That October Night

Chapter 31

           
                THE DAY WAS COMING TO AN END, and I wasn't exactly ready for it to be over. My friends and I spent about two hours at the fair and then, had a picnic at a playground where Kaden was able to play with toddlers of his age. For someone so young, who was managing plenty, I had to say Kat did more than an outstanding job of taking care of her son.

After lunch, we went to South Pointe Pier Park. The sun was slowly creeping into it's hiding spot, the brilliant orange and pink hues across the sky irresistible.

This was perfection in its greatest form.

"WHAT'S BOTHERING YOU, MITCHELL ?" a familiar voice called out, jogging my way.

The others had formed a bonfire where Kat was now singing while they made s'mores. Brooklyn had also tagged along with us. She was a shy girl, who resembled Lola if you looked hard enough.

"What makes you think that something is bothering me?" I blasted in defense, not bothering to even glance at Malik. I don't think I was actually thinking about anything. I was simply absentmindedly enjoying the sunset while sitting on the hood of the rented car we got.

Malik found humor in what I said and giggled.

I didn't even care about the reason for his sudden outburst of happiness. If anything, my exact thoughts were that that was the first time I actually heard Malik genuinely laugh.

It made him seem less like the grumpy old troll and more juvenile.

"Do you think that a toxic family can mess up a person?"

My head whipped to scrutinize him intently. His normal composure was back intact. He was suddenly hard to read again.

"Definitely, but guess what? Toxic situations can mess you up, period. It doesn't have to happen at home." This was me speaking from experience.

Malik dug his toes through the sand, his camera dangling around his neck. "Maybe you're right," was all he mumbled, and I didn't bother to stretch the conversation. It was hard talking to Malik one on one. He'd hit you with what he had to say.

Bullseye.

And that was it.

Eventually, he shattered the agonizing silence. "Do you wanna know why Lola and I aren't together anymore?"

"I think the better question is, do you want to tell me?"

"Y-yeah." He wavered. "It's cause I never loved her."

I snorted, not swallowing his lie. "For someone who's so blunt, you're a damn good liar, Malik," I asserted.

He shrugged out a heavy exhale. The silence lingered on too long before he decided to hop on the hood of the car with me and speak up. "Sometimes we don't know what we're capable of until it's done. God knows I love her, but I fell into the shadow of my father's footsteps and I hit her."

"Then, why'd you break up with her?"

"Because I was the one that hurt her, Rayya. One time too many but she stayed. She stayed like the old married couple we weren't, as if we were cuffed heart to heart by a vow and a ring."