268 Letters

Chapter III

Chapter III

My mind froze for a few minutes. Everything went in slow motion. I saw him spin around, run to the wall and punch right in the middle of the wall. I noticed a big hole in the wall where his fist once made contact with. It was steaming. He breathed loudly, still shivering. His hair had fallen off it's perfect posture, covering his ears and his right eye. He still looked perfect though. He leaned against the wall, skimming his hand through his hair. A few silents moments passed between us. He regained his composure, and looked directly at me. I was so stunned by his action, that I was speechless. The words were stuck in my throat, refusing to leave no matter how much I forced them. But it didn't scare me. In fact, it made me curious. How did he crack a hole in a strong wall? I looked at him, my fingers laced tightly together behind my back. Still silence.

After a few more moments, I finally found my voice and said "How did you crack the wall open?"

He looked at me, his eyes shining. "I have been trained for years."

We stare at each other, both of us speechless. He finally opened his mouth, and each word he uttered in a shaky voice."Do you...really not remember me..?"

I shook my head left and right slowly, each shake making me feel like I was shattering his heart. He stared at me for a few seconds before looking away and sighing.

"We.." his voice trembled. "We were pen pals ever since we were kids. We lived very far apart, making it impossible for us to meet in real life. " He took a breath before speaking again.

"I finally got to meet you, and we fell in love. We were happy for a long time, but one day..you became so distant. You avoided me, everyday. At first, I thought I did something wrong. I got worried, but noticed you were avoiding everyone. And then.." he was trembling again, his eyes so sorrowful I wanted to give him a hug. "You..disappeared." My head spun a little, dizzy from all this information. "You have no idea..no idea what I went through." He was right next to me in an instant, in the same position as before, his hands on either side of me. Except he was closer.

I took a deep breath and whispered, "I surely do not know you..but you seem to know me, so what is your name?"

"Landon Cyprus." he inhaled a sharp breath before nodding, signalling that was his name. Nothing triggered.

"I'm sorry..but I seriously have no idea who you are.." I sighed. This was so complicated and I doubt I could handle any more complications in my life than the ones I already had.

He stared. Just stared. And I did the same. Our eyes met and I was mesmerised yet again by the beauty of his eyes. They were so gorgeous. I couldn't look away. My eyes were glued to his. Moments of just staring passed before he looked away, cleared his throat before saying "I-I don't know what to do.."

I wanted to hug him, even though he was a complete stranger. I felt a strange sense of sadness towards him. I wanted to take away the sadness in his voice. I wanted to see him happy. I didn't like the sadness on his face. And I didn't know why.

"Do you..have a home?" I ask, abruptly, my hands immediately flying over my mouth as I uttered the words .

He looked at me before shaking his head. "I had to find you. That's all I cared about. I didn't care about food or a place to sleep. I just had to see you."

It was unbelievable. I knew that he meant every word he said, but I couldn't believe it. Never in my entire life had I heard such..passionate words. Such love. Only then did I notice the dark circles around his eyes, his frail frame, almost identical to mine. He needed help. My help. This was dangerous, risky even. But I couldn't leave him here.

"Y-you can li-i-ve with me..." I stutter, embarrassed by my strange offer.

He looked at me, before his lips soften in a grin, and I felt my heart die a little.

"You are the same, Eiffel, so kind and innocent. It's welcoming to see you like this."

I managed a goofy smile. His lips parted and the words tumbled out of his mouth.

"I would love to live with you, but isn't that a little..inappropriate?" he looked away, grinning sheepishly, his cheeks just a hint of pink. I didn't understand, but then realised what I had said.

My cheeks furiously turned red. "N-no! That's not what I meant. I meant you could sleep on my porch. I could lay a mattress down and you could sleep on it!" I quickly stammered, looking at anything but his face.

I had two mattresses, so it was perfect. But as I said the words, I realised he couldn't. No no no. Dad..dad would never allow it. Dad would murder me -literally- if he found I was sharing a room..with a boy. I felt guilty and hopeless, like I had just lost all my dignity. Before he could say anything, I blurted out something that sounded like a bad excuse, but I couldn't help it.

"I'm really sorry but my parents will not allow you to sleep in my porch. It is inappropriate and wrong and they might kill you if they see you. " I hoped he wouldn't notice my quaking hands that were badly hidden behind my back.

"Parent." he whispered, looking away. My breath hitched and I almost passed out. How did this man know about it? My secret?

Before I could think of anything else, he swiftly added, "You told me about that when we were dating: that your mom had passed away and that you live with your dad. " He said, looking at me.

I nodded slowly, wondering what else I told him. Was I honest, or was it lies? Knowing me, it was probably both. I wasn't very honest but I told the truth if I trusted the person enough. And apparently, I trusted this man enough.

He nodded his head and turned back to me, saying, "It's fine, really. I'll figure a way out."

I slowly nodded again, worrying that he will have to visit The Holmes. The Holmes was a place for the homeless to go and sleep in for the night. If it is for one night, they are not charged. But anything more than a day has to be paid for. I didn't want him to have to pay or live there, that place was ridiculous. They just let you sleep on a floor, and if you pay extra, they might provide you with a mattress. It was like sleeping on the roads, except indoors. I had heard a lot about that place, and I never intended on living there at all. And I certainly didn't want Landon to live there either.

"Are you sure you'll be fine?" I ask, my voice softer and more gentle than I expected, as I looked at the ground, embarrassed, and kicked my legs a little. I was so pathetic.

"Eiffel, calm down. I'm gonna be fine. But..can I meet you in the morning?" He said the last part more quietly, almost like he was asking himself instead of me.

"Of course..But can you come at four? Right here? And wear something warm, it's quite cold in the mornings." I smiled. Dad would be sleeping, so I would easily be able to escape. I was too embarrassed and unsure to share details about my father with Landon, considering we 'just met.'

"Yea, sure, but are you sure you'll be fine?"  he says in a high-pitched voice, clearly mocking my accent and voice. I can't help but giggle at his terrible imitation of me.

"That was terrible!!" I burst into laughter, as his lips twitch into a big grin. 

"It was perfect." 

 His grin was still plastered to his face as the sun disappeared in the horizon. The Basred and Maswas moons had slowly begin to appear in the sky. They were full moons today, and the stars were shining brightly, making it seem like the sky was glowing. I was astounded by this sight. Seeing stars were very rare. It only happen once in two months, so I could tell this was a special night.