Episode 8
Everyone walked around excitedly in Royals High. The school had declared a love feast for everyone including the management. Rumors had it that his father was the sole owner of the school before he was threatened and the school which was like one of his known enemies.
He had tried to control the situation and made them shareholders after which he was involved in a ghastly accident which claimed his life.
Ryan looked around the school in admiration. This was father's dream and efforts.
His father had bought Royals High and reconstructed it when he was just five. Being the only child of his Parents, his father had secretly used his thumbprint on all his documents before he died.
All of that made no sense until he grew into adolescence. He realized his father's greedy manager wanted everything his father owned to himself.
Sometimes, he wondered if his father was truly involved in an accident or the accident had been staged.
He could remember sharing a hug with his father that morning before leaving. He had made him promise to be a good boy at school. All of that happened ten years ago when he was just a child.
He had mourned his father for five years. knowing he had no one else in the world to trust, he had become cold hearted towards everyone except Shane his bestfriend who stood by his side. They'd both shared a bond since childhood.
Ryan looked around in pain. He had made secret investigations while he was out of the city and found out who his father's enemies were.
He only needed time to carry out his plans. They'd better watch their back.
"Hey!" Someone called. Ryan turned to face Shane.
" Don't tell me you've been here all day brooding" Shane made a face at him.
"Come on... Just taking my time to admire Royals High... You know I really miss it"
"Ugh!" Shane heaved a sigh and raised his hands in defeat.
"You know.... I'll like to suggest something" Shane confined thoughtfully.
Ryan looked at his best friend. They we're both handsome, although he'd heard silly complements like he was more handsome.
Few years after his father died, Shane had lost both parents to a plane crash and that made them closer.
"Ah! I suggest that you get married to Royals High" Shane finally broke the silence.
"What?" Ryan asked nonplussed.
Shane laughed out.
"You silly... " he trailed off as he ram after his friend who had taken to his heels.
Everyone watched in admiration as the two friends ran round the artificial waterfall.
"Alright, I admit" Shane paused to take a breath.
Ryan ran over and punched him playfully.
"I don't think it's a bad idea if WE both get married" Ryan pouted his lips.
"What?" Shane asked bewildered and gave his friend a friendly punch.. He checked his wristwatch and looked at his best friend.
In an unspoken agreement, the two walked towards the big school hall. The love feast would commence in few minutes.
"You know I'm really sick of that Bitch" Ryan broke the silence.
"I don't think she's a Bitch.. She's just in love with you" Shane defended.
"Oh really?" Ryan mocked
"Come on!! "
"Looks like you've got a thing for her"
"Kind of" Shane admitted.
Ryan shook his head inwardly. 'If only he knew who she was' he thought.
"She's not the best for you" Ryan made a face before looking away.
"I know.... No one's perfect" Shane muttered. The moment was becoming awkward between the two friends.
Ryan knew he couldn't do anything to stop what Shane's feelings for her but he knew with time, when everything unravels, she would become his worst enemy.
The two friends walked into the hall just as their names were announced
"Here comes the school idol and his best friend Shane!!"
Everyone cheered and clapped as they made their way to their seats.
"Gosh! He's so cute" the girls gushed over Ryan.
The duo sat heavily as the program commenced. It was a love feast which included talking about a partner which they've been paired with before hand and also exchanging gifts.
Soon, the teachers we're called in pairs to the stage and they all followed the routine. This went on for minutes before Shane and Ryan were called.
There was a loud applaud as the two friends climbed the podium.
Ryan stared at Shane foe some minutes. He had strictly instructed the organizers to pair Shane with him.
"Alright thank you everyone" Shane was saying
"This moment, I want to appreciate you for being my brother, for always having my back. I really appreciate you for staying with me at my lowest" he paused a n d looked into his eyes.
"Thank you Ryan"
Everyone cheered at the emotional speech.
Shane handed the mic over to his friend who was trying not to get emotional before the audience.
"Well" he said into the mic and everyone cheered.
"I've known Shane since I was a kid and I can tell you that grief built our bond"
The hall was suddenly quiet and calm.
"You've been my family over the years. My brother and my father... You've always been there for me... This is a rare opportunity to tell you how much I appreciate you... Thank you always"
The two friends hugged emotionally amidst cheers.
"I'm about to cry!!" Someone yelled from the audience.
Soon, it was time to exchange gifts.
Shane brought out a big wrapped box. "It's something you've always wanted" he whispered.
Ryan handed him a small box which he opened and brought out a key. "You've always wanted this" Ryan grinned at him.
Shane hugged him excitedly as the audience cheered. Ryan had gifted him a Lamborghini.
The two friends climbed down the podium as Cassy and her friend were called to the stage amidst cheers.
"I'm glad to have the opportunity. I want to use this moment to proclaim my love you Ryan"
"What?" Everyone gasped
"I know this is absurd but I can't keep it to myself anymore... I can't keep this to myself anymore"
'Alright that's it'
Ryan stood from his seat and walked out of the hall.
★ ★ ★
Lucinda sat in one of the empty classes. She had decided to remain there in order not to embarrass herself. She tried reading her books but it turned out to be boring. She wasn't a day reader.
An idea popped into her mind. She was all alone.
What If she tried singing?
Good idea.
She turned to face the wall and acted like she was in front of an audience.
"I'm Lucinda Chadwick and the title of my song is take me away" Lucinda smiled as the audience cheered in her mind eye. She held an invisible mix and started singing with her eyes closed.
She stopped slowly and turned immediately she felt someone behind her.
"Hello!" She called but got no response.
That must have been her mind calculating wrong moves.