Red (Complete - Unedited)

[20] Apart

Unedited

Third Person

Slowly opening his eyes, Mew groans at the surge of pain coming from all around his body.

Noticing Mew waking up, Mild stands up from the hospital chair and walks over to the bed.

Mew blinks multiple times before turning to the side where Mild stands.

"Mild?" Mew questions, his voice hoarse and quiet.

"How are you feeling?" Mild asks.

Mew closes his eyes and tries to shrug, but the movement is harder than usual to do.

"Try not to move too much." Mild says.

Mew was about to nod, but then he remembered he wasn't supposed to move and ended up staying silent.

"I'm going to call the doctor and tell him you're awake. I'll be back in a few." Mild says, turning to walk out of the room.

"Wait." Mew says, stopping his friend. "How did you know I was here?" He asks, his voice quiet.

Mild stares at Mew, hesitating to answer truthfully or sway the answer a bit.

It was silent for a few seconds before Mild finally answers the question.

"Gulf called me to go and watch over you." Mild says.

"Because I got hit by a car?" Mew asks.

"No. He called me before that, saying something like, 'I did something terrible to Mew and I need you to make sure he's ok.' But when I came, I saw you lying on the ground." Mild explains.

"Gulf said that?" Mew asks.

"Yeah. I mean, it seems like something Gulf would do. I don't know what happened between you two the moment before he called me, but he sounded really sorry and disappointed." Mild replies.

"Then why don't he come and say it?" Mew asks.

"He's probably too afraid. But I'd suggest spending some time apart until you're both ready to talk, again." Mild replies.

"I don't think Gulf would want to talk to me ever again." Mew says.

"You never know that for sure. He's still Gulf. We spent close to a year with him. He's not just gonna give up on your friendship." Mild says.

Mew sighs and throws his head back on the pillow.

"Just stay and relax. I'll be back with the doctor." Mild says before walking out of the room.

-

As Gulf opens the door to his family home, he is met with the face of his mother.

"Mae?" Gulf questions, closing the door behind him.

"Gulf. There's been something different with you, lately." His mom says with no hesitation.

Gulf rolls his eyes and groans. "Not you, too. Don't tell me Mew got you to believe his crap.

"Gulf, I am your mother. I know when something has changed you. I don't need someone else to tell me when my son has started acting differently." Mae Nuch says.

"Mae, nothing has changed." Gulf replies, wanting to get out of this conversation.

"You haven't been visiting us, lately. I don't care about how often you visit, but you always make the time to. And the calls, you haven't been answering them recently. You always answer our calls or call back later. I know you're a busy person, but I've taught you to respect your family and friends. Mild's mother told me about your sudden outburst at the TharnType meeting." Mae Nuch says.

"Mae... I'm sorry, ok? I promise I'll answer your call next time and I'll visit you more often." Gulf says.

"That's not what I wanted to hear." Mae replies.

Mae Nuch stares at her son as Gulf's gaze stays on the wooden floor.

"Did you know Mew got hit by a car tonight?" Gulf's mother asks.

At the sound of the news, Gulf immediately looks up at his mother.

"You and Mew are great friends. I know you are not the kind of person who would want to harm anyone, neverless your friends." Mae says.

Suddenly, Gulf's phone begins to ring.

Gulf takes the phone out of his pocket and was about to press the answer button, but his mother grabs the phone out of his hand.

She ends the call and places the phone in her back pocket. 

"I think it's best if you take a little break from work." Mae Nuch says.

"No, Mae. I can't take a break. They need me." Gulf replies.

"They will be fine without you. It'll just be a few days." His mother says.

"I have a contract with them. I have something to do every day." Gulf says.

"I am the mother. There's no contract that can beat me. And there's no argument from you, either. Now, go pack. I've decided that it would be nice for you to take a break with your uncle down at the farm." Mae Nuch says.

"Why should I go visit my uncle instead of working?" Gulf asks, crossing his arms.

"Because I said so. Now, go." Mae Nuch commands, gesturing for her son to go and pack.

Gulf stares at his mother for a few seconds before doing as she says.