The Boy From Everywhere

Ch. 8: The Apology

Should I head out tonight or should I stay inside? It hasn't been long since I did go out though, and it's not like I have any assignments to do, so this is a perfect opportunity for me to actually catch up on sleep.

It's been a while since I've seen Eli, too, though. And I still owed him an explanation. Of course, I do, after running off and leaving him by himself last Saturday because I didn't wanna get caught being too casual with a boy.

But that was still pretty rude, wasn't it?

Oh, who am I kidding? Of course, it was! It even bothered me so much that my thoughts wouldn't leave the subject behind since it happened two days ago, and I was still just constantly looking out for the next time I see him again.

That is, if I actually do, anyway. But with how many jobs he has... I don't even know where I can find him next.

Speaking of Eli's jobs, my aunt suddenly decided that we would be having dinner at that café she prefers buying bread from. Also the same café where I saw Eli for the second time ever.

I headed home as quickly as I could. It would be a shame if we still ended up having a conflict before we went out, and that could lead to me staying behind with no dinner again. Thankfully, I managed to keep things peaceful once I arrived and up until we went out.

Now, it wasn't that strange for my aunt to want to have dinner in that café, though. In fact, she even really frequented it back then, but since she took me in, she hasn't been doing it much and just bought bread at that place more often than having dinner. Maybe it was because now she had to tag me along, too, and that definitely often cost her more money than before.

On the other hand, being outside with people around guaranteed a safer environment for me even with my aunt around. I could talk about things more freely and if ever I somehow offended her, she wouldn't exactly get mad at me because there would be people watching. Most of her steam would have been blown out already by the time we got home, too.

Though, I'm not sure if that applies to me talking to a boy my age that she's never met before. That could be tested today, though, because I ended up seeing Eli again today.

"Out of all days to see him again, ugh!"

I quickly gave Eli a scolding look when our eyes met at the counter and he almost called my name out again. Thankfully, he seemed to have got it, but now his smile had turned upside down, and he just watched me all the way until my aunt and I found a table.

Well, that's one way to guilt trip people wordlessly.

Still, now wasn't the best time to approach him or for him to approach me. I'd have to wait until my aunt went to the bathroom or answered a call, and then... well... I can finally explain myself.

Now that I think about it, I probably should have been nicer if I wanted to apologize and explain to him, shouldn't I?

I was half-deep in my thoughts as my aunt made her order. I still was when she passed the menu over to me, but I quickly snapped out of it when I had to make a choice. I gave her mine, and she gave it to the waiter before the waiter left and her phone suddenly started ringing. She stood up and left soon enough.

Huh. That was quick.

Watching my aunt, I waited until she was completely out of the café and completely out of sight before I shifted my gaze towards the counter. Eli was still there, and he was still watching me the whole time, it seemed.

His eyes widened, and then his brows rose in anticipation before his face lit up again, and in response, I sighed and smiled at him.

"Yep. I guess he really is just that happy to see me... Weirdo."

After taking one last look towards where my aunt had gone, I finally gathered the courage to stand up and go towards where Eli was, breathing in deeply and preparing to apologize.

It felt weird, though. I knew I was nervous as I approached him, but with the way my heartbeat was accelerating, somehow, it actually felt like the good kind. Like I was just excited to see him again, too.

"I'm sorry," were the first words that came out of my mouth when I reached Eli. I breathed it out, mostly, and I said it with tightly shut eyes because I wasn't so sure what he'd say next. Surely, of course, he'd probably forgotten about it already by now considering how he's acting all friendly towards me again.

Still, I don't know why his response surprised me.

"Hmm? Sorry for what?"

I opened my eyes, and then I looked up at Eli to meet those sparkling eyes of his all over again, this time, filled with a naïve curiosity.

"I, uh... ran away from you the last time we met? I know, it was rude and I probably should have at least left an explanation, but I just left you there all alone with nothing to explain it, and I-"

That must have been the longest stribg of words I'd ever spoken to someone in a while. And it just so happened to be towards Eli, too. However, right before I could even realize that I was rambling, Eli stopped me, and it was the enthusiasm in his tone that made me realize that it really was okay.

"I'm glad I got to see you here again, though!" His eyes smiled as he said those words, and I looked back at him with wide eyes, surprised at the fact that he had forgiven me so quickly. His smile only turned into a nervous one in the next second as he looked away and placed his hand on his nape. "And... I'm sorry for running away from you the first few times we've run into each other, too. And sorry for assuming you're a stalker. And sorry for scaring you the first time we met, too. And sorry for making you stick around that time at the convenience store when I got scared."

... What is this an apology meeting?

"No, no, of course, it's okay. I don't mind," I quickly assured him.

His shy demeanor remained for several more seconds, but despite it, I saw a small smile peaking at the corner of his lips in response to what I had told him. Soon enough, he slipped back into his usual personality, smiling wide as he did his job.

"Anyway! Anything I can help you with?"