Love Lost

me later, once he had calmed down

eft the hall to go back to classes, and Aubrey and Haru were alone. The others had been reluctant to leave Haru

d you' Haru said awkwardly,

eplied uncertai

g ahead now, though not looki

me' Haru began, 'I...

Aubrey asked tentatively,

t wasn't something you said....' And then he broke

akly, eyes g

ce. 'You are...an incredible...ah....' He scratched

couraged. 'Tell me

ttle tense. He hunched h

self to speak. 'You rem

his. But he did not interrupt H

wed the lump in his throat, breathing slowly and deeply, calming his beating heart. 'I was always a weak

en't changed muc

hen, but when he looked at Aubr

y said, 'I was

the shoulder, sha

o learn to

.. s-

arn to stop apologi

e off then, sto

ubrey smiled with him. Ha

, 'for being kind to me...fo

prob

Aubrey then, keeping his hea

g his head away. 'I'

ubrey said

se of that I missed a lot of days of school when I was young. I stayed at home a lot, but my mother was always there to look after me wh

tched him

ir own group of friends, and I was always an outsider... because I spent so long out of school when I was sick... but my mother was always there to help m

rey realised, 'the wor

spered. 'A story about love and loss... bro

favourite plays'

ogether before him, s

t took just one push, one act of bravery. I was able to

d as he could to stop hi

....' Aubrey ask

imself, 'I mustn't...I have to be s

as Haru turned to face him, gasping, froz

bleeding' A

d going to his mo

Aubrey told

urning seconds later

the tissue to Haru's lip

u' Haru m

him. 'I want to help you like she did, you have friends now.' He smiled warmly at Har