Chapter Three
1337 Words
Last Bonding
"Did you finish packing, Cai?" Mom asked while fixing her cup of coffee. The smell of coffee mixed with the buttery scent of garlic rice filled the dining room.
"Yes, Mom. But I'll go out later," I said while playing with my fork. I was planning to invite my friends to hang out since it's our last bonding day.
"Why?" Mom asked, wiping her lips with a napkin. She had finished eating, but her eyes stayed on me.
"I'll go out with my friends. It's my last day here with them... and I'll miss them." I couldn't hide the sadness in my voice, even though I tried to smile.
Mom sighed, then gently brushed my hair with her hand. Her touch was soft, motherly, and full of guilt.
"I'm sorry, Cai. But you know the reason, right?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I understand, Mom." I smiled—though it felt forced. She smiled back, too—but I saw the sadness behind it.
After eating, I went up to my room. I grabbed my phone and texted Nathan, Chloe, and Casthan to ask if they wanted to go out.
A few minutes passed, but no reply. Maybe they were still asleep. I placed my phone on the small table beside my bed and went to take a bath.
Afterwards, I just wore a simple white t-shirt and gray sweatpants. When I checked my phone again, there were three unread messages.
I opened them quickly.
Casthan:
Okay.
I grimaced. "Wow, so expressive as always, Casthaniel," I muttered. That guy really had no energy, even in texts.
Nathan:
What time?
Me:
Now! Are you with Chloe?
No reply again. Chloe didn't even text—strange. Usually, she's the most excited.
Then my phone beeped again.
Nathan:
Yeah, she's with me. She said we'll just pick you up. We're on our way.
Me:
Okay. Take care. I'll wait.
The doorbell rang a few minutes later—must be them. I stood up and opened the door. Standing there was a poker-faced Casthan, wearing a black hoodie even though it was hot.
"Damn, Casthaniel," I mumbled. I opened the door wider. "Come in."
He quietly entered, not even smiling. I looked outside—no sign of Nathan and Chloe yet.
"Where's the alien couple?" I asked, looking behind him.
He didn't even glance back. He just shrugged and walked straight to the living room.
I glared at him, trying not to get annoyed. "Freaking snob," I whispered.
He must've heard me, because he turned around and gave me a cold look.
"Shut your mouth, Cai," he said flatly before sitting on the sofa, grabbing the cake I had earlier, and eating it—like he owned the place.
"So arrogant," I muttered again.
Suddenly, someone touched my shoulder, and I almost jumped. It was Nathan—grinning, with Chloe behind him, one eyebrow raised.
"Where's my brother?" Nathan asked, wrapping his arm around Chloe.
"There," I pointed to the living room.
"I thought he wasn't coming. Guess he beat us to it," Nathan said as we walked toward the sofa.
When we got there, Casthan was comfortably sitting and already watching TV.
I shook my head. "You really feel at home, huh?" I said loud enough for him to hear.
"What now?" Chloe interrupted, rolling her eyes.
I looked at her. "I'm not sure... What do you guys want? Mall, or just here? Movie marathon—I can cook something."
"House," Casthan said right away in his usual monotone.
"Well," Nathan added, "staying here's better anyway. The mall will be crowded again. Let's just order food. Don't tire yourself, Cai."
I looked at Chloe. "Whatever you guys want," she said, flipping her hair.
I think it's her time of the month.
"Okay then. What do you want to watch?"
"Romance!" Chloe answered instantly.
"Horror," Nathan countered, rolling his eyes.
I turned to Casthan. "You?"
"Porn."
"Yuck!" Chloe exclaimed, disgusted.
"Seriously, Casthan?" I stared at him, speechless. He just rolled his eyes again.
In the end, we watched Maleficent. We ordered pizza and soft drinks. When the food arrived, Nathan looked like a kid—he immediately grabbed a slice and started eating happily.
When the movie started, we all sat on the couch: Casthan on the left, me beside him, then Nathan and Chloe on the right.
It was the part where Maleficent woke up without her wings when I heard a soft sniff.
I looked—Chloe was crying on Nathan's shoulder. Of course, Nathan didn't even notice; he was too focused on the screen. I chuckled quietly.
Then suddenly, I felt Casthan's arm resting behind my neck. I turned—his arm was on the sofa's backrest, but close enough to brush my shoulder. He seemed unbothered.
I tried to ignore it, pretending not to notice. But when he heard me laugh, he spoke.
"What's so funny?"
I flinched. I didn't expect him to talk—especially with his face just inches away.
"N-nothing," I stammered.
He smirked. Then, without warning, he rested his head on my shoulder.
I froze. "C-Cas—"
He glared at me, and I immediately shut up. Bad move—because then, he slowly wrapped his arm around my waist.
I looked at the couple for help—but they were both asleep. I sighed deeply.
When I turned back to Casthan, he was already asleep too, a small smile on his lips.
"You're weird," I whispered.
He smiled wider, like he heard me. Casthan never smiles. But now, he looked different—calm, peaceful, almost soft.
So unlike the Casthan I knew.
Minutes passed, and he was still leaning on me. Then, he gently tightened his arm around my waist.
I froze. "What the—"
"M-Mom..." he murmured weakly, sounding hurt.
That's when I realized he was dreaming—probably about Aunt Thantan.
She had already passed away. My heart ached for him.
I tried to move his arm away, but he just held on tighter. I sighed, deciding to let him be.
There's nothing wrong, right? He's my friend. Maybe he just needed comfort.
When the movie ended, they were all still asleep. I wanted to turn off the TV, but I couldn't move—he was still hugging me.
I waited. Then he stirred awake. His eyes opened slowly, and when he saw me, he smiled softly.
"Cai," he said, in a voice I barely recognized. I was too stunned by how gentle he sounded.
I tried to answer, "A-ah... wha—" but I ended up stuttering, which made him chuckle.
Instead of moving away, he wrapped his arm tighter around my neck and buried his face in my shoulder. His breath was warm against my skin.
"Thank you, Cai," he whispered.
I trembled but forced a smile. "W-What's wrong, Casthan?"
"Nothing. It's just..." he took a deep breath, close enough for me to feel it. "I'm happy. Damn."
Then he breathed in again—deeply, like he was memorizing my scent.
I froze, heart racing. "C-Can you let go now?" I almost pleaded.
I could feel my pulse pounding. I was so uncomfortable.
Then suddenly, I felt his lips touch my neck—quick, light, but enough to make my blood run cold.
"The hell, Casthaniel Castro!?" I shouted, almost punching him.
He only smirked, eyes playful. "It was just an accident, Cai. And please, stop cursing. You sound like a wannabe bad boy—it doesn't suit you."
"f**k you, asshole!" I snapped.
His eyes darkened, and he leaned closer. I gasped.
"I'm warning you, Cai," he whispered near my ear, voice low and dangerous. "Say that word again, and I'll do it to you."
Then another quick kiss on my neck.
"A-Are you crazy, Casthan!?" I pushed him away.
His face went blank again, his voice cold.
"Yes," he said quietly. "And it's because of you, Cai."
Then he stood up and walked away, leaving me frozen where I sat.
What the hell just happened?
- Writer
