The Lovers Survivors

7. Confusion

The black car enters in the narrow streets, heading to a certain white small house as Tyler described.

Archer has never been in these streets before because his apartment and his workplace are far from this zone. Also, he doesn't have anything that brings him there because all his friends live in the wealthy streets and they always hang out in fancy places.

Being here to drive Tyler home is new to him, and he doesn't feel strange because of it. On the contrary, he thinks it's good for him to have some changes in his life, especially because he's growing tired of having everything ready for him and being around people who only care about fortune and reputation.

The evening he spent with Tyler was nothing very special, but to him, it was a big change. He enjoys his company and he's curious to know many things about him. He hopes he will see him again.

"It's here." Tyler interrupts his thoughts. He sees a small house surrounded by a small garden. Even if it's tiny compared to his apartment or his parents' mansion, the house looks nice and the flowers planted outside are making it look very charming.

Archer stops the car and looks at Tyler, he smiles at him, "It was nice to spend some time with you, Tyler."

Tyler smiles back and nods, "Thank you for the dinner and everything you've done today."

Archer shakes his head, "It's nothing. I hope I’ll get to see you again."

Tyler presses his lips and looks away, "Yeah, I hope so."

After the left the car, Archer watches Tyler stop by the house's door then turns around. He checks his pockets and counts the money he has.

Archer follows him to another street, he watches him stop by a food stand to buy hotdogs. He smiles when he guesses it's for his mother because he felt bad for leaving her without dinner when he ate well at a restaurant.

"He's so cute." Archer chuckles and leaves the street.

Leighton and Julian have never been this silent since they found themselves on the deserted island.

One is sitting far from the other, and both are resting their chins above their knees. They can't look at each other after the small incident.

Normally, it shouldn't be a big deal, but the strange feeling that consumed their bodies at that moment when they suddenly fell made them uncomfortable.

Leighton thinks it's because they have been distant since they first met and that's why it was weird for them to be so close physically. Julian knows he feels this way because he's used to be surrounded only by girls. He doesn't have a lot of male friends, so it's not usual for him to be close to one.

The child looks at them and sighs. It's getting boring for him. He sits near Leighton and notices

the ring around his finger. "Are you married?" he asks.

Leighton widens his eyes because the child reminded him of his fiancée, whom he has forgotten during the last days. He hasn't thought about her much since he was busy looking for food and a way to survive on the island.

"No, not yet," he smiles to the child. "I'm engaged."

"Is she beautiful?"

Leighton nods, "She's very beautiful." he sighs and looks away.

"You are engaged too," the child looks at Julian, "I heard my mum talking about it to her friend. She also said that you don't love her."

Julian chuckles, "Your mum knows me well."

"She's your number one fan."

The actor smiles, "It's true that I don't love Anna, but sometimes you have to make some sacrifices for the sake of peace."

The child frowns and shakes his head, "That's not true! My mum always tells me that we should do everything to be happy."

Julian sighs, "I am happy, I'm doing what I always wanted to do. I'm one of the best actors in the country."

"But is it enough?" Leighton joins the conversation. "I don't know much about your family situation, but Jules is right, you should be happy not only with your career but also with the people around you."

"I don't care about people." Julian shrugs. "As long as I get called to act in movies and have fun with girls, that's enough for me."

Little Julian frowns and crosses his arms, "It's not good to play with girls. You should respect them, love them and marry them."

Leighton laughs and ruffles the child's hair, "You're a good talker, aren't you?"

"I've never fallen in love," the actor says.

"One day you will, when you'll meet the right one." Leighton smiles.

"Yes, one day you will find someone beautiful, nice and generous, just like Leighton!" the child smiles.

"Like me?" Leighton laughs, "I can't be compared to a girl." he rubs his neck.

"Well, I hope I'll find her," Julian says, his eyes focused on Leighton who looks surprised by his words. "I'm sleepy now, good night." he stands up and goes under the small tent they built with tree trunks and leaves.

"It's time to sleep Jules," Leighton caresses the child's back, "Join Julian inside, it's cold for you here."

The child shakes his head, "I like it here. I used to go camping with my mum, I'm used to this."

"Are you sure?" Leighton presses his lips, "I don't want you to catch a cold."

"Don't worry," the child hugs him tight. "Good night." he lies on the sand and places his arms behind his head. He watches the stars shine in the dark sky and smiles.

Leighton looks at him with a sad face, he thinks it must be difficult for him to be parted from his mother. He hopes she's still alive so she can embrace her son.

Leighton turns around and looks at the small tent. He presses his lips and mentally curses himself for being nervous.

"Come on, it's not like you'll be sleeping with another girl." he rolls his eyes and heads to the tent. He gets in and lies beside Julian.

"Where is he?" the actor asks.

“He says he prefers to stay out. I didn't want to force him." Julian hums.

Leighton turns around and gulps when he realized their faces are so close. Julian doesn't look away, he keeps looking at his brown eyes.

Leighton hurries to turn around again and tries to breathe slowly to calm his fast heartbeats down.

"Do you miss her?" Julian suddenly asks. "Your fiance."

Leighton presses his lips, "You know, I feel bad because I haven't thought about her lately. But yes, I do miss her."

"What does it feel like to miss someone you love?"

"It hurts," Leighton replies, "You feel a certain pressure against your chest, you have this need to see that person and hold them in your arms. You miss their voice, the way they smile, and even how annoying they can be sometimes." he chuckles.

Julian sighs, "I've never felt this before," he says. "Never with a girl."

"Just give it time, Jules." Leighton looks at him, "One day you'll find her."

Julian rolls his eyes, "Again with the name?"

Leighton laughs, "I told you, there are no rules on this island."

"Oh?" Julian smirks and sits down, "So, I can kill you and it won't be considered as a crime."

"Kill me?" Leighton pretends to be surprised. "Who's going to get you food then? I'm sure you don't want to starve to death here."

"I will manage," Julian shrugs. He climbs on top of Leighton and puts his hands around his neck, "Do you have any last words to say?"

"I do," Leighton nods, "Julian is a loser."

The actor raises an eyebrow, "Again with the disrespect? You do want to die." he pretends to choke him with his hands and Leighton starts laughing. "Being impolite with your elders, huh?"

Leighton takes his hands and holds them tight, "You're tickling me!"

Julian smirks and starts tickling him everywhere, "You could have told me you're ticklish. I'll kill you this way."

"Why would I tell you?!" Leighton presses his lips tight to avoid laughing a lot. "Please, stop!"

Julian enjoys his reactions and keeps tickling him.

"Please!"

"Please, what?" Julian asks with a deeper voice.

Leighton opens his eyes and looks at him. He breathes slowly and whispers, "Please, Jewel.”

Julian was about to protest when he suddenly lost his words. He gulps and keeps looking at Leighton's calm face. "J-jewel?" he asks.

"It's better than Jules, don't you think?"

"No one has ever called me this way."

"Then I will start calling you like this," Leighton sits down to face him, He smiles and says, "Good night, Jewel."

Julian looks down and smiles, he looks back at him and caresses his hair gently, "Good night, Leigh," he hurries to lie down and mentally curses himself for being so cheesy.

On the other hand, Leighton's cheeks get red like tomatoes. He lies down and gulps. Julian is making him confused.