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iTrapped’s been looking forward to this for a long time now.
It was a reunion, something he had planned a while ago. He had been wanting to connect with his old friends, and somehow salvage their friendship, after everything that had happened. But right now, that seems far from reach. Everything felt awkward, with the three of them sitting in silence. No one dares to speak up—or maybe they just don't know what to say. Honestly, he doesn't either.
Why did he even propose this in the first place? It wasn't even his idea, really. Lonelytree had suggested it, from hearing how much iTrapped talked about his old pals, and how much he had missed them. At first, he thought of their suggestion as silly—but look where he was now, sitting in a cafe for a reunion with his friends. And he had been looking forward to seeing their faces again… he just never expected to be so damn awkward.
iTrapped sits there in his seat, waiting nervously for one of them to speak. He had ordered three cups of coffee for the three of them, but it looks like none of them have taken a sip so far. He looks up, deciding to take the time to study them.
They look so different. They’ve changed so much since I last saw the two of them. It feels almost unfamiliar, like I can't quite recognise them anymore…
On one hand, Caleb seems to be the same as usual. They just look a little more well-kept than before, with his collar finally folded properly for once, alongside a matching black tie. Ellernate, however, looks completely different. Their dark red hoodie and pants are gone now, replaced with an unusually yellow outfit. It's like they no longer want to associate with the colour red, with the only remaining traces of it being in his hair. Even then, that red shade is thinning, mixing with his usual shade of brown.
But who was he to judge? Sure, they might have changed quite a fair bit, with Caleb seemingly more proper now, and Ellernate dressed in yellow instead of red—but out of all of them, iTrapped was the one who had ended up changing the most. His hair is now grown out, no longer as short as it used to be, and those bright streaks of teal are now a darker shade of blue, washed out from time and stress, probably. It's long enough that he can't wear it loose anymore, and has to tie it into a ponytail. And he doesn't wear the same flashy clothes he used to enjoy wearing, but rather darker, more somber clothes.
It looks like they’ve finally grown up, moving on from their fanciful delusions from the past. And when he looks at them, he can't help but lament, thinking about the memories he’s already left behind, and the versions of them that are now lost, forgotten by all but him.
So much has changed within these years. Could we go back to how we used to? Is it even possible to fix things?
I… hope so.
His hand unconsciously tightens around the handle, and his fingertips end up pressing against the faint warmth of the coffee cup. It feels like a stark contrast with everything else, that fleeting sensation. Around them, people are busy chatting away, while the three of them sit in utter silence, unsure of what to say.
Maybe this was a bad idea, he thinks. No, he knows it is. He really should have planned it through before jumping into this… he had just been so excited at the thought of reuniting with his friends, and believed that there really was hope that they could fix things, and return back to how they once used to be.
“Hey.”
Caleb is the first to speak, breaking the tense and awkward silence. iTrapped looks up, finally tearing his eyes away from the cup in his hands. He’s eager to hear what they have to say. Maybe they’ll ask him why they’ve called him here, or if there's any way they could go back to being friends. But what they do next surprises him. Within seconds, they’re on their feet, getting ready to leave.
“Are we done here? I have places to be.”
iTrapped blinks, confused. What? Were they really going to leave, just like that?
“What do you mean? I thought…”
iTrapped trails off, unable to continue. He doesn't say it outloud, but they know what he means to say. He wants to ask why they’re so eager to leave, whether they even cared about him anymore. And yet, he doesn't—he’s too scared to hear what they might say next. What if they disagree? What if they think this is just a waste of time?
He expects something. A reaction, maybe, or words that might give him hope that there's still something left between the three of them. But there's nothing. Caleb just stares at him, looking almost annoyed.
In his heart, he hopes that it's nothing more than an act. Classical Caleb, being grumpy like always. iTrapped wants to pretend that he can't tell, but deep down, he knows the truth. There isn't any hope left, not for the three of them. From the moment they were forced to part ways, there never was. Still, he can't help it. It’s a desperate wish of his, that maybe they can go back to how things used to be.
“I’m saying that I’m leaving. This is just a waste of my time."
Ah. There it was, the indisputable proof that everything was over. There was no salvaging something like this.
iTrapped still finds himself glancing over at Ellernate, though. He half-expects them to say something, to somehow fix things. He was the logical one of the trio, and always knew what to do. But Ellernate stays silent, letting things slip by.
Caleb places a bill on the table, enough to cover his share of the drinks. "I’ve heard enough. Don't talk to me again,” he mutters, already walking off.
Everything’s turning out to be a disaster. iTrapped knows he should say something, and speak up now before it's too late. And he can't muster the courage to speak—he had expected Ellernate to step in, but they didn't do a thing. They simply tilt the yellow cap on their head downwards, hiding their disdain.
"Ellernate…?” iTrapped calls, turning towards them. His voice comes out almost like a plea, like he’s begging them to speak. Please, say something. Anything, really. Just tell me that there's still a chance to fix things, that this isn't beyond repair. “Why didn't you—"
He doesn't get to finish. Ellernate interrupts him, cutting his question off.
“You should just give up. There's no going back to how things used to be."
Upon hearing those words, something painful twists in iTrapped’s chest. What? How could he say that, after everything they had been through together? Doesn't he know how much they mean to him…?
Ellernate, too, has already turned to leave, unwilling to hear iTrapped out. He begins to panic, unable to accept their words. Things can't possibly just end like this, can they?
Before he can think things through, he reaches out, and grabs them by the wrist, stopping them from leaving.
"Please, don't leave,” he begs softly. "We can still fix this."
But Ellernate shrugs him off, treating him just like an afterthought. “Forget it. It's over, iTrapped."
Just like that, they’re gone. iTrapped’s all alone now, with three cups of untouched, lukewarm coffee. And he sits there for a while, staring at those empty seats in front of him, utterly speechless. Eventually, he too, rises to his feet, and turns to leave the cafe.
He doesn't look back. Not once.
iTrapped wanders the streets aimlessly, before finally deciding to head back. He walks to Lonelytree’s place, barely able to hold back his tears. He doesn't cry often, but this? This was too much for him to handle.
The years of friendship, and those memories he had spent with his friends—they had meant everything to him. And now, watching them walk away, acting like it was nothing… it hurt him deeply, far more than their words of rejection.
But you know what hurts most?
He already knew it was coming. In hindsight, he should have expected this. It’s been too long since they had last met, and so much had changed between them. And yet, he had been hoping that maybe, there was a chance they could at least be friends again. Even if it wasn't as close as before, they could still be… something in each other’s lives.
Well, there goes that idea. He really is a loser, isn't he?
At least he still had one person he could count on—Lonelytree, his oldest friend. After the trio’s falling out, he had no place to stay. They had been arrested after a heist gone wrong, and iTrapped was the only one able to slip out of a sentence, with the help of his parents’ money. Even that wasn't enough, and he had nowhere left to go. Maybe that was when it all started, from the very day he got off scot-free, while the others suffered.
In his daze, he thinks of them. He still remembers the night where he had showed up at their apartment, with tears streaming down his face. Although he hadn't spoken to them in years, he decided to ask for their help, because he didn't know who else to turn to. They used to be best friends once—but that was before he met Caleb and Ellernate, and started pushing everyone away.
iTrapped knocks at the door softly, uncertain if he would even be allowed in. He wouldn't be surprised if they turned him down, especially considering everything that had happened. Slowly, the door opens, revealing that familiar face. They look a little shocked, though he can't tell if it's because of his dishevelled appearance, or his sudden return back into their life.
“Please. I know it's been a while, but I really need a place to stay.”
Lonelytree just stands there for a moment, stunned. “What… what happened to you?”
iTrapped looks away, trying his best to avoid their gaze. He can't bring himself to face them, not after what he’s done. And he doesn't know if they’ll welcome him in, but he’ll grovel if he has to—he just doesn't want to spend a night alone in the cold.
“Can we talk about this later. I just… I really need somewhere to stay for the night. I’ll be out in the morning, I promise.”
“Don't worry," Lonelytree says, opening the door wider, and welcoming them in. “You can stay here for as long as you need."
And that's how he ended up crashing at their apartment, for an indefinite stay. He’s been living with them for a while now, and he’ll move out when he saves up enough to get his own place. But it didn't seem like that would be happening anytime soon.
When iTrapped reaches the apartment, he doesn't even have to knock. Lonelytree heard his footsteps from outside, and had already opened the door. “How did it go?" he asks, as if he doesn't already know the answer from iTrapped’s expression.
“As well as you’d expect," iTrapped replies, slipping off his coat and hanging it on the rack.
“Ah," Lonelytree says, his voice filled with dismay. “I see.”
iTrapped feels like he’s just spacing out at this point. The walk home has been far too long, and everything feels distant, like he’s not really there. Lonelytree seems to notice this, and offers to make something for him.
“Would you like something to drink? I was just about to make some hot chocolate," he offers, his lips curving into a faint smile, though it doesn't quite reach his eyes.
“…that would be nice.”
Lonelytree nods, then heads off to make it. Meanwhile, iTrapped takes off his shoes, and places them by the door, before walking towards the sofa and collapsing onto it. The day has left him feeling completely exhausted, with a weariness sinking deep into his bones.
After a few minutes, Lonelytree soon returns with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate in hand. “There you go. Careful, it’s still pretty hot," he warns, handing iTrapped a mug.
Slowly, he accepts the mug, careful not to spill a drop onto the ground. “Thanks, it’s just what I needed," iTrapped murmurs, before taking a small sip, and savoring the sweet drink. It's as warm as always—but it doesn't do much in easing that chill within him, the one threatening to swallow him whole.
“Do you want to talk about it?" Lonelytree asks, settling down beside him.
But iTrapped shakes his head, rejecting his offer. He can't talk about it—at least not right now. He doesn't want to think about what happened, and how it made him feel… he doesn't think he can handle it, not after everything.
“Okay, that’s fine. Just take all the time you need.”
Within moments, iTrapped’s mind has already started to drift away. He’s staring at the mug, into the surface of the hot chocolate. It feels like he’s back at the cafe again, holding that cup of coffee in his hands. But this time, he isn't alone—there's someone here who actually cares about him.
There's something he wants from them. He’s scared to ask for it, but it's something he desperately needs. He gently sets the mug down on the table, so that it doesn't spill.
“Can I… have a hug?”
Lonelytree seems a little surprised by his question. Even iTrapped didn't expect those words to leave his mouth—it was just a question he had thrown out absentmindedly, a request he doesn't think they’ll fulfill.
Did I really just say that? I must be more tired than I thought…
But they don't push him anyway, like he expected them to. “Of course," Lonelytree answers kindly, placing their mug on the table, alongside his. Then, they lean in close and pull him into a tight hug.
Initially, iTrapped stiffened a little, caught off guard by their sudden forwardness. Eventually, he relaxes into it, and wraps his arms around them, refusing to let go. Their embrace feels warm, and it chases away the cold still clinging onto his skin.
That's when everything hits him—he’ll never see his friends again. They don't want anything to do with him anymore. No matter how hard he wishes for it, things will never be able to go back to how it used to be. Now, they’re… gone from his life, just like that.
“I’m sorry," is all iTrapped manages to choke out. “I didn't mean for this to happen."
Lonelytree simply gives him a gentle, comforting pat on the back. “Don’t apologise. I’m here for you, okay? So whatever it is you’ve been bottling up inside… just let it all out.”
And he does.
He ends up bursting into tears, right in front of them. At first, the sobs come quietly, before they turn into full, heaving cries—it’s everything he has been holding back, these past few years, now spilling out all at once.
It's over. It's really over. Caleb, Ellernate, his best friends… he’ll never see them again.
Eventually, iTrapped manages to calm down. He pulls back slightly, then uses the back of his hand to wipe away the tears on his face. Although he still feels a little distraught, it isn’t as bad as before, all thanks to them.
I’m glad you’re here… I don't know what I would do without you. And I'm sorry for pushing you, and leaving you behind—I won't do it again, I promise.
iTrapped smiles faintly, though this time it feels genuine.
“...thank you, ‘Tree.”
And Lonelytree returns it, his expression as warm as ever.
“Anytime!"