The flames to remind you

Eight

A heads up: I've been asked to give trigger warnings. But I dont have that kind of memory, so please forgive me as I tell you now that this book is a TRIGGER WARNING! 😶‍🌫️🚨

The room stays silent as everyone finishes dinner. The tension in the air is preventing anyone from being able to cheer it up with jokes or conversations.

I feel guilty for my behavior. I know I could have prevented this whole situation if I simply let Theos words slide off me.

But honestly, I've met people. I'm trained to read them and see who they truly are. And even though he's kind and wouldn't hurt me physically. He is the type that is easily triggered and will pick at every small detail when given the chance.

Standing up to him now would show him that I'm not just a meek girl who will be pushed around. Not by him or anyone else.

But that doesn't mean I had to be so harsh. And the guilt has me picking at the fantastic smelling meal in front of me until I can't take the side glances passed my way any longer.

I straighten my spine and drop my fork to my plate, and let out a small sigh.

"I'm sorry, Theo. I could have been less rude in how I spoke to you. I don't want this to ruin any chance of a friendship with you or your family. And I know I need everyone's approval in your family to even be considered a friend. So I apologize to you and everyone else for how I've acted."

I say this with full sincerity, as I keep eye contact with Theo.

He doesn't speak for a few moments before I see his shoulders droop slightly, and he grunts his acknowledgment.

"You don't need to apologize, Sang. You were correct. He could have stated it differently. You were only defending yourself." I hear Kota say softly while a few others state their agreements.

I don't know what else to say, and I feel like I've ruined the mood for the evening, so I stand up and push my chair in politely before telling them I was going to leave. Before anyone could protest, I started heading out of the dining room and making my way back to the front door.

"Wait! Sang."

I pause and turn with the door half opened and see Theo rushing towards me.

He pauses a few feet away before he says anything again, and I just tilt my head in confusion.

"I owe you an apology. I shouldn't have reacted like I did. It's not an excuse, but my name is a touchy subject, and I blew it out of proportion. It's just..." He gives me pleading eyes and continues," when I was younger, I made a mistake that could have ended horribly. But I was saved, and that person would call me by my full name, and it just feels sacred now even though I haven't seen them since then."

My heart melts at his admission. I know it took a lot of courage for him to open up about it. But now that he has, the little bit of anger I had to the situation vanished. I take a second to shut the door and step towards him.

"Listen Theo. I understand having a rough past and holding even simple things as sentimental. I forgive you, and thank you for sharing a small part of yourself with me and trusting me with that personal part of yourself."

"I understand if you hate me, Sang. But please don't let me stop you from hanging out with my family. You've made them smile and look forward to something. And I don't want to be the reason they don't get to have you around."

I'm shaking my head back and forth before he even finishes.

"No. You haven't ruined anything. And I don't want you to be excluded in your own family. If you're willing to put effort into making friendship work between us, then I'm also willing to make it work."