By definition a friend is a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection. Typically one exclusive of sexual or family relations.

  A friend is someone we choose to be close to.

  Most exclusive friendships happen by circumstance. Spending time in the same environment. Over time we just simply grow close to the person in contact. Sometimes friends are borrowed through people we already know. After meeting more than once. Timely hitting it off.

  Sometimes even someone we think we dislike. Over time we can become friends. Circumstance and chance is the key to it all.

  But there’s a difference between being a friend and acting like a friend. The surface is the same. Actions in these both are identical but reason isn’t.

  It all comes down to one’s personal feelings. One can become a friend because of their selfish desires.

  These people always act for friendship’s sake to gain their own goals. In a lot of cases they can’t even tell themselves if they are being honest. Believing in their own lies. The second type is becoming a friend through feelings towards that person. A genuine want to be friends. Not for one’s own sake.

  I told you these two are the same. Actions in both are just the same.

  My eyes watched the tall buildings in the sight further away.

  “I am so glad you agreed to come with me! How did your days go from when we last saw each other?” Athena excitedly spoke.

  I turned over to see her walking over towards me. We met in the middle of a street.

  The sun already was down and the streetlights, the lights from buildings, windows, cars were now the only source of light around.

  Thankfully the weather had calmed down. The other day when we met it was pretty warm but the next two days were rainy and windy. Now the air felt twice as cold as before. Like the storm that came and left the coldness within.

  I tugged my sleeves closer and gave Athena a small smile.

  “It’s so cold! Can't believe we only met two days ago.” I said.

  “I know! Soon the first snow will come!” Athena replied. Then she looked over a building we were supposed to go into. Shanks. From outside it looked like a bar, with flashy music blasting through, neon lights shining and moving glimpses from inside as people walked in and out.

  “Looks like it’s busy tonight!" Athena’s eyes sparkled excitedly.

  “Why is this place closing?” I asked a question to Athena. I wasn’t completely sure if I even cared why this place is shutting down but asked anyway.

  “Dina’s parents decided to focus on their other business. They decided to close it for good!” She told me.

  “What is their other business?” I asked.

  “They have a tailor salon. It’s more peaceful. I guess when one ages you get tired of places like this.” Athena looked at the building smiling nostalgically.

  “I guess…” I said.

  “Let’s go my friend!” Athena turned to me and grabbed my hand. She pulled me in.

  For a moment I had to adjust to her not to accidentally fall. We walked over the street.

  “How are you and Shinichi doing?” Athena suddenly asked me something I wasn’t expecting her to ask.

  I eyed her a little curious but understood that part of this new friendship came from interest in other’s love life. My mind kept coming back about which type of friend she is. The one who is friends for her own survival or is it a genuine feeling?

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “It’s going steady.” I answered.

  Athena looked slightly disappointed.

  “You’re bad at giving a girl a talk!” She rolled eyes at me.

  “I am not sure what exactly you want me to say.” I shrugged my shoulders.

  “Well for starters. Is he a good kisser? Have you done the deed yet? What things do you do together?” Athena wasn’t holding her back at all. Those green eyes sprinkled with a wish to tell her every deepest detail of my relationship with Shin.

  Girlfriends share these kinds of things; that’s what her eyes were telling me.

  “He tends to be a passive kisser…though when he becomes emotional he becomes very good! If by deed you mean sex, the answer is yes.” I answered two of her questions as she listened to me very intuitively.

  “Oh? Have you been together for about a year?” Athena asked me curiously.

  I shook my head.

  “He pursued me for half a year. I only accepted to be with him seven months ago.” I was counting the months in my head.

  “Mhh! Interesting! Do you think of him as the end game?” Athena looked away slightly thinking about my relationship with Shin.

  I stopped in my tracks and eyed the girl.

  “I feel like it’s too early to think of settling down.” I shrugged. Then I smiled pointing at Athena.

  “Do you have a love interest?” I asked her a question. Taking attention away from me.

  Athena started this conversation but seemed to be taken aback when I asked her the question back.

  Her eyes went somewhere else but my eyes.

  “There is someone there! Is it?” I poked her with my question.

  “I think so…ahh! I am not sure!” She shied away. Not sure how to answer this.

  “Tell me his name at least!” I poked her playfully.

  “His name is Julius.” She looked at me more shy than I had ever seen her.

  “Julius. Mmm?” I teased her back.

  Athena laughed out loud.

  I couldn’t recall anyone with this name.

  “He is not studying in the university.” Athena said. “He’s working under his dad.”

  “Is he older than you?” I was curious.

  “We are the same age.” Athena answered. “His education is a little different. Privately studying with craft that is passed down to his family.” Athena said something rather intriguing.

  “What does his family do?” I asked.

  We were steps away from the Shanks bar.

  It was located in the central part of the city on a street that looked like an old town. Small night time places are surrounded here. Karaoke places, other restaurants and bars. The street was buzzing with people. To be honest this was the first time I saw that many people in one street. If I exclude University.

  “I will tell you later. Now let’s hang out.” Athena cut a rather interesting conversation.

  I didn’t press her. My eyes landed on a small crowd in front of us. We walked through the doors. Passing people.

  I remembered.

  “By the way. Shin will also be here later.” I eyed her and let her know.

  “Oh?” Athena looked surprised. “As we are officially friends and we are supposed to look after each other. Can I tell you something?” Her face looked at me as pulling through the crowd.

  “Of course!” I nodded.

  “I do want you to be happy Rory! But I don’t think you will be with Shin.” She said something rather unsettling. Athena smiled at me brightly. Her green eyes gave this innocent look. The words leave an eerie taste. “...I don’t think he has the best intentions for you.” Athena told me. She wasn’t looking at me. Eyes facing forward.

  I stared at her for a moment and before I could respond she pulled my arm. Right through the doors. Music filled my ears and in the sight of more people crowding the floor. Some dancing. Some talking. Some are sitting down.

  Athena kept pulling me to the corner table where people were already sitting.

  “This is my friend Rio!” Athena moved past the comment she just made me and introduced me with the first face sitting by the table.

  A guy sitting in a booth. Small build but tall, dressed in a light blue shirt and short curly hair.

  “I am Rory! Hi!” I gave a small nod towards Rio.

  “Nice to meet you Rory!” He smiled back at me.

  Next to him. Dark brown hair. His eyes are yellow. With a very distinctive catlike sharp stare. Brown hair, one side slightly longer than the other. Mouth curled into a smile.

  “And this is my friend Itsuki!” Rio pointed at the guy.

  “Nice to meet you Rory!” Itsuki extended his hand to take mine but I did not reach out.

  “I wish I could say the same!” I said to him honestly.

  Athena noticed my attitude. “Have you met before?”

  I nodded.

  “I don’t mean any harm. I just want to be friends!” Itsuki said to me with his charming smile. Acting rather innocently.

  Athena glanced at Itsuki and then she glanced at me.

  “What did he do?” Athena was suspicious.

  Itsuki laughed lightheartedly. “I may have given her a light warning!” Looking guilty at Athena.

  Rio looked between me and Itsuki alarmed.

  “Dude!” He lightly called out.

  “I am sorry on his behalf!” He apologized to me. Giving Itsuki a noticeable glare.

  “I might consider forgiving you in one condition.” I glanced in Itsuki’s direction. “Tell me! What did you mean by what you said to me?” I asked him.

  “I want a drink! Let’s get a drink first!” Athena said. Cutting off my questioning as she looked behind me in the direction of the bar giddy. I eyed her and sat down in the seat that faced Itsuki. She sat next to me and a girl from the bar approached us.