The encounter
1041 Words
As Julian and his brother browsed the Sugar Spice cake shop, Lexi couldn't help but notice them. Julian's brother ordered a few pastries, and Julian picked up a couple of cupcakes. Just then, a third person walked in, seemingly following them.
As they waited in line to pay, Lexi mustered up the courage to approach Julian. "Excuse me, Julian," she said, trying to sound casual.
Julian turned around, looking puzzled. "Oh, sorry... do I know you?" he replied.
Lexi's face fell, but she tried to play it cool. "We had history class together today. I'm the new student." She forced a smile, hoping he'd remember her.
But Julian just looked at her blankly. "Sorry, I don't think I know you," he said, his voice polite but detached.
Lexi felt a sting of rejection as Julian turned back to his brother. "Let's go," he said, and they walked away, leaving Lexi standing there, feeling embarrassed and confused.
As they drove away from the cake shop, Asher, Julian's younger brother, turned to him with a concerned expression.
"Julian, why were you so rude to that girl?" Asher asked, frowning.
Julian shrugged. "I don't know her, Ash. I've never seen her before."
Asher raised an eyebrow. "You can't just dismiss people like that, Julian. You were kind of harsh."
Julian sighed. "Just drop it, Ash. I don't want to talk about it."
Asher fell silent, but Julian could tell he was still thinking about the encounter.
Asher turned to Julian again, a discerning look on his face. "Julian, I know what's going on. You're still thinking about her, aren't you? You're still holding on to those memories, those bittersweet moments from your past."
Julian's eyes clouded, and he gazed out the window, his jaw clenched. Asher's words had struck a nerve, and Julian couldn't deny the truth in them.
************
As Julian and Asher walked into the house, they were immediately enveloped in the warm and cozy atmosphere of the living room. Their mom was sitting on the couch, surrounded by the soft glow of table lamps and the gentle hum of the TV in the background. She was engrossed in reading the newspaper, her eyes scanning the pages with interest.
Asher approached her, dropping the bag on the floor with a soft thud. "Hey, mom, we're back," he said, plopping down beside her on the couch.
Julian, on the other hand, simply said "hi" and headed straight to his room, leaving Asher and their mom to chat.
Asher's mom looked up from the newspaper, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Oh, hi sweetie! How was the outing?" she asked, folding the newspaper and setting it aside.
Asher launched into a detailed account of their short trip, telling her about their arrival at the cake shop and the girl who had approached Julian. His mom listened attentively, her expression growing more and more intrigued as Asher spoke.
"And then Julian told her he didn't know her," Asher said, his voice full of drama. "He was really rude about it too."
His mom raised an eyebrow, a mixture of surprise and concern on her face. "Oh, really? That doesn't sound like Julian is changing his ways," she said, her voice thoughtful.
Asher nodded vigorously. "I know, right? He's still being really cold and distant."
His mom sighed, a look of puzzlement on her face. "I've been talking to him about this, but he's not listening. I don't know what's wrong with him."
Just then, the doorbell rang, breaking the silence. Someone was coming in.
As the maid walked into the living room, she announced, "Uncle Liam has arrived." Julian's mom smiled and stood up, smoothing out her dress.
Just then, Liam walked into the living room, a friendly smile on his face. "Hi," he said, addressing Julian's mom.
Asher, who had been sitting on the couch, stood up and smiled at Liam. "Hi, Liam!" he exclaimed.
Liam's eyes lit up with warmth as he smiled at Asher. "Hey there, Asher! How are you doing? You weren't feeling too well, were you? Or was it just that you wanted to come home and see your mom?" Liam teased, ruffling Asher's hair.
Asher grinned, feeling happy to see Liam. "I'm fine, Liam. I just missed mom," he said, smiling up at Liam.
Julian's mom smiled, watching the exchange between Asher and Liam. "It's good to see you, Liam. Can I get you something to drink?" she asked.
Liam shook his head. "No, thank you. I'm fine. But I would love to see Julian. Is he around?" he asked.
Asher nodded. "Yeah, he's upstairs in his room. I can take you to him," he said.
Liam smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Great, thanks Asher. Lead the way."
As they walked upstairs to Julian's room, Asher chatted excitedly with Liam. When they reached Julian's door, Asher knocked loudly.
"Julian, Liam is here to see you!" Asher called out.
But there was no answer. The door remained shut, and an uncomfortable silence fell over the hallway.
"What happened?", Liam asked looking at Asher uncertainly, then back at the door.
Asher sighed "Something did happen where we went to.....a cake shop".
Liam hesitated for a moment, then reached out and tried the door handle. To his surprise, the door swung open easily.
Liam raised an eyebrow. "I guess he didn't lock it," he said quietly.
Asher nodded and stepped inside the room, Liam following close behind. The room was dimly lit, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioner.
As they approached the bed, Asher saw that Julian was lying on his side, fast asleep. His chest rose and fell with each slow breath, and his face was peaceful.
Asher looked at Liam, then back at Julian. He hesitated for a moment, then reached out and gently shook Julian's shoulder.
"Julian, wake up," Asher said softly. "Liam is here to see you."
Julian stirred, his eyes fluttering open. He looked up at Asher and Liam, his expression groggy.
"What...what time is it?" Julian mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
Liam smiled and sat down on the edge of the bed. "It's time for you to wake up and talk to me," he said, his voice warm and friendly.
- Writer
