AGONY

Chapter 2 - Stranger at night

I'd like to thank @savitini for the wonderful book cover.

My heart broke after seeing her face like that. For a moment, it looked like she was in pain. I didn't know what to do.

I knew that only Chris could help me and hurried off to find her. I saw Chris and ran up to her, told her what happened. She was shocked for a moment, but recovered immediately "Okay, I have to find her quickly.", She said to herself. "I'll help you search her too," I added and she did not seem to mind the company so I accompanied her and we started looking for Athena.

After about 30 minutes we eventually located her "Look, there she is." She pointed.Athena was on the other side of the pond leaning on a willow tree.It looked like a magical moment for a second, dark night, the stars gleaming and my dear Athena is sitting there under the willow tree.However, she was not alone. There was someone else with her.Moreover, before I could say anything I was stopped for the second time tonight. "Let us stay here for a moment," Chris said."But why? She was in tears, Chris!" I almost yelled. She was surprised by my tone but didn't say anything about that, instead, she said, "She has to talk to that person for some time and we shall wait here." she said curtly.While we sat on the grass, I made sure Athena never left my sight. After about 5 minutes of scrutinizing and contemplating about whom she could be talking to, I finally decided that I'll ask Chris but soon I could make out the person's silhouette. It was a girl. I wanted to ask Chris, who that was and what was she doing here but held myself as I saw Chris intently watching the scene in front of us.After a few minutes of sitting silently like rocks, I eventually voiced my thoughts. "What exactly happened to her?" I asked Chris. She looked down and sighed. "It isn't my place to say, but all I can tell you is that she's in pain right now and I wish I could do something about it and support her."I wanted to ask her again as to what happened to her, but her cell phone started to ring and she picked the call. "Oh hey, Athena, where you at? Uh huh. How about you go to the parking lot directly from there I just have to pack some more. Nah it is okay and I also have company" she said, looking at me and hung up."Let's go." She said and before the other girl could leave we reached her. She was surprised to see me and Chris."What did she say?" Chris asked and almost simultaneously the other girl asked: "How is she coping?" I was extremely confused.Chris sighed and said "Not much I guess. I mean I posted this whole reunion so that she could have fun and I thought it would distract and help her, you know, but I guess it didn't work. I mean I just want to relieve her from the pain which she asked for."Okay, now I am a lost child. Pain which she asked for?"She knows how much you're trying to help her, Chris. Even I don't want her to be like this I asked her if we could do anything, she told me that we can't do much and that she asked for it and she wants to feel it and get out of it in her own way." The other girl replied and put her hand on her shoulder."Guys, explain to me too! Even I want to help her." I almost whined. Jeez, what on earth is happening to me? This girl has made my dormant feelings come back to life. I guess you can't stop the feelings you have for someone. You can't lie to yourself either. Your heart knows the truth too well.The other girl looked at me surprised at first but gave me an understanding look. "You like her don't you?" I was so startled by that question, that I kept shaking my head "No, of course not. I mean she's my friend from high school and I'm so happy to see her, but I don't want her to be sad. But like not in a boyfriend way you know, but like in a friend way..." I started rambling on. God, this was so embarrassing, I think I basically stated the obvious because both the girls looked at me in that weird knowing smile."I think we can conclude that you've liked her since high school and Dee told me you lack a romantic life and now since we know the reason, you should totally help us." Chris declared.I was so appalled and stunned that my mouth literally fell open. I recovered quickly and said "I don't want to date her or like consider her as a hookup or something. And I don't want to ruin our current friendship because of that. I mean I really like her to the point that I'd rather be friend zoned forever and watch her date someone else than have her go away because I want us to be more than friends. I mean I just got her back after 5 years and I want to be a real good friend to her. And if things go like really well and if she opens up to me and feels comfortable around me then maybe I'll confess."The other girl stared at me and said "You're a good one. And she's a lucky one. I hope she realizes that soon and subsequently lets go of her past."And I wish I could say you're a mysterious person who likes to confuse a person even more than they already are but I didn't. Well, I'm a gentleman you see."Maybe you'll be her salvation from everything that she has done." The girl murmured."You're giving me your phone number and we have so much to do and talk about!" Chris exclaimed, and with that, we left the other girl grinning and Chris puts me in a chokehold due to the excitement, I guess?................................................................................................................................I feel so dead.I feel so tired that I can't decide if I need a hug, an XL coffee, 8 shots of vodka or 3 weeks of sleep.After the encounter with the girl, whose name I still don't know, I and Chris left together since Athena had to go early.Chris is a freaking robot! I mean she didn't yawn once but kept talking until 4 am. And I couldn't escape it at all. She didn't let me.So here I am in a coffee house with a huge cup of coffee trying to keep my sleepiness at bay. And after about 20 minutes the bells of the coffee shop chime and two people enter, one being my most favourite person and the other my least favourite person due to last night's events."Oh, you're such a punctual person." Chris grins and gives me a hug. How does her face look so fresh and good, even after staying awake for so long? I was going to ask her about that when I hear a "Hey" in a silvery voice. I turn towards that voice and feel myself giving a huge smile to Athena. She comes forward and gives me a hug that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and I could see Chris on my left side, making a heart shape with her hands and mouthing 'Let us begin.'