Cure

Noel knew that Elliot and he had always been particularly close, he thought about that everyone knew that. In addition, they were playing together all the time, and even they were childhood friends with two other girls, Emily and Lemi. And they have got into the same elementary school, and even middle school. Noel was really glad to hear that, because Emily, and Lemi were also going to the same school! So Noel, Elliot, Emily and Lemi were childhood friends, and they were also close. But not that as much as Elliot and Noel.

It was the 4th month of the school year. Noel and Elliot duo were hanging out as well as always.

Suddenly, Elliot walked to Noel and whispered to him.

“Umm, Noel. I think I have a crush on somebody. Guess who?”

Noel gazed at Elliot for a few seconds.

‘What on earth? Elliot, you bastard! You can’t have a crush on any girls in our school! How dare you?!’

Noel was kinda upset with him but he didn’t express it, but instead he asked Elliot.

“Who is it? Can you tell me please? I’m begging you, Elliot! I swear to God that I won't tell anyone! PLEASE!!!!!”

“Nope.” Elliot shook his head like a kid.

It made Noel baffled, because Elliot never refused anything that Noel asked. It made Noel really, really furious. So Noel turned around, and ran away from Elliot.

And during the math club, Noel didn't come. Elliot was really worried. Seriously, he thought that Noel hates him from that situation. In the evening, Elliot ate dinner only a little bit. He couldn't eat much because he was sure that Noel hates him. Even when he went to bed, he only thought about Noel, and again Noel.

The next morning, Noel didn't come or talk to him. Elliot also didn't. Lemi, who is Elliot's twin sister, came to Elliot and asked him if he's okay or not.

“Elliot, you ok? You look like you didn't fall asleep last night. Also to be honest, why are you and Noel not hanging around together today? I'm worried.”

Elliot wasn't ok, of course. But he didn't want to make his sister worried, so instead of telling the truth, he told her a lie.

“Of course I am okay! I'm really fine, and good! Also, I just wanted to play with others! So don't worry! Noel is still best friends with me!”

Elliot smiled, but he was still sad inside. He thought that he should meet and talk with Noel right now. So he decided to find Noel during lunch break.

He checked the classroom, artroom, 1st floor, 2nd floor and 3rd floor… Noel was nowhere. Elliot went to the last place, the boys’ bathroom. He opened the door, and— Noel was crying without any sound. When he saw Elliot, he stopped the tears, and pushed him and tried to run outside. Unfortunately, Elliot was taller and faster.

Elliot grabbed Noel's waist, and pulled him into his arms. Noel held his breath, and Elliot was hugging him tightly. Noel again started to tear, and Elliot hugged him even tighter. Noel turned around and hugged Elliot back, with his thin arms. Elliot buried his face in Noel's hair. Noel felt comforted by this hug, and Elliot did too.

“I am so sorry, I… I think I should've cared about you more, Noel. I'm really sorry.” Elliot whispered.

“But you were okay without me, right? And you would be.” Noel asked him very quietly.

“No I wouldn't.”

“...Really? You wouldn't?”

Elliot hesitated.

“Noel, I, I-”

He suddenly stopped.

There were too many things he wanted to say, but somehow, none of them seemed perfect.

‘I missed you. I was worried about you. I don't want to lose you.’

Instead, he said quietly.

“I don't think I could be okay without you.”

Noel's eyes widened slightly.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Noel looked away.

“Don't say things like that.”

“Why?”

“Because…”

Noel's voice became smaller.

“I think I started believing you.”

Elliot's heart thumped.

“Then… Believe me.”

“But, it’s not easy… you know what I mean.”

“Why? Why not? I don't know what you mean.”

Noel gazed into his eyes, and quietly whispered.

“If I will believe you…”

Noel stopped, because he didn't know what would happen if he told the truth.

“...I would stay by your side.”

Elliot didn't answer immediately.

“Then, just stay with me.”

Noel looked him up, and gazed at him for a while.

For some reason, Noel's chest got warm.

Finally, Noel nodded.

“Okay.”

When the lunch bell rang, Noel quickly wiped his eyes and stepped away.

“We should go now.”

“Yeah.”

They walked out of the bathroom together. Neither of them mentioned what had just happened,

but neither of them forgot it, either.

During math, Elliot glanced at Noel. Noel was looking at the whiteboard, pretending to pay attention to the lesson. Their eyes met for a second. Noel immediately looked away. Elliot smiled slightly. Neither of them noticed the teacher was looking at them.

“Elliot, Noel. Stand out of the classroom right now.”

The teacher went out of the classroom with two boys. She stared at them for a while.

“Don't tell others.”

Elliot and Noel said at the same time.

“We won't, promise.”

She sighed, and looked around the hall.

“I didn't hear anything.” She said quietly. “Understand?”

Both of them nodded.

Before she opened the door, she suddenly stopped and added one thing.

“Whatever this is, don't let it hurt your feelings.”

Elliot stopped, and Noel glanced at him so nervously. His eyes were saying that they are cooked.