Summer: An Adventure That Brings Forth; Truth PT. 4/4

We spent a couple hours after that chatting with one another, and before we knew it, the sun had begun to set already. After saying our goodbyes and a promise to visit soon, Pandora and I started our long way back to the city.

"Hey, let's walk and talk for a bit," Pandora suggested as I kicked the bike stand up.

"Um, sure, I guess. Not for too long though, since I'd rather not be in the countryside while it's dark out."

We walked in silence for a bit, the dirt road glowing orange from the setting sun, until Pandora turned towards me, a serious look on her face.

"How did you meet them?"

I probably should've seen this one coming. I bit my lip, trying hard to say what I needed to say without drudging up the past.

"It was in middle school, and my grandmother on my mom's side was coming to stay with us for a week. I don't really remember why she was there, and I don't care to. But what I did know was that there was no way in hell I was staying there for a week. Lachesis, my neighbor, was going out of town during that week, and I was truly desperate. So, I hopped on my bike the morning she was supposed to arrive and left. I didn't really have a plan, but I knew I wouldn't stay there."

"So, you biked all the way here? By yourself?"

"Almost. I collapsed right as Granny was passing by, and I ended up staying there for a week. They gave me a new bike, this one right here, since the other one was in disrepair. I think they still have it too. But, afterwards, I went and visited them many times whenever I didn't want to be at home. However, I stopped once Junior year came, and I'm pretty sure you can hazard a guess why that was."

She sighed as I finished my story, taking off her sunhat. "What a troublesome boy in Pandora…"

"But I don't regret it though. I love talking to the both of them, and if I didn't run away that day, I wouldn't have met them, nor you. They really liked you know."

"So, does that mean you'll take me here again?" She asked, a small smile appearing on her face.

"Whenever we're both free again, we'll go together."

"It's a promise then!" She nodded happily and started to hum to herself, her hair bobbing up and down slightly. "Still, never knew you wanted to be a farmer Depra."

"Hey, stop teasing me. I never said that, although…" I trailed off, and Pandora frowned as she peered into my face.

"What's up?"

"I really haven't thought about the future, have I?"

"Well, with all that money you have, you don't really need to."

"Not funny," I growled.

"Yep, sorry." We walked in silence for a couple more moments before Pandora spoke again.

"So, what do you wanna do?"

"If I knew that, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"Well, I can't take care of you forever, so you have to start pulling your own weight in this relationship of ours."

What the hell did that even mean? I swear, this girl confuses me like no other. I decided to ignore her last statement though. "Why haven't I thought about it…?"

(Indecisive.)

I stopped, hearing the voice I longed to never hear again.

(You damn well know why you can't. Why don't you accept it already?)

"No, not again..."

(Oh, and here I thought you looked forward to this. Don't you see? Or are you too stupid to understand. A Stupid, Greedy, Indecisive, Coldhearted, Slothful Coward.)

"I…"

[Depra!]

I was suddenly snapped back to reality, with Pandora shaking me.

"Sorry, I just…"

She let out a sigh of relief as she heard my voice. "Oh good, I stopped it before it went to far." She looked back up into my eyes. "Please, rely on me a little more, okay?"

I blinked as I stared into her regal purple eyes. "Uh, sure. Only if you do the same."

"Oh, silly Depra, I already rely on you." She finally broke the gaze, and I felt myself collapse onto the grass.

"Sorry, give me a minute." She nodded and went to put the bike back up.

Rely on her, huh? I feel as if I've done nothing but rely on people all summer. I stared at the darkening sky above. Is it really okay to keep doing this, relying on her and all the others?

"Uh, Depra, you might wanna look at this!"

Huh? I gazed back at Pandora, who was staring at rather large tornado, crackling with lightning, heading straight for her. Huh, how strange.

"Wait, what the fuck!?" I jolted back up, my body aching from not having rested fully, and I could only stare as the tornado. Seriously, this is why I hate nature.

I watched Pandora's sunhat get blown into the tornado, and she looked extremely scared. "Hey, we should leave now Depra!"

I ignored her and started to walk towards the tornado. "Hey, is it really okay for me to rely on you?"

"Huh!? Why are you asking this now!?"

Why do I feel like this? This overwhelming urge to tell it all to her. I sighed as I continued my walk towards the tornado.

"Then, if it's truly alright, then I'll tell you." And then I used the thing that had caused me so much grief, so much pain.

And for once, I didn't feel any of it.

I grabbed her hat out of air, and turned back to a shocked Pandora, who could only stare at me.

"Depra, what just…?"

"If you'll let me, I'll tell you the whole truth. I'll rely on you, just as you asked of me. And that's a promise."

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"You did what!?"

It was late now, and I had already escorted Pandora back to her home. I was in my house now, getting ready for bed while talking to Hiro on the phone. I held my phone away from me as I had just told him what happened with Pandora.

"Yeah, I told her."

Silence, and then a loud sigh. "You can't just tell anyone this, you know. I mean, you do know that's a pretty big deal, right? Hell, you haven't even told me parts of what you told her!"

"I don't know. It just felt right I guess." I pulled on my socks and collapsed into my bed. "Haven't you felt like that before?"

"You mean like taking a chance on someone? Yeah, I guess I can see what you mean by that."

"Wait, you have?"

"Long story bro, I'd rather not get into it right now. But, if you feel as if it was the right decision, then I trust you. Just don't end up regretting it, alright?"

"Yeah, I felt as if it was just right, you know? I've never felt this way about someone, you know?"

"Aw, someone's in love!"

"Ugh, you two would get along great, I swear. Jokesters, the both of you."

"Well, I'll have you introduce me one day soon man. Anyway, seriously, I'm proud of you. Especially after what happened and all, I thought you wouldn't open up to anyone else again."

"Thanks. Although, it was kinda strange that tornado suddenly appeared."

"Eh, I've seen stranger. This place is one strange place after all."

"If you say so. I just feel as if nature trying to kill me or something lately."

"Hah, trust me, if that was the case, you would be dead."

"…No faith huh?" And we both started to laugh.

"Anyway Depra, I'm going to bed soon. I have to at least try to not go to bed late, since summer break is almost over."

"Oh yeah, guess that means I can't sleep until 12 anymore, huh?"

"Well said. Good night, and keep me posted, okay?"

"Yeah, don't worry, I will. Night." And I hung up, setting my phone down next to me. Should I call Lachesis? I stared at my phone before shaking my head.

"Yeah, I'll tell her about it later. I'm beat after cycling around all day." I yawned and put my phone on the charger before turning off the desk lamp.

School huh? Can't say I'm excited about that…

And so, the boy's summer draws to a close.