Bandage Love

Chapter 5

He grumbled. He patted his arms after receiving a light damage from Ash's fist.

Cloud groaned, “Ouch, that hurts!” giving Ash an unpleasant stare.

“You deserve that, drat.” Ash said, he kept his things away and move out of the living room.

“Hey, where are you going?” Cloud asked while watching Ash pace moving towards the kitchen.

“Nothing, I just want to eat something.” Ash shortly replied and Cloud came after him running along.

“There's nothing to eat here, I just brought stock last month and yesterday I ran out of food.” He explained and found Ash in front of his fridge as Ash swang it open.

His eyes enlarged in surprise. “Dude, is this really a fridge of person?”

His eyes traveled inside the fridge filled with dissatisfaction. “When was the last time your grandmother pay you a visit?”

He asked out of curiosity and closed the fridge before he faces Cloud, Ash face was full of concern.

“Wait, lemme think...” Cloud bit his lips, “Maybe, last month.” He said giving Ash a proud smile.

Ash sighed and stare directly to his eyes. “Got any money?”

“Of course when did I run out of money?” Cloud exclaimed even had his eyes twinkling in excitement.

“When you spent it all by hitting girls,” Ash replied and curved a smile on his face while he crossed his arms.

“Really? I did?” Cloud asked in his innocence.

“Yes and now let's go buy something to fill up your fridge with,” Ash says while waving his hands in the air.

“What?” Cloud furrowed eyebrows and Ash gave him a glare and took Cloud’s arm.

“No time for questions, hurry now!” He pulled his arm and left.

Both of them went to the nearest store. Cloud was silently pushing the cart while Ash was busy picking things up for them to eat.

Ash was wearing a carob jacket and ripped jeans, as for Cloud he was wearing a chiffon shirt and pants.

Cloud couldn't remove his sight on Ash.

For a moment Ash glanced at him.

“Do you like meaty foods?” He asked.

Cloud gave him a stare for a moment and replied, “Not really...”

“Well, I guess we should head to the fruits and vegetables,” Ash told himself and brought them the other selection of fruity and vegans everywhere.

“How about junk foods?” He asked out of his curiosity facing him as Cloud shakes his head response.

He silent watch Ash picking up vegetables as his eyes caught up to reddish fruit.

“Aren't you bored with these things?” He steps in a few inches and took the apple and he played it in his hands.

“No,” Ash answered and still busy choosing perfect dishes for what he'd cook later. “It's just...”

He grabbed the cart and push it, Cloud put some apple inside.

“I'm used to it,” Ash added and Cloud nodded as he look up the ceiling.

Cloud shrugged his shoulders, “I would want that... But... Nah.”

“We should head in the counter now,” Ash suggested and Cloud halted.

“Wait just a minute.” Cloud said and left for a moment.

“Come on, hurry up!”

Cloud went back to him holding something in his hands.

“Nothing beats drinking milk.” He announced with his proud smile.

The people around them to had a few conversations.

“His handsome even almost look like an adult and he loves milk?” A girl whispered to her friend.

“I pity him though, I bet girl would reject such silly childish attitude.” Her friend answered back, Ash bit his lips while staring at his friend.

Ash raise his brow and pointed him out, “You dimwit! Stop embarrassing yourself... You freaking i***t— I” sighing he left his lips open and said, “Let's just go,” saying while gritting his teeth then pointed out the beverage section, “Put the milk back.”

Cloud's jaw drops and his eyes started to wet. “What...? You want to put my precious milk back...?”

He sobbed and hugged the milk in his chest while shaking his head. “No, I will not put my baby back...” He pouted and continue to cry. “I love this baby...”

The corner of Ash's lips twitch, his face was like he was carrying the world. He palms landed on his face and groaned.

A moments later, they had arrived back at home while Cloud silently sitting while Ash was busy in the kitchen.

Cloud played his hands.

While Ash smile while arranging the dish on the plate and set it in front of Cloud. “Breakfast is served!”

The corner of Cloud's mouth quirked up, observing the dish in front of him.

“For today's food is cheesy cabbage omelet.” Ash smiled and sit in front of him.

He set up his own food in the table and dig in first.

Cloud stared at him watching him enjoying his own.A satisfying aroma run in his nose, he looked at his plate. The omelet is mixed together with the cabbage and cheese is spread over the top. It was well made by his friends he couldn't deny that he's tempted to eat it anytime now.

He decided to take a bite and his pupil flickered, it was slightly salty yet it still tastes damn pretty good.

He bit his lower lips and glanced to Ash.

“I'm done! How's was it?” Ash asked.

Cloud smiled having his eyes twinkled, “It's delicious! You better cook me often!”

He spread his arms and pointed out his index finger on Ash.

“Nope,” Ash quickly replied and squeeze his eyes shut.

“You better learn to cook for yourself you know?” He said blinking his eyes, “You have to make a living yourself without depending on others.” Ash grinned as he point out Cloud's dish.

“But please enjoy,” He offered.

Cloud glared at him and pouted, he feel a slight of discomfort and lost of appetite upon hearing his statement. “Nevermind, I should just ask for foodservice delivery.” He said and continue to eat.

“Do as you please, I don't mind. It's just a little advice.” Ash winked and Cloud sighed while munching.

“Then you should learn a lot of my lesson about girls.” Cloud glanced at him and he saw Ash's face was blank Ash squinted his eyes and grimaced at Cloud.

"Fersht(First), you musht(must) leern(learn abouht(about) how you tho(to) melht(melt) theer(their) hearht(heart)."

Ash immediately gave him a glare. “Stop talking when your mouth is full!”

Cloud chuckled.

After that, they went their way back to Ash residents, Cloud roamed his eyes around it was quite a clear weather, he was thinking that it might even rain unexpectedly that's why he brought an umbrella for him to be prepared.

“I'll be back,” Ash uttered walking away from him, he watched him but he decided to sit down the bench.

“Cloud, you're back!” Danielle walked towards his place and sat beside him. Cloud turned his head in his side and smiled.

“Uncle,” He stated and saw a jacket that is held by Danielle's hands.

“What's that for?” Cloud ask.

“It was my gift for Ash years ago, but he didn't even lay his finger in it. But great timing your here. Would you accept it?” Danielle questioned and smiled.

Cloud stays still in his position staring at Danielle's face.

Although Danielle was smiling, deep inside he can't deny he was hurt too, Ash was his only son.

Cloud pity Danielle that make his heart clenched. He balled his hand into a fist forcing a smile and lowered his head.

“Sure uncle, I would gladly take it.” He responded.

Danielle laughed, you can see through his smile that nothing hides a pain, though Danielle wasn't good relationship with his son. He won't let anyone see through his deep scar.

“Great then, here.” Danielle gave the jacket to him.

“I'm back,” Ash announced while Sharia was on his back by the shoulder, Ash caught Cloud and Danielle's attention.

Cloud glanced at Sharia and had his jaw drop. Sharia was wearing an eyeglasses, even for her attrative face that might hook a guy heart. She was wearing a plain hoodie and jeans yet she was a decent girl.

“Hello...” She whispered waving her hand, Cloud responded a smile.

She glanced at Danielle and smile. “Good morning, Mr. Lewis,” Sharia said.

“Good morning. Hurry now; I don't want you all to be late.” Danielle said, and Sharia nodded.

Cloud stood from his knees, and Ash started to walk away, leaving Sharia and Cloud behind.

“I'm Cloud,” he said when it became apparent Sharia didn’t recognize him.

She forced a smile. “Um... Sharia...” She stuttered under Cloud’s careful observation.

His answering smile was open and warm. “Don't be shy. I'm Ash's friend. He’s helping me meet new people while I’m here. You’re in his class, right?”

Sharia nodded.

Cloud put his backpack on. “May I?” He offered his hands for her bag.

Flushing, Sharia gave him her best smile along with her bag.

“I don't like to let girls carry heavy things,” Cloud whispered in her ear. Then gave her a wink. “Come on, let's follow him.”

She followed him down the street, her eyes sparkling. Cloud balanced on the edge of the sidewalk, his attention more often on Sharia than the road ahead of him. Ash was silent in front of them, not even bothering to look back.

“Um... Who was the girl in the picture?” Sharia was bothered about it, the picture she had seen in Ash’s wallet. A picture he was always looking at.

“Oh, you mean his mother?” Cloud clarified. Both of them halted.

“His mother? He has a…?” She couldn't stop her question in time.

Cloud burst into a laugh. “Of course he has a mother! Silly!” He grinned and pinched her nose. “Years ago—” Cloud paused.

“Hey! Two turtles in love! You can finish making goo-goo eyes at each other at school! I don't want to be late!” Ash yelled.

Both of them turned their heads toward him, and Cloud smiled. “Coming!” He ran to catch up to Ash, leaving Sharia behind to stare at their backs, her mouth agape.

“Are you jealous?” Cloud elbowed Ash’s waist with a wink.

“I'm not! Stop making fun of me!”

“Come on! It's all written to your face,” Cloud teased.

There was a moment of silence, where Cloud matched Ash’s brisk walking pace at his side. Cloud’s face was so energetic and bright: he smiled like it was the nicest of days, and a dark storm wasn’t threatening to rage just above them.

Ash’s curiosity finally got the best of him. “What's wrong with the both of you, anyway?” He raised his eyebrows.

“Hm... Just having a small chat, Mr. Jealous.” Cloud gave him a suspicious smile, but his eyes were still shining.

Ash glared at him, gritting his teeth. Thunder clapped in the distance.

“You're so funny! I'm kind of enjoying this!” Cloud laughed at him as droplets of water poured from the sky.

“Oh snap...” Ash whispered and glanced up at the dark clouds that covered the sky. “Why does it have to rain?”

Cloud rustled around in his backpack. He still had Sharia’s brightly-colored bag over one shoulder. “Don't worry! I have an umbrella.”

“Great, go use it with her.” Ash jerked his thumb to point at Sharia behind them, who was panicking at the sight of rain.

“What, am I supposed to serve her...?”

Ash immediately narrowed his eyes at Cloud.

Cloud removed Sharia's bag and handed it over to Ash, looking away to hide his smile. “I wonder who accepted his father's favor... He's giving it up sooner.”

He laughed quietly to himself.

“Stop, give me that!” Ash snapped, trying to grab the umbrella.

Cloud burst into laughter at Ash’s reaction.

“Damn you.” Ash said.

Cloud gave him a cold stare.

“Damn you too.” He plastered a smile in his face and bit his lips. “I was just kidding! Use the umbrella.”

Ash accepted it and opened it up. He glanced back at Cloud. “What will you use?”

Cloud chuckled and flipped up the hood of his jacket to avoid getting wet. “You're father's little gift that you don’t ever use.”

“Just give me your bag,” Ash said.

“Here you go.” He handed it over. “Please take good care of our princess as well.”

“Shut up!” Ash rolled his eyes and glared daggers at Cloud.

Cloud simply laughed while waving his hand in farewell. Ash fled.

Sharia hugged herself in the cold, staring at the ground. Her hair was already wet and dripping down her face.

“Hey.”

“Ah... Yes?” She raised her head and saw Ash standing in front of her. The rain pattered down all around them, but she stared at him as if it were just the both of them left in the world, holding him in place. She didn’t remove her eyes from his pale face, which slowly flushed.

“Take this.”

She blinked, as if being brought back to reality, and stared at the umbrella. She bit her lips and an embarrassed expression crossed her face. “But... you'll get wet...”

His gaze didn't change. He still held out the umbrella, partially sheltering both of them from the raindrops. “I don’t care.”

Her eyes couldn't stay still. “Um...” She looked down, her face turning crimson. “I'm afraid your things might... Get wet...?” She smiled faintly through the stuttering of her words.

“Come here, then.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, pointing her fingers to herself.

Ash nodded, rolling his eyes. He stepped up beside her and grabbed her wrist. “There,” he said. “Hold me here.” He put her hand on his arm holding the umbrella.

“Oh, okay...” She bowed her head, biting her lip with a smile.

“Let's go. We will have to find a bus stop now if we don’t want to be late.”

To Be Continued.