My mind was conflicted. My hands wanted to hold hers, pull them closer to me, but my feet buckled, urging me to run away. I wanted to keep my distance, yet I also cherished the warmth of having her near. There we stood, locked in a stalemate, my back still damp from her quiet tears.
In that moment several thoughts pulsed through my mind, a stark contrast to the stillness outside. What draws us to the arms of those our hearts don't belong to? Why are we incapable of loving those who loved us first? If she isn't my love, am I betraying the one who is by staying in her embrace like this?
"Don't...turn...around." A soft voice whispered, more a plead than a command. The fiery passion in her voice had dissipated. I held my breath, and as suddenly as she came, she slipped away–a warm embrace giving way to dampness and the sting of the cold air. I did not like being left behind, but this time around, she was right to. If she had any wisdom at all, she would have left for good.
As I picked up my homework and brushed off the dirt, I wondered. Would I have the strength to pull away had this been reversed? A guilty pang felt like gravity on my shoulders. I did not like the honest answer.
I was walking back to my classroom when stern strong hands reached for my shoulder.
"Hey, Claus–a bit early for History class, isn't it?"
It was just my luck to have run into Lucian Vale, the "Golden Boy". His title isn't just thanks to his flowing blonde locks that would give any hairstylist wet dreams–No, this dude has the audacity to have perfect grades and become the football team captain to boot. I haven't really interacted much with him, but guys like me–by principle–dislike guys like him.
"I'm hoping if I arrive early enough, I'd get to see the Ottomans." I said dryly.
He laughed good-naturedly. "You're funny, usually in class you're so serious. I'm quite surprised."
"I am serious." I met his gaze with as much deadpan as I can muster. "In fact, in the time were talking, I've already missed the discovery of penicillin"
"Oh well then how about I buy something from the cafeteria to make up for it?"
"No offense but a second more with you would drain my already low social battery."
In response he grinned showing his perfect white teeth. "Well, some hotcakes ought to charge you right up. We'd better hurry they're selling like –"
I looked at him, a raised eyebrow, a challenge to finish his redundancy.
He sighed and raised his hands up smiling. "Nevermind."
He then walked forward and it's a testament to how strong this man's pull towards other people this, that even I, with all my guardedness found myself walking with him before I came to realize.
It was this easygoing and warm aura that made Lucian so popular, it didn't hurt that he was eye candy too, so much so that I, a staunchly heterosexual male would have to begrudgingly admit it.
"Did you just come from football practice?
His eyes widened slightly. "How did you know?"
You're still wearing your jersey for one thing. "Lucky guess."
"Wizard!" He teased.
"Says the guy with all the perfect marks. Seriously, are you some kind of genetic experiment or did God just choose to main-character you?"
He waved the compliment smoothly. "You're not so bad yourself, one bad test and you dethrone me as the top of the class."
"Ha, as your hair would bear witness, you don't get bad days."
A cloud passed over his eyes, it was just a flicker of a second, but I could almost see insecurity pierce his perfect confident face. "You'd be surprised."
"Hey Lucky." Breaking the ice that formed for a moment, an upperclassman called after Lucian. He cooly waved, making the girl next to the upperclassman visibly swoon.
"People call you Lucky?" I smiled derisively
He looked shy for a moment. "It wasn't my idea."
"Well, I would've settled for Lucy."
He jabbed with a controlled but strong knuckle.
''You know it's quite rare to see you around Claus, usually when class ends you just go straight home. And you don't really interact with people much beyond Rafael."
I sighed. "After this, you'll never see me again."
He flashed his grin. "Well, I better make the most of it then."
Lucian was surprisingly easy to talk to, and he had the wit to match my sarcasm. All this hype about him might not be completely unfounded...Before I knew it, class time had started, and Lucian and I had to shove smoking hotcakes down our mouths as we ran to the classroom. We laughed as we ran, he–having the consideration to run slower to accommodate my scrawny legs.
We arrived just in time and gasping for air, I sat down my seat. Lucian on the other hand not looking any worse for wear as he sat on his chair and chatted with those around him, quickly creating a little solar system around him.
Raf jabbed me with a pencil. "Weird pairing–what were you doing hanging out with Golden Lucian?"
I gave him a funny look, "Golden Lucian?"
Raf threw his hands up. "I wasn't the one who came up with it. Not that it's inaccurate though, look at the guy, he looks like a child of Zeus."
"Considering how horny Zeus was, that doesn't really make him all that unique does it?"
"Fair, all of Greek Mythology could probably be summarized with 'unfortunately, Zeus was horny'. But don't change the subject–"
Before Raf could finish, Ms. Evergreen entered the classroom accompanied by poised girls in crisp white school blouses and sharp pleated skirts, their neckties bearing an embroidered school crest. When I realized from what school, a cold chill ran down my spine.
"Good morning, class." Ms. Evergreen began, looking pleased with herself. "I am thrilled to announce that in partnership with Rosewood Conservatory, we are staging a Classical Greek theater production!"
Excited mormers rippled across the room. Meanwhile I couldn't help but look at one of the girls, who was decidedly not looking at me. I've seen her twice or thrice in her school uniform, but it was always at home when she removed her make up and wore sweatpants over her skirt. This time around however, she was gracefully dressed. Her hair tied in a bun, light makeup accentuating her beautiful eyes and pink lips. For a moment I remembered that this girl was an aspiring actress, and here was a performance. A perfect mask to pair with her Junoesque appearance.
"To start, let's have the Rosewood ladies find their seats." Ms. Evergreen continued, "and we'll assign roles. Our play is a romance–so most importantly we need a leading man for our female lead, who is–"
She moved forward knowing what was to come next. "The beautiful Ms. Lara Rodriguez." She then gave a courtly bow and the whole class applauded, enamored by the figure in front of them.
"Now then any volunteers?"
Before I knew what I was doing, my hand shot up and I stood.
I couldn't let this opportunity go to waste. Lara was the perfect muse. An actress with a caliber far beyond her years, this was a very important opportunity for her. Whoever was by Lara's side needed to be someone who understood her talents and abilities, who allowed her to shine like the star she was. It could only be me, somehow, I could tell that my passion, my craft has always built up to this. I had to be–
"Ms. Evergreen." I said as Lucian leaned in, curious.
"I volunteer to be the scriptwriter of this play."