After Darkness

*4. The mall*

Aye was waiting for Gawin for at least one hour. He knew he fucked up. She hated so much waiting around for someone and he knew he would need a big gesture to lighten his friend's mood. But honestly, Gawin wasn't in the mood for grand gestures. That's one thing about grief: sometimes grief comes out of nowhere and there's nothing you can do to stop it.

The day was rainy, matching Gawin's mood. He had forgotten his umbrella at home and was completely wet. And it brought back memories.

First was the most forgetful person in the world. He forgot basically everything. If it was raining, you could bet he'd be without an umbrella. It wasn't uncommon for him to forget papers at home or even a date they'd made if Gawin didn't call to remind him. And Gawin loved those little flaws very much. "All of me loves all of you. All your perfect imperfections", he usually said to First, like John Legend' song.

When Gawin finally arrived, Aye didn't disappoint, she scowled, and it took nearly an hour to get her back in a good mood. Then, they could finally talk.

"We're going to the homecoming tonight", she announced. He knew the late would cost. And she really brought.

"Ok", he answered.

"Just ok?" she asked.

"Yeah".

"Fine".

After that, talking to Aye became a much easier experience. The two walked through the mall slowly, because she was looking for the perfect dress for the Homecoming that night and she liked to look at the options very calmly. "If we go too fast, I run the risk of losing sight of something worthwhile," she said.

Keeping Aye company while she was shopping was a very easy task. Gawin could be lost in his own thoughts for a long time, only being asked when his friend was trying on clothes and needed his opinion. It was his favorite activity for the first few weeks after First's death.

The problem was that, after shopping, Aye always liked to have a snack. It was at that moment that the activity did not always become pleasurable. In the beginning of his mourning, Gawin always skipped this part, making up some last-minute engagement or pretending that someone in his house had called him. That's not a problem anymore, and he was really looking forward for this moment.

"I'm going to pay the dress and then it's the most important part: the snack", she told him after choosing a beautiful red strapless dress.

"Ok..."

"I hate it when you're monosyllable", she replied.

"Ok, my dearest friend, I'll be waiting anxiously for you return", he joked. She smiled.

As the two sat down in a cafe, Aye looked at him curiously. There was something strange about his gaze, like he was hiding something.

"What?", he asked.

"What are you hiding?", she asked back.

Gawin was speechless for some reason. He didn't feel like he was hiding anything, but he didn't like that type of question. It's like he has to be a secret to goes out with her.

"What are you hiding", Aye insisted.

"Nothing. It's really nothing".

"So why are you accepting going to the homecoming so easily?"

"I'm just making up to you".

But that was a partial truth. He really wanted to make up for being late and knew that if he didn't agree, his friend would never become in a better mood. But there was another reason he wanted to go to the event.

He was merely curious about that boy. He couldn't explain. Gawin had been asleep since First's death, but something had awakened in him. He didn't think he was in love or anything like that, but a strange interest. And he wanted to know how that kid behaved outside the classroom. The argument between them had been so lively. It was precisely this vivacity that had awakened him.

Back in high school, Gawin was one of those popular kids who loved his fame. He was like that when he met First. The two were competing to win the title of Cute Boy 2020. The rivalry ended up generating an interest, then a friendship, and finally, a love. And the two were happy until the accident. But since losing First, Gawin was now a reserved and introspective person.

But that boy was not like him. Gawin had already discreetly asked Mike about him. When the two talked in one of their classes, he casually asked about his friends, because he had already seen that he and Krist were close. He wasn't wanting to get closer to him or anything, just know about him. Without many reasons. And he learned that Krist was quiet, one of the best students on the faculty and not so much into attention.

He also learned that one of Krist's favorite places in college was the library. And that's how the two had that first contact. The touch that woke Gawin from whatever strange place he was in, smothered with grief. And that was why Gawin wanted to go to Homecoming: he wanted to know what Krist was like there.

Gawin arranged to pick up Aye at her house and the two of them would go to the game together. There was always the game before prom. He was with his dad's car. It was the first time he drove since First, and that felt a little bit strange. But he wasn't scared, like he thought he would be. Thanks God because he really enjoys driving.

The game was fun, but it was very clear why the current basketball team couldn't make it to the finals. There was a lack of rapport between the players, and the veterans easily dominated on the match. Mike was one of the standouts, along with Aou and Force. But still they were not able to win. The veterans beat the current team by a score of 82-65.

After the game, the veteran team received a standing ovation, which was a custom throughout Homecoming. It was a way of showing gratitude for everything the former students had done for the college, even if they hadn't done anything much. Tradition is tradition. Gawin thought it odd, but he didn't want to be the odd one out and applauded along with everyone else.

The game took place in the late afternoon and the dance would start only after 9 pm. Gawin went home to shower and get ready. Then he drove around town for a while, figuring it would take Aye a while to get ready. She was always taken so long to get ready.

At the agreed time, he arrived to pick her up. It was no surprise that she looked beautiful, but Gawin thought he should praise her just the same.

"You're gorgeous", he said.

"Thanks. You're not bad yourself", she said back.

"Why can't you just say I'm handsome", he asked just to tease her.

"You'll be when you give me a sincere smile", she answered seriously what took Gawin by surprise. It should be a joke.

"It was a joke".

"But I mean it", it was her answer.

After that, she made a joke about his perfume taking her breath away, which was Aye's way of lightening the room. Gawin was grateful. He didn't want to think about that kind of thing tonight. For some reason, his mind wandered to Krist.

The party took place in one of the college's event halls. In the old university of Gawin there was no Homecoming, only in school days. It was strange to live that tradition again.

The decision to move to the same university as Aye was one of the best ones Gawin had made in months. His friend's company was something that had helped him in that moment, but he knew Aye wouldn't be with him forever. In fact, as soon as they reached the ball, Aye walked away with the excuse of going to get them a drink, but Gawin thought he saw some guy calling her.

"That bitch..." he murmured.

Gawin walked for the room, heading towards the bar. And he was there. Krist. Alone, apparently sulking about something. Gawin took a deep breath and walked over.