Labyrinth | ✓

f o u r t h ♂

Silence.

Silence seemed to be an overused word, but it was the only one that I can use to describe the ambience. There were no living beings in the cemetery other than us, so the gloomy air was overly thick and overwhelming. My skin could even sense it draping over my body like curtains.

Neither of my friends dared to open their mouths to speak, or make their first move. They were too focused on recalling all the good memories that they had with Lynn, based on their darkening, downcast eyes: Seb, Alyssa and even Rena.

On the other hand, I didn't want to go anywhere near them. I had one too many times, hell, I had them almost everyday while they were having their good times. Suppressing all of them was the only effective route I could think off, as any other options ruled out. I decided to wait in my place until someone decided that it's the time to leave.

Out of the blue, my ears caught the grasses rustling and crunching under someone's weight. This indicated that a person had just recently entered this place, probably for a visit too. In intuition, I searched for the source of the noise, and found out almost instantly.

It was Asher, one of the most prominent members of my school's basketball team.

He was distinguishable from his dyed orange hair, and the cross earrings on the lobes of his ears. He was facing at the other side of the gravesite, so he haven't noticed either me or Seb. From afar, I slowly watched as he, with roses on his hands, stalked towards a particular grave. He carefully squatted down, smiling as he muttered out something, gently placing the flowers on it.

A year ago, Asher used to ignore me whenever we met. He brusquely gave out answers whenever I asked him a question. He had treated me like I ceased to exist, but I didn't give a shit about it and normally continued my days.

That's only when I was in the basketball team.

After I quitted, I always thought Asher will start despising me more. It probably worsened when the team was struck with a news that Lynn... passed away.

However, after Rena confronted him and the team, he developed a soft side, apologizing to me continuously. He tried to recruit me back, but I had denied the offer. I had no intentions of going back, because I didn't feel like it, even when those stupid seniors were finally gone. Back at school, he, regardless of my refusal, had hinted me incessantly that he wanted me back to the team.

I tried my best not to look at him for so long, but I kept on merely stealing glances. Inside, one big question swirled and stamped inside my mind: why did he visit the cemetery?

"That's Asher right? What's he doing there?" Seb pointed out, looking at the same direction I was facing. I didn't answer him orally, because nodding already sufficed as an answer. Both Rena and Alyssa curiously followed our gazes, gradually meeting up with Asher.

As soon as he was done with his memorial, he regained his composure as he stood up. The least I had expected was for him to discover that we were at the same location. The most I anticipated from him was that he will leave the cemetery, oblivious of the fact that we were here. Regardless of everything, his eyes trailed towards us.

When he was able to perceive who we were, his straight lips streched into a broad smile, his face brightened up a bit. From a distance, he nodded his head upward as a greeting, so Seb and I acknowledged back. He kept his hopeful face intact commenced his approach to the four of us.

"Are you guys visiting Lynn?" Asher questioned, as he brushed some parts of his bangs.

"Yep. It's been some time since we last did." Seb was the one who responded before I could. Not that I wanted to reply to him, though. "How about you?"