"El, Archie, come visit today. " It's been a while since he came to visit you," said Aven.
He stared at Elwell's sleeping face. He gently holds Elwell's hand.
"He asked me to join his club's programme. He said no one wanted to go, so he asked me. Do I go? But I don't want to leave you alone."
Aven knew full well Archie's intention. It was never about there being no people; it was a matter of him always waiting for Elwell.
Since Elwell has been in a coma, he has rarely left Elwell's side. His mind will not be at peace if he does not see Elwell for a day. He is afraid of Elwell being alone and of him being left.
Archie might see how tired Aven is. He is someone who witnessed the love that Elwell and Aven have built. Archie simply cannot help but feel pity for what has happened. Seeing Aven after a long time, and he is still waiting, looks tiring even to Archie. He also knows that if he asks Aven to take a break directly, Aven will just refuse for sure.
Aven stared at Elwell for a long time. He took Elwell's hand toward his cheek. With all the hopelessness he feels, leaving Elwell, even for a short while, to take a break feels wrong. He thinks he didn't deserve to have that time.
...
The trio and Chaz are at the faculty, waiting for their next class. Their class was suddenly canceled at the last minute. Going back feels useless as their next class is right after the one that was canceled. That's just a short amount of time to go back and come back again.
Chaz's mind is still a mess. Since the time he arrived, he looked like a sleep-deprived person. The trio realized it did not want to ask. Chaz looks like in an even bad mood compared to before. So, even for the clueless Larry, he knows not to approach and ask anything.
The Trio just mind their own business, with Neil playing games with Larry while Frank puts his attention on the notes given by their lecturer as a replacement for the missing class.
Chaz still cannot figure out what his next step is. Learning that Aven actually has a boyfriend does affect his plan. However, he did not want to give up on his feelings. In his mind, since the lover had already been in a deep sleep for a long time, there was no way Aven could hold on.
Well, it might be the case for some others, but not for Aven. He is very dedicated to Elwell, more than Chaz can ever comprehend. To Chaz, love can be changed that easily, as that's also how people around him change partners easily.
Exhibit 1 is Larry; the fact that he can change his girlfriend every month means that love will constantly change.
Exhibit 2, Neil, also being dumped almost every month and still managing to find someone new, also means that love can easily fall out of nowhere.
That was very immature of Chaz. Even he knows that two people are not a good example, but he still takes their way of love. He is just that dumb when it comes to love. What's more, as he learned through the Internet, persistence will naturally melt someone's heart. It just completes his resolution. Basically, he is that desperate to reach that resolution.
However, as a deep thinker, he also knows Aven does not like anyone. So, the fact that Aven might also still be in love with his lover, like Archie said, do weight a lot in his mind. He no longer knows what to do and is afraid. Afraid to lose the only thing that reignites his icy, cold heart.
"Hey, Chaz," someone called out Chaz's name. That snapped him out of his thoughts.
He looked at the one who called for him with great annoyance as he was being disturbed. The moment he sees who he is, he feels much greater vexation. It's Archie, his roommate.
"Hello, you guys are Chaz's friends, right?" said Archie after walking toward them.
"Yes, why?" asked Neil.
"Good then. My name is Archie, Chaz's roommate."
"So?" asks Larry rudely.
The Trio senses that Archie wanted to use the connection to pull people, as many others have done.
Archie started his words again, "The swimming club will hold a programme during the mid-semester break for 3 days, 2 nights. So, I just wanted you guys to join it," while he handed out the flyers.
"No. I will not be joining. I am busy with my girlfriend this break," said Larry right away.
"Who will be there? How many have you got?" asked Neil, since he felt it rude to say no right away like Larry just now.
"Hmm, who? There are mostly like three people confirmed, including Aven from business..." he just mindlessly revealed who will be joining. He looks directly at Chaz to see his reaction.
Chaz turns his face toward Archie the moment he hears Aven being mentioned.
"Oh, then the four of us will be joining," said Neil. Out of the blue, he decided other people's fates.
Archie lit up the moment he heard that, but he did ask confirmation from Chaz, "You sure?"
Chaz just nodded. Archie was on cloud nine as the programme had been struggling to gain participants. Having Chaz and Trio join it can boost the number of people who join. So when he said there is no one to join the programme, to Aven its not totally made up.
"Okay then. Scan those QR codes in the flyer to participate. Then, Bye," Archie just left.
Larry, after seeing Archie leave, pulled Neil's sideburn. "Why the hell did you say yes. I don't want to go," he is mad.
Neil pushed away Larry's hand before saying, "Even Chaz nodded. That means he will also join. What is your problem?"
Chaz said nothing and just stared at Larry, who turned his face toward him. Yes, no one can go against Chaz. Chaz takes the flyer and scans it. The same goes with Trio after seeing Chaz do so.
"So, do you want to confess to the boy or what?" asked Neil boldly.