Epitome of a Hero

You were right

“Triz,” Adrian called my name and I can see the sorrow in his eyes. A funeral is held by their house but I didn’t want to look inside. I am scared… And it’s maybe because I already died and I am not ready to see another corpse in front of me.

“I can’t go inside…” I mumbled and he nodded.

“It’s okay. Thank you for coming…” he said gloomily but gave a little smile to at least ease our worries.

Adrian looked at each and everyone of us. His eyes started to get cloudy and so I pulled him for a hug, urging Sheena, Faye and Kyle to join in.

He started to cry and as he whimpered, it slowly broke our hearts as well. It is hard to put up a front. I guess our friends here noticed how much he wanted to cry when he saw us too. As the eldest of the family, he can’t burst out in tears that much, all because he is supposed to take care of his other siblings after what happened. He can’t also cry because he doesn’t want to add up to the pain that his mother was feeling already.

We all felt his pain, and as his friends--- this is the only thing that we can do. Comfort of our embrace.

“Adrian?”

We heard a woman called and when she went out, Adrian already wiped his tears out before facing her.

“Coming!” he answered before she got outside. Adrian’s mom asked us to go inside but as I explained, I bid my condolence, also giving her a hug which she returned back.

She was a sweet woman, but its lonely to see how tired her eyes looked.

On our way home, Faye and Sheena went to their own separate way leaving me and Kyle alone to ride the bus. We still have classes tomorrow and we have to be early.

As Kyle and I rode the bus, I sat down near the window, looking outside to watch the dusk.

I feel... Bad.

I breathe out all my worries as I let my mind wander through the things it had in it.

Why am I still here...?

Am I supposed to feel all these emotions burning up inside me...

This is supposed to be yours, Tricia... Not mine.

I thought of several things and asked myself over and over again, about who I am turning out to be right now.

I don’t feel like myself anymore...

But what am I really supposed to be?

“Triz?” Kyle asked and I looked at him. “You can tell me about your problems...”

His eyes were filled with sincerity that I almost told him about what my real problem is...

“I’m fine,” I forced a smile out before looking outside again. He started to stay quiet and I am kind of thankful that he did. I think he understands me quiet well. I needed to think.

How long am I going to stay here? In a life which I do not even own?

As I piled the questions all to myself, I started to get restless. She is not even answering, and I don’t even know what to feel anymore.

I am glad to be feeling this way... These things that I have never felt on my real life are priceless... But I—

A warm palm encased my hand, stopping the storm that is starting to go around my mind. I smiled as I felt Kyle’s warmth even though he is not saying anything. He was just resting his head at the backrest with his eyes closed, and with his hand holding mine.

A little giggle escaped my lips and I just did exactly what he is doing. I tried to rest a little bit since we are still far away from my house.

****

I was walking though echoes once again but the end of the vast darkness showed me a dot of light which I could follow.

I carried my sword with me as I walked the unknown, going to where the light was.

I am in a dream again.

I feel tired...

There were only a few steps away so I decided to run for it. I covered my eyes when the bright light went through my eyelashes, it was so blinding so I closed my eyes a bit to tone the light down.

A figure of a girl started to show itself in front of me and I was not surprised anymore. Tricia...

“Tricia...” How long are you going to hide?

What are you hiding from?

Why are you letting me get on with your own life?

Bunch of questions went through my head as I stared at her innocent face. She was looking at me but her eyes are different this time... She looked more--- how should I say it? Peaceful...

“Don’t you want to stay with me?”

What?

“We’re here,” Kyle’s voice woke me up and I was still shocked of what she just asked me. What does she mean by that?

“Hey...”

“Oh, sorry...” I mumbled and we both stood up to get out of the bus, with Kyle still holding my hand.

We walked the streets hand in hand, silently while we feel the cold breeze that approached us. I never spoke of anything but my mind slowly became preoccupied of how beautiful the stars were. Kyle was just silent as we walked and it stayed like that until we reached our house.

“Thank you for walking me home,” I said and it made me glad that this body no longer stutters and go out of control whenever Kyle and I are alone. I bet what he said helped her a lot too.

“I’ll always do if you want me too...”

He answered with such a lovely and warm voice that sent my heartbeat racing once again.

“T-thank you...”

And here we go again...

Kyle laughed after hearing what I just said and I guess he laughed because of my reaction. I frowned at him and he laughed even more so I just went near him and bury my head on his chest due to my embarrassment.

He’s warm...

I raised my hands to hug him and to my surprise, he embraced me first.

“If you are burdened with something... I want you to let me carry it with you.”

I embraced him even tighter, stopping the sudden tears that starts pooling out of my eyes. This time it wasn’t because I was sad but because I felt very glad to be hearing that.

I can never thank him enough for saying that to me...

I wish I could have that too in my real world...

I savored Kyle’s warmth after realizing that I thought of something that I have never mind before.

“You were right Uncle Lumiere... I really would want this kind of love someday just like what you told me before...”