Chapter 5: First Meeting Part 2

                                    

                                          

It's strange how a little breeze changes the direction of someone's path. Kyle showing up seemed to pull me from jumping into the abyss and instead walk towards a colorful light. For the rest of the day, I was curious about the person seating beside me who was totally focused on the lessons. 
He is seating near the window and when the air decided to be naughty, the curtains were blown, together with his long black hair cascading on his forehead, and the scene is so picturesque, I couldn't help but smile. He seemed to notice my stare, so he turned to my side with a questioning gaze. I smiled at him but he responded with a blank stare before turning back to look at the teacher in front. 
After a whole day of classes, I remembered I have to go home... to the home that feels like not a home due to its unfamiliar surroundings and emptiness. I lazily put my things in my bag. I looked at Kyle and his seat was already empty. He was already walking out the door. I hurriedly packed and followed behind him. 
"Hey", I called out to him when we were on the stairs going down. 
He slowed down his pace and waited for me to walk beside him. 
"Where's your house?", I asked. 
He looked at me, "If I tell you my address, would you know where it is?". 
I chuckled. He's right. I don't even know why I asked in the first place. 
We walked towards the gate and I looked around for grandma's car. But no matter how I sweep my eyes, I could only see adult strangers happily waving at I suppose their children...No sign of grandma. Sadness once again engulfed my heart. I looked at my watch and it was exactly 4:35 p.m. 
I looked at Kyle who already exited the gate. He turned to the left and continued to walk. He didn't even wait for me.
"He doesn't have anyone to fetch him?", I muttered to myself. I gathered up my feet and ran to him. The road he is taking is coincidentally the way to our new house. I am not sure but that's what I remembered.
I was able to catch up to him. Catching my breath I asked, "You're going to walk home?". 
He stopped his tracks and faced me, "Yeah. It's just a 15-minute walk from here."
"Wow. What a coincidence! I also live near here. Though, I don't know how many minutes would it take me to walk it. I think it's this way but I am not sure. I am terrible at directions."
"What's your address?", he asked. 
My grandma was mindful of me so she always reiterated our new address in case I get lost. So, even if we're new here, I know the address by heart. 
"OD 780-C Balingkinitan", I replied. 
Kyle's face finally showed a tint of surprise, "I live in OD 780-B."
My mouth opened in shock. What a perfect coincidence! "Wooow! We're neighbors?" I laughed. 
We continued to walk. 
"How come I didn't see you move in?", Kyle asked. 
"We moved in last week, late in the night. You probably were asleep already."
He nodded. "My parents did not mention anything about it. They probably did not notice, too."
An uncomfortable feeling loomed inside of me and the scene of that terrible night flashed again when he mentioned his parents. This man in front of me is as the same age as me but there is a certain difference that no one can rebut. He still has his parents and I don't. It's the same with the other kids at school. They have what I don't have.