Thirty Days ✔

46 | PETRICHOR

petrichor (noun)

the smell of earth after rain.

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day twenty-four.

Chase had awoken abnormally early that day. At quarter past four in the morning, to be precise. He had prepared himself a glass of green tea and was busy sipping away at it whilst thinking about the events that had taken place the day before. 

After having left the funeral in such a rude manner, the boys had walked the entire way back home with the silliest grin on both of their faces. 

For some reason, that memory seemed like it would stick with Chase forever. 

He was startled when he heard the door to his bedroom open and slam shut a second after. What followed was Zero sauntering into the kitchen whilst rubbing his eyes with his fists. 

He looked like a mess. 

An adorable mess, in Chase's defence. 

"You're up early," Zero commented.

"I could say the same to you."

"Can we go out for a walk?" Zero suddenly requested. 

Chase looked at him with his head slightly tilted, "At this time?"

"Yes. No one will be around at this hour."

"But we have school in around three hours," Chase said.

"I know. Three hours is a long time. Come on, please?"

Who was he to say no to someone like Zero?

And so, the pair left the home - still in their pyjamas. They hadn't even bothered to fix their hair. 

Whilst trailing around an unfamiliar street, Zero spoke, "Thank you for accompanying me yesterday. I had fun."

"You had fun at a funeral?" Chase remarked with a raised brow. 

"I shouldn't have, but yes - I did."

Chase remained silent for a moment before speaking, "I still can't believe what you said up there. That was iconic."

Zero let out a hearty giggle, "I can't believe it either. To be truthful, I wouldn't have gotten the courage to do that if you hadn't been there."

"Really?" Chase asked with a chuckle. "Should I be flattered or offended?"

Zero responded with a shrug. 

They continued to walk in silence for a few minutes that followed before a question struck Chase's mind. 

"How come you don't have a phone?"

Zero huffed, "My step-mother didn't want to waste her money on me. I tried saving up by doing part-time jobs so I could buy myself a phone, but she used all the money to buy booze and cigarettes."

Chase was about to respond when he noticed a car speeding their way. At the speed of light, he tugged at Zero's wrist and pulled him to his side, catching him by surprise. 

Zero took a moment to comprehend what had just taken place before letting out a deep breath, "That was close. Thank you."

Chase responded with a grin and was about to let go of Zero's wrist - when the male did something unexpected. 

He pressed his palm up against Chase's for a brief moment before intertwining their fingers together. 

Chase gave Zero a look of confusion with his heart threatening to jump out of his chest. 

Zero grinned at Chase and squeezed his hand in response. 

And so they continued the rest of their early morning stroll like that - hand in hand.

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