Chapter 2

I stepped down from the bus with the bag slung over one of my shoulders before bringing my wrist in front of me and checking the time.

4:30pm.

I sighed before looking at the building in front of me. With heavy legs I walked inside before climbing the stairs unwillingly. I still had my earphones on while it played a song.

I stood in front of the door to my home. An empty home it has come to be now. I didn't want to go inside and be surrounded by the silence again. I would much rather sit outside and be surrounded with random noises than nothing at all.

I bit the insides of my cheek before opening the door slowly.

As I expected it was all dark. Nothing I could see. Only the silhouettes of the furniture's.

I threw my hand at the wall just beside me and tried finding the switches before turning on the lights of the whole house.

It was all bright now. I could see the kitchen just in the right corner very clearly too.  I made my towards the refrigerator to check the expected. The yellow paper stuck there in between the refrigerator's door and the magnet.  I pulled it out from between and read it.

I'll be working late today too. Sorry honey. Don't forget to have your dinner, okay?

- Love mom

I folded the paper one or two times before throwing it away. Placing my hands on the kitchen counter I closed my eyes and looked down for a while, taking deep breaths.

It's not like I was expecting something new. I know she has to work hard. For me. Especially now that she has to manage all the expenses alone.

But still... just like always I still expected to see her standing here in the kitchen with the sweet aroma of food surrounding the whole house. Her petite figure moving around the house making it lively.

I finally opened my eyes before turning off the music finally. I knew it was going to be silent but as soon as I turned the music off the silence that consumed me, I was still not used to it.

I don't think I ever will.

I curled my hands into a ball before going to my room and throwing my bag at the table in the corner. As I walked around the house I could hear my footsteps and it was tiring me out.

I didn't want to be alone.

I picked my phone to call Max and Henry. I dialled Max's number and he picked on the second bell,

"Yooo Serene. You got home?" He asked.

"Yeah I did. Thanks for asking." I smiled, "I was wondering if we could meet at some nearby cafe. My mom's working and I am bored."

"STOP THE CAR!" I heard Max yell.

"I am not driving Max?" I said a little unsure.

"Didn't you see I was motioning you to stop the car?" He said in a haste.

"Are you still talking to me?"

"Now take a u-turn. We are going to the cafe near Serene's house." He said apparently talking to someone before talking to me again, "We will be there in a few minutes. Be there."

"Were you just yelling at Henry?" I asked laughing.

It was rare to see Max yelling at Henry. It was usually Henry being the big boy and doing the yelling. Seeing Max do that made me feel so proud of him.

"He wouldn't listen to me. He deserved it. Anyways, be there! I'll be hanging up now."

I laughed before hanging up and going to my room humming a tune to myself. I was finally feeling like I was home. Going out and hanging with Max and Henry. And I was liking it this way where I wasn't sulking because I was alone.

••••

I entered the cafe and found Max and Henry already seated in the far corner. It wasn't a very crowded cafe but still many people were sitting and you could hear a faint song playing in the background. The both of them waved their hands in the air for me while I did the same. They motioned me to join them as I walked towards them,

"Did you really bring a book?" Max looked at me weirdly.

I looked down at my hands where I was carrying the 'Romeo And Juliet',

"Tell me about it, I have a thesis to do." I said remembering how I was even trying to read it in the library. I shuddered.

Max and Henry made a face as I sat down.

"Those face aren't going to help me." I pointed.

"We ordered coffee for you, we will sit here with you." Henry said, "Doesn't that count as help?"

I opened my mouth before closing it shut and shaking my head. What did I even expect from them both. Still willing to give it a try I asked, "What do you guys think about this great piece by Shakespeare?"

Max thoughts for a while— squinting his eyes, "Do you think Shakespeare was depressed?"

I coughed trying to take a hold of myself, "What? Why would you even think that?"

He looked at me and then at Henry with all seriousness, "His work will make you question your existence. And the tragedies? Don't even get me started on that."

"That doesn't mean he was depressed!" I cried, "It just means how great of a writer he was, Max! Also, I am asking about this. Any views on this." I pointed at the book on the table.

A woman came and set our coffee on the table before going back. I took mine and took a sip before looking at them hopefully again.

This time Henry spoke up, "I didn't like the fact that they both died in the end. If only Romeo was sensible enough to wait for a few minutes and not be hasty in killing himself both would have been freaking alive and living happily."

By the time he was done I could see he was frustrated.

"I- I kinda agree but it was supposed to be a tragic piece so they had to die." I said taking another sip.

Henry drummed his finger on the table, thinking about what I said, "I will tell you how he could have still made it tragic while keeping them alive."

I raised my eyebrow at him in a questioning way.

He smirked at me, "They could just kill everyone who comes in their way, including family. And bam, there you go with a tragedy but a happy tragedy! I should be a writer don't you think?" He asked with a spark in his eyes.

I looked at him weirdly, "I am not sure but sure."

He grinned at me and Max proudly and I couldn't help but chuckle at his adorable side. I took the book from the table and I was about to open it when the song in the background was turned up. The three of us stretched our necks to see what was going on.

There was a group of people who had started dancing in the middle. From young to elderly, you could see all the age groups just having fun. The tables and chairs which were in the way were all pulled into different corners while anyone who wanted to dance just joined them.

"Are cafe's usually this way?" I asked sarcastically.

"Are you kidding me? This looks so fun!" Max yelled a little because of the loud music, "WE HAVE TO DANCE TO THIS."

He got up from his seat and started moving to the rhythm. He helped Henry up and offered me his hand asking me to join them too. I shook my head but without even asking me again he pulled me up and forced me to join them in the middle.

I started dancing with everyone still around us. No matter how much I resisted at first, in the end just like Max said IT WAS FUN.

Henry took hold of my hand and made me do a spin. The second time he tried spinning me I stepped on his foot accidentally making him groan in pain. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the face he was making.

He snapped his head to me and glared while I couldn't control my laughter, "You are evil."

Max got into his super dancing mode because the next thing we know he did a split. Yes, a split in the middle of a cafe. Everyone hooted for him and clapped. I looked at him proudly before joining the applause for him too.

People went to dance again but Max still sat on the ground in his split position.

"Get up now! It's done." Henry laughed.

But Max shook his head and motioned the both of us to bring our ears near. I looked at Henry and I could see the same expression on his face as me— confused.

Slowly we both bent down and tried to listen to what Max had to say. Max passed his hand through his ginger hair before sighing and whispering,

"I think I ripped my pants."

I gasped while Henry yelled, "You did WHAT?"

Max hurriedly slapped his hand against Henry's mouth, "Are you insane? I didn't whisper to let the whole world know. NOW HELP ME."

"Who told you to do a split in the middle of a enjoyable dance?!" I cried.

"Will you both shut up and help me for god's sake! What kind of friends are you? I am sitting on the floor with a ripped pants and you guys are yelling at me. Help me get out!" There was horror in his eyes.

I could see that he didn't want to be embarrassed. The mere thought of seeing anyone laugh at him was making him feel the horror inside of him.

I looked around hurriedly for any help we could get.

"Let's get you up. Serene and I will cover you from behind until we reach the car. How does that sound?" Henry asked.

Max was silent for a while as the both of us looked at him hopefully. Before I could even make sense of it, Max's hand was already against Henry's head. Smacking him.

"Covering me from behind? Do you know that would mean sticking your body to my back?" He made a gagging face, "I don't want that! That would be more embarrassing!"

Henry looked at the loss of words but nonetheless he nodded his head at Max.

"What about we ask one of the workers for an extra pair of their working outfits?" I asked. It seemed like a great idea. That way he could even change into new pair.

I looked at Max with hopeful eyes again.

He shook his head disappointedly at me, "Can none of you come up with a normal idea?? A normal idea where you tell me that you can get me something to cover up while we reach the car!" He was panting by the end of his speech.

"Like what?"

"LIKE YOUR SHIRT!" Max yelled in agitation.

"I AM NOT GIVING YOU MY SHIRT. I AM NOT GETTING TOPLESS IN FRONT OF SO MANY PEOPLE." Henry yelled back.

I couldn't help but laugh at their bickering. Max snapped his head to me,

"What are you laughing at?" He glared.

I shook my head at him letting him know it was nothing.

"Serene, I swear to god I am not moving from this place unless you both get me something to cover up." Max grumbled.

I could see Henry with his frustrated face as he retorted back, "Max, I swear to god I will leave you behind unless you tell me what exactly do you want to cover up."

Max raised his arms in frustration, doing all so while still sitting in his split position.

"You know what just get me Serene's book, that Shakespeare one." He sighed.

Henry was fast on his feet as he sprung up and went to get the book. As for me? I sat there with my mouth open.

"Tell me you are not covering your ripped pants with Shakespeare!" I asked with my eyes wide.

No matter how much I didn't find reading interesting. This was Shakespeare's work we were talking about. And that was the last thing I wanted, Romeo and Juliet covering for someone's ripped pants.

"What do you expect me to do? Of course, I am covering them with that book."

"Not Shakespeare!" I cried.

"Serene, this is the matter of my embarrassment! So, yes Shakespeare! Besides I will be forever grateful to him for this more than ever writing anything else!"

I opened my mouth to protest again but Henry already handed the book to Max. Without even trying to hear me anymore he got up and covered his ripped pants with 'Romeo and Juliet'.

My heart sank as I saw him leaving, trying to move through everyone still dancing. I got up and hurried to them so that I could snatch my 'Romeo and Juliet' covering his pants as soon as he reaches the car.

____

Hey my lovely people!

This chapter was actually fun to write so I hope you liked reading it as much as I liked writing it.

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Love youuu!<3