Pieces

6. The First Piece

Me: It's weird. I have a friend, who is a lot like you, back at school. He's actually my best friend really. You two would get along fairly well. 

G: Cool. I hope you'll introduce us sometime. :)

Me: I would love to but then you guys would become best friends and I'd be left all alone. :P

G: You don't have to worry about that at all. We'd never leave you alone. If he is a lot like me, as you say he is, we'd probably just make you curse and annoy you and torture you all the time. :P

Me: Right. :/ I'm never introducing you guys. Ever.

G: What's his name? Is he on Gmail? 

Me: Not gonna tell you :P

G: -.-

Me: Are you mad?

G: Why tell me about your friends if you're never going to introduce me to them?

Me: Do you not do the same?

G: So.not.the.point.

Me: His name is Antonio. We're polar opposites basically. He's popular and I'm the loner. Sometimes I wonder how we grew so close. He's moody, adventurous, with a very good sense of humor. He's fairly well in academics. Better than me, atleast. He's also a talented singer, which makes him all the more popular. Says he wants to be a singer. 

G: He sounds like a cool person.

Me: He is. He's always there for me. We fight a lot but that doesn't last for more than five minutes. He's always got my back and I think he's the reason I'm not being bullied back at school. I'm a loser, I'm like a walking magnet for bullies. But I think he keeps them away. I'm worried about him though.

G: Why?

Me: He's naturally a happy kid, or pretends to be atleast. No one really knows how much he's hurting inside. He won't let it show. 

G: Why? Is something wrong?

Me: Not really. I mean, the kid has a good life and all. But I know something is bothering him. He won't tell me though. He always tried to change the topic. Says he'd rather not talk about it. And it annoys me because I want to help him but how can I when I don't even know what's wrong.

G: Maybe he needs some space. Clear his head. And when he's ready, I'm sure he'll tell you. :) 

Me: I know. But I'm worried.

G: If you trust him, you won't be.

Me: I don't know, Garima. I just hope he gets better soon. I don't like seeing him like this. Being so distant and all.

G: So you're saying he's not usually like that?

Me: No. 

Me: He's just like that when he's hurting. Whenever things get messy, he pushes everyone away. He's always been that way. I can't help but worry. 

G: Don't. True friends always find their way back to each other. He'll come to you when he's ready.

Me: But what if, by that time, it's too late?

G: What do you mean? 

Me: Nothing. 

"Garima?! What's taking you so-" His voice brought me back to reality. I turned to face the door, just as he entered, his expression slowly changing from one of confusion to one of concern. Frowning, he took two long strides towards me and to my surprise, took my hand in his and squeezed it. "Something wrong?" He asked. "Are you okay?" He said in a much softer voice.