['''''Time quickly flew by. Just how in real life works—before you even knew it, boom. It's tomorrow. You forget what has happened yesterday, and move on towards that tomorrow.''''']
—— <{[ — ■■■■■■■■■■■ ■■■■■■ —]}> ——
<. . .?>
An hour ago before the masquerade ball commenced.
"H-haah..Hahaaah..-"Caleb ran a hand through his sweat drenched hair, his breathing disoriented and heavy.
"L-leave…My-..Ack! - me - alone!.."
'I think you deserve a word of acknowledgement by your own ⍰, you've gotten a lot stronger—how amusing'
"W-what do you - ngh..! Want from me?!.."
'Oh have you forgotten already? Hm. I suppose the last time we spoke was a few months ago—kill ⍰ and destroy the ⍰, ruin the ball ⍰'
"T-that won't.. HAPPEN!"
'...'
Silence filled Caleb's quarters except for his silent wheezes.
"He's gone right?"
"Right, yes. I'm sure of it!"
Caleb took deep breaths and eventually calmed himself down, looking around the room and darted his eyes towards the antique clock—he only had an hour left to be there, otherwise the gates would close on him. He either had to be on time or be there early.
"Oh shoot!" he exclaimed. Caleb rushed towards the bathroom nearly falling on the doorstep with a high-pitched yelp. Flipping the shower switch on—ignoring the tingling and shivering feeling of the ice cold water cascading down his skin.
Momentarily, he dozed off—staring at the cool marble tile of the shower walls, and snapped. He reached out for the shampoo bottle that was on the ground, pouring a generous amount onto his hand, rubbing the smooth, slippery gel against the palm of his hands before massaging the shampoo into his scalp, working the shampoo through his thick hair, ensuring he reaches all areas of his head. Quickly rinsing his hair and grabbing a bar of soap scrubbing all around his lean body, eventually washing all the lingering bubbles surrounding his frame.
Caleb got out of the shower drying himself with a towel and another towel to dry his dampened hair. Walking to his room, his eyes darting back at the clock — 45 minutes.
He delved into his wardrobe, pushing aside clothing after clothing
and eventually took out a perfectly, pristine tailored suit, given by the king for his birthday last year. He hadn't worn it yet, so why not wear it now?
He hastily put it on, which subtracted a few minutes of his remaining time — 38 minutes. Quickly combing his hair with ease, grabbing his masquerade mask that had hand-painted designs, gems, sequins, and laced overlays, covering only his eyes and upper cheeks.
He turned his body to face the large mirror, "Damn, who's this handsome guy?" he grinned, before darting his eyes back at the clock. — 32 minutes.
Sprinting out of his chambers, heading outside to his prepared carriage — heading to the academy and arriving just in time.
"Woo! I arrived just in time!" he panted, the gate closed right behind him with a loud clang.
Caleb's eyes searched around the ball room. Vaulted ceilings, a crystal chandelier casting a soft glow among the guests, high walls with crown modeling, polished marble flooring, murmurs of many conversations, the soft rustles of gowns, classical music playing in the background, and the smells of the guests colognes and perfume filled the hollow ballroom.
Everyone was wearing their masks so it was quite hard to navigate where Astrid was, "Where is she–"
"Hey Caleb! Is that you?" someone called out.
At first, Caleb thought it was Astrid but it was just a friend of his.
"Oh hey Lucas." he said quietly.
"It's been awhile! How have you been?" said Lucas enthusiastically.
Lucas Percy.
Lucas was known to be the most handsome prince in the country. Everyone thought that Lucas was most suited to be Astrid's consort in the future — and he was actually Astrid's first love interest. But simply, he rejected. What a waste. Am I right?
They were both strong, they come from the most influential families, they have the looks, wealth, and everything. So why?
It's obvious, Lucas was not interested in anyone—the last time he had a relationship with someone didn't end well. So if he ever gains an interest in someone that'd be like winning the lottery!
He had long blonde hair, green eyes that have the shine of an emerald, he was certainly tall, his physique was just perfect, and he was just completely flawless, overall. Despite it all, he remains mysterious in a good way
"I'm doing good, you?"
"I'm doing amazing! I just became a swordmaster recently!" Lucas grinned.
"Oh that's nice."
"Aw. You haven't changed one bit, you're dry as ever!" a slight pout formed on his lips.
"I guess I haven't. But anyway, have you seen Astrid around?"
Lucas groaned, "Astrid this. Astrid that. It's always about her." he grumbled.
"Well, if you don't plan on telling me where she is then I'll find her myself." said Caleb, turning his head away.
"Wait- wait- wait!" he grabbed onto Caleb's arm subconsciously and released his arm when he realized.
"What?"
"C'mon don't do me like that. We've barely spent time together lately because of me, I thought we were friends?"
<...>
3 years ago.
Where did Astrid go? I swear I saw her right next to me?
….
I'm scared. Did she leave me? Did she abandon me? Wait- no. Of course not. Right? Astrid can't be like her?
Caleb cowered himself in the corner of the hallway, curling into a ball,
burying his face into his knees.
He felt light tap on his knee and hesitantly looked up, "Hey! Are you okay?" the youthful teenaged boy stared at him with a smile.
Who…That's not Astrid. Wait. Have I seen him somewhere? Oh right..During my history class. What was his name again?
"Go away." Caleb murmured, glaring at Lucas intensely.
"How cold! C'mon get up, you'll get your uniform dirty and plus the janitors haven't cleaned the floors since last week!"
"I don't care, piss off." Caleb snarled.
The boy took a step back, frustrated by Caleb's stubbornness, "Ugh how feisty. Get up or else I'll beat you up."
Caleb flinched, slowly stood up, staring down at the floor—avoiding the gaze of the blonde boy.
"Hey wait- I actually didn't mean when I said I would beat you up."
The boy sensed trauma or PTSD from Caleb, well it was a guess.
"What do you want then?" Caleb mumbled.
He shrugged, "I don't know, I just happened to spot you as I walked down the hallways."
Caleb clenched his fists, "Do you not know how to mind your own business?" said Caleb through gritted teeth.
"Woah! I just thought you were lonely, jee"
Lonely? The fuck do you mean? I'm not lonely! I'm not-... I'm not lonely without Astrid though…
Caleb was caught in a dead silence, beads of sweating rolling down his forehead.
"Oh…Did I hit a nerve?"
"Just leave me alone!" Caleb lashed out, tears of frustration starting to form in his eyes.
"What's up with him? Did I say something wrong?" he thought.
"Hey wait- I'm sorry if I had said anything wrong—"
"Are you deaf?!"
The boy flinched, stepping back, "I- just…Okay I apologize for disturbing you…" he bowed before walking away.
…
Hahh…What's wrong with me? A friend. I could've made another one of those.
During Lunch:
Where is Astrid? Right. She went home early since she didn't feel good. I really am alone now…
Caleb sat down on one of the benches, eating his sandwich.
"How embarrassing…" he mumbled to himself, Caleb heard footsteps approaching him—but then again he didn't heed anything to it.
But he looked up to see who it was—it was that same boy from earlier.
…What's he doing here again…Maybe I should apologize for earlier.
"What do you want?"
Wait no, I didn't want to say that. I don't wanna sound indifferent!
The boy scratched the back of his head, "I thought maybe I should check up on you, you know?"
"..."
"I'm sorry for lashing out on you." Caleb mumbled, staring at his half bitten sandwich.
"No, no, no! You're good, I just thought that you needed some company. I should've asked you that first before jumping into that."
"Okay." said Caleb, dryly.
There was an awkward silence between the two.
"Can I sit next to you?"
"Why? Someone like you shouldn't sit next to me, unless you're interested in Astrid and just want to get along with me because of her." his voice turned into a murmur at the last part.
"Eh? What no! I want to get to know you!"
Me?...Why? Forget it, I don't care anymore.
"Whatever. You could sit next to me."
"Great! My name is Lucas Percy!" Lucas smiled brightly.
Caleb turned his head away, "Caleb."
"Wanna be friends?"
Friends? Friends with someone else other than Astrid?... I. Perhaps I should take his offer but I'm not used to someone randomly asking me that question abruptly.
Caleb shifted in his seat, "Ah- sorry for the sudden question, you don't have to say yes."
"Don't you have other friends to hang out with?"
"Um I do actually! I just wanted to get a break from them, and plus you seem pretty cool!."
"I don't understand."
"Heh, nor do I!"
"Weirdo."
"Ow. Your words have struck my heart." Lucas clutched their chest dramatically, "But anyways, is that a yes?"
"To what?"
"If you want to be friends or not."
…
"Okay, sure."
"Ayy excellent choice!" said Lucas, his actions filled with enthusiasm.
"You really are something, Caleb," Lucas thought.
I've made a friend, Astrid. It was someone different. But, that doesn't mean I'd stop being friends with you though.
Soon enough, Caleb got along with other students as well—instead of just isolating himself from others. Lately, he hasn't been spending time with Lucas either. There wasn't anything bad between them, it just ended just like that. It was as if he had done his job and left—that could be the reason.
A year ago.
Caleb walked around the hallway during break—looking for Astrid.
Where could she be again? Where were we supposed to meet up?
Wait, is that Lucas?
Lucas looked different—more mature and became much taller.
"Lucas?" Caleb called out, waving.
Lucas paused in his tracks, glancing, his eyes sparkled. "Oh hey! It's been awhile."
"I haven't seen you around the academy lately."
Lucas chuckled nervously, "About that…
Caleb tilted his head, "Is something wrong?"
He shook his head, "Oh no, there's nothing wrong, it's just about studies and all that. I'm taking higher classes too."
Caleb studied Lucas's face, he had dark circles around his eyes, "You should really take better care of yourself." he tsked.
"Aw so you do care!"
"Did you think I'd be some heartless bastard?"
"Kinda~!"
Without Lucas, Caleb wouldn't be able to get along with others around him. Not even Astrid would be able to help him with that problem.