Among the Stars [BxB]

iii

[Lucian]

I sank on the sofa, hugging the pillow in my hand tightly. The quaint living room was dimly lit, with the sounds of my mother washing the dishes in the kitchen. Amidst all that noise, my mind was the loudest.

Reynold Grey.

Why was I still thinking about him? My head would repeatedly flash the vivid moment where he looked at me with a menacing glare. It wasn't the usual scowl that he walked around with.

It was pure, genuine rage that flickered in his grey orbs.

It almost felt like I could still feel the coldness of the concrete ground that I grazed my elbow against. His hand that shoved me without thinking twice.

If he was so adamant on not wanting any help, I'll gladly respect that.

Of all the students that I had to help, I have never met someone as stubborn like him. I shouldn't even be thinking about that donkey! He has nothing to do with me. And I have nothing to do with him.

I tried. I tried very hard to push away the lingering aching in my heart.

"Darling? Why are you staring off into space like that?" My mother's voice disrupted my train of thoughts.

I looked at her, shaking my head. "Nothing, mom. I-It's nothing."

She plopped onto the sofa beside me, taking my hand into hers as she caressed it gently. "There's obviously something on your– Is that blood?"

I turned at her to see her eyeing my elbow worriedly.

I pulled my hand away, hiding my elbow from her.

"I fell down and scratched myself. Don't worry!" I tried to smile at her, but it slowly disappeared back into the frown that had been on my face the entire time.

"Is someone in school bullying you? Tell me who it is. I'll whack them with my frying pan!"

I chuckled softly at her silliness.

I can never put up a front around her. It's just how she is. She emitted an aura that made you feel at ease—feeling comfortable enough that you could let out all your worries to her.

"If there's someone who needs help," I finally began, shifting my body towards her, "but they keep pushing you away, would you still help them?"

My mom pondered for a few seconds before replying. "It depends on what kind of help. But no matter what, I would still help them."

Her warm smile made me feel all the more confused and frustrated.

"But why? Even if they have clearly told you to stay away from them."

"It's probably because no one has ever tried to help them before. They could've been going through everything alone. To finally meet someone who is offering their hand, it makes them have trust issues. But of course that's just me being hypothetical. I don't know that much about the person you're referring to."

I looked at her warm expression, her hand holding mine softly.

Her words lingered in my head for awhile. Reynold's annoying face kept appearing in my mind. It wouldn't be right to leave him alone, right?