Theory Of The Constant Melody

CHAPTER 12

IT WAS A GREY AFTERNOON WITH A DIM SKY threatening rain, and the wind was thrashing in the tree tops. On this day, I am hoping for both rain and sunshine. Whatever it could be, I know the leading edge of the sheet of clouds would deepen my desire to talk to Acherous right today or other way around just I see him.

Looking heavenwards, thereupon someone tapped me on the shoulder. By chance it was Acherous behind me, I straightway turned around. But disappointment overtook my face when Harry came into my sight.

“Look frustrated, Cyan,” he uttered and stepped forward.

I faked a smile and had a gander at the threshold of the music hall. It was a blank space the whole morning. I don’t know why.

“Harry, have you seen Acherous?” Afterwards, I looked him in the eye and scrunched up my face.

“Asking me the same question as earlier made me jump into conclusion, Cyan,” he replied and crossed his arms against his chest. “You two surely had a quarrel—or just misunderstanding,” he supposed.

I heaved a deep sigh and leaned my back against the wall; hands in pockets. Next, I crossed my right leg tiptoed the other side of my foot.

“Harry… it’s not what he thinks it may seem. Shandria and I…” I stumbled over words and drew my lower lip between my teeth.

His eyes went round then his mouth fell open. “The f**k! Well, I would be buggered, Cyan. You mean you came across… Acherous’ ex?” he inquired; bewilderment clouded his feature. I just wanted to limp out of the campus and be alone all day. What in the world people think I had screwed around? For goodness sake, it’s not my thing.

“Of course not,” I immediately answered and ran a hand through my hair.

“You went down on her?” he next questioned with his index finger extending to me.

“Dusty doughnuts! Harry, never have I ever done to screw around,” I spoke frustratingly. I hissed and faced the wall then relaxed my hands against it. “Shandria… hit on me and lusted after me. But—” I hunched over in frustration and suddenly felt clueless.

“You didn’t cop off with her? Such a promiscuous lady, you think?”

“Harry, I don’t give a s**t. What I am thinking now is what Acherous thought was, you know?” I hardly explained.

He nodded. “Anyway, speaking of which… where the hell is Acherous? Didn’t he come home?” Steepling his fingers, he looked upward and furrowed his eyebrows.

“He did not.”

Then, he stroked an imaginary beard which seemed to be thinking up a supposition. “Uhm… he probably went to… bar last night, Cyan. You think?”

Suddenly, yesterday’s incident appeared at the back of my mind.

Falling on the ground, the items scattered and the paper bag even had a slit.

The color drained out of Acherous’ face, looking at us; a muscle in his jaw twitched.

“How could you?” he whispered which I comprehended at once with the movement of his mouth.

Staring at him so sympathetically, I slightly shook my head.

Therewith, he let out a sigh and stepped backward.

“Acherous, we’re not doing wrong. It—”

Shortly after that, he strode along the pathway, and I have no idea where he’s heading to.

My eyes flickered with Shandria who just faced me after a moment. “Shandria, not being rude but get out of my way,” I emphasized.

Quickly, she distanced herself and stood up after. “Let me talk to him, Cyan. Leave it to me,” she requested, sounded certain in her voice.

“Shandria… don’t ever ruin our friendship. Acherous was devastated when you cheated on him. Don’t add some trouble.”

She nodded and strutted past the door seemed to feel nothing to worry about.

GAZING BLANKLY THROUGH THE WINDOW, the trees swayed over the strong gust of wind outside. This becomes the condition every afternoon; the clouds were nearly somber and gloomy.

After having a conversation with Harry, I just set out of our Technical Elective class since it was five to 1 already. I briefly considered the shortest way of skipping the class this afternoon, but wondering for a moment if I could afford to lose my scholarship quickly went down my realization.

Setting aside the present time, if only I would chase Acherous yesterday—not letting Shandria run after him—I could have the chance to talk to him.

We’ve been through so many struggles but this was the time I know might somewhat set us apart.

A friend is a thief of time. Nonetheless, it never made me feel regret spending my time with Acherous.

All the persons I’ve crossed my paths with are potential friends. We just need to open ourselves up to the occurrence of friendship.

“… are you listening, Mr. Clarkson?”

Focusing on my breathing, I averted my eyes to our professor who’s gritting his teeth; veins popping out and steam coming out of his ears. He’s terror, and no one even a single piece of consideration could slip out of some kind selfish tyrant.

Legs out front and knees together, I troubled making eye contact with Mr. Peterson, and thus chewing on my bottom lip was the only way I could manage to do.

“Uhm… I’m just… bored,” I uttered meaninglessly and slapped virtually my forehead.

“Speaking out of turn, Clarkson! You could leave this room now!” he exclaimed. “And one more thing—”

A creak of the door abruptly caught everyone’s attention. We all took a glance of it only to find out that Acherous went in.

“Wow!” Mr. Peterson sarcastically spoke and clapped his hands. “Such a wonderful afternoon, Mr. Miller.”

The aridity of Acherous’ feature overcast the current weather. His slumped shoulders were evident for languish, and his eyes were as dull as somber night.

“Like two peas in a pod, Clarkson and Miller,” Mr. Peterson added with a smirk. “Okay, take your seat.”

Acherous’ unruly hair when bowed his head down proved the stricken feeling. He padded past the three rows, heading toward his armchair which happened to be only the left side of mine.

Our eyes met in between, and I nodded to greet him. Meanwhile, he just looked away and sat heavily on his seat with plumping his backpack down the floor. Afterwards, he reached into it and fished his book out.

Leaning his back against the backrest slothfully, he settled his eyes on the whiteboard and locked his ankle; pen in right hand against his jaw, elbow supporting.

That was so cold. And I felt it wash over my skin. Such an enchanting combination of gloomy day and cold treatment! I was hurt that it could be a force pressing me down to pressure.

“Bro,” I called under my breath and secretly pricked off his left arm.

He fidgeted his pen circling around his fingers, and his face went poker-faced.

“Acherous…” I whispered once again.

This time, he glared at me with a scowl. “Shut your f*****g mouth,” he murmured and returned his gaze in front.

“How long have you been living here on Sunset Boulevard?” Acherous asked with a tight-lipped smile. 

We’re walking down the street while both hands behind our back. We’ve been ambling for meters having no destination. Deciding to meander around the boulevard wasn’t that bad idea.

Admittedly, I enjoy his company.

“Almost three years.”

Furthermore, considering the fact that he’s actually easy-going, he’s also loquacious—conversational topic he has in particular. In fact, he already told me about his childhood to teenage life.

Living in Las Vegas for nineteen years, he got up to some troubles and larked about. Playing around all night, chatting girls while exchanging sweet lines and thereafter, he stopped messaging them. What a jerk!

Two years ago, he ever palled around with friends—nearly dropped out of college. One day, he almost crashed out at friend’s house only to discover later on that he had to come home for a family dinner. Thus, he had been scolded for his being late and his scent was disgustingly stench.

“I have to shack up with you, Cyan, just for a little while” he added after telling me that he would be visiting his girlfriend’s house in some time.

“Sure,” I replied and toyed over the setup. “Acherous, since you’re just new, I’ll let you choose whether separate stuffs and food or share together.”

“Well…” He shrugged his shoulder and pressed his lips together. “… it’s up to you. But personally, I’ll pick the one which is alternative.”

I frowned. “Alternative?”

“Share together. By chance, you may wash my underwear… I couldn’t get tired of doing my laundry,” he wisecracked.

Consequently, we both burst into laughter. Admittedly, he’s exactly the same person I wished to befriend with. So jolly. But on the other hand, I assumed that he’s not like those childhood kids who bullied me for benefits.

“Kidding aside, where are you studying?” he passed on to the new topic.

“West Sunrise College,” I answered; my hands now in pocket.

“What the f**k!” he uttered. “I’m a transferee there. And I just…” He cleared his throat and gesticulated. “… enrolled two days ago. What’s your course, then, Cyan?”

“Civil engineering,” I simply responded with a beam.

“What the—seriously? How about your block?” His face lit up as he rubbed his both palms together.

“Three.”

“Bull’s eye. We’ll be seeing each other… in the apartment, school, and… room,” he concluded.

Well, that’s not a bad idea.

Subsequently while talking, we went past the crowd watching a dance competition in the town’s plaza.

“Uhm… Cyan,” he called.

Walking to a halt, we faced with about level of height and stared at each other.

“Can you be my friend?” he asked hesitantly.

“Acherous, you seemed reluctant. And why would you ask?” I ran a hand through my hair and plastered a smile on my face.

“Uhm… I am actually tensed. Truthfully, you’re intimidating. I mean… you looked serious and a bit formal.”

I chuckled and folded the sleeves of my white hoodie jacket up to the elbow. “Bro, not new. People always say that, and I actually get used to it. Regarding your question, I can be friends with anyone. Besides, I hit it off with you.”

“Bro? Nice call sign, bro.”

We both laughed again and gave each other a high-five and fist bump in succession.

I HAD GONE ALL OFF DUTY. I went home earlier than seven in the evening. I didn’t know what to feel, but no takeout food was prepared which was unusual.

“Bro…” I called Acherous when he stood up and edged to the table while playing a mobile game.

“What the f**k! Stupid player!” he yelled.

“Acherous…” I emphasized penetratingly.

“What?” he exclaimed and abruptly thumped on the table. He put down his phone and glared at me. “What?” he asked me once again, having a monotonous tone.

“Acherous, could you—”

“What the f**k is your problem? You’re a piece of s**t, Cyan!” he yelled out of his lungs with a clenched fist.

“What are you talking about? A piece of s**t?” Perplexity dawned on my face.

“Wow!” he said sarcastically. “My ex-girlfriend…” He kicked the chair down which was wildly thrown to the shoe storage. “… told me you were forcing her to suck your d**k… for goodness sake.”

My lips drew back in a snarl, and I snapped my eyebrows together. “Dusty—” What a freaking girl told shits. She made a fuss and had got a huge plan for us.

“Well… acting obvious that she was right. The carrots are cooked, Cyan!”

“Acherous, you have tomatoes on your eyes,” I commented back.

“Such a traitor. Probably, you went to her house where you supposedly—”

“Punch me! If I hurt you, strike back. Bash me up!” I shouted back at him.

“I am fighting back my emotion, Cyan. You’re my great friend. And I never wish to hurt you… but how could you… what you did was bordering on perfidious.” He looked heavenward and swallowed twice.

“Bro, it’s not what you think. She hit on me, but I didn’t come across her. Believe me. She’s your ex, and I ever thought through when she attempted to tap off with me.” Gesticulating my hands could be the way to persuade him.

“Come off it. Don’t feed me with lies.” His face softened, not congruous to his statement and turned his back from me.

“Who would you believe: me as your great friend or her?”

“Don’t make me choose, Cyan,” I heard him answer.

“Bro, I just want to bury the hatchet,” I responded at once and heaved a deep sigh.

“I can’t now, Cyan. Most especially now that I’m really disappointed at… myself, causing you like you never feel the real essence of friendship.” He lunged toward the coat rack and grabbed his jacket. He veered the knob and opened the door slightly.

“Bro, I’m sorry…” I just uttered, watching him leave and pull the door shut. “… and I love you no matter how it hurts.” A tear flowed down through my cheek, and I gulped to ease somehow the grief. But it didn’t.