The Light That Shine Bright In The Dark

Chapter 11

Hearing the clattering sound in the kitchen made my eyes snapped open. I was still in the couch the reason my neck was hurting unbearable. I dragged myself towards the kitchen and stood fixed on the doorway.
I stared at her unblinking as she stirred the vegetables in the pan not noticing my eyes on her.

"Ashley, you are back? Since when?" I asked stepping into the kitchen to fill myself a glass of water.

"I came early this morning when you were in the couch snoring," She grinned staring at me.

"I don't snore,"I frowned staring at my aunt for the first time in a month,"I guess your long trip was awesome." I tried pulling up a smile which failed me.

"I hope you didn't feel abandoned?" She looked at me pitiful which I hated. She couldn't abandon me everytime and ask that.

"No I don't. Am used to living alone by now." I buried my face in the glass dawning the lump in my throat and blinking back tears. I will never get use to it I had to be strong, I had managed this for two years and a month and I could manage it now.

"I made pasta,we should eat." I nodded even though I was not in the mood to eat.

I sat at the dining table when Ashley brought the food and served both of us.
I was tired and had mini stomach cramps but it wasn't as bad as last night.

"How's school going? Did you catch up with the school or?" Ashley peered at me waiting for an answer.

After chewing the food in my mouth and letting it pass through my food pipe I uttered, "It's fine."

"Yeah. I knew that was a good school with its excelling performance. This is your last year study hard, your results will be a path to your future and university." I nodded getting bored with her lectures.

I stood up taking the dishes to the sink and cleaning them.

"Am going out to visit some friends and let them know am back. Can you help unpacking my luggage? I will try to be back soon." I knew what soon meant, she used that word too often.

"Sure." I said heading to her room to do as I was requested or more like commanded.

Once I was done with the unpacking, I was too tired and drenched in sweat. I headed to my room to have a warm shower which eased my fatigue a bit and threw on leggings and t-shirt.

I unlocked my phone and saw a missed call and two texts from Sawyer. I opened the text and it read;

/Hey, I hope you are doing great?/ Sent 3hrs ago.

I found myself smiling as I texted back a reply.

I was bored and tired when I decided that I would walk to the lake to kill the boredom.

Grabbing a jacket and my earphone, I exited the house. I plugged in my earphone listening to break my heart by Dua lipa and walked down the path leading to my safe haven as I hummed along the lyrics.

I stopped when something crashed into me from the back. I felt a grip on my shoulders making me realise that I was yanked into something hard. I abruptly turned around coming face to face with a familiar face. I unplugged my earphone when I saw his lips move.

"God! I called you several times but you won't hear. Am sure the sound from your phone is deafening." Roy stared at the phone in my hand amused. I smiled sheepishly at him and moved a bit to create a space in between us. He moved forward to close the gap as he scanned my face. A frown appeared on his lips as frown lines claimed his forehead.
"You fine? You look horribly tired." He asked his grey eyes fixed onto my brown ones.

"Am fine, it's just that I was having a slight headache and slept it off. Now am fine." I smiled convincingly at him.

"You sure? You look.." I saw his eyes shine with concern.

"Yah, the look is just the aftermath of it. If I wasn't fine do you think I would be straying around?" I raised my eyebrow making him nod in acknowledgement.

"Do you want me to keep you company? I have nothing to do now." Roy placed his hand on my back making me turn towards my previous direction.

"Thanks. I will be fine by myself." I disregarded his offer.

"If you are sure. If you need me lemme know. You know where I live, five blocks from you incase you forgot. You can pay a visit anytime. I would love to have you around honey." Roy rumbbled before giving me a hug and walking away to the opposite direction of where I was heading to.

I sighed in relief when I brushed off the stray branch of tree which was a barrier between me and the lake. Stepping out of the bushes, I was startled. Not by the sunlight that glided over the lake water but by the guy whose back was facing me.

Sawyer was sitting by the shoreline, his legs into the water. I walked upto him and stopped next to him. He seemed too distressed to notice my presence until I situated myself next to him.

He slightly twisted his head to look at me, his crystal blue eyes finding mine for a  second until he fixed his eyes back to the water. We sat there in silence for a few minutes when Sawyer audibly sighed out and turned to look at me.

"You feeling better?" His concern didn't amaze me as I nodded.

"You look sad." I pointed out perceiving his gloominess. I waited for him to say something but all he did was stare ahead looking dejected. To say I felt bad for him would be understatement. He was there for me last night when I needed someone when he also as a human had his own problems. The urge to solve all his problems was overwhelming but I had no idea what was disturbing him.

"Here, listening to music will ease you and it might distract you from your thoughts." I didn't know if it would work for him but I knew for sure that it did wonders for me.
I scrolled down my playlist finally settling for the heart goes on. I passed one ear to Sawyer who at first bowled his eyes at me but later gladly accepted.

When the first two songs ended, Sawyer unplugged his ear making me do the same and lock my phone since the battery was running out.

"The world is such a meanie. It has got problems with good people.." I listened to him attentively, waiting for him to speak out of his mind. "Adam is one of the nicest people and the world isn't doing him justice." I knew something was wrong with Adam yesterday but till now I had no clue to what it was.

"He's the brother I never had and seeing him in pain pains me. The fact that he's leaving the country tomorrow and I can do nothing to help him hurts me beyond limits." I realized yesterday that Adam and Sawyer were close than the eyes could perceive.

"Adam is moving out tomorrow?" I confirmed and Sawyer nodded. I didn't know what to say since I only knew him for a month so I decided to shut my mouth and give Sawyer my ears.