We stayed like that for a couple more minutes. Well, I think an hour has already passed.
I can’t hear the usual noise that students make when they roam around the campus after class.
Rough guess is that we are the only ones left on the campus. It’s so silent that the silence is giving me an eerie feeling. But of course, I shrugged it all off. After all, I don’t believe in such non-existent creatures.
He heaved a heavy sigh again
He finally stopped crying. I watched him as he tried to wipe the tear streaks from his face while laughing softly. 
“I look extremely weak, right?” he sniffed. “That’s why I don’t want to reminisce about the past. Look, the memory made me cry out of the blue,” he told me as he laughed again.
Honestly, if I did not know him and I did not know the reason why he cried, I’d say that he’s crazy. Who in their right mind would laugh while wiping away the remnants of tears? 
“Leigh, are you listening to me?”
I was caught off guard with his question. Wait a second, this I just spaced out? Because I really don’t know what he’s talking about.
“I’m sorry, what is it again? By the way, for future reference, my nickname is Mist, not Leigh,” I corrected him.
“I said thank you for listening to me. Thank you that you stayed and did not find me weird and disgusting when you saw me cry. And I like Leigh a lot better than Mist. anyway, I’m the one that will call you so I decide what I want to call you,” he said as his eyes lingered on mine.
“Really, thank you so much. I never knew that telling my story would somehow ease the pain that I am carrying.”
Ouch. What he said hit me like a bullet.
“Some pain is better left hidden. Not all pain should be exposed. Sometimes it’s better to keep and bear it all alone for the sake of everyone,” I said directly.
I don’t know where I got the courage to speak like that but yes, based on experience, it’s better to keep your pain and suffering. At least, you are also helping yourself hide your vulnerability from the people who would gladly take advantage of it. Trust me, it’s proven and tested.
“But if you decide to keep it all alone, it eats you alive. It’s like a magnet and a magnetic slime. Sy for instance, you are the magnet and the paint is the slime mixed with iron oxide powder. When you, in this case, the magnet is placed in the middle of the magnetic slime, what happens to the magnet?” He asked me.
Is this an impromptu science lesson?
“Uh, the magnetic slime goes towards it and eats the magnet whole,” I answered his question with a bit of confusion.
“Exactly! The magnet, which apparently is you, gets eaten by the magnetic slime, which is the pain. You see, similar to the slime, the pain will eat you whole. And the next thing you know, it’s hard for you to reach the surface and be happy again. You’ll never find the genuine happiness that you’re yearning for because you’re letting the pain get you.”
For a split second, I am deeply touched by Chaos’ words. He’s right. Pain eats me alive. He represented me and the pain so well. Nonetheless, I still choose to be eaten by it.
“Like I said, some pain is better hidden. If it is for the greater good, then why not suffer alone? It’s better to keep it and get killed with pain than let it out with hundreds of people in your surrounding being affected,” I said as my last resort.
“Okay, I won't force you to open up to me and tell me your pain. It is and will always be your choice,” he said, withdrawing from my gaze.
He then hugged me. Yeah, it’s my choice. And I choose to suffer alone. He continued to hug me until he said the words that literally made my heart ache.
“Just do remember that I’m here for you. I know you need someone to help you and I am willing to be that person. I'll help you survive, I promise. Just let me. You won’t be alone in this journey anymore.”