Neverside

Story: We belong together

We belong together
By Kai

Chapter 1

David suspired heavily, holding his untouched drink in his trembling hands. "What should I do?" he lamented, raising his head to look at his friend, who had remained unusually silent. He cleared his throat, before replying simply, "I've said my piece."

David scowled at how lightly his friend seemed to have treated this problem.

He doesn't understand!

His mind now was of one in great chaos and disorder; a far cry from his usual analytical self.

Fantastically brilliant, David was one of a kind. He had established an infamous reputation in school of brutally and effortlessly crushing any opposition with his tongue. He was, in words of his admirers, nothing short of a legend.

Not now though.

His worries felt lead-heavy, weighing down his heart and soul. His eyes, usually sharp, looked distracted. He knew what he had to do; the only problem was doing the act itself.

"But just in case you were wallowing in self-torment and sadness, I'll just repeat myself - you know what you have to do, don't you? Then make your decision, however harsh it may be, and stick with it," he paused on cue, allowing the impact of his words to hit David, "just make sure you don't regret it."

This guy is telepathic, he thought as he pondered over his words. The truth is, he was already regretting.

David and Dawn were together ever since three years ago. Their first meeting was one of such coincidence. In a hot and humid bus, David stirred uncomfortably as he tried to force his way out. Finally alighting the bus after a fierce battle against the sweaty bodies on ths bus, he barely got to finish his curses about crowded buses when he knocked down a lady.

They were classmates, but hardly acquaintances. As a matter of fact, they knew nothing about the other's existance. That day marked the beginning of their friendship and their able-to-blossom love.

Their relationship began on a note hardly less magical. On David's birthday, he awkwardly requested Dawn to be his companion for the day.

After a visit to the theme park, they promenaded towards the bus-stop, an awkward silence between the two of them. While crossing a junction, their hands accidentally brushed against each other. And again. And again.

But that was a very long time ago. David reminisced longingly the first time they held hands, their first magical kiss. It all seemed so foreign now. Looking back and his mobile phone, he made up his mind.

No more running away, David.

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she registered the tone of his voice to be one of utmost seriousness. "What do you want to tell me?" she asked, nervously yet gently. She feared it was as she expected.

It was.

Droplets of tears descended from her face as she slammed the receiver down at the holder. "Lies!" she screamed at the phone, as if it was the phone who betrayed her trust.

Father, why did you first give me wings, then break them when I was at the pinnacle of my happiness? Why have you forsaken me?

He hung up the call, as he sat down on his seat, remorseful at what he had just done. It was necessary, he tried to convince himself, without any success. It must end, some way or another.

A shadowy figure watched from afar as David sank into yet another state of misery. Victorious, the figure smiled menacingly, and walked briskly back to the canteen, never wiping off that wicked smile.

Brilliant.

Chapter 2

"David, you feeling alright?" Faith asked hesitantly, selecting her words with care. She was treading on thin ice; a heartbroken man is like a vase. It looks good, but highly fragile. All you need is a little impact, and all you will have left are pieces.

"Yeah. Thanks for asking," he muttered tiredly, giving a faint smile.

She did not speak; inside her was a fierce debate whether she should continue, or back off.

"Mind if I ask a question?"

"What?" he snapped irritatedly. Questions was one thing he did not feel like entertaining now. Why could they just leave him in peace?

"What-happened-between-you-and-Dawn?" she muttered softly in a quick breath, observing David gingerly, preparing herself for recoil. David turned and looked at her. For a moment, she thought he would scream at her. Scold her for being such a busybody. But then he replied, in an exhausted voice.

"Please, Faith. I thank you for your concern, but right now, I don't feel like being in company. I would really be glad if you would just leave me alone."

She slowly moved closer to David, and placed her left hand on his shoulder. Whispering in a smoothening voice, she nodded. "I understand. But no matter what, I'll be right here, behind you."

"Thanks."

She smiled, and walked out of the room, when another person entered the room.

"What was Faith doing?" came a familiar voice. David turned.

"Don't ask, Sean."

"Sometimes I really wonder, what makes so many girls attractive to you like bees to honey."

"Funny," David replied coldly, glaring at his friend, who was beside him.

"Seems like we're going to have trouble real soon. Not that you would mind," he added, giving a devilish smile.

David narrowed his eyes. "You know, I feel like punching you right now."

Sean laughed. "What? Internal conflict even before outside trouble? Here I was thinking that you're intelligent!"

"Bastard."

She sank her face into the pillow, blocking the sunshine as it penetrated through the curtains, shining on her. After several moments, feeling frustrated, she sat up, stormed to the window, and pulled the curtains so that it blocked the sun.

What time is it, anyway, she thought angrily as she reached for her mickey mouse clock. Its face beamed at her as she looked at the time.

"What the?!" she screamed, quickly throwing the clock to the bed before rushing to the bathroom.

She was late for class.

Chapter 3

Sean slowly walked into the classroom. He was, after all, early. It was hardly nine, and his lession starts at nine thirty. Feeling restless, he walked out of the classroom and stood by the railings on the corridor. His classroom was a "prime" location in the school. Overlooking the canteen and the school gate, one could see all the students entering the school.

As he observed the many flurrying figures at the gate, he noticed a familiar figure, slowly entering into the school compound.

The creature inside Sean roared with anticipation as he watched her enter the staircase.

"Hi Dawn," Sean said, once she came into view on the spiral staircase. He had tried to keep this trembling voice calm, hoping she did not realise that he had been waiting for her.

She looked up; Sean was standing above her, leaning on the maroon railings.

"Hi," she replied casually.

Dawn thought she was late; in fact, she was early. Her clock's batteries were out cold, and it stopped right at nine twenty. The truth was, she was twenty minutes early.

"You're early."

"So are you."

Sean did not reply. He did not know what to say. Dawn seemed to have noticed, for she replied, "Well, I guess I'll see you around."

He nodded and gave a short wave, smiling.

As he watched her slowly walk to her classroom, the creature inside him cried with triumph.

As he entered the classroom, he saw David, and promptly went to sit opposite him.

"I saw Dawn," he began, as he swiveled around slightly on the swivel chair.

"Sean, if it's an attempt to get me all emotional, drop that attempt."

"She seemed upset," he continued, as though he did not hear David's hasty retort.

"Obviously she would be," David replied coolly, though he sat up straighter now to listen more closely to Sean.

"You seemed concerned," he mocked, looking at his friend.

David smiled. He knew what Sean was trying to do, and he was determined to beat him at his own game.

"Certainly. She was my girlfriend, after all," he replied, faking a smug expression on his face.

Sean laughed. "Politics fits you perfectly."

Later in the day, David peered into the mirror through his blurred vision, suddenly aware of how frail he looked.

Bags had developed under his eyes, a testimonial to the countless sleepless nights he had. His eyes momentarily looked tired, and bloodshot. His hair was disheveled, a sure indication that he was unwell.

What happened to you, David, he thought as he splashed some water on his face to refresh himself, and exited the washroom.

Chapter 4

It was a secret well kept by David, revealed to no one, not even Dawn. He thought this was a sign of weakness, yet it was his only source of comfort, only source of inner peace. The great David actually had a diary.

Ever since young, he never really had friends. In fact, Sean was one of his only few friends. He was his best friend, yet even in him David had confided little. He had planned to get through life alone; a solo journey. Yet when Dawn came into his life, all was forgotten. But not for long; the commitments had started to wear him down, tire his heart. He was getting devoured by the commitments of the relationship. He loathed commitments.

I've broken up with Dawn. Honestly, I don't know if I've done the right thing, but I think it would be best for us both. It's my fault. All my fault. I am selfish. I hate commitments. Strings to tie me down, No!

He never wrote much in his diary entries, yet every single entry, few its words might be, spoke nothing but the truth. It was his most inner feelings, and he feared to write more than was already written. In his eyes, it meant inferiority.

Letting out a sigh, he closed his diary, and replaced it at the side of his desk. He leaned against the swivel chair and closed his eyes. He needed some rest.

Dawn turned the volume of her speakers up as she listened to the lyrics of the song. It was "In the End", by Linkin Park; one of her favourites. She had never been able to really relate to the song, but now she could understand every single emotion.

"I had to fall, to lose it all, and in the end, it doesn't even matter..."

As the song continued, her heart fell deeper and deeper into the abyss of sadness and agony. She needed a helping hand, but all she got was nothing.

Nothing?

She jumped when a Windows Live Messenger conversation box popped out.

Hi, Dawn.

She took a quick look at the e-mail address. Who is he?

Chapter 5

No doubt, the human brain is one of the fastest computer ever to exist. Within seconds, Dawn's brain had registered the e-mail address, matched it against millions other records, and found a match.

Sean?

[i]Good. I thought you wouldn't remember my e-mail addy."

She smiled. Of course she did. She and Sean had one of the most unforgettable memories, one Dawn would never forget.

Thank you, Father.

[center]------[/center]

He smiled as he remembered the pitiful state David was wallowing in. Leaning back on his swivel chair, he gave a little smile.

He needed allies. And he knew just who to find.

--------

"Thanks, Dawn. Thank you so much for agreeing to accompany me today, thank you so much for... everything," said David as he placed a kiss on her cheeks.

She blushed. "You're welcomed, David."

They stood at the lift, both not willing to let go of the other's hand. At that very moment, nothing except themselves seemed to matter. It was as if the world stopped spinning, the time stopped flowing. Their eyes sparkled with a burning flame. A burning flame of love.

At that very instant, they knew they were in love.

--------

"David, I've made your favourite - tuna sandwich!" Faith chipped cheerfully when he entered the classroom.

"Yes?"

"I've made you tuna sandwich. Here, try it!" she urged, pushing the box to his hands.

"Faith, it is impossible between both of us."

"C'mon, try it! It's really delicious," she continued, feinting deaf to his reply.

"Faith, I really don't want to hurt you, but we cannot possibly be together."

"Is it because of Dawn?" she whispered, a definite note of sadness in her voice. David looked at her for a second, sighed, before replying in a determined voice, "Yes."

"Trust me," she replied, moving dangerously closer to David. Putting her hands around his neck, she whispered seductively into his ears, "I can make you feel better."

Momentarily taken aback by her stout actions, he quickly recovered and pushed her away from him.

"Is Dawn really that good!? How is she better than me!?" she screamed at David, who did not reply.

"FINE!" she shouted, before storming out of the classroom, leaving David alone in the room.

Marvelous.

Last edited by alfredlau, October 27th, 2006 10:31 AM (Edited 4 times)