Lost in the Dream

Buying Time

One

"It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness and nothing more."

-Dumbledore

°°°

We have three types of friends in Life:

1. Friends for a Reason;

2. Friends for a Season;

3. Friends for a lifetime.

Being an only child makes me crave for something that my parents were not able to give me: siblings.

I don't blame them for that. I'm grateful enough that they raise me well.

Meeting the guys is one of the greatest things I thank God for. We have different personalities and mindsets but we somehow complement each other.

Malkiel and Martell are the eldest and they serve as the ones we can rely on, the ones we can count on when we need to figure things we can't understand.

Theo and Gideon are the cunning ones and the ones who are most likely to cause trouble. Most of the time they are the reason why we have misunderstandings but they all gave harmony in the group.

Koa is the youngest. He's like a cat. He is the perfect one if you're looking for someone who can be there when you need him but won't get your way when you need to do your thing.

Sweven and I, on the other hand, are the ones who are most likely to bicker most of the time but we share similarities that make us compatible.

If I'll be asked which kind of friends they are, they are the kind of friends for a lifetime.

If one of us disappears, the harmony will be gone, too.

Holding the watch in my hand, I watch the scene where we're having fun in the arcade.

I don't know how I came here. I should be happy but I feel dreadful.

"Argh! You cheat again, Koa!" Theo hit the console as if it wronged him.

"You just can't accept that my brother defeated you." Gideon teased, making everyone laugh.

Theo looked at me then slaps my back. Theo's hand is heavy. He hit me so hard I thought my lungs will fall out.

"The two of us must play, then, One. I don't want to play with Koa anymore. He keeps on hurting my pride."

"Loser," Koa whispered, earning him a whack at the back of his head from Theo.

"Tomorrow will be my parents' anniversary. I can't hang out with you."

"As if your parents won't invite us. We'll be spending tomorrow at your place, buddy." Theo teased, making everyone laugh, except for me.

I'm really back. If I remember it correctly, the guys will decide to go home then my parents will appear to pick me up.

Now all I need is to alter things so we won't be caught up in an accident.

If my parents won't see me here, we won't go home together. In that case, no accident will happen.

"Sweven," I called, "Can you text Mom that they don't need to pick me up here? I want to play with Theo and show him who the boss is." I winked at him then everyone started teasing Theo.

"What's wrong with you, One?" Theo asked when he defeated me for the fifth time.

"You're so full of yourself, Theo. We all know that One is not a gamer." Malkiel laughed.

"Shut up, Bummer!" Theo laughed, too.

I played with Theo until the owner of the arcade asked us to leave because they need to close it.

I didn't even take the game seriously.

My goal is to keep my parents safe.

After being kicked out of the arcade, I dialed Mom's number. My heart is racing so fast I'm afraid I'll hyperventilate at any moment.

"Mom?"

"One? Where are you? It's late. What time are you coming home?"

"Where are you?"

"We're at home already. Sweven texted me earlier that you're still playing with Theo so we went straight home."

My tears suddenly well my face. I can't control my emotions and end up sobbing. I did it. I saved them.

"Son? Are you crying? Is there something wrong? Do you want us to get you?"

"No!" I exclaimed, "I mean...I'm just happy. I missed you so much, Mom."

"Oh, dear." Mom's voice started to shake, "Why are you being like that? Come home now. Shall I make you something? Have you eaten?"

"Please, Mommy..." I said between sobs, "You know how much I love you and Daddy, right?"

"Of course, son. We love you, too."

"What's wrong with you, One? Why are you acting like a baby? Did I hurt your pride so much it brings you to tears?" Theo wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

I instinctively elbowed him. I'm too happy to bicker with him. I won't let his words get to me.

"Now, who brought his car? Who's taking who home?" Martell asked.