Epitome of a Hero

Strange Emotions

I grabbed a handkerchief from my bag and sprayed some alcohol on it while the boy kept mumbling about how useless he was.

After he said sorry he kept going on and on, apologizing and saying I got hurt because of him.

His lips were swollen as well as his forehead that had a cut. Men on my world were sent to war but this one right in front of me--- he looked like some sort of a girl who was lost in the wilderness.

I dabbed the handkerchief with alcohol gently on his forehead making him jolt so I placed a heavy hand on his shoulder to atop him from moving.

At least he stopped crying now.

“T-Thank you… I’m really so—”

“Can you please stop apologizing and help yourself up so you could treat your wounds as well?” I cut his sentences off making him look down again.  I am kind of pissed. What kind of man does this? He is such a crybaby.

I sprayed some alcohol on the handkerchief again and as I did, he was just silent. My heart constricted at the sight of him or is it really me or Tricia? Or am I just guilty…

I lift his chin up with my finger to wipe the blood on his lips but as I did, his eyes set on me, looking so surprised.

His eye color was like that of a caramel and it made me stoic for a time. My heart started to race with its own beats as we stare at one another. What am I feeling right now? He looked so innocent and it made me want to embrace him. Apart from that, he looks… he looks so--- adorable.

Wait, what?

I shook my head off to compose myself but it didn’t work because I felt all flustered the moment he vlosed the gap of our faces.

“What are you doing?!”

I pushed the handkerchief on his face and he grunted in pain making me shocked at what I have done.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” I yelped before getting back the handkerchief gently and looking at his face. Stop being so weird Damian! Pull yourself together!

“I was just looking at your eyes! It’s beautiful…”

He said while he held his cheek which I accidentally pushed. I sucked my lips in, completely muted by his words and decided to just put more alcohol on the handkerchief and gave it to him.

Why am I even feeling like this, all flustered up just because of what he said.

We have the same color, why would he find mine beautiful?

It’s not even my eye. I bet this girl really likes this guy.

“Where do you live? You must go home now, it’s getting late,” I said before standing up and grabbing my bag.

“Yea, just around here,” he answered and stood up as well after me. I nodded and just stared at him for long, trying to arrange my feelings.

Tricia likes him, I think a little too much.

“Uhm, thank you…”

The boy said with a smile from his swollen lip and I gave a smile back.

“You’re welcome,” I answered.

“I’m Kyle… Nice to meet you, Tricia.”

How did he know her name? I tilt my head at him and he evaded my gaze before lifting his hand up for a shake. I took it and there it was again, the strange feeling that makes me feel like fluttering butterflies existed around us. This mind have a very wide imagination. I started evading his gaze just like what he is doing and we held hands for a few minutes, stealing glances from one another.

“Uhm, okay. Good bye!”

I gave a forced grin, removing my hand from him and walked away faster, as fast as the beat of my heart. The lamp post on the street are beginning to open since the street was getting dark, but the mind I have right now made everything turn into explosions. I felt so happy that it was so uncomfortable for me.

As I walked, I sensed a footstep that follow me through my small ones and I turned around immediately, knowing that it was Kyle.

“What are you doing?” I asked, hiding my stutters.

“It’s turning dark… I-I want to walk you home. Thanking you isn’t enough for what you’ve done for me…” He answered as he stared down to the ground then to me and back to the ground again.

I smiled at his reaction since it was kind of cute, realizing that I was doing the same while I suppressing the strong excitement rushing to my veins.

“O-okay,” I answered and then I turned around to walk to the bus stop without looking back at him. I can still hear his footsteps behind me and I just kept looking at where I step while I grinned like a fool. I am too happy… What the hell is this feeling…

I decided to slow down so that he could catch up to me and he did. We walked side to side without any words until we reached the bus stop, stealing glances at one another.

“Uhm… I’ll treat you on the bus fare,” I said and he nodded, smiling at me. The bus parked in front of us and we went inside, taking the seat where both of us sat down together.

I took the seat near the window and just stared outside for the whole ride after I paid for our fare.

Why am I doing this? I can’t even talk normally. God damn it Damian, have a little control over these rational feelings. You are a warrior, you have been sent to war! Now you can’t even talk to a boy!

I breathe in, gathering all my wits to talk to this young boy beside me. I needed to know about his background and how he knew Tricia’s name.

“K-kyle?” I stuttered making me pinch my own leg.

“Hmm?” Kyle looked at me with both his brow raised and his eyes warm and bright like it was shining. His reaction was enough to make me look away again outside the window. My cheeks felt so hot and I can’t manage my own breathing but darn, the excitement and joy were overflowing.

“Nothing.” I croaked and we both went mute again right after.

When the bus stopped near the street of our house, we both went down and walked together without talking. We strolled the street side by side and the night that devoured the streets became filled with the light from the stars and street lights, along with the brightness that radiates from my very heart.

“W-we’re here, thank you…” I muttered as we stopped in front of the house. Look at him Damian! Why can’t move!

I slowly lifted my head to look at him and the light behind me made him look like he was glowing! Stop! Mind! My mind is making it all so sweet and romantic!

Stare at him!  

I did. I stared at him as he spoke, and my beart wanted to explode as he did.

“No, thank you Tricia. I owe you big time…”

He mumbled and I was just sucking my lips in the entire time. I have to or else I will be grinning and yelling right now out of this glee. The hell am I talking about?

“Tricia…?”

“Yes?!” I croaked, weirdly.

“Can I---”

“Well hello there kids.” My Dad was outside of the door all of a sudden making me want to dig my brain out.

“CAN I WHAT!??!” WHAT IS HE GOING TO SAY!?

“G-good evening Mr. Caprius!” Kyle greeted all too loudly making my father’s eyes go a little wide before chuckling. I looked at Kyle and his cheeks are turning red making me want to laugh as well. But what is he going to ask?

“Why don’t you kids come in? It’s called and dark out here.” Das asked and I immediately respond to him.

“He’s going home since its late. He just—”

“I would love to,” Kyle answered, and I threw him the ‘what the hell are you thinking’ look but just tolled my eyes off of him when he too, looked so surprised of what he said. Why the hell are these kids acting this way, its driving me insane because I am feeling it too! I don’t even feel in control of this body right now.

Dad told us to go inside and we followed him but as soon as we entered, he immediately noticed the bruise I have and the wounds that Kyle have.

“What the hell happened to you children?” He looked shocked so I had to explain. I managed to explain it all too well making me regain my control on my emotions. Again, I was feeling all like me and I was comfortable for a moment as my Dad questioned the both of us, and in just a snap I was back at feeling like a kid when I saw Kyle smile at me.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

I screamed at the back of my head while his smiles kept giving me the butterflies.

“I’ll prepare dinner,” I said promptly to avoid my father from having his doubts. Doubts about what?

As I did move on the kitchen to prepare the chicken that my dad brought from a take out. I heard them talk about some random stuffs, and when it comes to my dad, of course they’d talk about sports.

I have no intention of listening to their conversation since I needed to think about why I am feeling all too much of this, and why did I hear her voice lately.

If you are here… why can’t you just take your body and live your life the way you want it. I am supposed to be dead and I already accepted it.

My thoughts were interrupted by Dad and Kyle’s laughter making me feel kind of glad. They are getting along too much. I giggled and immediately made a poker face when I realized what I was doing.

The whole house were filled by their chatters as we ate dinner and I enjoyed listening to them. I also learned that Kyle was being hold upped earlier but he refused to give them any money. They were too young to be criminals though, maybe they were just really having a fun time bullying whoever they had the sight on.

Kyle was also the youngest in the family and he had two older siblings—a sister and a brother. After questioning Kyle they proceeded talking about sports again and so I washed the plates as they did.

The night was fun and I enjoyed every single minute, especially when I see him smile and laugh… I am also happy for every glances he stole for seconds… I sucked my lips in, feeling the blood that rushed in my cheeks and the loud beating of my heart.

I can’t stop whatever this is that I am feeling right now but it is really not me.

I escorted him out when he was about to go home, feeling kind of peaceful than earlier. I am about to be alone! Thank heavens!

“T-thank you, Tricia,” he mumbled and I nodded at him, not knowing that I was becoming too flustered again when he smiled.

“Thank you too… T-take care on your way home,” I answered, why do I stutter?

Kyle proceeded to walk away and I just stayed there, watching him go. Sadness came into my heart for a while as I watched him go but when he turned around to wave his hand at me, my heart beat all too loudly before waving my hand back.

He grinned at me and his steps became faster than before and just like that he was gone from my sight.

I turned around and after a second I was already hopping around and let out a weak squeal before I grab the doorknob.

But before I did, my father already opened it and I stood there feeling so embarrassed. He just heard me squeal. Dad squinted his eyes at me, concealing a smile behind his suspicious glance but at the time I was on the doorstep, it was like I snapped back at reality, feeling a little to calm--- like me, me.

“Please, don’t start, Dad,” I exclaimed and my dad let out a chuckle making me laugh as well.

“Okay, good night kid,” he grinned and I gave him a short hug before going upstairs.

This is getting a little bit out of hand.

I thought as I go upstairs to rest in my room.