Babysitting the Campus Jerk (On Semi-Hiatus)

BCJ 34 • reconciliation

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"You have to stare at someone's eyes before you can turn them into a stone," Pete said out of nowhere as they were seated at an old and rickety sidewalk food hub just a 30-minute drive from Pete's place. 

Pete initially booked a restaurant but he was quick to refuse it as he wanted to bring Pete to places that might dismay him.

He just wanted to see something for himself.

"Huh?"

"If you're channeling your inner Medusa, then I suggest you look at me straight into the eyes," Pete clarified as he shifted on his seat and stared at Kao.

"What the hell are you even talking about?" he huffed and casually dismissed Pete by calling the attention of the food hub's owner. "What do you want to eat?"

Pete just shrugged, a signal for Kao to just choose for him. 

He then told the server the most outrageous food he could find in the menu before letting out an evil smile, but Pete was too busy scanning the place to notice what Kao was plotting against him. 

"Have you been here before?" Pete asked before adjusting his seat. 

"Yes. I used to eat here a lot."

Kao unconsciously let out a soft smile as he remembered how he would go there after his part time jobs. 

"This place is special to me, Pete. However, I'm afraid it's not gonna last long."

"Why? Is the owner closing the business?"

"Yeah," he sighed. "His wife just died earlier this year and he can no longer manage the place alone. And from what I know, he's got some financial problems," he said as he glanced at the old man. There were four of them at the place, a total opposite of how it was before, bustling with life. 

"Why didn't you bring me here before? I would have loved this place."

He snorted. "You? Loving this place? I can only imagine the disgust on your face, Pete."

Pete was about to say something but the old man came and placed the food he ordered on the table.

"Now, let's see if you will indeed love this place," Kao grinned before handing Pete the utensils.

Surprisingly, Pete did not hesitate to eat a mouthful and even gave a nod of approval.

"Are you sure you're not pretending? You don't have to eat them actually."

Well, he was certain that the food was good, but knowing Pete, he was sure that he'd rather eat in fine dining restaurants. 

"I really do think the food's great, Kao. Why don't you believe me?"

Kao chuckled and started eating as well. "Well, I'm just used to seeing you eat in fine restaurants. I didn't know I'd be see you eating in a place like this."

Pete put his spoon down and gazed at Kao who was busy munching his food. 

"What? See? You don't really like the food. You don't have to put such an act."

"Can you do that again for me?"

"Huh? Do what?"

Pete paused. "I hope you laugh more often when you're with me, Kao. It gives me hope."

That certainly caught Kao off guard.

"Ho-hope, what hope? What the hell are you talking about?"

"It gives me hope that you're actually enjoying my company."

"Sh-shut up and just continue eating."

Pete chuckled and reached out to pat Kao's head.

"By the way, let's go somewhere right after here."

"Huh? Where are we going?"

But Pete didn't say a thing and just continued eating.

***

Kao swallowed the lump in his throat as they stood before the tombstone that bore Pete's father's name. 

"Hey, Dad. How have you been? I brought someone with me," Pete uttered as he placed the flowers they brought on top of the cold stone. "You missed him, didn't you?"

Kao didn't even notice the tear that trickled down his cheek as he took a step forward.

"He was looking for you, Kao. He was asking me where you were as he wanted to thank you, but I didn't know what to say since I didn't know where you were," Pete's voice faltered. 

"I'm, I'm so sorry. I was too mad back then. I was too clouded with my emotions that I just wanted to get away from here."

"No, it was my fault, Kao. I didn't wanna burden you with my problems so I tried to hide them from you, not knowing that by doing so, you were slowly drifting away from me."

Kao didn't say a thing as the words he'd been wanting to lash out at Pete years ago slowly vanished into thin air. 

"Let's just... put the past behind, Pete. It's been years. I don't resent you anymore, and I do hope you don't hate me anymore as well."

He had to admit, he used to resent Pete so damn much but after knowing the truth, his heart softened. He just wanted to start anew. 

Silence took over them. Only the low sound of the leaves moving with the wind could be heard as they gazed longingly at each other, their eyes fixed as if they were too afraid that the other would just vanish out of nowhere.

Kao clenched his hand, an attempt to control the pounding in his chest as Pete took a step closer and held his right cheek.

"Then, accept the school, Kao."

"I, I can't, Pete. It's just too much."

"Nothing is too much for you, Kao. Consider it my apology for the pain I caused you. You mean the world to me, Kao. I'd do anything just to have you back."

***