The school bell rang out signalling break time and on cue, all the students in the class started making idle chit-chat as they filed out of the classroom and into the big yellow brick corridor. Caleb and Lizzy followed suit being sandwiched together by the sea of bodies in the vast labyrinth of corridors and walkways.
"…Caleb, I know you said nothing was wrong, but I know that somethin' is wrong it's like something's bugging you or you aren't sure about something. I can tell so don't lie to me!"
Lizzy looked at Caleb pouting. She hated seeing Caleb worried or stressed and she especially hated it when she didn't know what he was stressed about.
"Look it's…complicated and I doubt it'd make any sense so just…stop worrying"
"Caleb, we've been friends since we were five I don't care if it's complicated, I need to know what my best friend is thinking and what's worrying him"
Caleb grasped the soul gem tightly in his right palm as he looked at the concerned and agitated expression on Lizzy's face, contemplating whether to tell her the truth or not...
"…I'll explain everything when we get outside but trust me you're probably going to think I'm a huge dummy."
"I already know you're a huge dummy, so you don't have to worry about that!"
Caleb and Lizzy let out a chuckle, which helped ease Caleb's nerves as the two started walking to the school courtyard.
# # #
The tension was palpable in the air as the two sat on the cold concrete stairs in the school's courtyard overlooking the tennis court. This was the same place they had been sitting and chatting for years but this time the usual relaxed and carefree atmosphere was gone...
"So…what is it, Caleb?"
Lizzy stared intently at Caleb as he tightened the grip in his right hand, looking down, conflicted.
"Remember the story I told you my grandma used to tell me…the one about the two brothers?"
"Oh yeah! You never used to shut up about it, but in all fairness, it was a good story"
"Yeah…well remember how the swordsmen's brother dies in it and his wife picks up his soul gem?"
"Uh-huh…"
Lizzy tilted her head like a bewildered puppy confused as to where this could possibly be going.
"Well, uh…"
Caleb opened his palm, revealing the pebble-sized, hexagonal-shaped gemstone that was encased by white angel-like wings that were cast out of some sort of metal, which themselves had two smaller yellow gemstones placed in the centre of each wing. The Soul gem glistened in the sun casting a beautiful blue-tinged shadow under it in Caleb's Palm.
"Your Grandma's necklace…I'm not sure I get it?"
"…My Grandma told me that she was the lady, and the necklace was the soul gem and that I'm the one that's supposed to use it…"
Lizzy sat in stunned silence for a second as she gathered her thoughts. Like Caleb, she didn't think any of this was real at first. she thought for sure that Caleb was pulling her leg as usual and it was some sort of elaborate practical joke, but the way Caleb was acting suggested otherwise.
"And you're sure she was like…serious…?"
"I'm not sure…I'm not sure of anything…Like my grandma wouldn't lie to me, right? And the look she gave me when she handed it to me was dead serious."
"Yeah, she isn't one to tell fibs…"
"But on the other hand, it's just so unbelievable nothing like that could ever happen right?"
"Yeah… I mean I always thought it was an old fairy tale she told you…"
"Yeah…"
"And also, why is she so sure I'm the hero I'm useless…everything I try do I fail… I mean I can't even remember to take the stuff I need to school. I could never be a hero and how am I even supposed to even go to that world she just said, 'I'll know when the time is right,'"
"…You're not useless Caleb…"
"Huh?"
"You aren't useless don't say that about yourself… You've always been there for me when I was down or in trouble. Remember that one time in primary school those bullies were picking on me and you…stood up for me even though they beat you up for it…I wish I could have talked you out of it because seeing you getting hurt like that hurt me! you're totally a hero…"
"Y-You really think so?"
"*You're My Hero*"
"Huh, what was that Lizzy?"
"O-Oh it was n-nothing d-d-d-don't worry about it hah"
Caleb shot Lizzy a confused glance as Lizzy buried her head in her knees out of embarrassment at what she said. Her face turned as red as a ripe tomato.
"W-we should go, Caleb…Third period is gonna start soon!"
"Oh yeah, we got English now, don't we?"
"Yeah…"
The two stood up together and began walking back towards the school building. Lizzy refused to look Caleb directly in the eye out of sheer embarrassment.
("I'm so stupid. did I really say that?!… Stupid, Stupid, stupid!")