An enthralling sunset was fast approaching; snow still pouring, then a strong wind blew. Suddenly, festoon lights with all range of colors were beautifully lit up, but Tamitha couldn't move any muscle to appreciate the beauty of her surroundings. She could still feel her heart slowly being ripped apart from her chest. Trembling lips and her face getting more red because of the coldness.
Tamitha's really not fond of going out and making friends, however once you became her friend she'll treasure you... she'll treasure you in any way that she can. Just like how she is with Pearl, and now — with Castor. Seeing him turned his back; she knew all too well that she lost him. She lost a friend and that breaks her.
She harshly clutched her chest, trying to even out her breathing. Tamitha took a deep... deep breath, her legs giving up on her, making her collapsed. "I'm sorry..." She kept whispering to herself.
"I — I can't lose you, but I'm sorry..." She's rocking back and forth, sobbing profusely.
She stayed there for few more moments until she finally got herself back in her senses. She wiped her tears and breathe sharply. "A-Alright, you got this." Tamitha convinced herself. The lass looked at the key Castor gave to him. "A-Alright, Tamitha. Focus! You need to get your shit together. You did what you had to do — Plus, it's definitely for the best."
She slapped both sides of her cheeks to get herself in order. She exhaled, then walked her way to the twin's dorm to talk to Pollux.
And there she was; knocking at the Cunninghams' dorm room. It only took her two knocks before Pollux come running to answer the door. Pollux Cunningham, a debonair fine young man; killing his plain black long sleeves; hugging his body figure, partnered with slim fit light wash Jan jeans and his Stan smith completing the outfit. Hair completely disheveled, yet he looked more attractive. Plus, his strong fragrant scent was all too familiar to Tamitha. The guy makes the young lass' heart flutter — giving her all sorts of butterflies in her stomach; making her hold her breath whenever he's around, just like what's currently happening.
She coughed back to her senses. "Tamitha?" Pollux asked, with his forehead creased. "H-Hey!" Tamitha greeted, awkwardly raised her hands. Pollux opened the door wide for her to enter, which she immediately obliged.
As soon as she entered, she can't help but inspect their place. She noticed how their dorm's structure was exactly alike. However, their place's aura was more manly and dark; it screams that this dorm is a man cave, given that two men live in this dorm. It was fully furnished and carefully designed.
"What brought you here?" He asked Tamitha, who's still nailed to her place, silently looking around. She can't help but find their place astonishing from its black mounted kitchen cabinets, black marbled countertops, even their door rooms are painted black. Even if the whole room screams boldness; the aroma of cinnamon lingers the room, which contradicts the aura of the dorm but it captivates and calms Tamitha.
The scent helped her relax a bit, especially after what happened to her and Castor. She cleared her throat and followed Pollux, who was gently guiding her on the way to their living area. He even seated her comfortably at their black chiffon couch.
"I decrypted the message... All thanks to Castor — Here." She brought out a piece of paper to give to Pollux, who's now seated beside her. The lad looked at her for a second before getting the piece of paper.
"Raise the... flag? Rescued friend? Do you have any clue what this means?" Pollux read out loud with his brows drew together.
Tamitha shook her head as a reply. "N-No. No idea at all... I was hoping you can give one." They both bore into each other's eyes as if they're conversing with those stares. So intense, too many emotions...
Both quickly looked away for different reasons. Castor haunts Tamitha now. She sees him through Pollux and it pains her because she could still freshly recall those glistening eyes filled with pain Castor gave to her. She knew all too well that she gave that pain to him and she's feeling guilty about it. But what else could she do? She can't love him back, she can't return those feelings. Though, she hasn't figured out why yet or she's just being in denial of her feelings.
"Do you know any places that have flagpoles?" Pollux questioned.
"There's one I know... The one at the college quadrangle. Why? What does it have to with this?"
The lad nodded and rubbed his chin, thinking of what could be their possible action. "I don't know yet. Let's just check it out later, after the concert." He suggested, once again looked at Tamitha with his legs crossed and comfortably seated at the couch.
Tamitha shifted her body on the couch to get a better view of Pollux. "A-Are you suggesting that we'll take this message literally? It does not make any sense! How can one raise of a flag can help to save my best friend?!" Tamitha stood up from her seat, walk back and forth, whilst massaging her temple to calm herself.
She huffed; once again the pungent scent of cinnamon registered in her nose, helping her to keep her composure. "H-Hey, hey... We'll find Pearl, okay? She'll be fine." Pollux stood up and stopped Tamitha. He held her arms and slowly caress her soft red cheeks with his thumb.
Pollux looked straightly at Tamitha to convince her that they'll eventually find her best friend, even if he, himself is not sure about it too.
The sweet scent of cinnamon was no longer present the moment Pollux approached her. His strong fragrant aroma impacted Tamitha. With her eyes closed; she let her other senses feel Pollux. Enjoying his masculine scent, his soft and husky voice, most especially his touch... His touch shuddered Tamitha's spine.
It felt so good, yet so bad at the same time. Tamitha shook her head to get away from Pollux's touch. "W-What's this, Pollux?" Her voice shaking; she held her breath for a moment, then let it go slowly. She removed the beanie Castor gave to her, she's getting kind of hot. "W-What's all thi — What are we?! Please help me understand..." She gesticulated and made weird gestures as if it was helping her to let out the words she wanted to say.
He filled her eyes with desperation and confusion. Pollux, on the contrary, his arms hang from the air the moment Tamitha stepped backward. Too shocked to move because of Tamitha's question.
Pollux clenched his fist before putting it down; next, he looked at Tamitha emotionless. He is back to his distant self again. Tamitha flinched a bit with the intensity he is giving off. Nonetheless, Tamitha refused to back down and returned the same intensity he gave. She stood up confidently; her pupils flared up with rage, eyebrows raised, getting impatient to Pollux's answer. In the end, Pollux took a sharp breath and was the first one to avert his gaze.
"P-Pollux, I like —" Tamitha started but Pollux cut her off quickly.
"What we—" He exhaled and placed his hands on his waist, contemplating what to say. "What we had was special... I — look, I'll explain everything to you once we save Pearl, okay?"
"Had? Was?—" "Tamitha, please. I'll tell you everything, after all this." Pollux cut her off once more. He looked at his expensive blue dial stainless steel Rolex watch, "Let's go. We're going to be late for the concert." He walked inside his room located at the left corner, leaving Tamitha alone in the living area.
Tamitha let out a bitter chuckle; scratched her forehead, processing what just happened. She massaged her forehead while her other hand rested on her waist. "What a jerk." She frustratedly muttered.
She scouted the place to calm herself down. 'What am I even thinking? So stupid to ask such a thing?!' She pondered, gave herself a facepalmed feeling like a moron for almost admitting his feelings for that person. She checked her phone for the time since she didn't find any clock around the dorm. It stated 5:30 pm she stared at her lock screen for a moment; it was her and Pearl candidly posing at the camera. She sighed and prepared herself to leave the place. She fixed her brown hair before putting on the beanie once again. It's an hour and a half drive from the event; it was a great call for them to leave now.
Pollux got out of his room with a black hooded puffer jacket on his arms. "Come on, let's get going." Tamitha approached her and brought out the small gold key Castor gave to her earlier. "Here." She handed out the key. Pollux looked at her for a while with his forehead creased, then back to the keys.
"Why do you have this?" He got the keys from her and waved it in front of the lass.
"I-I don't even know why Castor gave me this —" She laughed and scratched her head. "Like, I can actually just knock..."
Pollux gave her a small smile and placed it at their countertop, then both headed towards the door to leave the premises. They walked their way to the parking lot. The committee did an excellent job decorating the whole university with Christmas decor, a sign that holiday is just right along the corner. It was a fine evening; the place was fully lit up with fairy and festoon lights a cold gushed of wind blew the decorations.
Both walking side by side, keeping their hands to themselves to keep warm. Tamitha gleefully examined the surroundings, snow continuously dropping. She raised her hand, medium level, then opened her palm and let the snowfall meet her palm. Another cold winter wind blew and sent her beautiful and shiny medium length brown hair lashing across her face. Both shuddered because of coldness, and hugged themselves for warmth.
Pollux glanced at her, grinned, but quickly shifted to a stoic face, and looked straight ahead. Snow piled up all over the town. Both were struggling a bit. Walking with these piles of snow, they are feeling a cold tingling sensation in their feet.
Tamitha noticed that many cars have left the parking area, probably because most of the students already left to be with their families for the upcoming holiday. Finally, they arrived in front of the latest model of a gray Ford Focus car, one of the most popular cars in a small, hidden town the Northcrest. The car looked masculine and sexy, perfect for the owner.
Pollux clicked his car keys, the car made a short loud beep sound, a sign that it is open. He opened the passenger seat door for Tamitha. "After you." She obliged and walked her way inside the car. After closing the door, he made his way to the driver's seat.
Both put on their seatbelts. "You ready?" He asked as he started the engine, she nodded. Just as soon as they're about to leave, someone opened the back door and sat comfortably in the back seat. Tamitha and Pollux glanced at the person who just popped out of nowhere. Confused look was written all over their faces.
"Got a room for another person?"
He mischievously smiled at Tamitha and Pollux, determined look plastered all over his face. "C-Castor?"