Sunshower

Chapter 6: Sliver of Truth

Hoseok sat, holding Cassia, for at least 30 minutes when she finally pulled back from his shoulder. His shoulder was soaked with her tears.

"I'm sorry. I soaked your shirt," she sniffled. "I'm sorry I broke down on you." Cassia finally looked up at his face and his eyes met hers.

"There is nothing to be sorry for. If anyone should be sorry it should be me. I'm the one that kept pushing." Hoseok replied.

"Well, I did tell you that the questions were unnecessary." She grinned slightly at him.

"I apologize. I never dreamed it would be something that difficult for you. I just thought you were being stubborn."

"That's fair. I know I'm not the most pleasant person, as I've said before. Don't worry about it," she said as she wiped her eyes with her hands. "It's my problem to bear, not yours. You were just trying to be friendly. I'm just not use to friendly."

"I want to be able to help you. I want you to be able to rely on someone -," He paused for a second. "-Me. I can be your person." He continued, feeling the pull to protect her.

"My person?" she asked. Hoseok nodded. "But why? I mean what is this? We met briefly on a train." Cassia tried to understand him.

"And in the forest of all those trees," Hoseok replied quickly. She smiled softly through her tears. Hoseok shrugged.

"I don't know. I told you, I feel a pull toward you. I have since we stepped on that train car.

"Thanks, Hobi. I just really can't talk about it right now."

"Ok. Well, I will quit pestering you. You can just let me know if you need me, ok?" He stood up to leave and reached down to place his hand on her head as a comforting gesture. Cassia nodded and Hoseok turned to walk out the door.

"Hobi?" she said at the last minute, right before he closed the door. He stuck his head back through and looked down at her.

"Yes, Cass?" She looked up at him, her eyes starting to fill with tears again.

"Can you stay in here for a little while?" Now that this was out in the open, she didn't want to be alone. She had gotten too attached to the protection she felt when he was around. She was mentally exhausted. He walked back in without another thought and turned to close the door.

"Please leave the door open some," she said to him. He nodded and left the door where it was. He walked back over to her and reached his hand down for her to take.

"Do you want to sit on the bed? It's got to be more comfortable than the floor." She hesitated, but took his hand. "I'll sit on the floor if you want, until you're ready for me to go." Cassia sat back against the wall, sideways across her bed.

"You don't have to sit on the floor. You can sit up here if you want." She patted the spot beside her.

"Are you sure?" he asked carefully? "I don't want you to be frightened." She nodded, looking up at him. He sat on the bed next to her and scooted back against the wall, placing his hands in his lap. Cassia leaned her head sideways, barely touching his shoulder. She stayed like that for several minutes.

"Thank you." She spoke without looking at him.

"For what?" he looked down at her face.

"For offering to be here for me. I've been on my own for so long-" She stopped short of what she really wanted to say. She wanted to tell him that she did need someone. She had made herself believe she was strong all these years. But she really wasn't. She just knew how to build a wall around herself. She knew how to fake being okay.