A Different Kind Of Love Story

11. It was worth it

    He picked up. Wh-what do I say!?

Me: "H-hi!" God dang it! Why did I stutter?

   A: "H-hello..."

   He stuttered too, I guess we're on the same page, buddy. I chuckled to myself.

    Me: "Happy New Year. Sorry, but I gotta speak quietly because everyone is sleeping here."

    A: "That's okay. So, tell me about your problem, Den. I'm here to listen."

   Me: "Well...it's not a big deal, but here goes nothing: My parents had to go to work today and they came home tired. After we finished looking at the fireworks we went into our house.

     My parents bought some chapagne for kids, it's basically just juice, but whatever. Then my dad told me to bring the Champagne glasses. I accidentally dropped one and he got really mad at me. He started yelling and I-"

   I started crying, I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. Normally I could, but I've been crying for hours before this, so I was already on the edge of tears.

  Axel's POV

I suddenly heard sobbing...

  Me: "A-are you crying?"

   Ii was the first time I heard her cry and for some reason, it broke my heart. I've seen her sad, but never...crying.

    It just made me want to cry, too. I hated it more than anything!

   Me: "D-don't cry! Please!"

   I'm pretty sure she didn't hear me. I wanted to stop her. Was she really affected by such little things? I-

     D: "I-I'm sorry...I didn't mean to...do that..."

    She was still sobbing from time to time.

   Me: "You don't have to be! It's okay to cry." I said, trying to reassure her. I didn't know what to do to make her stop, so I let her continue the story.

   D: "I-I know I shouldn't be crying about this, but it's really hard not to. I feel like I'm a dissapointment to him, even though I'm trying my best."

   Those words really hit me.  I...can relate too much to what she's saying.
It just broke my heart even more, to know that she is experiencing the same thing that I do.

   D: "I'm trying my best always, only for him, and even though he says he's proud, I still..."

    Me: "I know. You still don't believe him. Believe me, I know how you feel."

   D: "Plus that he always tells me not to cry out of every little crap. He's always so harsh! He thinks I'm a-"

   Me: "A brat. Yeah, I know."

  That was my breaking point. My dad always told me not to cry for every inconvinience that happens. He says I'm weak if I cry.

   I felt a tear running down my face, then another one, and another.

  It's been years since I last cried! She managed to make me...cry.

   Den's POV

   I heard a long pause after what I said.

   Me: "Axel? Are you still th-there?"

I didn't mean to tell him everything, I just bursted out. My mind wasn't clear.

   Did I upset him? Why isn't he responding? Does he think I'm a crybaby? No...he wouldn't...

   A: "U-uh yeah. I'm here."

His voice sounded so weak. Was he...

   Me: "Are you crying, too?" I asked shocked.

Then everything became silent.

  Me: "I-I didn't mean to make you-"

    A: "I'm not crying!" He said, but his voice betrayed him. It cracked.

   Me: "Don't lie. It's okay to cry. When you cry you release pain. That's the whole point of crying."

   A: "Doesn't it make you we-"

   Me: "No it doesn't! Who told you that! By crying you let out all your sadness, after that you'll feel better. I promise. Just cry as much as you want, I can even end the phone call if it bother-"

    A: "Don't! Let's just stay like this..."

   Axel's POV

I didn't know why, but I liked her presence. She comforted me in a way that no one did. I really felt better.
    I just regret not being able to do the same for her. I never knew anything about crying! How does she know so much? How much has she actually been crying these past few weeks?
   
   Why am I even worried about that?

   After a long silence, she spoke:

  D: "Axel?"

    Me: "Yes?"

    D: "Thank you."

   Me: "I should be saying that..."

    D: "We both should be saying it. I feel like we helped eachother a lot. Let's discuss more in the morning."

  Me: "Thank you."

  D: "You can call or message me anytime, too. Just so you know. I'm more than happy if you decide to talk to me about your problems. I liked this conversation."

   Should I trust her? How do I know she won't give away my information?
She doesn't know that I'm rich, but still...

  Me: "Yeah. By the way, don't tell anyone about this!"

   D: "Did you really think I was gonna?"

   Me: "Ah, well..."

    D: "You can trust me. I would never tell personal info about someone without their permission. It would be rude and evil, too.
     You're safe with me! Isn't that what friends do, afterall?"

  Me: "I guess..."

  D: "Happy New Year, Axel."

  I chuckled.

    Me: "Happy New Year, Den."

  And with that, we ended the call. I recorded the whole conversation.
    What do I do? I...think I'm gonna keep it, for now. But there is nothing useful...maybe I can blackmail her?
   I'm just gonna keep it.

   I went to bed. The next morning, I woke up to my phone buzzing. It was a message from Den.
   She sent me a realistic drawing with me and my puppy. She probably saw a picture on my Instacram.
   Under the picture there was a message:

  Marry Late Christmas! That probably didn't make sense, lol.
    Here's my gift for you. It's not gonna be wrapped in fancy wrapping paper, but I hope you'll like it anyway. I guarantee you, it looks better in real life than in a picture.
    Have a nice day!

  This just warmed my heart. The only thing that can warm my heart anymore is my mother's smile.

   How does she do these things? How does she make me feel better with such a simple thing? It wasn't even simple, the drawing was so good! It must've taken her ages! I replied with:

  Thank you! You're a very talented artist, Den. You just brightened my day!

  - 1070 words -