Mafu was giving Greg a ride home when suddenly his phone rang. It was Kenji and when he answered in speaker, they heard somebody else's voice that had them frowning.
"Hey, uh... this is a bartender from Paradise Bar. The guy's wasted, please pick him up."
Before answering, Greg and Mafu looked at each other with a here we go again look on their faces. "Yeah, we'll be there in a few minutes." Then the call ended.
As they make a u-turn, Mafu sighed. This scene has been replaying almost every night now with Kenji. He seemed to be slipping away from the Kenji that has plans, the Kenji they all know who is composed, playful and happy.
"He's getting addicted to drinking. Do you think we should tell Hayley about this?" Greg asked Mafu. "I mean she can tell him to stop. He will listen because it's her."
"It won't work," Mafu muttered as he plasters a poker face. "Do you see how she's treating him? She sees how he is wasting himself, she sees how
Hayley has been having a hard time the past few weeks. Her midterm projects are coming up and the girls had gotten her doing all these other works that she needed to do. Honestly, she is so fucking stressed out. It's been many nights and it's not easy to think when you are sleep-deprived. There are way too many cups of coffee that she had and one is still half full on her table. This is fucked up, she thought, swearing that after this project, she would go home and spend time with Kenji. She has not been able to spend time with him and she kept missing celebrations too. Two in the morning and she isn't done with her sketching yet-- almost done, just some slight touches so she can submit it tomorrow. She was doing it, focusing on it when suddenly her phone vibrated making her shift her gaze. Hayley put down her pencil and slide to answer her phone. It had her eyes widened when it was a guy from a bar who spoke. "This is the last number he c
The room was quiet, only her soft cries were heard and the air was so hard to breathe in. Kenji was just staring at the wall, thinking over how things had led this way. Once he sorted everything out, he displayed a faint smile. "I guess I become a bother to you now, huh?" He glances at her but she just looked away. It's best she doesn't meet his gaze. "I mean it when I said I want to stay with you. I told you I'd lose myself if you leave, you still went anyway. I guess I left you less choice, huh?" Kenji laughed sarcastically, standing up. He turned to her and asked, "Are you really done with me, Hayley?" It hurts her but she nodded. Just then she hears him laugh again, grunting as he suddenly takes the bottle and throws it at a wall, its shards went everywhere startling her. Hayley tried to remain composed. "I'll have Carter come and take my things," he uttered, biting his lower lip hard before continuing. "This unit is yours if you want it. I only c
Kenji woke up so late and his head was still pounding. He stayed overnight at Greg's unit, drinking his sorrows away but when he woke up, he felt sick and decided to sleep in. After all, he has been sleep-depriving. When he sits up, he saw the medicine on the side table. Guess Greg had it ready for him. He reached his hand and took the glass of water and the tablet. After drinking, he searched for his phone on the bed. When he found it, he checked the time but what caught his attention more was the texts from Eleanor. It was sent around ten in the morning and what time is it? Almost nine in the evening. "I have to make sure she's not drinking too much," he groans, getting out of bed. As Kenji was driving to Hayley's university, he kept glancing at the time on his phone. Visiting hours cut off is at ten and drive there takes time too. Just as he shifted his gaze on the road, his phone rang, showing Eren's name
After Kenji left, Cassandra went to her daughter's room. She sat on her daughter's bed and looked at her peacefully resting. There were tears in the corners of her eyes. "Oh my little flower," she softly cries, flashing a sad smile. "I thought I should grow you with thorns so no one would hurt you. I've forgotten that you can also hurt yourself. Despite that, you have hurt the one you love too. "I am very disappointed in you for hurting someone who truly loved you. I guess you took over from your father. I guess it's my fault too for cutting off your wings. I am truly sorry, Hayley." Cassandra sniffled, wiping her tears gracefully. "Get well soon, my love. Let's hopefully bring back the times we missed because of my fears." After kissing her daughter's cheek, she left the room for her little love to rest. Just as she predicted, her daughter did hurt Kenji and she didn't have to do anything... nothing at all. "This is for the best,"
Time flies so quickly and it has been four years since Kenji disappeared on them. Only one semester left in college and Hayley will be graduating soon. The first two years, she was still hopeful to find Kenji, hopeful that he will return but then as soon as she was on the third year of waiting, that hope she has slowly faded. Whenever Hayley asks about Kenji to the guys, they would tell her they don't know where he is at the moment. They said Kenji never once contacted them too. Even though she thinks they lie, she would not blame them. After all, it was her who hurt their friend. Hayley sighed, looking at the big house in front of her. She is using it as a reference for her next project but the fresh breeze and the sky are just reminding her of the meadow. Four years... it has been four long years but the rings were still on her ring finger. "Your thoughts are flying somewhere again!" When she turned to her right, she saw Eleanor who just returned fr
Hayley froze in where she was. She doesn't even know if she should look back and gaze at the face she misses or pretend to be cool about his sudden reappearance. "Yo! Dude!" Mafu cheered that snapped Hayley back. As Mafu runs to hug Kenji, Hayley took the chance to turn to see her husband. Kenji looked way better than when she first met him. He was brighter, more handsome and his wide smiles were back. Tears were starting to form in the corners of her eyes so she looked away. "Man, you didn't tell me you were coming!" Greg yells. They were crowding around Kenji and so Hayley took this chance to go on ahead. She doesn't know how to face Kenji. Everything about him changed and he didn't seem to mind her too. It will only embarrass her if she acts close when they are not close anymore. At the waiting area, Hayley immediately took off the rings on her finger and put them inside her bag. Why did nobody tell her that Kenji was comi
"Do you think they're alright?" Eleanor asked the people inside the van. "Hayley was so mad, she is going cut your head off, Mafu.""They will be fine! At least she won't have any other escape!""I feel bad for Hayley," Greg stated. "We are sabotaging her.""Just chill guys! We will know what happens when we see them!" Eren told them.But Eleanor was still worried about her best friend. She is a terrible friend for agreeing with the group's plan to bring back Hayley and Kenji. Although she heard Kenji say that he loves her the same, to Eleanor, Kenji seemed changed."Something weighing your mind?" Jasper noticed her blank stare."Yes. I'm just worried about Hayley," she replied, flashing a smile. "Kenji just feels different. Like he is back to being that unapproachable guy who puts a line you're unable to cross.""It's something understandable. They spent four years apart. Any person would try to change bad habits but I think Kenji is
The night was fantastic, the foods served by the resort are really delicious that Bren really enjoyed. Their surrounding was peacefully harmonizing with everything except Kenji and Hayley. They noticed how the two of them are glaring at each other since they were sitting the opposite sides. Guess their sweetness must have expired, all of their friends thought. To lighten the night, Mafu took grabbed his glass and raised it up. "Cheers to us gathering peacefully!" he cheered. When Greg raised his glass, the rest of them just followed so it's not so awkward for everyone. Hayley had a glass of sparkling wine that she raised and when she brought it down, closer to her lips, Kenji suddenly took her drink and drank it. Everyone ha
Under the beautiful blue sky, Eleanor and Jasper walked out of the church sealing their promise in front of a lot of people. Then they went to the reception where the afterparty is held. It was not as grand as my wedding but it was happier. As the party was over, the newlywed made their way to their car after bidding goodbye to us for their honeymoon. Eren and Greg with their girlfriends went home. Mafu and Clarielle-- which I never thought had something-- had gone to enjoy the night. That leaves us, Kenji, Bren and I to do something fun. Bren was entrusted to us after all. "So, what do you like to do, baby Bren?" "I'm not a baby anymore, aunt Hayhay. I'm a big boy now!" This makes me laugh. Bren is just seven an
Hayley's heart was just crushed the moment she heard the name. She felt everything lost in time and even when it was just a second, to her, she was transmitted somewhere dim and slow. Until Clarielle took her hand taking her back to the real world. "I've heard so much about you, sister! Finally, I get to see you in person!" Clarielle continues to get excited. Is this girl really calling her sister? It could have been sweet if Clarielle wasn't Kenji's new girl but she is. Hayley flashes a faint smile. "It's nice to meet you too." It's nice to get slapped like this, words she can't say so she continues to lift the corners of her mouth higher. "Though I'm not so familiar with you, I've heard your name twice." "Oh, right! I'm so
Before they know it, the trip was over. Hayley thought of staying because she fell in love with the ocean and the underwater creatures. She wanted to keep swimming and submerge herself with the ocean. When she's swimming, she feels like she's floating away from her problems, her painful feelings. But the sun always sets and she has to go home. As they board the plane, they all talked about Jasper and Eleanor's wedding. Hayley had almost forgotten about the date. Luckily, they are discussing everything now. "I hope you guys are free during the practice. It won't take long and it's maybe just two or three times," Eleanor stated. "I'm always free," Mafu said, raising his hand. "But I do need a favor to ask. I'll text you the details later in private." "Are you going to steal Eleanor from Jasper?" Greg joked, softly chuckling which earned a glare from Mafu. "That's why Lily doesn't like you!" "Hey, Lily likes me!" "Oh c'mon!
Greg for no reason woke up early and head out to see the morning sun. Surprisingly, he saw Kenji in the lobby with a backpack on. Greg frowned approaching Kenji."Yo! I thought you leave in the evening? What's with the bag?" Greg asked."Change of plans," Kenji told him like it's no big deal that he is leaving. "I have something important to do. I'll hang out next time.""Next time? Yo! You said it the last time but we never saw you then, you piece of trash! Don't give me that I'll hang out next time!""Chill bro!" Kenji tapped his shoulder while chuckling. "I'm staying in the country for good so chill out! Just give me this time.""Does Hayley know that you are leaving e
The night was fantastic, the foods served by the resort are really delicious that Bren really enjoyed. Their surrounding was peacefully harmonizing with everything except Kenji and Hayley. They noticed how the two of them are glaring at each other since they were sitting the opposite sides. Guess their sweetness must have expired, all of their friends thought. To lighten the night, Mafu took grabbed his glass and raised it up. "Cheers to us gathering peacefully!" he cheered. When Greg raised his glass, the rest of them just followed so it's not so awkward for everyone. Hayley had a glass of sparkling wine that she raised and when she brought it down, closer to her lips, Kenji suddenly took her drink and drank it. Everyone ha
"Do you think they're alright?" Eleanor asked the people inside the van. "Hayley was so mad, she is going cut your head off, Mafu.""They will be fine! At least she won't have any other escape!""I feel bad for Hayley," Greg stated. "We are sabotaging her.""Just chill guys! We will know what happens when we see them!" Eren told them.But Eleanor was still worried about her best friend. She is a terrible friend for agreeing with the group's plan to bring back Hayley and Kenji. Although she heard Kenji say that he loves her the same, to Eleanor, Kenji seemed changed."Something weighing your mind?" Jasper noticed her blank stare."Yes. I'm just worried about Hayley," she replied, flashing a smile. "Kenji just feels different. Like he is back to being that unapproachable guy who puts a line you're unable to cross.""It's something understandable. They spent four years apart. Any person would try to change bad habits but I think Kenji is
Hayley froze in where she was. She doesn't even know if she should look back and gaze at the face she misses or pretend to be cool about his sudden reappearance. "Yo! Dude!" Mafu cheered that snapped Hayley back. As Mafu runs to hug Kenji, Hayley took the chance to turn to see her husband. Kenji looked way better than when she first met him. He was brighter, more handsome and his wide smiles were back. Tears were starting to form in the corners of her eyes so she looked away. "Man, you didn't tell me you were coming!" Greg yells. They were crowding around Kenji and so Hayley took this chance to go on ahead. She doesn't know how to face Kenji. Everything about him changed and he didn't seem to mind her too. It will only embarrass her if she acts close when they are not close anymore. At the waiting area, Hayley immediately took off the rings on her finger and put them inside her bag. Why did nobody tell her that Kenji was comi
Time flies so quickly and it has been four years since Kenji disappeared on them. Only one semester left in college and Hayley will be graduating soon. The first two years, she was still hopeful to find Kenji, hopeful that he will return but then as soon as she was on the third year of waiting, that hope she has slowly faded. Whenever Hayley asks about Kenji to the guys, they would tell her they don't know where he is at the moment. They said Kenji never once contacted them too. Even though she thinks they lie, she would not blame them. After all, it was her who hurt their friend. Hayley sighed, looking at the big house in front of her. She is using it as a reference for her next project but the fresh breeze and the sky are just reminding her of the meadow. Four years... it has been four long years but the rings were still on her ring finger. "Your thoughts are flying somewhere again!" When she turned to her right, she saw Eleanor who just returned fr
After Kenji left, Cassandra went to her daughter's room. She sat on her daughter's bed and looked at her peacefully resting. There were tears in the corners of her eyes. "Oh my little flower," she softly cries, flashing a sad smile. "I thought I should grow you with thorns so no one would hurt you. I've forgotten that you can also hurt yourself. Despite that, you have hurt the one you love too. "I am very disappointed in you for hurting someone who truly loved you. I guess you took over from your father. I guess it's my fault too for cutting off your wings. I am truly sorry, Hayley." Cassandra sniffled, wiping her tears gracefully. "Get well soon, my love. Let's hopefully bring back the times we missed because of my fears." After kissing her daughter's cheek, she left the room for her little love to rest. Just as she predicted, her daughter did hurt Kenji and she didn't have to do anything... nothing at all. "This is for the best,"