Chapter 107 - Long Ride

The inside of the bus was cold. Some passengers either brought out their sweaters and jackets or crossed their arms over their chests to keep them warm. But the temperature in the row where Liam, Aki, and Zy sat felt like it was in the middle of a winter storm.

When Zy asked -- begged -- to come, Aki's first thought was to deny him. It was their most awaited vacation. Something he even lost his sleep out of excitement. He had been having a pretty bad week and this one thing was the only reward he was looking forward to.

At the same time, a part of him berated himself. Zy was a friend first and foremost. What kind of friend would he be if he pushed Zy aside in his time of need? This was different from all the times that Zy called him to hang out.

"I'll-I'll get you water first to help you calm down," was what Aki said when Zy asked to come. Then he got up and went to the kitchen passing by Liam. His roommate followed Aki to the fridge, not speaking and merely stood behind. Aki sighed to collect himself and gather what little courage he had. He turned to Liam, eyes pleading for understanding for what he was going to say.

"Zy needs a friend right now."

Liam only stared at Aki, giving him a long, hard look, his jaw set tight. Aki waited but his roommate turned on his heels and towards the door.

"We're going to be late," Liam said.

Aki took that as permission for Zy to join them so he nodded at Zy who grabbed at his backpack tightly as they followed Liam.

Luckily for them, there was still an available seat for Zy even if he did not make a reservation. Zy and Aki sat together while Liam sat on the other side of the aisle. No one sat beside Liam so he took the seat beside the window and had been looking out of it the entire time.

Aki wanted to talk to his roommate but Liam had not even spare Aki a single glance since they rode out. Besides, Liam gave out the aura of 'no one approaches or talks to me.' Aki could only stare at him from the other side of the bus with a heavy heart.

His ruminations were interrupted by the incessant vibration on his side. With a jerk, he fumbled in his pocket for his phone only to find the source at Zy's pocket. Aki shook his sleeping friend beside him.

"Someone's calling you."

Zy took one glance at his phone and then shoved it back to his pocket. Aki lifted an eyebrow at that.

"Drew?" He asked.

His friend nodded, leaning his head on the window glass.

Aki let his friend be. If Zy was not in the mood to talk, so was he. He suddenly felt so tired.

***

The light movement came to a halt, waking Aki from his nap. He looked out of the window and found that they arrived at a traveler's restaurant. Aki decided to step out of the bus for a bit, maybe relieve himself and grab a bite. Zy could not wait to get out of the cramped space and so he dashed right away when the bus came to a full stop.

Aki glanced to his side. Liam seemed to be sleeping. He wanted, really wanted to talk to Liam but he did not know what they should talk about. Aki calmed down his thudding heart and slowly reached out a hand to Liam, shaking the other guy lightly. It took a second for Liam's eyes to refocus and when he saw Aki, he just stared back frostily. Aki's hand recoiled at the other's reaction.

"We've arrived at the stop. I thought you might want to…" Aki stood there, wringing his hands.

Liam shook his and closed his eyes again.

It was a simple action but Liam might as well shout at Aki as he felt a sharp stab on his chest.