The Aftermath

Not long after King’s defeat, Arnold came over telling us that the northern Isle gate should work.

Climbing down the roof, we headed north.

“Ughhh, I’m sooooo tired,” Mia said. Though, we all were. She wrapped her arm around my neck. “Tai, support me. I don’t think I can walk much farther~.”

I sighed.

“Alright.”

Mia pressed her cheek against me. My face turned warm and red.

She’s so close. It’s a bit awkward.

Not to mention embarrassing. Do I smell? I must be. After all, I have all this blood and sweat on me. There’s no way I smell decent.

I took a deep breath.

Huh. That’s weird.

Mia didn’t smell at all. In fact, she smelled nice.

How can you smell nice after all that running and fighting we did?!

Once we get ‌somewhere safe, I got to ask what shampoo she uses. Or at least have her recommend some shampoo for guys.

We trudged along the street, walking in the back of this large crowd.

Some people on my left shed tears of joy.

“I’m alive,” one of them sobbed. “I can’t believe it’s over. I thought I was a goner for sure.”

I feel the same way. I think we all did.

A few people in front of me let out sorrowful sobs.

They grieved for their loved ones. Their partners, children, family, and pets.

My heart tugged for them too.

I can’t imagine what I would do if anyone in our group died. I’d be too devastated to do anything. I might’ve given up then and there.

I shook my head. No more thinking about it.

I needed to look at the positives. My friends and I are safe. That’s all that mattered.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a girl shooting quick glances at me.

And that same girl squeezed my hand.

“Ophelia?”

“Hm?”

“Is something bothering you?”

She glanced at the person rubbing her cheek against mine, turned her head, and pouted.

“No, nothing’s wrong.”

She was annoyed with Mia. I knew that for a fact. She did go off on her about respecting my personal space earlier, so I’m sure that’s what she’s mad about.

But I didn’t have the heart or the energy to go down that route. It wasn’t worth it.

So I sighed.

“If you say so,” I said.

Woah. That sounded mean.

The three of us went quiet.

Not being able to handle the silence, especially with what I had just said, I thought about something else to say.

“Hey, Ophelia?”

“What is it?”

She didn’t stutter at all. Her annoyance was crystal clear.

“I wanted to thank you for saving me so many times.”

Ophelia’s upset yet unthreatening expression softened.

“I should be the one thanking you,” she said, lowering her gaze. “There’s plenty of times where you saved me too.”

I tilted my head and smiled.

“I guess you’re right,” I said. “Still, I appreciate the gratitude.”

Ophelia glazed her eyes over mine.

“Me too…” she said. Her face warmed up, turning red just like mine.

“I also appreciate the way you walk with me.”

“Hm?! W-what do you mean by that?”

“I’m thankful ‌you stayed beside me throughout the whole night. Whether we ran or fought, you were there with me.”

I couldn’t look down at Ophelia anymore. My eyes glanced towards the ‌morning sky.

Sunlight shone on the rubble and ashes of homes that were once lived in just a few hours ago. It was a horrifying sight to see and experience, but…

“It’s embarrassing to say, but you being near me helped me stay calm. I think if I were alone within the group, I would’ve gone crazy.”

It was hard, but I forced myself to look at Ophelia. There was no way I was going to say all this with my eyes glued to the sky. It’d be too disrespectful.

So I glanced down at Ophelia and flashed my most heartfelt smile.

“So thank you,” I said. “For all you’ve done for me.”

Our hands intertwined as Ophelia stared at the ground.

Then she glanced at me from the side.

“I want to thank you for the same reason as well.”

My heart pumped.

“Really?” was all I managed to say.

Ophelia simply nodded. Her face was so red I was sure there were fumes rising off the top of her head.

We were quiet after that. My heart was pounding.

Then I realized something

Wait a minute…did Mia hear this whole thing?!

This whole time I forgot that she was rubbing her cheek against me.

I turned to my left and let out a sigh of relief.

Oh, praise the goddess/angel.

Mia was fighting against her eyelids, and her eyelids were winning. It was awkward to walk since she slept for about a second–dragging her legs along the street–before waking up and walking once more.

“What are you looking at…” she whispered. “Did you ask me something…?”

I shook my head.

“No, not at all.”

“Good.”

I glanced over at Ophelia and mouthed, “Sorry about that.”

She brought her hand to her chest and sighed.

Guess she was embarrassed about the thanking session as much as I was.

Luckily, it seemed like Mia heard us, but was too tired to know what we were saying.

Ophelia raised a hand to her mouth and whispered.

“It’s okay…” she said, accepting my apology.

The way she said it caused another audible heartbeat.

Man, she was cute.