'Why did I have to work with him?' Even though I had been determined to be done as quickly as possible that seemed to be an impossible dream. He just couldn't keep his mouth shut. While I was trying to finish the project - or rather start since I didn't get anywhere - he always had something to say. And no, it had nothing to do with philosophy. At this point I don't think he understands the concept of silence.
At this point we won't finish even after a week, maybe not even a month.
All I could do was resting my head in my hand, looking blankly at the paper in front of me. The worst part about this was that the assignment only consisted of 2 questions. Would you sacrifice one person to save many and is it better to live a comfortable lie than face a painful truth? It should have been easy to answer right? So why were we still sitting here after multiple hours?
The reason is simple. Because the two of us are to complete opposite. Like not long ago we had tried to discuss the first question but ended up at the starting point again.
---
"I mean, it kind of depends on the person, right? If it is a close friend, a family member or even a lover, you would pick to save them. After all who would willingly choose to kill someone, they know? It would be better just to kill a bunch of people I didn't, that way I wouldn't feel nearly as guilty. I mean -"
I think he kept rambling like that for a good five minutes more before catching himself. To be honest at that point I was already debating with myself whether or not to throw my pencil at him. I mean it is not like he would get injured by it. But I kept my frustration under lock and key. Never mind how much I wanted to it would only slow their progress down.
"What do you think, Kieran?" His chin lightly resting on his hand.
"Does it really matter, in the end I will never have to give a call like that."
My reason was simple. Yet Elian didn't seem to like that response.
---
In the end we ended up putting his answer, because it was more trustworthy. And for some stupid reason, that didn't count as an answer. Who the hell even made up these questions? I mean when will you ever get a choice like that? And in the end, I doubt people would even be able to make such a decision on the spot. They would probably freak out, and fate would decide for them.
And let's just say the second question went about the same way. He thought it would be better to live with a lie, because that way you could be happy. Me I thought it would be better to know the truth. Why? Because how can you trust someone who hides something lifechanging? After you hear the truth, you might be able to accept it. But if you never hear it, you will continue to drown in the unknowing darkness.
In the end we ended up putting his answer for question one, and two different ones for question two. But just as I was about to rise from my seat to go home. He stopped me.
"You sure you can get home by yourself with the recent incidents, K?" His voice didn't carry its usual sparkling tone. Nor did his lips bear his bright smile. No, the emotion on his face was completely different from normal. He looked almost worried. It felt odd, wrong. When was last time someone had last worried about me? But there was something else with what he said. Something that didn't sit right with me.
"Excuse me? But what did you just call me?"
"I called you K. Short for Kieran. Do you like it?"
Before I could answer, I instinctively reached, grabbed and threw the pencil at him. It hit him right in his forehead, leaving a faint red mark. Served him right. For a second there was just silence. But then -
"WHAT WAS THAT FOR!" he nearly screamed.
"Just felt like it." A small grin playing on my lips.