close as he could to Brooks' ear, who felt all the heat running towards it.
" Are you scared?"
He definitely was.
" No. Not at all. Im not scared of anything."
" Nice."
"So where are we going?"
Hero just walked towards the exit and Brooks followed his lead. After sometime they both were walking side by side, saying nothing. Brooks was scared because he wasn't aware what Hero was capable of doing and where they were heading. He had all types of negative thoughts in mind. But he went on without knowing any reason to do so. Hero once tried to hold Brooks' hand but he nudged him of in the most fearful manner. Hero laughed and rose both his hands over his head.
After a while, The walk was getting tiring and there was no one speaking. One because of fear and the other because the former was scared and he didn't wanted him to run away.
The sights became more familiar to Brooks which made him relax a bit. He thought Hero was taking him to some sort of hidden gem of a place or maybe somewhere that was close to his heart.
He smiled a little at the thought of it. " Why did you stop?"
" We've reached our destination."
" What? The community lake." The smile faded away and Brooks made the most disgusting look he could. He would never come here if he knew. The lake was one of the most crowded and unclean place in Moonville. People were always packed up there and the boating and other services were as obsolete as the ancient boats.
" Oh! Did you expect a five star?"
" No. But not at least this."
" I am really sorry. I didn't- "
" Look, Can we go back?"
" For sure. If that's what you want. But not before i get you an ice-cream"
Brooks nodded at that. He was very thankful that he didn't had to go to the lake. At the ice-cream corner Brooks got the cotton candy flavour while Hero took the mystery flavour which later turned out to be mint chocolate. Brooks wanted to have a taste of it but he chose not asking Hero for it.
On the way back they talked about the normal things that were happening around. From the cute dog to the delicious food truck and its beautiful owner. From the husband wife fight to the red Mercedes car that drove past them. Brooks liked this fun side of Hero he was experiencing. Much more than the previous one.
This time Hero didn't try to hold his hand but he would've let him if he tried. After sometime there was just comfortable silence between them. The weather too helped as it not so cold and not so hot. Just the required.
After a twenty minute walk they finally reached the university and there was still time for the classes to end.
" I think I should attend the last lecture. Cant miss the whole day."
" Yeah okay. As you say. Im gonna go home though. I can drop you if you want."
To which Brooks replied quickly " No. Thank you. I'll attend a class"
" Okay then, bye. I should get going."
" I want you to know that I had a great time. You're not as bad as I thought."
Hero came once more closer to his ear. Brooks expected that he was gonna say something cheesy like he said before. But instead he moved a little back and kissed his lips. It was a really tender yet passionate kiss. But Brooks couldn't do anything because he was in shock. He neither responded nor push him, just stood there like a complete mannequin.
After three or four seconds Hero himself got back. Smiled and then winked at Brooks. He waved at him while running towards his car and said nothing.
Brooks gulped and it took him some more seconds to drink in the last two minutes. And then he realised that :
He was left with sour legs and a first unexpected kiss.
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