The World I Hate

Loved

"Wait so where are we going?"

"My parents were able to get a hold of some fireworks so they wanted me to invite you," he said meekly as his face began to turn pink.

"Hmm. Fireworks. I've never seen those. This will be interesting."

"And they also arranged a formal dinner," he blurted out as his face became entirely red.

"Are you serious?! Oh wow! I guess they really are serious about this!"

"W-why wouldn't they?"

"Last four-billion times the parents arranged a "second date," they were all lies. None of them happened... except one."

"One?"

"Yea. He was a pretty boy for sure but his looks were not the only attractive thing about him."

"What happened to him?"

"He... We were... Oh, look! The carriage stopped! I guess we should get out!"

"Uhhh... okay?"

---------------

"Erm, thish food ish really good!" I say joyfully as I finish off the food in my mouth, "It's been a long time since I've eaten anything with love put in it."

"What?"

"Come on! Ya aren't feeling anything from this meal?!"

"I'm feeling less hungry."

I suppress a small giggle, "Funny. But seriously, you don't feel the heart put into the making of the food?"

"Not really, no."

"Hmm... I guess it's only something ya notice when you eat food prepared by people who live in fear."

"Of who?"

"Who else?! It's my mom!"

"What about you're dad?"

"He's... uhh... gone," I try to say as nonchalantly as I can before slurping up a spoonful of soup.

"What do you mean by gone?"

"Well he's not dead... I think. I just never see him. As far as I know, he and my mom are still married but I could also be totally wrong."

"Oh. I'm surprised you aren't more concerned about his whereabouts."

"Well why would I be? He's never been around, ever."

"Are you sure you're-"

"WAIT?! What if my mom is just banging up a bunch of randos like the whole she is and having kids with them and I'm only half siblings with my brothers and sister and-"

"Nevermind!"

What the f*ck? Did he just yell? I must have really set him off. He's usually so quite and nice. I should probably cool my hate for my mom when I'm with him.
__________

The silence hung over the room like a chandelier. The pressure of the silence was felt and the two allowed it to continue for a while as they finished their meals.

__________

"H-hey. I'm s-"

"No, no. I'm sorry. I'm the one with mommy issues and a giant hate boner for-"

"A hate what?!?"

"You know what I said and yea, I said it but I don't care. Also no, I don't actually. I'm using the term metaphorically."

"Oh... Anyways, we're here."

"What a nice view. It reminds me of-" I clasp my hand over my mouth as I feel tears start to well in my eyes.

"Petra?! What's wrong?!"

I wipe the tears, take a deep breath, and sit down. "It's nothing important," I say like nothing had just happened, "Anyways, when are the fireworks gonna start? I'm getting real excited!"

"Um, soon but are you sure you're alright? You can talk to me. We are... friends," he said forcing the last word out.

Does he really? Nah, he doesn't. But I think he- mrhm... naaahhhh. He does seem really concerned though. Maybe I should just tell him the synopsis.

"There was this one guy. He and I clicked. He was a suitor but he wasn't like the others. He was handsome, charming, really kind, honest, loyal. He was great. In fact, we were great friends... just friends... I never got to tell him... anyways, so he and I had a lot in common. We kinda flirted but in a joking, friend kind of way. We both didn't want a relationship, just a friendship and we were able to get our parents to allow that. Well, he only wanted a friendship by the end... anyways, so when we went out and stuff, we'd check other people out together and it was great! But the information that he checked out guys with me was slipped to his parents and they... they did something worse than just disowning him. They... they had him... I never got to tell him... I miss him."

I feel a surge of warmth attack my side as Lukas suddenly hugs me. My eyes begin flooding with tears and a few make their way down my cheek, leaving a trail of lifted sorrow. I stare into the sky as the fireworks start and Lukas stays by my side.

---------------

"T-tia. I can't... no. Please.. "

She's mumbling again.
I get up from my cot and make my way to her bed.

"Please don't do that to her. I... stop... not another," Petra mumbles with a pained expression.

What? What is she going on about?

"Hey girl," I whisper into her ear. Her face quickly lets up, "Everything's okay. I'm here. I'm not leaving. Everything will be okay," I rub her arm lovingly as I sit on her bed.

"Just sleep easy hun and nothing bad will happen."

"Tia..," she mumbles.

Poor baby, she's probably been bottling up her feelings again.

She rolls over and clamps onto my waist. Guess I'm not moving. I loosen her grip a bit and lie down next to her. I stay facing towards her, both of us in each other's arms. If she was awake, she'd be cherishing and enjoying this moment as much as I am. She quickly falls back into a deeper sleep while I begin to drift off in her warm arms.
__________

"How did it go son?" my father asked cheerfully.

"It... it was interesting alright."

"Did she like the fireworks?"

"... Uh, yea, she did."

"A haha! Oh course she did!"

"Heh, yea. Father, I'm going to go to bed now."

"Alright Lukas. Have a good rest of your night!"

"You too father," I said before quickly turning and walking off to my room.
-----

"I must find out who this was," I mutter to myself, "Who did she like? Who is he?"

"Master Lukas. It is late. You should be in bed by now."

I glance up at a nearby clock, 2:23 AM.

"Erm, yes Claudia. I will go to sleep soon," I say as I stand up to face her, "Do you by any chance know of the noble family who had their son executed? If so, what was their son's name?"

"Oh, the Tashman family? Their late son's name is Valrik, Valrik D. Tashman. And what a shame, he was quite the looker too."

"Err, thank you. You are dismissed," I say quickly to shoo her away.

Valrik.

Valrik D Tashman.

Ahhh, I remember now. He was executed for being gay. What a shame indeed. He never would have loved her like I do yet she doesn't realize it. One day, I will make her and when she is weak, I will give her love and then she will love me in return.