Until You Give In

Chapter 2.4 Let's Start With Hate

"Pete, wait up Pete!", Pond shouted as he run towards Pete.

"Pond...?", Pete stops walking and turned to see Pond catching his breathe as he stops right in front of him.

"Waiiit... Just need.... Ha... Ha.. To catch my breathe", Pond said as he squat and fanned himself using his hand.

"What's the matter Pond...?", he asked softly, they were in a corridor of the 5th floor of the Music and Arts Department, there were only few students passing by as it was almost time for them to leave the school, but for him it was just the beginning of their club activities. The truth is he had joined the Music Club for almost a week now and he have been practicing a piece that he will be presenting at the end of this semester.

Looking at Pond who was able to stand now, he waited for him to say something, although, he already knew what the other boy will talk about.

"Look Pete, I really apologize for Ae's outburst earlier, it was really uncalled for", the latter bowed deeply and looks at him in the eyes.

Smiling, he lightly scratched his head, Pond is really kind and considerate eventhough often times he was this, overconfident, kind of a narcissist and arrogant person, but still, it was what he, like about him.

"It's okay Pond, I'm not really mad at Ae... I just wanna say what's on my mind at that time, I feel that if I continue to keep mummed on the way he was acting on me, he won't know that it was really out of line on his part... But really I'm okay.. I hope Ae will understand now... ", he explained as he looked at the setting sun. Pete was the kind of person that doesn't hold a grudge towards other, he is a pacifist he doesn't like violence... He really does not like it...

" So I was worried over nothing... You know Pete you really are too nice... I was really mad for you... As your friend I just wanna protect you... My cousin doesn't always used his head and I feel guilty...", Pond trailed off, before continuing.,

"It was my idea that you befriend him... but looked what happen... You got bullied and embarassed by him..."

"Pond...." he said.

"Ae is my only cousin... That's why when you said he helped you without even knowing you.... Or you even asking for his help... I was really surprise and happy at the same time... because it was the very first time Ae did that... And I thought that having you as his friend will change him for the better... But I didn't consider your feelings in the process and for that I apologized Pete, ", Pond was serious this time, for him Pete is the answer for Ae's anger and many issues. Honestly, when they had that early confrontation, he thought it was all in vain, but seeing the look on his cousin's face, when Pete left with those words, he felt exhilirated.

Ae's expression said it all, Pete does have an impact on him, though he doesn't realized it himself, but being a nosy person as himself, he was willing to help them. The only problem was Pete. But he would just think about it when THAT happens.

Smilling by himself, he looks at his confuse friend, putting his hands on the boys' shoulder.

"And also thank you for your effort..."

"But Pond, Ae... He still hates me... I really didn't managed to be his friend...", Pete sighed.

"Don't worry my friend, eventually he will come around, he's just too hard headed... When he decide on something it was really hard to butt heads with him.. It will take time... Just don't give up on him... Ok"

"I will Pond... Ae just really need a friend to be by his side... Its a way for me to help him as he helped me that day", after a few moments they both smiled understanding each other.

...........................................................................

Pete, had already finished his club duties and was on his way at the parking lot where his car was, when he heard a pained groan as he passed by the campus' open ground where numerous bench are at the side of the pathway, stopping he looked over as it was really dark and only few lamps are lighted.

Heart thumping, he tried to braved himself as he tried to decide on whether running away from here, or follow the sound to see if someone really needed his help, choosing the latter, he tighly held unto his bag as he walks very slowly towards the bushes behind the bench.

"He..llo....hello is someone out there... Do you...", he was about to continue, when he finally had a glimpse of what seems like a shoes just right behind the bushes. Immediately he run towards it,he dropped his bag as he saw the person lying, his back facing him, after a moment deliberating he tried turning the person's body so that he could make out his face and was really shocked.

"Ae!".