This Time, I'll Stay
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Rayver's POV
There was really nothing else I could do, and I couldn't refuse anymore. After he picked up the cotton buds and ointment, he quickly treated the bruises on my face.
I just stared at him, watching while he was busy with what he was doing. I hardly even blinked as I gazed into his eyes.
And I couldn't help but secretly smile. Little by little, our faces drew closer and closer to each other.
"Thank you, by the way!" he said to me with a smile, still looking into my eyes while he continued dabbing on my forehead.
"If not for you—if you hadn't come—something worse could have happened to me today!" he added, his tone almost breaking into tears because of how terrible what happened to him had been.
"You even got hurt because of me!" he said, and then finally, he couldn't hold back his feelings anymore, and his tears fell.
I immediately pulled him into an embrace, trying to calm him down.
"It's fine, no problem for me. Calm down now," I told him as I gently stroked his back.
I was trying to soothe him, but he only cried even harder.
"I'm sorry," he said while still in tears.
"It's okay," I replied as I continued trying to comfort him.
After a few seconds, he finally stopped crying, though he still kept thanking me endlessly.
I made a promise in my heart: I will protect and take care of you. I will never let what happened today happen again. I will never disappear from your side again, never leave you again. I promise, what happened before will never be repeated.
That's my promise, Andrei!
"Are you feeling better now?" I asked him.
"Yes, I'm feeling a bit better now. Thank you again!" he answered while wiping away his tears.
After we ate and rested, we decided to head home.
"Come on, your mom is probably looking for you!" I said to him.
"Yeah, she must be really worried right now!" Andrei replied while slowly getting up.
"Let me help you," I said as I quickly assisted him in standing and walking.
It was super awkward though, and the silence between us was heavy as we walked. I didn't know what to say—should I ask how he's been since I disappeared from his side? Should I ask if he's still angry with me about what happened at school? Or should I finally tell him what's really going on between me and Bianca?
We reached the bus stop, but he still hadn't spoken a word. He didn't acknowledge me, and I couldn't bring myself to talk to him directly either, since I still didn't have the courage.
We sat down on the bench to wait for the bus. He sat on the edge, still silent, not even looking at me.
I was just about to speak—"Andr—" but I couldn't continue because he suddenly spoke first.
"There's the bus!" he said, quickly standing up.
I just nodded to him, and he boarded the bus. I followed right after.
There weren't many passengers at that time. He sat at the back, and I sat beside him.
During the ride, I noticed he was already getting sleepy. I could clearly see his eyes slowly closing until eventually he fell asleep, leaning against the window. I couldn't do anything but watch his face.
It had been so long since we last saw each other, with no communication during the time I was away. He had changed so much—his way of speaking, his silence—it wasn't like before when he was so talkative.
Maybe it was because his heart had grown distant from me, worsened by the way I ignored him on the first day… all because of something I couldn't tell him.
And I still didn't know when I would be able to tell him.
I didn't yet have the courage to tell him the truth.
So I just stared at him as he slept.
Even though we were sitting close to each other, it felt like there was still a wall between us.
I noticed he wasn't comfortable in the way he was sleeping, so I thought maybe he should just lean on my shoulder instead.
I gently moved his head onto my shoulder so he wouldn't feel strained or wake up with a stiff neck.
Then I was startled when he suddenly spoke, even though he was still asleep.
"Stay here… don't leave anymore," he whispered in his sleep.
I was shocked to hear those words come from his lips.
"I'll stay. I won't disappear from your side again. I promise," I whispered back, immediately resting my hand on his head and gently stroking it.
After several minutes, we finally arrived. I still remembered his house by heart, even now.
I woke him from his deep sleep.
"Andrei, wake up," I said as I tapped his shoulder.
Soon, he woke up and quickly got off the bus. I followed after him.
He walked straight home while I stayed behind him, following quietly.
When we reached his house, he turned to me before going inside and said thank you.
"Thank you again! I'll go ahead!" he said with a smile, before entering his home.
"It's nothing," I called after him, waving as he waved back at me.
Our houses were near each other, so after only a few seconds, I arrived home too. I went inside, finally able to lie down and rest. I really just wanted to collapse on the bed and sleep.
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"Some distances aren't measured in steps but in the silence between two hearts still trying to speak."
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