Under the Crimson Skies: Chapter 6

If you'd like to read the first chapter, here's the link:

https://read.cash/@Iremori/under-the-crimson-skies-chapter-1-story-8a6c78ab

Thanks for reading

"I don't wanna go home early today." she said as soon as she sat on the swing.

The park was almost empty, except for the occasional passers-by. The lush green leaves on the trees sway as a gentle breeze pass by. The sun was still above the horizon but shadows lit the place making it darker than it's supposed to be. Occasional laughter of students, as they talk on their way home, can be heard from where I stand.

We went to the park close to our school. She's pouting as she swings herself ever so slightly. Gripping the chains so she doesn't fall off.

"So that's what this is all about." I say, "Why though?"

"I had a fight with my mother. Nothing very serious but I'm not going home early. I mean, I'm still going home while it's still bright out but not as early as I'm supposed to." she then swung herself higher than before then she asked, "So, what about you?"

"What about me?" I hurriedly answered visibly caught off guard by the question.

"I know you're gonna say something. And besides, I saw you earlier." she giggled as she looked at me, "I saw you trying to go to our room earlier but for some reason you go back. It could either be that you forgot something or that you had something to do. So I decided to wait for you."

"Oh, is that so?" I felt silly for going through all that trouble and she just needed up waiting for me.

"So, what did you want to tell me?" she stopped swinging and she looked at me with the most serious face that she could make.

"Well, it's about yesterday, you told me a lot about yourself. I just think that I should do the same"

"I'm not asking you though."

"I know but it just doesn't feel right for me. It's kind of unfair if I don't tell you something about myself. "

"Hmm, well, ok then. I'll listen to your story then. But first, you should sit down." she then pointed at the vacant swing beside her. I followed her and sat down on the swing.

Unsure where to start, I started to look for reasons to avoid the discussion. But the moment I turned to look at her, I noticed that she was eager to listen to me. So in the end, I just gave up.

"I'm not like this before. I used to be happy, cheerful even. Before those things happened. Betrayals, rejections, deceit, and the like.

" I used to see the world in a brighter hue. Before everyone started to hate me. Before they've said all those hurtful words. These may not be as worse than what you've been through but words are always enough to change someone. So, after all that, I started to hate everyone else but I hated myself even more because there must be some reason why they hated me so much. It turns out that there's a lot of things to hate so I tried to changed myself.

"I then started having problems with other people. I slowly lost my trust for everyone else. Until the day came that I can't trust anyone anymore. And I eventually lost my friends. So now, I'm here, alone in my own world."

"But I'm here, aren't I?" she said.

I was surprised by her statement that I quickly looked at her. There, against the twilight, I saw the kindest smile out of all the smiles I've seen. And with that, a warm feeling slowly filled my heart.

"But you don't know anything about me." I said in retort.

"That's fine, isn't it?" she said as she started swinging again, "Friends don't need to know everything. I'll be your friend."

"Why? You don't gain anything from this."

She stopped the swing and said, "Because I want to. Isn't that enough?"

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am. I won't lie about things like this. I just kind of understand how you feel. If it means a lot to you, I'll be your friend. I already thought of you as my friend though."

A smile crept up my face and I can't control it. I can't believe that something as simple as this can make me so happy.

I realize that I've been looking down so I looked at her so I can thank her properly.

"Thank you for this, I'll probably be more troublesome than others but I'm glad that you want to be my friend. Anyway, I think we should go home. It's getting dark."

I stood up from my seat but she didn't move. She's looking at me.

"You...smiled." she said, a bit stunned.

"Why? What about it?"

Her face then brightened and the same playful grin is on her face again, "I made you smile!" she then giggled, stood up, and ran toward the exit, "You're pretty cute when you smile, you should do it more often." she said followed with another giggle.

"Oh, stop, I'm never doing it again." I say as I follow behind her.

I can hear her laughter from behind. I can see that she's really happy right now. I haven't felt like this in a very long time. When was the last time that I felt happy? Well, it doesn't really matter, I'm happy right now, so I laughed as I caught up to her.