Echoes and New Beginnings

The Next Day, I went to the library to read books to pass the time. The weather has begun to rain as I can feel a cold breeze from the window. I notice Brad waving at me, and I wave back. He walks toward me and put one of his hands on my shoulder.

“Hey, Elvin. How are you today?” He asks.

“I’m doing fine, Brad.” I speak.

“That’s good.” He says and smiles.

“And you?” I ask back.

“I’m fine.” He says and smiles.

“Have you just arrived? You are wearing jacket.” I ask.

“Yeah, it’s raining today.” He speaks.

“Why do you ask? Are you feeling cold? He asks.

“No, I’m just asking.” I say and begin to shiver a little bit.

Brad notices I’m shivering, he immediately put his jacket on me

“You’re freezing, Elvin.” He says while worried at me.

“Sorry, I just… don’t want to make you worry.” I speak.

“It’s okay, I’ll be fine.” He speaks.

His jacket feels warm as I hug it more tightly

“Hehe… you like my jacket, don’t you?” he says and chuckles.

“Yeah… it’s warm and comfy.” I speak.

He chuckles and hug me tightly

“What are you doing?!” I ask and slowly blush.

“Oh, nothing… just want to hug you.” He says and smirks at me.

“Elvin… who’s he?” Lee Seok Joon asked.

“Lee Seok Joon!” I speak.

“Why is he hugging you?” Lee Seok Joon asked.

“Oh, Brad just feeling cuddly.” I speak.

“Do you want a hug?” I ask.

“Sure” Lee Seok Joon says and hugs me.

“Brad, this is Lee Seok Joon. My boyfriend.” I say as I introduce to him.

Brad looks at him for a few minutes and pat on his shoulder

“Pleasure to meet you, Lee Seok Joon.” Brad speaks.

“Nice to meet you too.” Lee Seok Joon speaks.

“So, what are you doing before come here, Seok Joon?” I asked him.

“Oh, I went for a swim for a bit.” He speaks.

“In this rain weather?!” I asked him again.

“Yeah” he says and chuckles.

“Are you feel cold?” I asked with concern.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” He says try not to make me worry.

“Okay then…” I say while feeling hesitant a little bit.

His jacket feels warm as I hug it tightly

“You like my jacket, huh?” he asks and chuckles.

“Yes, I like how warm and comfy it is.” I speak.

He smiles and hugs me tightly

“You’re feeling cuddly.” I say and chuckle.

“Hehe… what can I say? I like your cuteness.” He says and hugs me even tighter.

I smile and hug him back

“Hey, Elvin!” Lee Seok Joon says and walks toward me.

“Seok Joon!” I say and hug him tightly as I release from Brad hug.

“How are you?” He asked.

“I’m fine, I’m just with talking with Brad.” I speak.

“Hello, Seok Joon.” Brad says and gives him a handshake.

“Pleasure to meet you, Brad.” He says and accepts handshakes.

“Anyway, you just done with swimming practice?” I asked Seok Joon.

“Yeah, I’m just done now.” He speaks.

“Why you ask? Did you miss me already?” he says and chuckles.

“Um… “I cut myself as I don’t know what to say.

Lee Seok Joon chuckled and hugged me tightly

“You don’t have to answer it, I already knew you miss me.” He speaks.

“Fine…” I say as I give up from hiding it.

“See? I know you miss me.” he says and chuckles.

“Look like he makes you blush red.” Brad says and chuckles as well as him.

“Shut up…” I speak.

“Hehe… I’m telling you the truth.” He says and smirks.

Suddenly, Gepard walking toward us

“Brad! Why are you doing here?!” He says his overprotective instinct begins to kick in.

“I’m just talking with Elvin, no bully stuffs.” He speaks.

“Yeah, Brad. He didn’t bully me.” I said as tried to calm him down.

“*Sigh* Alright then, don’t do something bad to him, Brad.” Gepard says he still has his instinct.

“Alright, Gepard. Just calm down.” Brad speaks.

“I will as long you didn’t do something bad.” Gepard speaks.

“Gepard, it’s okay. I’ll be fine but… I appreciate your concern.” I say and smile.

“*sigh* alright then.” He speaks and smiles a little bit.

After that, we went back to class as normal day until lunch break. I was on my way to the canteen and noticed Karl was listening to music and didn’t pay attention as he walked toward the swimming pool. I run toward him and pull him closer to me before he falls.

“Karl! are you okay?” I ask as I’m worried about him.

“I’m… fine…” He says hesitantly as he notices how close he and I.

“That’s good.” I said in relief.

A few minutes of awkward silence

“Can you let me go?” Karl asks me.

“Oh! Sorry for that.” I said as I let go of him.

“It’s… okay.” He says while still hesitant.

The atmosphere between us is chilling as we stay silent and look at each other. I still remember his tough attitude when we were in middle school. How he acts tough towards the teacher… his friends…. his parents…. As well as me. I just… want him to open his feelings towards me so I can help him. When Karl walking pass me, I tell him…

“Karl…” I said his name gently.

He stopped and didn’t look at me as he looked in the opposite directions

“Please open to me if you feel troubles. I always be there for you.” I speak.

He didn’t speak for a few minutes before he said something nice for the first time

“I will try to open to you and… thank you for saving me.”

“*Smile* Your welcome, Karl.” I said and smiled.

I noticed he was smiling for the first time and it’s cute. He chuckles to himself and walk away; I wave him goodbye and walk back to my class while feeling warm in my heart as my friendship with Karl… begin to appear slowly.

“Dear Diary,

My heart begins to feel better after Karl began to change a little bit. I feel glad after the long distance between us, we finally began to be friends. I hope I and Karl care for each other just like others. Karl… I’m so happy to be your support.

I sigh and hear Zhask call me that mom is done cooking dinner and waiting for me. I close the diary and go downstairs to eat dinner with my parents. The atmosphere inside the house feels warmth of love and care. I’m so happy that my parents finally gave me the love that I desperately need after a long day of suffering.

Meanwhile, Karl was lying on the bed as he thought about my words at school. The words bring him some peace and gratitude that I will be there whenever he needs support. After a few whiles, he talking to himself…

“Elvin… thank you for always be there for me. Even though after bad things I do for the past few years since we first met… I feel guilty about it. I promise to change for the better for you… and for my well-being.” He says and sighs in relief as his burden comes out from him.

“You’re my guardian, Elvin.” he says and chuckles to himself.

oOo

The next day at music club, I was practicing my music skills until I heard Adrian voice. He looks at me with calming eyes and asks me if I want to compete with Lee Seok Joon. I feel shocked by his information and ask him why. Adrian smiles and tells me that I will see for myself. This information makes me curious about why Lee Seok Joon wants me to compete with him. When it was lunch break time, I went to the canteen with Gepard and Adrian. After we got our lunch, we went to our tables and ate together. A few minutes later, I noticed Lee Seok Joon, and I waved at him. He smirks and walks toward me.

“Hey, Elvin.” He says and smiles gently.

“Hey, Seok Joon. How are you?” I ask.

“I’m good, thanks for asking.” He said and sat in front of me.

“Seok Joon, why you want me to compete swimming?” I ask.

“Oh… I just want to see how much you improved and other things.” He says and smirks.

“What other things?” I ask in a confused gaze.

“*chuckle* You will see.” He speaks.

“Okay?” I say while still confused.

I continue eating my lunch while listening to the conversation. I’m still thinking about Seok Joon words and why he said like that? I ignore it for now as I continue my normal school life. After a few hours later, I went to the changing room and went to the swimming pool where I met Lee Seok Joon. He’s smiling at me and walking closer to me.

“You look good.” He says and smiles.

“Thanks?” I say while still confused.

He pulls me closer as our bodies touch each other

“*Blush* What are you doing?” I ask.

“Oh… you know what I’m going to do.” He says and smirks.

As the night grew quieter, Lee Seok Joon gently cupped my face, his warm breath mingling with mine. My heart pounded as I gazed into his deep, affectionate eyes. Slowly, he leaned in, our lips met in a slow, lingering kiss. The world around us faded, leaving just the warmth of our bodies pressed together, the unspoken emotions between us weaving into something undeniable.

A few moments later

“That was amazing.” Seok Joon says and continues to smirk.

“Y… Yeah…” I say and snuggle closer to him.

Lee Seok Joon smiled as he hugged me tighter. After a few minutes, I pulled myself out of the pool. I help him as I grab his hand and pull him out, and then… he hugs me tightly.

“You’re feeling clingy.” I say and smile.

He nods and hugs me even more. I chuckled to his clinginess as I went to shower. After that, I grabbed my stuff as well as his stuff and went home. After a few minutes, I arrive home as I open the door.

“Zhask! I’m home!” I speak.

“You’re home, Elvin.” Zhask speaks.

“Who’s that?” He asks me.

“Zhask, meet Lee Seok Joon... my boyfriend.” I say and blush.

“Oh, your friends that you tell me about few days ago?” He asks.

I nod while still blushing

“Well, pleasure to meet you, Seok Joon.” He says and gives him a handshake.

“Pleasure to meet you too, Zhask.” Seok Joon says and smiles.

We talked to each other for a few minutes before I led Seok Joon to my bedroom. I tell him to make himself comfortable. He smiles gently and kisses me. I kissed him back for a few moments and went to take a shower. After taking a shower, I sit on the side of the bed and write a diary. Seok Joon notices me writing my diary and he understands as he leans against the wall to give me some space.

“Dear Diary,

Today is a very interesting day, Seok Joon hid his surprise just for me at the school swimming pool. I wasn’t expecting that. But it was amazing. My life is going great as usual. I am going to repay his surprise...”

I close my diary and put it on the table.

“You can come closer now.” I speak.

“Are you always write your diary?” He asks.

“Yeah... it’s only way to let it all out.” I speak.

“Well... it’s okay to open with me. I’ll listen.” He speaks.

“I appreciate it…” I say and smile warmly.

“I should take to you about my feelings beside write on my diary.” I speak.

“I always be by your side.” Seok Joon speaks gently and smiles.

We continue to talk as the atmosphere begins to cover both of us with comfy clouds floating around us like we are in our little world. After a few minutes, I heard Zhask calling me.

“Yes, Zhask?” I answer.

“Do you need something to buy from the store?” Zhask ask.

“I’ll come with you to the store.” I speak.

“Do you want to come, Seok Joon?” I ask him.

“Sure, I begin to hungry a little bit.” He speaks.

“Alright then…” Zhask speaks.

A few minutes later, we’re arrive at the store. I grab the shopping basket, and we walk around searching for something to buy. After about a few minutes, we buy some stuff to restock the fridge and some of them are for snacks. After we’re done, we went home and continue relaxing.

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