Travelling through worlds to heal hearts

The next day, Joey's routine felt slightly off. He had been making progress with Rael, but a persistent feeling lingered that he was overlooking something crucial. Rael's defenses were slowly crumbling, yet Joey sensed there was more beneath the surface. To truly help Rael heal, he needed to delve into his past—every detail of it.

It was during lunch that he encountered them—the original protagonist and heroine.

Scene 1: The Encounter

Joey settled into his usual spot in the cafeteria, his gaze sweeping the room as he unwrapped his sandwich. As always, he noticed Rael at the far end, sitting alone with his book. But today, something else drew his attention—two figures making their way to Rael's table.

The first was a tall guy with messy brown hair, dressed casually but exuding a confident vibe that screamed "leader." The second was a girl, her long hair cascading behind her as she chuckled softly at something the guy said. She was stunning, radiating elegance, and Joey instantly recognized them.

They were the original protagonist and heroine—the ones whose destinies, in the original story, had been closely linked to Rael's.

The girl was Maya, the female protagonist, and the guy was Rishi, the male protagonist, who had once shared a close bond with Rael.

Joey observed as Rishi and Maya made their way to Rael's table, their smiles bright, yet there was an unmistakable tension in the air. Rael's body language shifted the moment they sat down—his posture became rigid and defensive, revealing more than words could convey.

Rishi and Maya greeted him warmly, but Rael's reply was polite yet distant. Joey sensed the weight of unspoken history between them, a shared past that was clearly not all good times.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Joey stood up and approached the table. He hesitated briefly before clearing his throat.

"Hey, is this seat taken?" Joey asked, offering a friendly smile.

Maya was the first to respond, her expression neutral but not unfriendly. "Oh, Joey. No, go ahead."

Rishi, however, regarded Joey with an inscrutable look. There was a fleeting glimmer in his eyes that made Joey feel uneasy.

"Thanks," Joey said, taking a seat next to Rael. He shot Rael a quick glance, but Rael didn't acknowledge him. His eyes remained glued to his plate, fingers tapping nervously against the table's edge.

Sensing the awkwardness, Joey decided to lighten the mood. "So, what's up, guys? Rael, still buried in that book?"

Rael's lips twitched slightly, but he remained silent. Maya offered a faint smile, clearly trying to ease the tension. "He's always reading," she said lightly. "I think it's his way of escaping everything around him."

Joey nodded in understanding. "Yeah, I can relate. Sometimes it's just easier to dive into a good story than face reality."

Rishi's gaze shifted to Joey, and there was something in his look that made Joey hesitate. "You're getting close to Rael, huh?" Rishi remarked casually, though there was an underlying sharpness to his tone..

Joey felt his heart race a bit, but he maintained his smile. "I'm just trying to be friendly. He's a quiet guy, but I believe there's more to him than people realize."

Maya nodded, though a hint of concern flickered in her eyes. "You're right. Rael has always been a bit... different. He's not like the rest of us. He carries a lot on his shoulders."

Joey glanced over at Rael, who remained silent, his eyes lost in thought. "I can see that," Joey said gently. "But I think he's tougher than he appears."

The conversation meandered, but Joey couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story. He sensed that Rael's relationship with Rishi and Maya was much more intricate than he had understood. And that was saying something, given the tragedy that loomed over Rael's past.

As lunch wrapped up, Joey walked alongside Rael toward the exit, trying to keep things light. He wanted to learn more, to explore what had transpired between him and the original characters, but he didn't want to overwhelm him.

"So, those two... Rishi and Maya," Joey started casually, glancing over at Rael. "You guys seem pretty close."

Rael tensed up, but he remained silent. Joey waited, sensing that Rael wasn't ready to share.

"They're... significant to you, aren't they?" Joey probed gently.

Rael halted and turned to Joey, his eyes revealing a mix of emotions—perhaps pain. "Not anymore," he replied softly, then walked away without another word.

Scene 4: The Reflection

Joey lingered for a moment, absorbing the weight of Rael's words. There was so much more to their story than he had understood. Rishi and Maya's presence had unearthed something in Rael—something hurtful. The barriers were still there, but Joey felt a renewed determination. He needed to uncover Rael's past to help him find the happiness he deserved.

Later that night, Joey sat in his room, reflecting on their conversation. Rael had never mentioned his family, and now the complex ties with Rishi and Maya added another layer to his enigma.

Joey's heart ached for Rael. The more he discovered, the clearer it became that mending Rael's heart wouldn't be as straightforward as he had thought.

But Joey was resolute. He had a mission, and he was committed to seeing it through—no matter the cost.