Alec looked at Fiore in confusion. "What?"
"You heard me." Fiore looked up at him. "Does this mean you forgive me?"
Alec sighed and grinned. "You know what? The whole thing was two years ago, and you said you were telling the truth. So... yeah. I guess I do."
Fiore's eyes sparkled. "Really?!"
"Sure." Alec shrugged. "I mean, we're not in the game anymore, are we? There's no way for you to use and then betray me... again."
Fiore cheered and shared a fist bump with Alec.
They sat in silence for a small while, but for a reason. Fiore didn't know what else to say... and Alec was thinking back to their previous conversation.
ALEC'S POV
She said her mom didn't care about her... she probably has no friends at all... and her team most likely doesn't give two shits about her. Is she doing alright? I mean, she seems alright. But what she told me earlier about her thoughts of suicide... I wonder if what I said to her would add on to the hurt she probably feels.
I remember reading a book about child psychology. A child who goes through that much? No duh she has those thoughts. Hm... I'll ask her something.
"Fiore... have you ever been hugged?"
THIRD PERSON POV
Fiore looked confused. "...huh?"
"Have you ever been hugged? It's a simple question." Alec repeated.
Fiore didn't want to answer that. It was such a random question, but it revealed so much she didn't want revealed. Her weak side. The side that she wanted no one to see.
The side that made her just like the kids her age.
"I'm not answering that." Fiore held her arms and looked away.
"Fiore... come on." Alec sighed. "Just answer the damn question."
"I won't answer that question!" Fiore yelled. "It's a stupid question, anyway. Who just asks someone if they've been hugged before?!"
"Someone who's concerned about a person's well-being." Alec argued.
"Still, I'm not answering the question!" Fiore let out a small "hmph" and shut her eyes.
"Fine." Alec rolled his eyes and looked away.
They sat in silence for a while until Fiore sighed.
"If I tell you, promise not to tell anyone else." Fiore's expression changed to a somber one.
Alec raised an eyebrow and looked back at her. "Okay, I won't. Answer the question; have you ever been hugged?"
Fiore hesitated and shook her head. "No."
Alec's eyes widened. "What? Seriously? Not once in your, what, eight years of life?"
Fiore shook her head. "No, never. Honestly, I've always wanted to feel a real hug. I see the kids at school getting hugs from their parents as they're being picked up. While all my mom does is treat me like dogshit."
"What about friends?" Alec asked, now worried. "I mean, you've got to have at least one friend, right?"
"Nope." Fiore sighed. "Disventure Camp sort of... ruined my reputation, so to say. The friends I had before the show left me because they were scared of me. Even the older kids didn't wanna be friends with a little kid."
"Damn." Alec felt bad for her. "You've really got it rough, huh?"
"Understatement of the year." Fiore wiped a growing tear away.
ALEC'S POV
I saw that. I don't think she wants me to see her when she's sad.
I remember her telling me something the day she betrayed me...
She said, 'Alec, I really liked you, and that's dangerous. Because feelings are for weak people.'
Feelings are for weak people..?
Where the hell did she get that?
THIRD PERSON POV
The thought kept Alec wondering. Why would Fiore think feelings were for weak people? Is that why she doesn't want him to see her crying?
Fiore stood up. "I'm gonna go get into my pajamas."
"Wait." Alec stopped her. "You said you always wanted a hug, right?"
Fiore stopped walking. "...yeah?"
Alec got up and walked over to where she was standing. He kneeled down to get to her level and hugged her.
The hug lasted for a while. But, when Alec tried to let go, Fiore was still clinging onto him.
FIORE'S POV
Is this how it feels like to be hugged...? It feels... nice. Comforting. I've never felt like that before.
Why am I tearing up? I can't cry. Not in front of Alec. I can't.
No... no. Don't let another tear out. Take a deep breath, Fiore, you can't let anyone see you crying.
Don't cry.
Don't cry.
Don't cry.
Don't cry...
Don't... cry...
...why can't I just suppress it like I always do?
