Circles

Chapter XI

As Alister finished buttoning his shirt and picked up his backpack, he announced, "I'm heading home."

"Won't you stay for dinner?" the long-haired blonde girl lying on the bed asked.

"I can't, I have to meet someone important."

She looked at him incredulously for a moment. "You have to meet someone?"

"That's what I said."

"Who?"

Alister looked at her with a small, charming smile.

"Are you jealous?" he inquired.

"No... well..."

""Is that someone more important than me...?" I can clearly see what you're thinking. It's written all over your face."

"No. Ugh! I'm sorry, it's not about mistrusting you..."

"Of course, you shouldn't. I always tell you the truth."

"I know."

"Alright then... Oh! I almost forgot! Do you want me to bring you some diet food tomorrow, if I manage to come?"

"Huh? Why diet food?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I just thought you might need it. Alright. See you later! I don't want to keep them waiting. Goodbye!"

"Hey! Alister!"

The girl watched as he quickly walked away, leaving the apartment door with a slam, ignoring her call. She shouldn't doubt him, but it felt as if she had been deceived and sidelined. Perhaps it was a good idea to start a diet, just in case.

Alister hurried to the station and managed to board a passing bus just in time. He smiled at the driver as he got on and took a seat at the back. If he was lucky, he would be there just as Noah finished his classes. And he always was.

Upon arriving at the location, he walked to a small playground nearby and sat down to wait. He saw many kids in Noah's uniform pass by, but none had the distinctive long blonde hair of his brother. He had confirmed his suspicions the day before, so he was determined to patiently wait and finally find out what was going on. It was only a matter of time, as he knew that Noah had to take that route home.

The days were getting longer and hotter as summer approached, and the nocturnal insects started to come out as the sun dipped. Two hours later, with the reddish sunset casting a glow on his skin, Alister focused on a large moth clumsily fluttering among the artificial lights of the playground, repeatedly colliding with them.

"It's flying straight to its death..." he sighed, just before a sound in the distance caught his attention.

Amidst the silence of the dusk, he heard Noah's clear voice approaching the area. And if he wasn't mistaken, he was accompanied. Alister picked up his things and stood up slowly. He walked to the entrance of the small park, intercepting Noah on the way as if by coincidence, but for some reason, his brother didn't pass by at the time he had calculated. He looked towards the school, along the long paved path, and then he saw it; a tall boy with black hair was kissing Noah. Alister froze for a second, his heart racing so quickly that it almost felt like pain. He heard a crunch in his head, and suddenly, an irresistible urge to run towards that boy and beat him up surged within him, but he restrained himself just in time. Neither of them had seen him, so he decided to backtrack, holding onto the last shreds of self-control. Resisting as best he could, he turned around and walked through the park to the other end, disappearing into the empty streets as he sprinted full speed. The air began to leave him, but he didn't even notice, as it was impossible for him to stop now; a jumble of thoughts swirled in his mind that he couldn't organize. The only thing that was clear was that he had been too naive. It was impossible for someone like Noah to stay alone for long. He knew it, and yet he had chosen to ignore it. Now he had to face the consequences.