Labyrinth | ✓

t h i r t y - s e v e n t h ♂

Nibble.

With a tightened face, Alyssa silently nibbled on the bread, mildly chewing it piece by piece. Her breaths were soundly and seemed to difficult. At the same time, she rubbed her eyes with her other hand, removing her remaining tears. They were bloodshot and cloudy, due to the consequence of such action.

After I helped her reassure herself, she stumbled back to the cafe, continuously apologizing to Christie for abruptly leaving without paying. The waitress apparently watched the scene from behind the window, so she understood what had happened, much to Alyssa's relief. We then left the cafe properly, and walked to the bus station.

"...You bought so much bread, Ed. Well, why should I be surprised? It's typical of you." Alyssa faintly croaked, sounding somewhat hoarse from the meltdown she had earlier. Shifting my gaze towards her, she beckoned at the goodie bag that was sitting on my lap. It was stuffed with so many food that it literally looked pregnant.

"It's been a few days since I have eaten this much bread. I'm pretty much starving now, so it would be a good opportunity to binge them." I informed. At least I was telling her a part of the truth, and it was pretty believable if you asked me.

"Go eat them, then." She took another bite of her food, which stimulated my empty stomach to take heed of her words. Right... reminds me that I haven't eaten anything...

Looking back at the pastries in the bag, I began imagining the soft texture of the pastries as my teeth crushed them, and how each of their respective condiments melted inside my tongue. The picture in mind finally urge me to take and tear open one of the bread. I shoved it towards my salivating mouth, and a sharp, tangy taste quickly took over my buds.

I must have eaten a sourdough, but really, the sourness was on point. In fact, it made me chomp on another piece, even though I haven't finished the first one. When I felt satisfied and all, I gradually swallowed the food, allowing it to be digested.

Looking back at Alyssa, I noticed that she was barely even half-way on finishing her bread. She continued nibbling on it like a hamster, staring blankly at some space as her eyes lost focus. Her brows creased, and her lips were slightly pulled down, even in the midst of eating.

"How did you manage to end up at the cafe with Florence, anyway?" To reduce the awkwardness that had sprouted between us, I decided to initiate a small conversation by a question. She then brought herself out of her reverie and looked at me.

"I wasn't even with Florence, to begin with." She mumbled, resting her hands on her lap. "I was hanging out alone when she came along. She noticed me first, but pretended that I wasn't there. When she finally paid her bill and went out, she left her novel, and I was too kind at that time so I ran over to her to return it, but..."

She didn't finish her sentence, leaving it abandoned. She clenched her fingers on her bread instead. From there, I knew this wasn't the proper time for her to talk about that situation.

"Why isn't Rena with you?" I asked further, before taking another bite.

"She's really busy handling her father's restaurant, so she can't hang out today." She answered, and I nodded. I knew from Mother that Rena's father was the owner and a head chef of a restaurant, and often asked Rena and the others to help.

If she was here, though, she would try to sort the differences. Florence wouldn't have to whisper hurtful words to Alyssa, and Alyssa, herself, wouldn't have been in this state. Rena would never let anyone blatantly hurt her friends like that, especially her best friend.

Just like what she did to me months ago... My heart fluttered at how she had protected me when I was about to get beaten to death by my seniors. It was a short time after Lynn passed away, and my mind was completely lost in the abyss.