My Ex-Boyfriend From Kindergarten

Chapter 15: Blue Sky

This is yet to be edited.

Sunny and I were late for History again. But I didn’t even care. I couldn’t even hear what my classmates were saying. I got to my seat, and all I could do was look at him. All I could do was wonder how he could sit there without a trace of being broken inside.

I couldn’t focus in class. My mind was still back in the auditorium. It’s like I was still listening to him tell me all these secrets. And even though it felt heavy to know those secrets, I didn’t mind. What mattered to me was that he wasn’t carrying all that weight on his own anymore. He had me. And how I wished I could do more to ease his pain.

After class, I wanted so badly to walk home with him. But sadly, I already made a commitment to Nairobi and Cairo. So we just walked together to the library.

“Hey, how about a smile?” he said when we got to the entrance of the library. I tried to smile. “I’m sorry, Dune. I feel like I’ve unloaded all my problems on you, and I—”

“No, no. Don’t feel that way,” I was quick to say. “I’m… I, I want you to know that I’m here whenever you need someone to listen.” He nodded.

Nairobi and Cairo were waiting for me inside the library. And he had to go to the elementary department to meet Cassandra. So we said our goodbyes. I watched him walk away. Before he disappeared into the corner, he turned. He smiled as our eyes met, which also made me smile. He waved to me, I waved back. Then he was gone.

It’s crazy. He walked the same. He looked the same. But I saw him differently.

As I made my way through the library and to the table where Nairobi and Cairo were waiting for me, I couldn’t help but think about Sunny. I never would have thought that a guy like him had those kinds of problems. Most people in his situation would quit on their lives, thinking that there’s no use in trying. But him, he gets up every day and does his best. And with that thought, I got an idea. I thought of a way to… well, try and make him smile. Every smile he makes means a lot more to me now.

I got to our table with an optimistic attitude. Hey, if he’s optimistic, I’m optimistic. I’ve got to help him. I can’t do that if I’m the one having a meltdown. I gave my 100% to the group study. Nairobi accused me of faking not studying the reviewer because of how well I did. Cairo looked impressed. I was so enthusiastic in answering the questions that the librarian came to hush us a couple of times.

After about an hour, the librarian told us that the library was about to close. We were having so much fun that we didn’t notice we were the only ones left in the library. We thought there were a few other kids around. But we looked around and found no one else. So we got up and left.

When we got to the school gate, we decided to walk home together. But Nairobi said that she was going to drop by Salazars’ Bookstore again today. When we got there, she went straight to Miguel. I roamed around again. Cai followed me around. Knowing he was following me, I went to the wall of the world map. He looked excited when he saw it. It must have been the biggest map he’s seen in his life. Well, mine, too. But I’m not the topic here.

“Cool wall they have here,” he said while looking closer.