The Year 2000 (Flashback of Lord Ardan Eryndor and Aldric Draekhaven' past in high school)
The first big fight
Ardan
It starts over something stupid. "You're coming over this weekend," Aldric says as we walk out of class. "We'll work on the Chem project at my place." I hesitate.
"I... I actually told Owen I'd help him study for the test." Aldric stops walking. I feel the air shift around us.
"You what?" His voice is calm, but I know better. I force a smile.
"Come on, it's just one study session. We can work on the project later."
His jaw tightens.
"I thought we already had plans."
"No, you made plans. I just didn't say no."
Silence.
Aldric looks at me, expression unreadable. Then, finally—
"So, you'd rather waste your time with him?" His voice is soft, but the words cut.
"It's not about that," I say quickly. "Why are you acting like this?"
"Like what?"
"Like—like I'm not allowed to have other friends!"
His lips press together. His hands curl into fists. "You think he actually likes you?" His voice drops lower, darker. "He's using you, Ardan. The moment he doesn't need your notes; he'll be done with you. But go ahead. Let's see how long that lasts." I flinch.
I don't want to believe him. But the thing is? Aldric has always been right about people before. I hate that part of me still trusts him. Still—
"I'm still going," I say, voice quiet but firm. For the first time ever, Aldric doesn't say anything. He just turns and walks away.
Aldric
I shouldn't be this angry. But I am. Ardan is mine. Mine. He belongs at my side, not with people who don't matter. So, I do what I always do when I need to remind him of that. I wait. That weekend, I don't text him. Don't call. I let him feel my absence. I know how his mind works—he'll start overthinking, wondering if he did something wrong. Sure enough, on Sunday night, my phone vibrates.
Ardan [7:42 PM]: Hey, are you mad at me?
I smirk.
Me [7:45 PM]: Should I be?
I leave him waiting. Let the guilt sink in. When he finally calls, I let the phone ring twice before answering. "Hey," he says, voice uncertain. I sigh. "What do you want, Ardan?" There's a pause. Then, quietly—"I don't like fighting with you."
Checkmate.
I exhale, like I'm the one giving in. "Yeah. Me neither." Silence stretches between us, but I know I've already won. Because next time? Next time he'll think twice before making plans with someone else.
Ardan
I know something's wrong the moment I step into the library. Owen is already sitting at our usual table—but across from him, lounging back like he owns the place, is Aldric. Owen looks uncomfortable. I freeze.
"Aldric," I say carefully. "What are you doing here?" He smiles, easy and sharp.
"What? Can't I join?" Owen glances at me, clearly sensing the tension. "Actually, I was just about to leave—"
"Sit down," Aldric says, voice flat. Owen stiffens. I step forward. "Dude, stop it."
"Stop what?" His head tilts. "Just looking out for you." Something in me snaps. "I don't need you to look out for me, Aldric." Silence. I never talk to him like this. For a second, I see something flash across his face—shock? Hurt? —but then it's gone, replaced with something much colder. He stands up, shoving the chair back. Owen tenses, looking like he's about to bolt. Aldric turns to me. His voice is quiet, but it burns.
"You should be careful who you trust, Ardan." Then he walks out. And for the first time, I feel like I can actually breathe.
Aldric
Fine. If Ardan wants to play this game, I'll end it. That week, rumors start spreading about Owen. How he cheated on his last test. How he's only friends with Ardan to use him for grades.
I don't need to say anything outright. Just a few well-placed words, a few whispers in the right ears. By the end of the week, Owen is drowning in suspicion. He stops coming to study sessions. Stops talking to Ardan entirely. And when Ardan comes to me, looking lost, looking hurt, I know I've won. Because no matter what, he always comes back to me. Always.
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