Love Syndrome - Rewritten

18

Brick's P.O.V.

I couldn't see, hear, or feel a single thing apart from this overwhelming numbness in my body. 

This is ridiculous! You've known the guy for a few days, he acts a little kind after literally beating you up, and now you're attached and acting like someone who got dumped by a partner you've been with for years. 

I scolded my self, but couldn't stop walking, nor could I stop the tears that were still somehow falling down my cheeks. 

It wasn't until I felt a hand gently land on my shoulder, that I was aware of my surroundings. 

I jumped at the touch and spun around to see a handsome man, just a bit shorter than me, but more muscley, looking at me with a concerned smile on his face. 

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." He began. 

"It's just...are you okay? Shit - that was dumb - I know you probably aren't. I - I mean, is there anything I can do to help?" He asked in a soft but embarrassed voice, his cheeks turning ever so slightly pink, visible, despite his almost dark, tanned skin. 

I relaxed at his kindness and was secretly grateful to the stranger who had snapped me out of my thoughts before it was night, because as I looked around, I could see the sun setting from the bridge that I had somehow managed to walk to. 

But...I couldn't be indebted to a random stranger. 

Unfortunately, as I began to shake my head no, he spoke up. 

"Please...let me at least buy you some dinner while you contact a family member or a friend... I can't leave you alone like this."

The desperation in his voice made me reluctantly give in and I nodded slowly. 

He beamed at that and carefully, avoiding touching me, he showed me to his car, which he had parked on the side of the road. 

"Why?" I asked quietly, before I opened the door and sat in.

...

"You were clearly upset, you're legs looked weak so I assumed you had been walking for a while, and...there is dried blood on my palms. I was worried and couldn't just leave knowing someone was alone in that condition...I would have done the same for anyone." He answered gently, while looking down at the ground. 

This felt nice. 

I didn't have to worry about explaining myself or the aftermath, if I did rant to him, because he was a stranger. His opinion didn't matter to me, so I couldn't care less if he had seen me in this state. And I couldn't be more grateful for it.

"T - Thank you." I slowly whispered, aware of the sad smile on my face. 

He had looked up at me with a look on his face that I couldn't describe but feeling embarrassed for some reason under his gaze, I quickly opened the door and sat inside. 

He got into the driver's seat on the other side with a small smile gracing his lips. 

I stared out of the window as he drove us both in silence, apart from him telling me he was taking us to the nearest restaurant. He mentioned that he was going to the closest one, so that I wouldn't think he was abducting me or something. 

He clearly meant it as a joke...but after what Day had almost done to me, twice, I couldn't laugh along. 

Picking up on this, the guy quickly peered over at me before looking back at the road, cursing at himself, and then apologizing to me. 

I told him it's fine and that he hadn't done anything wrong. 

In a matter a few minutes, despite the heavy traffic at what I'm assuming is 6pm, we approached a seemingly quite looking restaurant on busy street. It had this beautiful natural theme about it, with a light brick wall and a matte jade green sign with the name of the restaurant - 'The Jaded Forest'  - that immediately made me feel a bit calmer and more comfortable. 

The walls were made of brick and all a soft beige color, with honey brown colored, wooden tables in varying sizes, complimented by fake plants scattered throughout the building, as well as soft lighting, so as to add to the ambience and peaceful nature of the place. 

I heard bird sounds and waterfalls playing in the background as I noticed that it was actually packed inside and almost every seat was taken, however, the guy insured me that we would get a table. 

I didn't question it and just followed him, too tired to think. 

I quickly understood why he was so confident though, when he was greeted by all the employees as boss. 

So this was his restaurant...cool. 

He first led me to the bathroom where I washed my hands and face, and then through a hallway, up some stairs, and into what I'm presuming is one of approximately five private rooms. 

The room we entered had the exact same interior as the rest of the restaurant. 

He gestured for me to sit down and I saw that the menu had a theme of being nutritious...made sense with the whole natural vibe of the place. 

We ordered and then the awkwardness of the situation dawned on me. 

He bit his lip as he looked down at the table, unsure of what to say in order to maybe cheer me up, not make me cry again, trigger me, and to come off friendly I presume. 

"W -what's your name?" I asked, deciding to end this torture but hating the way my voice was raspy and strained. 

He smiled at that and looked up at me, excited like a little puppy. 

Cute. 

"My name is Pete. What's yours?" Pete asked. 

"Brick." I replied, unsure of what else to say. 

"How old are you?" He was apparently feeling a bit more confident now in having the conversation so he made sure there wasn't a single moment that was awkward and could potentially make me uncomfortable. 

We got along well, he asked me some basic questions...normal small talk - which I surprisingly didn't mind - and I asked some back. 

I was actually feeling much better and was blissfully distracted from the whole thing that happened earlier today. 

Eventually, I called Gear and asked him to come pick me up, letting him know where I was. 

Pete and I exchanged numbers, which I actually offered first, and he told me to text or call him even if I didn't have any specific reason to. 

He was clearly realizing that I wasn't in a fragile state anymore and as our conversation had progressed, I began to pick up on some things that kind of came off flirty, but I decided not to be narcistic and assumed he was just being friendly. 

"Um...t - thanks again P'Pete for...everything." I said to him, feeling the blood rush to my cheeks, as he walked me to Gear's car. 

Also, I had found out that he was a couple years older than me during our conversation and that he worked for his father after completing a business degree and that he co-owned this restaurant with a friend who was passionate about becoming a chef and opening his own restaurant. 

Man, he is an amazing person. I thought to myself. 

We said our goodbyes and after I got into Gear's car, he quirked an eyebrow at me. 

I just shook my head and told him that I'd tell him later, as my memories and emotions flooded back in. 

My response clearly tipped him off that something was wrong - which he had already guessed from how I was acting at the beach, I assumed. 

So, he took me back to my parent's house in silence and made me promise to meet up or at least call him tomorrow. 

I agreed, then sneaked past my parents, into my room, and crashed on my bed, falling asleep quicker than a light switch, as both mental and physical exhaustion overwhelmed my body.