Chapter 277: Normal

Cloe could understand that since she asked about blind dates, Hyson could deduce that she was going on one. But, how the hell did he figure out that her friend introduced that blind date?

Hyson was amused by her reaction as he asked, "Usually it's always friends who introduce you to blind dates."

"So, you're just taking a blind shot?" inquired Cloe. "And it even hit bull's eye?"

Hyson shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, "Not really. You began this conversation by telling me about that friend who asked you that question. If that friend brought it up, he definitely wanted you to move on. And the best he could do was to introduce you to someone."

Cloe stared at him in silence carefully thinking whether he was the same Hyson she thought she knew. The one she knew was playful, but the one before her had keen senses. But then again, how did she even expect a friend of Raelle Xiang to be so simple? She was the naive one to expect that Hyson was different from Raelle.

"For a minute, I forgot that you're Chief's best friend," said Cloe as she shook her head at her own naivety. "I shouldn't have underestimated you. There has to be a reason why the Chief is able to connect with you."

"Well, you are right," agreed Hyson with a small smile playing on his lips. "I do have a connection with Ellie. But it's one that is even difficult to explain even for me."

"Difficult to explain?" asked Cloe.

Hyson nodded his head, "It is indeed quite difficult. She is more than a friend to me but I can never look at her as my partner. I know I love her but it's different. The most difficult thing had always been how to define our relationship. People like putting labels on relationships and feelings but the common thing about her and me is that we both neither want to put a label on relationships and neither are we that good with feelings." 

Cloe actually agreed with his words. Saying Hyson and Raelle were just best friends would be wrong. Because the way these two cared for each other was more like siblings. Their connection was difficult to explain for sure.

"Anyway, enough about us. Let's get back to you," said Hyson. "First tell me, do you want to go on this blind date?"

Cloe hesitated before replying, "I don't know really. I've grown accustomed to depending on myself for years. Now, I'm really uncertain whether I'm ready for a relationship or not."

"But that's no excuse for denying yourself a chance to try again," said Hyson. "You don't have to rush into a relationship if you're not ready for it. But there is nothing with going on a blind date. If nothing else, you'll get the company over dinner. And if the guy is a gentleman, you'll even get a free meal!"

Cloe laughed at Hyson's words. "Soren said the same thing that I can just take it as casual dating to explore and see the world of dating all over again."

"And he is absolutely right!" said Hyson. "Let's see... Do you trust your friend's choice?"

Cloe nodded her head without hesitation, "I trust him more than anyone else in my life. He is the one person who would always do anything to put me on the right track. If it weren't for him, I can't even imagine how much of a fool I'd have been."

"That's all then," was Hyson's response. "If you have faith in him. Then just go to the blind date. If he is a good friend as you said, he'd never set you up with another scumbag. Besides, I know you can't find good people everywhere these days but not everyone you meet can be as bad as the previous one."

Cloe thought about his words and nodded her head. "I'll listen to you." Cloe felt like her thoughts were sorted now that she talked to Hyson. She wasn't expecting it actually. "Thanks for the pep talk! You're an amazing companion. Chief is lucky to have you as a friend."

Hyson shook his head at her, "Nah! I'm the lucky one to have her in my life. After all, not everyone can be Raelle Xiang's best friend. That position is exclusively mine."

"And you're just as proud as ever to announce that she is your friend," chuckled Cloe. 

"I'll never get tired of it," he told her. 

"I'm not disturbing you right?"

"No way," said Hyson. "I have nothing to do here."

"Don't focus on the online discussion," Cloe said cautiously. "It's already under control."

"Do I look like someone who would be affected by people's opinions?" asked Hyson. "I was like that when I was young. I used to get really mad when those classmates teased me. I even used to get into fights to get back at them. I even used to get bullied by them since I was smaller in stature than them and younger than them." He took a deep breath and calmly continued, "But now it doesn't matter. I've become numb to what people have to say about me."

"Why would they bully you?" Cloe was surprised. 

Hyson smiled which seemed dimmer as he said, "Because my family wasn't like theirs. They had mom and dad while I only had a mom. Also, my mom couldn't speak. We live in a world where when you're a little different, it becomes difficult for society to accept. Since my family didn't fall under the category of 'normal' I was isolated."

Cloe's heart clenched when she heard him say all that with a smile on his face. It really hurt her to see the always smiling sunny boy being like this. She didn't know why she felt so emotional but it seemed like tears were threatening to brim in her eyes.

"It must have been difficult," she didn't know what else to say.

Hyson gave her a confused look, "It's been such a long time that I can't even remember if it was difficult or not."