Carry that weight (Fruk)

12

I rested my chin on the palm of my hand as I stared at him. He was drinking his coffee in deep thought. I had come to his home suddenly, demanding he shut up and listen to me for five minutes without interrupting me.

"And he still wants to see you? If I were him, I would have thought you were a creep!"

"Not helping!"

"Well, can I take a moment to make fun of you? This is the stupidest thing I have heard all week and the funniest. You were peer pressured into confessing by your own brain; what a loser!"

I grabbed my forehead, defeated, and he still laughed at me. I told him everything that happened. How I felt so guilty I blurted out the only thing I could say. Then I told him how Francis strangely wanted to see me again. But once again, I was sure it was to talk about what happened. I mean, I suppose I could answer all the questions he may have, but there wasn't much to tell.

I had a crush on him from a very young age, and I still did in a weird way, but I was willing to get over it now after all of this. I only wanted to deal with my brother. I wanted to see if he was still seeing Lucile. I know I don't really want to be involved, but I think that if I were to get close enough to my brother again. Enough for him to tell me these details, I could find a way for Francis to figure it out.

It was a lot of work for something that could be taken care of within seconds, but I didn't want to deal with that aspect of the whole affair. I don't want to think of how pissed Francis would be at his own sister. My brother was stupid! Seeing his sister?! He would strain another family bond for his selfish desire. Honestly, it pissed me off to no end.

Or maybe...I need to do the obvious thing.

Yes...I would do it.

"Actually, I think I will tell Francis about the affair. I can tell him and be done with it. Meaning I'll separate myself from them. I know it seems a bit harsh to drop the news and leave, but I didn't want to leave without explanation. Being around them has been hard! The past year especially. It hurts me to see them so happy together, and I know this situation will worsen my situation. I want to tell Francis!"

I looked at Antonio, determined, and he nodded. He was stirring his coffee as he listened to me. The correct response. "Well, if you want to do that—"

"I do! I just...I hope he doesn't think I'm saying that because I have feelings for him. That's the hard part. Telling him without him getting the wrong idea. However, I'm not sure how I could pull that off!" I explained. I breathed out tiredly, and he rubbed my shoulder in a comforting way.

Antonio worries about me as a friend would. I knew it was nice to have someone to talk to, especially since I didn't have many friends to begin with.

It wasn't like I was upset with Francis or anything, and I knew I'd hurt his feelings more by not being there for him, but I don't think it would be suitable for me to choose sides in this situation, even though I would undoubtedly choose Francis. I couldn't openly say that.

Francis has always been by my side despite our fighting. I wish I could tell him how much he meant to me, how much he means to me. How now...that he knew it, I wanted to remind him every day till I physically couldn't. He made my life better with his terrible humour. I appreciated his existence and wish I could have more of him around. He has been and always will be my favourite person in the world. That was how I could think of it.

"When will you do it?" Antonio asked.

"I think that if he reaches out to me, I will—"

My phone began ringing, making shivers go down my spine. "That has to be him!" Antonio pointed out. I quickly took out my phone, seeing the caller ID, and it was him. "Speak of the devil..." I whispered.

"Oh! Answer and put him on speaker! I'll be quiet!" He suggested. I looked at him in disbelief, but he was serious.  Well, here goes nothing.

I clicked the answer button, then the speaker.

"Hello?"

"ARTHUR! Hey! I was a bit worried you wouldn't answer!"

I didn't take long to answer, but I understood his concern.

"Ah! No! Ummm, what did you need? Everything alright?" I asked. Antonio looked curious. I knew he wanted to know all the details. He wasn't much of a gossiper, but he loved listening to it.

"Well, I was wondering if we could meet again. If possible..."

Antonio reached for my phone, clicking the mute button. "You have to say yes," he spoke. I knew I had to say yes to Francis. It was the only way for me to tell him about my brother. It was only troublesome that it was happening sooner than later.

"Okay, fine, just please stop pushing it..."

"It's called encouragement! You got this!"

I unmuted the phone, clearing my throat. "Yes, that should be fine; when did you want to meet each other?" I asked. I could hear him sigh with relief on the other side. Maybe he wanted to try and save our friendship. "Thank you! How about tomorrow? I'd say today, but it is quite late. However, the sooner I see you, the better," he spoke. Hearing him say that made me feel a bit flustered, but he only meant it with urgency. I'm sure he worries about what my brother would think.

That stupid cheater!

Why did he have to pull me down with him?

"Great! Thanks! I should go by your place tomorrow night, goodbye! See you!"

"Yeah...goodbye..."

I was mortifyingly terrified.