They told Carter he’d never see Aiden again—that once his family moved to another country, their friendship would end. It was a heartbreaking thought, but fortunately, that wasn’t the case. Just a few days ago, Aiden had reached out, asking him to meet. Carter’s heart raced at the possibility of rekindling their friendship.
Now, he stood at the train station, waiting silently among the bustling crowd. His blood-red hoodie and golden blonde hair made him stand out, drawing a few glances—mostly from a group of giggling women who whispered like high schoolers. Carter didn’t mind; everyone appreciates attention, especially from a pretty brunette who seemed to be making eyes at him. He thought about approaching her but quickly decided against it.
He was here for Aiden. Even if he couldn’t have fun now, he knew he had a list of girls he could call later. He got around a lot, after all. Rumors spread that he welcomed any girl into his bed, and while that was half true, a few guys had tried their luck too—not that he let it happen. Most were left rejected or abandoned in restaurants or theaters. He treated some girls the same way once he grew bored of them. It wasn’t ideal, but karma would catch up eventually.
A sharp whistle cut through the air, followed by the clatter of metal on the tracks, signaling the train’s arrival.
The train wasn’t impressive. It looked old, with rusty patches and flaking black paint that revealed the corroded metal beneath. It was smaller than most trains, with only four compartments, but it got the job done. When the doors opened, people poured out, some bags tumbling onto the platform, and the distant cries of children filled the air.
Carter considered checking on the kids but changed his mind when he spotted the source of the commotion—a gray-haired elderly woman pulling a little girl who was sobbing about "selling lollies."
A chuckle escaped him. The girl looked around five, her tantrum convincing the old woman to fumble for a few coins and buy her a lollipop from a nearby vendor. The girl’s pride at her victory quickly faded as she tasted the candy, her face scrunching in uncertainty. The old woman tugged her away shortly after.
A voice suddenly called Carter’s name, faint but unmistakable. His heart skipped, and he scanned the crowd. There, weaving through the bustling station, was Aiden.
He looked different—slightly shorter than Carter remembered, but there was an undeniable grace in the way he moved. His light blue hair, once brown, caught Carter’s attention, and as Aiden came closer, Carter’s arms moved instinctively, pulling him into a tight embrace. His fingers threaded through Aiden’s hair, the texture soft and unfamiliar. The change suited him, perfectly complementing his warm brown eyes.
A flutter of excitement filled Carter’s chest, as if a thousand butterflies had taken flight. Aiden still resembled the boy he once knew—innocent, pale, with soft pink lips that made Carter’s stomach flip. For a moment, the distance between them seemed to shrink, and Carter felt the urge to lean in closer.
Before he could act on it, Aiden grabbed his hand, pulling him through the crowd with a blinding smile. Carter, momentarily stunned, found himself holding a red bag that matched his hoodie. It felt oddly light.
“Hey, Aiden, where are we going?” Carter asked, his voice softer than he intended.
Aiden glanced back, a secretive smile playing on his lips, his eyes glinting with mischief. Without a word, he led Carter down roads, past shops, and through narrow alleys that felt best avoided.
Carter nearly had a heart attack dodging stray animals, half convinced Aiden was intentionally leading him through chaos. He knew he missed his friend, but he hadn’t expected this reunion to be such an adventure. Karma had to be playing a cruel joke on him for all the hearts he’d broken.
Finally, they stopped in front of a large, decrepit building. It loomed ominously, its brick walls chipped and crumbling, the roof caved in. There were no windows—just gaping holes where glass once existed, surrounded by piles of rubble. It was clear no one could live there—unless they were willing to risk their life or health.
Aiden suddenly dropped to his knees. Startled, Carter instinctively wrapped an arm around his waist, steadying him. It wasn’t intimate—though Carter wished it were—but supportive, as Aiden trembled in his grasp.
"I... they lied... I was supposed to—" Aiden stammered, his voice cracking, tears welling in his eyes. Panic and sadness flickered across his face, tightening the knot in Carter’s chest.
Carter didn’t fully understand, but from what he could gather, Aiden was supposed to stay here—near the college they both planned to attend. The realization made Carter’s heart ache even more.
Seeing Aiden so vulnerable unsettled him. Aiden had always been emotional, and Carter had never been good at handling it. He wanted to help, but he often made things worse with his careless words or actions. This time was no different, as the words tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop them.
"Come stay at my place."
