Love Letters Through Corpses

Chapter 43: That's why

 The two continued their conversation, now changing into a more carefree and less serious topic. Honestly, it felt weird for both of them. Sage never had a friend over to her house, she never felt this secure feeling whenever they open a new topic or would continue to the one they’re currently having. Daexoen, on the other hand, was new to this trusting feeling. To be frank, he's never had a girl's best friend before or any female he could come close to calling a friend. Maybe that’s why he’s also been stressed out, he doesn't know how to handle this protective side of his. Yet for some reason the place they were was something oddly right. However, it was kind of missing something. Something that’s supposed to be there. It was like there’s a missing puzzle piece that they just couldn’t figure out. 

Sage’s phone started ringing as their conversation progressed. The two looked at each other before the younger could grab her phone to see who it was. Seeing the caller, Sage didn’t hesitate to answer the call. 

“Well. that was rude of you two,” the caller said, turning the call into a video call for them to see him. “You decided to hangout at Sage’s place without inviting me?” he said, sulking at the two. 

The two smiled at him, “It wasn’t intentional,” Sage reasoned out, seconded by the other with a nod. 

The male rolled his eyes, “Fine!” he gave up before grinning at the two. “Dae, dad went back to the station, meaning your uncle must have left as well. Does that mean Vienna is alone?” Styx curiously asked the other male. Daexoen’s smile quickly turned into an upset frown. 

“Why?” his eyebrows frowned as well, unamused by the other’s question. 

Styx was caught off guard by the male’s reaction, “What do you mean why? She’s your cousin?” he reluctantly answered, unaware of what happened a few minutes ago. 

Daexoen balled his hand into a fist before standing up to face the female, who was quietly listening to their conversation. “Sage, can I use the bathroom?” 

The latter nodded, “Down the hall,” she answered. 

Ignoring the other on the phone, Daexoen mindlessly headed out of the room. Silence engulfs the two, unable to express their thoughts about the upset male. Styx was beyond confused about what was happening. Sage, on the other hand, tried to understand everything. 

“What happened? Why is he so mad?” Styx suddenly asked the other, who looked at him curiously. “Did something happen between them? And why did he decide to stay there?” He continued to shower the youngest with questions. 

Sage tilted her head, “Why are you asking?” she suddenly asked, making the other fall into a quiet state. 

“Because he’s my friend,” he answered, yet there was hesitation in his voice. “I’m also worried. I’ve noticed the tense look he has every time we’re together,” he confessed. 

The youngest nodded, “Yes. He did mention that” 

Styx looked at her, eyebrows frowning. “He talked to you about it?” he asked, earning a nod from the latter. “He would usually tell me,” he whispered, but it was loud enough for the youngest to hear. 

Silence once again reigned between the two as they waited for the other male’s arrival. Styx had mixed feelings about the situation. He felt kind of left out not being their right now, at the same time he felt weird knowing he wasn’t the only person Daexoen could rely his feelings and thoughts about. It was indeed a strange feeling. 

As soon as Daexoen came back, the two could clearly see the masked facade the other was putting up. Trying his best to change the topic and forget the terrible atmosphere he left behind. Styx seemed to agree with his silent decision, carrying out the conversation being led by the two males. Sage, however, was left dumbfounded. Unsure of how to put things into account. 

She was confused by the sudden shift of emotions and actions by the two males. As much as she tried to, she couldn’t help but stumble on the recent events. 

“You’re both acting different,” he voiced out, resulting in the two males’ sudden end of conversation. “I don’t like it,” she confessed. 

Both felt a bit of guilt seeing how confused the other was about their situation. Daexoen felt the guiltiest out of them. He was being unfair to his friends. Heck, even he doesn’t know why he suddenly just acted like that. Why was he so rude to his cousin and why he took it out of his childhood friend. 

“I’m sorry. I don’t even know why I acted like that” Daexoen started, reaching out to hold the youngest’s hand. “Styx, Dude, I didn’t mean to act harsh. I guess I’m just out of it.” 

Styx smiled, “I understand. We all have those days,” he said. 

“Dae, if you’re having problems you could tell us, right?” Sage suddenly said, catching the male off guard. “I might now be able to give you great advice, but I could listen. You too, Styx” she said, trying to avoid eye contact with the male. 

The two males laughed at the female’s reaction. It was nice to hear that from her, it was indeed a heart-warming sight to see. With that, the three continued to have a more open and neutral atmosphere around them. This time, there was no awkwardness, no pressure and no forced actions. It was a pure amount of bliss and Sage adored every minute of it. It was little things such as these that made their friendship worth remembering, according to Sage, of course. This friendship wasn’t that difficult to find, it wasn’t that long to develop as well. They just clicked. It had been less than 2 months, but they felt as if it had been years together. 

“Hey, it’s getting late. Shouldn’t you head home?” Styx reminded Daexoen after checking the time on his phone. 

Daexoen cursed under his breath before fixing his things, “Sage, I should get going,” he said, opening the door to leave. 

“Then I’ll end the call. I’ll see you two tomorrow?” Styx intervened before bidding farewell to the two. “Oh! And next time I’m coming” he said, ending the call. 

Daexoen chuckled while Sage grinned at the other's playful side, “Well, you got to love him,” Daexoen said before leading the female out of the room. 

As soon as they got downstairs, Sage’s aunt was already cooking their supper. She was wearing an apron around her neck and torso, and her hair neatly combed into a bun as she attempted to cook the family’s dinner. 

‘Oh, Daexoen are you leaving?” She asked, and the male replied with a nod. “Are you sure you won’t be staying for dinner?” 

Daexoen chuckled at Hyuna’s perseverance, “I really need to leave, Auntie. My cousin who just came from the US was home alone. I need to check out on her. She might have done something stupid.” he joked, which made the older female visibly understand the boy’s early leave from their house.

He bids the family a short goodbye before leaving the house’s main door. Sage escorted the male out of the house, gradually stopping in front of the house’s yard. 

“Take care” Sage said, which made the older smile, ruffly her head in a messy state. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He said before turning to walk away from the youngest. 

Sage looked at the male’s disappearing figure, mind still clouded with the observation she'd been doing. She stood there, absorbing the thoughts that kept her clouded since the car ride. She nodded to herself. It wasn’t something she had power over, it wasn’t even her business to open up to. She stood there for a couple more minutes before deciding to enter the house again. 

She then thought to herself, “I see. That’s why.” 

As soon as Daexoen entered the apartment, he was greeted with a tight hug and uncontrollable tears falling from his cousin’s face as she whispered multiple words of apology to the male. Daexoen couldn’t help but chuckle at her childishness, but he couldn’t help coo over the female’s kind heart. It was indeed respectable. 

“Everything’s fine now Ienna,” he said as the woman let him go from her embrace. 

She pouted, “I won’t be a burden anymore, I swear. Just don’t be mad” she mumbled, which earned a heartfelt chuckle from the older cousin. 

“I’m sorry. I just burst” Daexoen said, lowering his head in guilt. 

Ienna shook her head, “But I was wondering what I did wrong. I just –” Vienna stopped on her last sentence before turning towards the boy. “Oh… Really?” she asked him, having the smallest idea of the reason now. 

The male smiled before rubbing the back of his neck, “yeah…” he whispered, giving her a weak smile. “I should go to my room. Uncle said he’d bring dinner. Just call me when he arrives.” he instructed the female. Entering his room, Daexoen couldn't help but let out a deep sigh as he lay lazily on the bed. 

Daexoen lay back on the mattress, arms folded behind his neck. He sighed deeply, “Why? It’s just unlikely.”