Unending

Chapter 5 : Lost

Ian left the party in the other direction Leo and Shiela left. He was devastated of the fact that his bestfriend teared up because he was being stupid. He was being unreasonable and he knew it. He was drunk, but that wasn't the only reason. He was really pissed by the fact that his bestfriend just watched him get hit by a random stranger and not do anything. But Leo was right, he was getting himself at an unwanted fight in the wrong place, not in the party that was organized by the friends of the guy he punched.
It was annoying to be looked down by some stranger. Ian hated that, seeing his enemies stand higher than him.

He was currently on an empty parking lot of a convenience store. He bought an orange juice to drink something because his throat was so dry. He sat down at a bench. Alcohol was completely out of his veins and he started to think what to do next. Should I go to Leo and apologize? But he was wrong. Why didn't he help me anyway? Should I contact him now?
A nudge on his side got him out of his thoughts. A tall man, maybe around 40, smiled at him and asked what was wrong. He offered a tired smile and shook his head. The tall man then sat down beside him and gave him a bread. He also had the same bread he offered. He took a bite and ate the bread so Ian shrugged the thought that it was something. Ian ate the bread and it tasted normal, the man also ate his bread so everything was completely fine. Just a nice guy offering food. Why does this feels awfully wrong? "Why did I just accept food from someone I don'teven know? It's fine right? Wait I feel dizzy. Shit is it the food? Fuck I shouldn't have- "
Then everything blacked out.

The next day came.

Leo was currently at the school in his Visual Arts class. He rode his motorcycle solo this time, it wasn't the first time but it still was a a foreign feeling of going by himself. Going to school literally alone. He started to worry when Ian was absent on their English class. He's still mad huh? Then it started to become serious, he found out that Ian also didn't attend his Music Production class, as well as their Philosophy class. Ian didn't come to school today. So he's that mad huh?

Leo then started to think if he should contact Ian, but first, he should see if Ian is even home. He got home to his apartment past Ian's. He should think what he should say to Ian. Uh, Ian I'm sorry that I didn't defend you last night. Ian sorry that I didn't help you last night. Ian sorry that I didn't punch that guy in the face at the party. He knows that he and Ian would fix this and everything would be alright. He quickly got down to Ian's apartment and stood in front of the door. He stood there in silence thinking what he should say. He looks like a highschool girl wanting to confess to his five-year crush. Until he heard footsteps on the stairs. He quickly ran in the hallway with shock and fear. Ian is here what should i freaking do. The door opened for a few seconds, some clothes shuffling, then the door closes again. He checked if there was somebody in the hallway, there was none in his relief.

Leo got back to his apartment since he had no courage to actually face Ian right now. He ate the leftover pizza on the fridge. He took a shower after, then scrolled through his Snapchat feed, just a few random pictures of his classmates.
He just laid there in bed, even tried music to calm his thoughts. He put Ed Sheeran on repeat, his favorite artist. He once declared that Ed Sheeran was the voice of his era, nobody can go to his level of musical artistry, his lyrics was just beyond heart-felt, and he was cool. Well, really cool. He still couldn't sleep though. He did what every normal person would think of, count sheep. He counted until 235 until he heard a ring on his phone.

The phone lit up three letters that Leo needed the most. Ian
He quickly got up and got his phone but hesitated if he should answer it or not. Leo pressed the answer button. He waited for a sound and then-
"Leo?"
"Ian?"
"Can you come over here?" Ian asked.
Leo didn't need another word and quickly said "Yeah."
He stood and grab a sweater, then went to Ian's apartment.
He opened the door, being given permission on the phone to come over. He was relieved, and even a small smile was creeping to his lips. Finally! My bestfriend is back! Ya'll prepare a feast for us. He slowly opened the door and suddenly, everything was wrong. He knew something was definitely wrong.

Ian's face was white, he has scars on his face and arms, his lips were trembling and was painted with a dark red color that looks like blood. Then a small sob escaped his mouth. Seeing Leo's face, his bestfriend's face, was all it takes for Ian to shed tears and reach out his hand to Leo like a lost child. Leo quickly rushed to Ian and embraced him as if he was going to slip away and was never going to return. He held his bestfriend like he was as fragile as a glass. He has seen Ian crying before because of some personal stuff, but never had he seen Ian reach out to him. Even weirder with this kind of Ian. His eyes were not him, his touch was colder than usual, he was totally shaking all over, he wasn't saying anything, he lost his Ian vibe, he lost almost everything that was Ian. But never did he lost his bestfriend. Never did, never will. Leo shushed Ian and rubbed soothing circles in his back to calm him down. The whole thing felt surreal.

Why is Ian crying? Why does he have scars? Why is he so pale? Did something happen? Of course you stupid creature, why else would he be crying? Then what did actually happen?
There was so much questions running through Leo's mind but he can't ask Ian yet. Not yet. He has to wait for Ian to speak.