十** (Chapter 10)
eng: I like this idiot?!
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Skeleton
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"Finally, we're on break," Wither says, yawning and flopping onto the couch. I glance at the black-boned skeleton, subconsciously staring at his figure.
I had gotten pretty close with my classmates during the last month, becoming especially close with Zombie and Pigman. I would visit them every so often, mostly complaining about what a pig my roommate was and how I'd always have to clean up after him. I never brought up my... Odd feelings for him.
Maybe I should talk to them about it, I think, my cheeks reddening the longer I stare at him. It gets worse and worse every time I look and talk to him... I recall a conversation I had with Wither last week, resulting in me becoming so embarrassed that I had to excuse myself from the dining table.
"Soooo...," Wither says, chewing on his supper, "Why do you always get so flustered when talking to me?"
I spit out my water, choking half to death. He raises his eyebrow in response.
"You're not in love with me, are you?" He asks, a smug smirk across his stupid face. My cheeks were dark red as I glared at him. "Who would be in love with an idiot like you?!"
"You, probably," he says, clearly sarcastic. He continues to eat his dinner casually, as if he did not just make any obscene assumptions.
I push my chair in, glaring at him defiantly. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be doing my homework in my room. I walk upstairs to my room, slamming the door shut behind me. Once I knew he wouldn't be able to see me, I covered my red face with my hands.
"I-Idiot..."
I send Zombie a text asking if I could come over for a bit. He replies with a yes almost instantly. I throw my cloak on and exit the house, walking to Zombie's. His house was about a fifteen minute walk away from Wither and my shared house.
"Hey, Skeleton!" Zombie exclaims, Pigman appearing a few moments later.
"Hey, guys...," I say, "I need to talk to you both about something..." The two roommates exchange glances. "Is this about Wither?" Pigman asks. I hesitantly nod, entering their house and plopping onto their small couch.
"Did something happen between you two?" Zombie asks, handing me a can of cola as he sits besides me.
"N-Not... Not exactly."
"Then...?" I sigh and take a sip of the cool drink.
"I... I always have these weird emotions when I'm around him," I start, choosing my words wisely as I spoke, "It's... It's so damn confusing, and I hate it..."
"What type of feelings?" Pigman asks.
"Like... Embarrassment."
"Embarrassment?" Zombie repeats, "Wait a second... Skeleton, oh my Notch!" Pigman squeals in response. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Zombie?!" The two of them had giddy smiles painted across their faces as they turned towards me. I felt completely left in the dark by the whole situation.
"W-What... What is it, guys? You're scaring me..."
"You like him, Skeleton!"
"He's okay, I guess. I wouldn't say that I like him..."
"No, like," Zombie says, "You like like him!"
"Skeleton, I can't believe you have a crush on Wither of all mobs! I thought you hated him!" Pigman exclaims, "Such a big twist if you ask me!"
"W-What?! Hold on a second!" The two roommates turn to face me.
"A crush? On that idiot? No way in hell." Pigman and Zombie elbow each other, giggling like idiots. "You totally like him, Skelly!"
"I- I don't!" My face heats up. A crush? On him? My whole head spins at the thought. No. I can't- I wouldn't.
"Let's say you don't," Zombie says, "Then how would you describe how you feel about him?"
"I..." How do I feel about him? I've been debating about this with myself for months. Deep down, I don't hate him... He's annoying, but...
"He's an idiot," I say.
"In denial, I see," Pigman sighs. I shrug it off, throwing the empty can of cola into a wastebasket.
"I'm going to head back," I say, already heading out the door. As I walk slowly towards home, my mind drifts back to Wither. I swear, all I think about is him these days...
I sit quietly onto a bench, closing my eyes for a moment. Could they be onto something? Do I really have a crush on him?
My family would be so disappointed in me. Having a crush on the biggest enemy to my kind? Wither skeletons ravaged and killed so many of us. How could I even consider having such feelings for him?
My heart felt extremely heavy. But... I can't deny how I always feel around him...
No. I can't. I need to ignore these feelings. They will pass.
"Skeleton!" The sound of Zombie's voice pulls me out of my trance.
"You forgot your cloak," he says, "You left so quickly that I couldn't even give it to you."
"Oh. Thanks, Zombie." I place the cloak over my shoulders.
"Soooo... Are you sure you think he's just an idiot, Skeleton?"
"I... Z-Zombie, maybe you and Pigman were right...," I whisper, my voice barely audible. Zombie gasps. "Oh my Notch!"
My eyes darken slightly. "If you tell a soul, I swear-!"
"I won't!" He says, placing his hand over his chest. I sigh and whisper, "You'd better not..."
~
That night went by rather slowly. When I returned back to the house, Wither was still dead asleep. He snored rather obnoxiously.
I roll my eyes, throwing a pillow at his head. He groans, glaring at me.
"Wake up, sleepyhead," I say gruffly. I ignore his annoyed expression and slump onto the couch.
"Ugh, why did you wake me up?!" He exclaims, "We're on break for Notch's sake! Can't you let me sleep peacefully for once?!" I scoff. "Then sleep in your room. You snore like a hog." He seems rather offended by this, standing up defensively. "Say that again, I dare you."
"What are you gonna do about it?" I ask, narrowing my eyes.
He grunts. "I'm going to go for a walk."
"Hope you don't come back," I hiss. Suddenly, his expression changes drastically. It was odd, unlike any expression I'd ever seen him make before.
He doesn't respond, slamming the door shut behind him.
Only then did I register it.
His expression... It was an expression of hurt.
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Hours went by, and Wither still hadn't returned. My mind was filled with worry. My heart filled with regret.
"I... I didn't mean it like that...," I whisper, "That idiot better come back..." I stare at the clock. It was an hour before sunup. He'll burn alive if he doesn't return! He isn't that much of an idiot, right?
I sure hope not...
I throw my cloak back on, walking outside. "Where could he be..."
I look around basically everywhere he could possibly be. The sun was almost completely up.
"It's... It's all my fault...," I whisper, cursing at myself mentally. I'm so stupid... Wither and I throw insults at each other all the time, but I... I took it too far. If anything happens to him, it's my fault.
Then, I felt a singe of pain. I felt a burning sensation from my spine to my head.
The sun was fully up by now. I watch as my health decreases rapidly.
I deserve this, I think, If this is how I go down, so be it. The mob that shouldn't ever return is myself.
"S-Skeleton!" His voice rang out, snapping me out of my daze. He seemed panicked as he dashed towards me, jumping on top of me to prevent the sunlight from further burning my bones. The burning sensation halts instantaneously.
"W-Wither?" I open my eyes slowly. Wither was on top of me, panting. "Skeleton, thank Notch... What were you doing outside, standing around like that?!"
"I..." I notice the position we're in, blushing. Feelings, not the time...
"Well?"
"C-Can we discuss t-this somewhere else?" I manage to squeak out, covering my face with my hands. He takes a moment to process.
"...U-Uhh, yeah. Good idea." He teleports the both of us back to the house.
We coexist quietly for a few moments. Awkward...
"Skeleton, seriously. You almost got yourself killed! Do you realize how low your health was?! You almost died!" Wither's expression was filled with nothing but worry.
"Wither...," I whisper, "I'm sorry." He stops mid-sentence. "Huh?"
"I'm sorry about what I said earlier, I... I didn't mean it."
"..."
"And, well... The reason I went out was because I was worried you'd actually never come back..."
"...Don't worry about it," he says, his eyes not meeting mine as he spoke, "We... We say things like this all the time. That wasn't any different."
I nod slowly. "Y-Yeah..."
"Anyway. I'm going to bed now, goodnight." With that, he leaves me alone, speechless.
We say these things all the time, but...
This is the first time I've ever seen you so hurt.
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A/n: Sorry for such a poorly written chapter! Better chapters are in the making! <3