Counting Stars ✓

one

The air pricked King's skin. He had known about the warning of a chilling drop in temperature for the night - he simply didn't care. Not when he no longer had to worry about servants looming above him, judging the way he dressed due to the orders they were given.

Leaning against the dirty and rusting railing, separating him from the clashing waters, he looked up. Stars were effortlessly shining, a rare sight for a world so full of blinding artificial lights.

He fumbled into his jean pocket, pulling out his phone. He took out his phone and took a picture of the sky, smiling ever so slightly. Scrolling through, he began to play some music, not bothering to use his earphones while he quietly hummed. He allowed himself to feel the breeze, and to temporarily clear his thoughts.

Just as he allowed himself to fall into the peaceful bliss of pure quietness, a rough hand grabbed him by the shoulders. Before he had time to react, he felt a sharp pain across his face - sending him flying into the ground, with his phone out of his grasp and shattered next to him. The music now gone, as was the tranquility he had felt seconds before.

"That's why you get for-" the voice rang, abruptly stopping when King looked up, allowing the attacker to see his face. King glared at the rude and violent individual that attacked him for no reason.

"-Shit."

"That's what I get for what?" He snapped, grabbing his broken phone, and standing up. He raised his hand and wiped away the small bits of blood dripping down from his nose.

"Sorry, Khun! I thought you were someone else," the attacker clasped his hands together, bowing in apology. He straightened his back, and allowed King to get a clear view.

The individual was quite the handsome one; with sharp and refined features, and slightly lightened hair that represented whatever half he was mixed with. Yet King couldn't help frowning, finding an odd sense of familiarity from the boy. Without realizing, he uttered out, "Khun Rain?"

The individual looked at him in pure shock, "What?"

"You're Khun Rain's grand-"

The same hand used to punch him was pushed to cover his mouth, making him flinch as it pressed down on the newly forming wound on the corner of his mouth. He abruptly slapped the hand away, sending another glare as he cupped the aching area.

"Sorry!" Once again apologies were spewed out. "But how did you know?"

"We've met before, Khun Rune," he said, recalling the first and last time he met the older individual. They had met over five years ago at the birthday party for Rune's grandmother.

At that time, Rune still had some of his baby fat. So it surprised King greatly at how much more handsome the older boy had gotten now that the baby fat was gone, as well as how much taller he had gotten.

Last he'd seen, he had been a lot taller than the older boy and now they were nearly the same height - with only a couple of centimeter differences. He observed the way Rune's face lit up in what appeared to be recognition after a couple of seconds.

"Ah, you're-!" Rune started, pointing excitedly at him. King looked at him expectedly, only to be let down when Rune remained unable to think of a name and foolishly continued to point at him.

King sighed, trying to ignore the aching pain at the reminder of just what his existence truly meant to others -nothing important, in his case. He should be used to it by now; people either hating him, gossiping about him, or not knowing, nor remembering his existence at all (even if they had met before). So, really, he shouldn't allow himself to hurt like this anymore. It was foolish and pointless.

"Forget it," he muttered, walking away and ignoring the cries of Rune who struggled to say anything.

Rune watched the back of the individual fading away in guilt. Not only had he mistaken him for the stalker that's been following him around the past few days, but failed to recall the boy's name. He scratched his head and sullenly walked home.

~

King sat in front of his desk, typing out his essay. A new email popped up, pausing him from his typing as he moved the mouse to click on it.

Dear Khun King,

It is our greatest apology once again to inform you the visitation request you have sent through for this upcoming July has been denied, as per the request of the patient's guardians. Please speak to the guardians if you have any form of contacts with them for them to approve of your request.

We also understand you may be greatly worried, however there is no need for such worries. The patient is making a steady and fast recovery, and will soon be able to leave before you know it. Before that, she personally asked for us to inform anyone who may request to see her, that she is doing well and will be back before "you can blink 8 million times."

Thank you.

"Bullshit," King muttered, immediately sending out a reply notifying them he received the email, and he would be speaking to the guardian once more so his request will finally be pushed through.

He had lost count at this point at the amount of time's he's sent out a request, asking for one simple and short visit.

With a heavy sigh, he proceeded to finish his assignment and grumbled to himself, tired at the constant misfortune he had to face.