Chapter XV

Be aware of switching POV's.

Lucien’s POV

There was a shout down the hall. 

What was going on? A fight? They don’t occur very often here though.

“What do you mean?!” said a voice that was unmistakably Mikael’s.

His hands clenched the collar of Nico’s shirt, shaking the guy roughly while he looked firmly at Mikael.

I immediately rush over and haul Mikael away from him.

“Calm down Kael!” I say as he struggles to get free.

He soon yanks away from my grip and glares harshly at Nico who stares back unwaveringly.

“Tell me what you mean,” Mikael repeats sharply.

“Just what I said. I love her.”

Love her...?

When it processed in my head, my eyes grew large.

“Agh! So is this why she’s been avoiding me?!” Mikael booms.

My mind was blank as I stared at them shouting back and forth, well, Mikael anyways.

Finally coming to my senses, I tug Mikael’s shoulders, leading him away to end the commencing conflict. This unexpected action quieted him down as he turned to ask, “Huh? What’s wrong?”

“Let’s go Kael,” I say, my voice surprisingly low and threatening.

Startled by my unwonted tone he backed off, but only after giving Nico one last glare. 

As we walked away, Mikael dragged behind me while my mind throbbed. 

I don’t understand myself. Why was my voice like that? Yes, it got him away, but...

My hand went up to my forehead to apply pressure. These thoughts hurt, and I couldn’t seem to pinpoint the source.

Is it? I thought, my heart beating. No...I can’t.

I look behind me at Mikael who happens to have been staring at me this whole time.

Turning my head back around, I sigh inwardly. It was either my best friend or...

---

“Lucien!”

I recognize Andy’s voice as he comes literally prancing over to me.

“Yes?”

“Guess what,” he says, grinning like a fool.

“No, what?” I say, leaning my head upon my palm.

“I asked Elisa out to the dance,” he says triumphantly. 

Elisa? The image of them together formed in my mind. Sweet and shy with outgoing and hyper. Hmm... I could see that work. Well, if opposites attract holds true.

“She said ‘yes’,” he continues answering my unspoken question.

“That’s wonderful,” I smile, genuinely happy for him. I only hope she felt the same, but I have a feeling she wouldn’t say ‘yes’ to just anyone.

Welcome to Amorei, princess.

I smile remembering my greeting to Elisa and her shocked and timid reaction.

“Hm? What are you smiling about Lucien?” he says peering into my face.

I move a little away from him, noticing his playful expression.

“Thinking about who you’re going to ask? It’s in two weeks you know,” he goes on to say.

“As a matter of fact I was not,” I reply, getting up from my drawing bench.

“Really? Who are you going to ask anyway?”

“Perhaps no one,” I say, gathering my pencil and notepad.

“Oh, well, Nico says he’s going to ask Esteire,” he informs.

I stop in mid picking up.

“What?” I say, my voice a little higher then intended.

He didn’t notice and continued as if remembering his brother in the meanwhile.

“Yeah; I told him that may not be a good idea though, but I hope it goes well.”

“Ah,” I say and start to walk away, “Well, I’ll see you at rehearsal.”

He waves and leaves in another direction.

May not be a good idea...

Elisa’s POV

My face was still flushed after Andy asked me to the dance. I really did like him, but my thoughts kept running to Sebastian and the whole file ordeal. And his gentle golden eyes...

I shake my head. No no no, Elisa! Stop that!

“Got water in your ears?” says a gruff voice.

“Eh?” I say, turning around to face my favorite redhead. That was sarcasm by the way.

My dull expression must’ve shown what I was thinking as he chuckles and says, “Hey now. No need for that; we’re in a band together.”

I blink. “That was only for the concert though. Wait, is there another time when the groups combine?”

“Hm? No,” he bluntly replies.

My face drops. I actually got excited there.

He sees and smirks. I see and glare.

“Hey there,” my sister says and snaps her fingers in front of Mikael’s nose, surprising him so much that he leapt backward.

“Wha-” he starts then realized it’s her. He instantly blushes while Esteire softly giggles.

If he ever became my brother I would- Urk. I think I want to stop it there. No way would I want...

My sister smiles as he spoke, grumbling on about history class and a ‘stupid map activity they had to do. ‘I mean come on, geography’s fifth grade...’

My eyes misted over. My sister was smiling...

---

I could see her grinning suggestively at me in the corner of my eyes. Although I was frowning, my mouth kept twitching into a smile. 

During rehearsal, Andy openly displayed his delight to everyone by hugging me as I endeavored to get free. He managed to peck me on the cheek before I got away.

Nudge.

My head snaps over at Esteire who chuckles a little at my sudden outburst.

“So, Andy asked you to the dance?” she states more than asks.

Bingo.

The answer was on my face.

Esteire comes over and enfolds me in her arms, cuddling me as if I was a child.

“Oh, my little El has been asked to a dance,” she says like a mother.

“Hey!” I protest and she lets go smiling.

My face reddens. El. She hasn’t called me that since he went away. Does she realize that?

I look over at her. She’s not facing me anymore, but her face is calm... happy.

He nicknamed us the Es and El sisters; Esandel he said. ‘Why not just EsEl?’ we had both asked together. He laughed. Esteire loved that laugh. 

My eyes misted. I missed those days. Picnicking on our hill that rose a few hundred metres behind our house, singing, reading, laughing, while sitting on the sturdy boughs of the ashen oak. The countless trips to the park, beach and the various fairs that came along. 

My chest heaves.

Yeah.