See You Bleed | ✓

I

"And in the end, we were all just humans, drunk on the idea that love, only love, could heal our brokenness."

"It's been a while," he says overlooking the small city we grew up in. We're sitting in our secret spot on the rooftop of one of the numerous grey concrete blocks built decades ago. "It has," I agree.

"I fucking hate this place," he continues grumpily. My mind keeps warning me to keep distance and not entertain him with more than a few words. "I know," I say briefly.

I really hate this place too. A city not too big, but also not too small. Filled with panel blocks and unhappy people. A place where one got nothing better to do rather than take drugs and drown in alcohol. It's as if God himself abandoned this shithole a long time ago.

"I missed you, you know," he says quietly after a long pause. I don't have much to say to that. Don't let him get to you. Not again.

"I know," I try to sound indifferent.

"I see you're still the sunshine of every party," he teases looking at me with the green of his eyes. The most beautiful fucking eyes I've ever seen in my life.

"Fuck off," I snap, "I'm really not in the best mood right now." Or haven't been for the past several years, I bitterly think to myself.

"Whatever," he gives up, laying on his back on the cold surface of the rooftop and closing his eyes.

He looks different now. He's not the tender eighteen-year-old boy I remember from five years ago anymore. He's taller and his frame is more muscular.

He also seems less carefree now. There are traces of silent torment on his handsome face, as if he's carrying all the weight of the world on his shoulders.

I don't know how long it's been before I finally break the silence with the quiet "I missed you too."

I regret saying it straight away. I hope he didn't hear me. I hope he's too tired and fell asleep instead. It's for the best, I try to convince myself.

"I know," he says softly after several minutes. I can't stop the small smile when I hear that. I really missed you so fucking much.