"Tag You're It"

...Title My Crush Is My Bully...

...Chapter "Tag You're It"...

..."There's this park down the street in our neighborhood," Papa explained, gesturing with a nod toward the window where the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the street. "There must be other kids out, since school’s out."...

...I stared out at the fading light, watching as the sky shifted from gold to a deepening blue. The park, a familiar landmark with its weathered swings and sun-bleached slides, seemed to hold a promise of both adventure and unpredictability. The distant hum of laughter and the occasional shout carried on the breeze, blending with the chirping of crickets that began to stir....

..."Well, um, I guess I better put on my shoes then," I said, my voice wavering slightly. My stomach churned with unease, a tight knot forming at the thought of the unexpected encounters that might await me particularly with Arthur and my brother, Papa. The weight of uncertainty settled heavily on my shoulders as I forced myself to stand, my mind racing with thoughts of what might unfold as I stepped out into the dusk....

...Walking down the sidewalk toward the park, I noticed my brother slipping into his usual detective mode. His curiosity was relentless, and he started with his barrage of questions. “So how did you two meet?” he asked, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather....

...My face flushed with a mix of anxiety and hesitation. The truth was complicated, tangled in layers of unsaid words and unspoken history. I struggled to find a way to simplify our situation, but before I could muster a response, Arthur jumped in....

...“We met at school,” Arthur said smoothly, “and we've been friends for quite some time.”...

...His casual delivery seemed too rehearsed, and the word “friends” echoed in my mind. I couldn’t help but think that he was glossing over the complexities to avoid the truth. In reality, we hadn’t always been friends; there was a time when we were far from it. The term “friends” felt almost like a mask, hiding the reality of our turbulent past....

...“Oh, that’s nice. You must have been treating my brother well, correct?” My brother asked, his tone carrying an edge of protectiveness....

...I looked at him, confused by the strange questions and statements. What exactly do he know, and what was he trying to uncover with all these questions? The sudden shift in his demeanor left me uneasy, my mind racing to make sense of his intentions as we continued down the sidewalk....

...Arthur seemed to be handling the situation with ease. His expression remained calm and collected as he spoke. “Umm, yeah, I remember he needed a pencil, and I let him use mine, even though it was my favorite pencil. But I thought nothing of it. To answer your question, I think I treat him quite well.”...

...His response was smooth, almost too smooth, and he seemed unfazed by my brother's probing questions. Despite his easy demeanor, I couldn’t shake the nagging doubt that there was more to our history than he was letting on....

...“Hm,” my brother replied, his tone contemplative. He studied Arthur for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing the truth behind his words. The silence stretched between us, filled with unspoken questions and a sense of underlying tension....

...As we walked, the park came into view, situated at the edge of the suburbs and nestled in the middle of a vast field. The open space around it was dotted with patches of wildflowers and tall grasses swaying gently in the breeze. The park's familiar features a playground with rusting swings and a weathered slide stood out against the backdrop of the encroaching twilight, promising a change of scene from the probing questions and tense atmosphere of our walk....

...I glanced at Arthur, who had pulled out his phone and was absorbed in texting. His fingers moved quickly across the screen, and I couldn’t tell if he was messaging friends, checking in with his mom, or just distracted by something else. His focus on the phone seemed to set him apart from the scene, adding a layer of distance between him and the lively park ahead....

...“I can see you looking at me. If you want to know what I’m doing, all you have to do is ask,” Arthur said with a small, knowing smile, his eyes still fixed on his phone. The realization that he’d caught me staring made me feel a twinge of embarrassment. ‘Where is the nearest graveyard?’ I thought to myself....

...“Um, I was just wondering who you’re texting,” I said as we crossed the street to the park, which was now fully visible ahead of us....

...Arthur glanced up briefly, his smile widening slightly. “I was texting my mom to let her know we’d be at the park since we’re not at the house anymore,” he explained, his tone casual....

...“Lil bro, what did I tell you about spying on people?” Papa said with a wide, playful grin, his tone clearly rhetorical....

...I shot him a frustrated glance. “Do you want to die?” I asked, my voice calm but with a hint of a smile....

...As we arrived at the park, we headed over to a long rectangular table with built-in seats. Papa’s gaze shifted to Arthur, and I could tell he was about to do something childish. “Hey, Arthur,” Papa called out....

...Arthur turned to look at him. “What?”...

...Before Arthur could react, Papa dashed closer, reaching out and touching him while shouting, “YOU’RE IT!” Then he took off running. I was caught off guard by the sudden move and didn’t react quickly enough. Arthur, seizing the moment, tagged me....

...“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath, loud enough for only myself to hear, as I realized I was now part of the game....

...I began chasing after Arthur, my thoughts swirling with confusion. How had things shifted from working together to this unexpected game of tag, all thanks to my brother’s playful intervention? Despite the bewilderment, I felt a strange happiness, as if my brother had a way of making everything fall into place just right, even if I couldn’t quite grasp how....

...Arthur climbed up the park structure, and I pursued him with determination. He slid down the slide, and I followed closely behind. As I saw my brother ahead, I switched my focus to him, gaining on him until I tripped and fell. Looking up, I saw Arthur laughing, which only fueled my desire to catch him....

...Arthur ran back up the structure, and I followed, leaping off the rail after him. We both lost our balance and tumbled to the ground. I ended up falling right on top of Arthur. The awkwardness of the moment was palpable, but beneath it all, I felt an unexpected sense of closeness. As we lay there, I touched him and said, “Tag, you’re it,” before getting up and running off. The moment felt surreal and intimate, and I wished it could stretch on forever....

...As I made my way up the park structure, I kept a cautious distance from Arthur, who was now chasing my brother. My brother glanced up at me with a mischievous grin, clearly intending to come my way to stir things up....

...I quickly slid down the slide and kept running, maintaining a safe distance as Arthur pursued my brother. Other kids scattered around the park, trying to stay out of the way but clearly intrigued by the game. Their laughter and excited chatter suggested that they were eager to join in on the fun. I could already tell that by the next round, they’d likely be jumping into the fray, adding to the lively chaos....

...As I continued to keep my distance, the park buzzed with excitement. Arthur and my brother were fully engaged in the game, their laughter mingling with the sounds of other kids, who were now beginning to take an interest. They watched eagerly, and it wasn’t long before some of them asked if they could join in....

...Arthur’s mom had yet to arrive, so the game expanded to include the new players. We all split into teams, the park echoing with cheers and playful shouts as everyone got involved. The game became a lively mix of strategy and laughter, with kids darting around, trying to avoid being tagged while tagging others in return. The energy was infectious, and even the kids who had initially stayed on the sidelines were now actively participating, their faces alight with joy....

...The fun continued until Arthur’s mom finally arrived at the park. She called out to Arthur, her voice cutting through the playful chaos. Arthur looked up, realizing the game was winding down. He gave me one last, somewhat reluctant glance as he made his way toward his mom....

...Seeing that Arthur was about to leave, Papa approached him with a friendly grin. “Hey, Arthur, before you go, could I get your contact information? It’d be great to keep in touch and maybe set up another game or hang out sometime.”...

...Arthur nodded, pulling out his phone to exchange contact details with Papa. After a few quick taps, they finished exchanging numbers, and Arthur’s mom ushered him toward the car. With a final wave and a smile, Arthur climbed in, and the car drove off....

...As the park gradually quieted down, I couldn’t help but reflect on the day’s unexpected turn of events. What started as a simple school work had turned into a joyful afternoon filled with new friendships and playful memories....

...After Arthur left, the game continued with the remaining kids, our laughter and excitement filling the park until it was time to head back inside. The day had been unexpectedly full of fun and energy, a welcome change from the usual routine....

...Later that evening, as I got dressed in my pajamas and prepared for bed, I found myself reflecting on the day’s events. It was now 10:30, and the room was dimly lit by a bedside lamp. I wondered what the future would hold how things at school would change now that we’d had this unexpected connection with Arthur. Would our interactions shift, or would things remain as they were before we met? Only time would reveal the answer. For now, I settled into bed, contemplating the day’s surprises and waiting to see how the new chapter would unfold....

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